We will talk now about four very attractive and common 15.6″ gaming laptops that are currently sold for around 900-1000$ including a FullHD screen. In this post we will overview these four laptops, their strengths and drawbacks and compare them each to one another.
Why these specific laptops?
+ Leading in performance per price ratio and/or features per price ratio.
+ Because they pack a real bang for the buck.
+ They come at a good price (all under 1000$) and deliver quite high gaming performance to the point you’ll be able to run almost all of the more 3D intensive games on at least high settings and FullHD resolution.
+ All have a FullHD screen option under 1000$.
This list is not complete. There are other options, like some 14.0″ or 17.3″ gaming laptops or laptops that only have typical low quality screen (like the HP dv4t-5100, which is a great one, but doesn’t have the fullHD option). For the updated full list look here.
Summery table (and I truly suggest that you read the reviews thoroughly)
| Model | CPU / GPU | Memory | Screen | Highlights | Drawbacks | Performance / Price ratio | Price | Review |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 | I7-3610QMGTX 660M 2GB GDDR5 | 8GB DDR3 1600MHZ | FullHD |
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Best | 1000$ | Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 review, review 2 |
| Sager NP6165 (W150ER) | I5-3210M (+70$ for I7)GT 650M 1GB GDDR5 | 8GB DDR3 1600MHZ | FullHDoption: a very high quality screen |
|
|
Almost Best | 870$ base configuration | W150ER review |
| HP dv6t-7000 quad edition | I7-3610QMGT 650M 1GB/2GB GDDR5 | 8GB DDR3 1600MHZ | matte FullHD |
|
If you want a backlit keyboard and a bluray, you better take the Y580 | Best | 900$-950$ with FullHD screen, GT 650M (depends on coupons) | dv6t-7000 quad edition review,Another one |
| Asus N56VZ | I7-3610QMGT 650M DDR3 | 8GB DDR3 1600MZH | FullHD |
|
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Very Good | 1000$ special price for the FullHD n56VZ-RB1 on Microcenteror 1030$ on Amazon | other Asus N56VZ review |
Highest gaming performance and Excellent multimedia features : Y580
This one goes to the Lenovo Y580. Packing a GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5, I7-3610QM CPU, 8g DDR3 memory, with a good FullHD screen, backlit keyboard, bluray player and Windows OS, you actually get almost all of it as far as gaming goes. The 8+ hours battery under light work load just sweetens the deal.
The drawbacks of this laptop are the lack of a cheap mSSD option (although you can install one yourself) and the softness of the outer lid which might be a problem if you’re are not gentle laptop lover.
For higher performance you’ll get to add at least another 100$ for the Sager NP9130 and it comes with no OS.
Highest overall value : dv6t-7000
This goes, in my opinion, to the HP dv6t-7000 quad edition. The metallic looks and feel of the case, the very high I7-3610QM + GT650M GDDR5 performance + very good matte FullHD screen (read review or just look at the pictures) and the punch – the 32GB mSSD makes it a great gaming laptop that is also very fun to use. Usually with coupons you can get it with backlit keyboard and mSSD for 1000$ or under. Without the mSSD and backlit keyboard you can get it for 900$-950$ (925$ as for the 26/08/2012) and you can save a lot of money.
Great option for DIY lovers – replace the dv6t screen to an 1080p screen: You can buy the hp dv6t-7000 and buy a great 1080p screen for your choice (or not 1080p) like the AUO B156XW02 + HD cable from HP and install it yourself. Many people did it and they are very happy with it – here are instructions.
Highest customizability and FullHD screen option : Sager NP6165
The Sager NP6165 main selling points are, in my opinion:
+ lowest price for a GT 650M GDDR5 equipped laptop, if you don’t need a Windows OS. Although remember it comes with the I5 cpu compared to the I7 the HP dv6t-7000 comes – you’ll probably get the same performance for less money.
+ It’s higher customization possibilities – two HDD slots and overall ease of disassembling this laptop and change its internal parts, like adding an SSD.
+ The option for high grade FullHD screen (instead of the default ones) for low price of 70$ – you don’t need to do it yourself in case you want such a good screen.