10 Best Laptops Under $1200 in May 2024 [12th Gen CPU]

Whether you are looking for something light and portable or powerful with a widescreen, there is an option here for everyone. You can buy the laptop of your dreams without breaking the bank.

If you are a student or looking for something to help with home tasks, there are great options here. On the other hand, if you work in a corporate environment and need a powerful machine to last all day, you can also find one that suits your needs. Every inch of each of these laptops is taken into consideration to make sure that they get the job done, and it’s worth every penny. This blog post will look at some of the best laptops under $1200 in 2024 to help you find one that suits your needs.

Things to Consider While Purchasing The Best Laptops Under $1200

There are a few things to keep in mind while purchasing a new laptop. These will be some of the basics that you have to look for in an entry-level machine. It’s not always easy to find all this functionality under $1200, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for these features:

CPU:

The processor is the heart of any computer, and a laptop is no different. Make sure to look for a powerful CPU that will be able to handle anything you throw at it. The CPU is responsible for handling all the instructions that the computer needs to carry out, so it’s important to get a good one. The Intel Core i7 series and AMD Ryzen 7 series are both great options. These processors will be able to handle anything you need them to, from video editing to gaming.

GPU:

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is responsible for rendering all the images on the screen. If you plan on doing any gaming or video editing, then a good GPU is a must. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 are both great choices. If you just need something for basic tasks, then an integrated GPU will be fine. The RTX 30-series GPUs are the latest and greatest from NVIDIA, but they come at a premium.

RAM:

RAM is responsible for making sure that your computer can handle multiple tasks at once. If you are someone who likes to have multiple tabs open or run several programs at the same time, you will need a laptop with a good amount of RAM. The laptops on this list have at least 8GB of RAM, and the gaming laptops have 16GB or more.

Storage:

Your laptop’s storage is where all your files and programs will be stored. If you plan on storing a lot of movies or games, you will need a laptop with a large storage capacity. A good rule of thumb is to get at least 256GB of storage. Some of the laptops on this list have an SSD, which is a faster type of storage. If you can afford it, get an SSD. They make a big difference in speed and performance. The 512GB SSD is a good sweet spot for most people.

Display:

The display is one of the most important parts of a laptop. After all, it’s the part that you will be looking at the most. Make sure to get a laptop with a high-resolution display. A 1080p display is fine for most people, but if you can afford it, go for a 1440p or even a 4K display.

Make sure to get a laptop with a high refresh rate if you plan on gaming. A 60Hz display is fine for most people, but a higher refresh rate will make your games look smoother. The laptops on this list all have great displays, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Ports:

Ports are the connection points on your laptop for all your peripherals. Make sure to get a laptop with the ports you need. If you plan on using an external monitor, you will need an HDMI port. For gaming, you will need USB Type-A and Type-C ports for your mouse and keyboard.

The Thunderbolt port is the latest and greatest, and it’s found on some of the laptops on this list. This port can be used for charging, data transfer, and external displays. If you can find a laptop with a Thunderbolt port, it’s worth the extra money.

Battery Life:

Battery life is important for any laptop, but it’s especially important for a gaming laptop. Gaming laptops tend to have shorter battery lives because they require more power. Make sure to get a laptop with good battery life if you plan on gaming. The minimum you should look for is four hours.

10 Best Laptops Under $1200 in 2022

The best laptop for you is the one that has the features you need at a price you can afford. With this list of the best laptops under $1200, you should be able to find the perfect one for you.

We have included the top laptops under 1200 dollars in this blog post by focusing on the overall performance of the machine, the build quality, and the extra features that you get.

Now that we’ve gone over the features you should look for in a laptop, let’s take a look at the best laptops under $1200.

1. MSI Sword Gaming

Screen: 15.6″ FHD IPS 144Hz Display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Anti-glare Energy-efficient LED backlight screen | CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H Processor, Ultra-low-voltage platform, 8-core, 16-Thread | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Graphics with 4GB GDDR6 shared video memory | RAM: 16GB DDR4 high-bandwidth RAM | Storage: 1TB HDD+ 512GB PCIe SSD | Ports: 3x USB Type-A, 1x USB Type-C, 1x Audio, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45, Bonus 32GB SnowBell USB Card | Speaker: 2 x 2w speakers | Weight: ‎4.63 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The MSI Sword Gaming is one of the best gaming laptops under $1200. It has a powerful Intel Core i7-11800H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce, RTX 3050 Ti graphics card with GDDR6, shared video memory. Its storage is a combination of a 1TB hard drive and a 512GB PCIe solid-state drive. This combination provides plenty of storage for games and other files. It also comes with a bonus 32GB SnowBell USB card.

CPU and GPU

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop has a powerful 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor. This is a high-performance, eight-core processor that can handle demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. This is an Ultra-low-voltage platform, so it’s power-efficient as well.

The graphics on the MSI Sword Gaming laptop are provided by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card with 4GB GDDR6 shared video memory. This card provides excellent graphics performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. It also has a high refresh rate, so games will look smooth and fluid.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX comes with image rendering and shading features that allow for real-time ray tracing. This is the latest and greatest technology in graphics cards, and it’s only found on the most expensive laptops.

RAM and Storage

The RAM offers 16GB DDR4 RAM. It uses ultra-fast dual-channel memory architecture to ensure that you can game without issues or lag time. 16GB of RAM is also an excellent option for any power user or gamer looking for the best laptops under 1200 dollars.

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop has a combination of a hard drive and a solid-state drive for storage. The hard drive is a spacious one terabyte, while the solid-state drive is a fast 512GB. This combination provides plenty of storage for games and other files. The SSD also makes the laptop boot and load faster, while HDD gives you more space to store your files.

Display and keyboard

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate. This is a high-quality display that’s perfect for gaming and other demanding tasks. The laptop has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, which is standard for a laptop of this size.

This model features vibrant colors and crisp visuals with a 300 nits IPS anti-glare LED-backlit screen, making media viewing one of its major projects. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth performance, no matter your game of choice, along with near bezel-less borders to allow uninterrupted views.

The keyboard on the MSI Sword Gaming laptop is backlit and has a numeric keypad. This is an excellent keyboard for gaming or any other task that requires precision. The keys are also spaced out well, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally hitting the wrong key.

Ports and Connectivity

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop has three USB Type-A ports, which is the standard for most laptops. This will give you plenty of options for connecting external devices.

The laptop also has a USB Type-C port, which is becoming more common on laptops. This port can be used for charging the laptop or for connecting to other devices.

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop also comes with a bonus 32GB SnowBell USB card. This is a high-speed card that can be used to store files or to connect devices.

The RJ-45 LAN port on the MSI Sword Gaming laptop can be used for connecting to a network or to other devices. This is a standard Ethernet port that will allow you to easily connect to the internet or to other devices.

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop also has an HDMI port so that you can connect it to an external monitor or TV.

The laptop has 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This will give you fast and reliable wireless connections.

What could have been better?

The only thing that could have been better with the MSI Sword Gaming laptop is the brightness of the display. It could be brighter, but it’s still a great display for gaming and other tasks. It could have been better if there was Thunderbolt support. Thunderbolt is the latest and greatest standard for connecting devices, and it would have been nice to see it on this laptop.

One more thing to keep in mind is that this laptop has 802.11ac Wi-Fi which is the current standard, but the next generation Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ax, has started to trickle into laptops. If you’re looking for the absolute latest and greatest in wireless connectivity, then you’ll want to make sure that the laptop you’re considering has 802.11ax support.

Our Verdict

The MSI Sword Gaming laptop is one of the best laptops for under 1200 dollars. It has a powerful processor, a great graphics card, and plenty of RAM and storage. The display is high-quality, and the keyboard is excellent for gaming. The ports and connectivity are also top-notch.

If you’re looking for a powerful laptop for gaming or any other demanding task, the MSI Sword Gaming laptop should be at the top of your list.

2. Flagship Dell Inspiron

Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED Backlight Non-Touch Narrow Border WVA Display | CPU: Intel Quad-Core i7-1165G7 (2.8 GHz base frequency, up to 4.7 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB Intel Smart Cache, 8 Threads) | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 | Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD | Ports: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C; 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1; 1 x headphone / microphone combo; 1 x HDMI 1.4; 1 x Power jack; 1 x MicroSD Card Reader | Speaker:  2 x 2w speakers | Weight: 3.78 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The Dell Inspiron is one of the best laptops you can buy for under $1200. It is a business-class laptop for professionals and students. It has a large 15.6-inch screen, a fast Intel processor, plenty of RAM and storage, and it is very thin and light, making it easy to carry around. Its weight makes it very portable, and its large screen is great for productivity tasks or for watching movies. Its impressive 32GB of RAM will let you multitask with ease, and its fast storage will make sure that your files are always accessible.

CPU and GPU

The processor available on this laptop is the 11th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-1165G7. It can run at a base speed of 2.8 gigahertz and up to 4.7GHz with Turbo boost, which means that your device will be lightning-fast when running even the most demanding applications.

This means that it can process at speeds up to 12MB of cache and has an automatic turbo boost function, allowing increased processing power when needed.

The graphics card is also spectacular, thanks to its Intel Iris Xe Graphics options.

It offers supreme visuals and outstanding performance, making this one. However, it is not as good as a dedicated graphics card but is more than enough for Web Browsing, Casual Gaming, and even some of the latest games.

RAM and Storage

The top amount of RAM available in this laptop is a whopping 32GB. This means that it has more than enough room for storing files and apps without them having to be constantly deleted or moved to make way.

The top speed of the RAM is a whopping 3200MHz, which means that it can keep up with even the most demanding tasks.

The storage is also excellent, thanks to a massive M.2 PCIe drive that has been included. This gives you plenty of space for games, movies, music, photos, and anything else you might want to store.

The top storage available is a whopping 1TB, which should be enough to store all of your files and apps.

Display and Keyboard

With a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED Backlight Non-touch Narrow Border WVA Display, you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite movies and games in stunning clarity.

The display also has a refresh rate of 60Hz and comes with very narrow borders, as well. It also includes a keyboard that comes with a backlight, which makes typing in dark environments much easier.

The keys are designed to provide you with a great amount of comfort while typing and gaming.

Ports and Connectivity

The top ports available on this laptop are the USB, HDMI, a power jack, headphone/microphone combo port, as well as the MicroSD card reader.

The port options include 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x headphone/microphone combo and 1 x HDMI port.

This means that there is unlimited availability of ways for other devices to be connected to it (i.e., a mouse or keyboard)

The connectivity features on this laptop are pretty impressive as well, with 802.11ax Wi-Fi allowing you to connect to the internet without being restricted by the limitations of your cable.

This also comes with Bluetooth 5.1, which enables fast transfers between other devices as well as easy connections to wireless headsets and speakers.

What could have been better?

The only thing that could have been better is the graphics card. It would have been nice to see a dedicated graphics card instead of the integrated one. The NVIDIA MX450 would have been a great addition. This, however, does not take away from the great performance that this laptop offers for its price range.

Our Verdict

The Dell Inspiron is a great laptop for those who are looking for a powerful and portable device. It has a large screen, plenty of RAM and storage, as well as a fast processor. Its graphics card is also very good, making it a great choice for gaming or watching movies. The best part about this laptop is its price, as it comes in at under $1200.

If you are looking for a powerful and portable laptop that won’t break the bank, the Dell Inspiron is the perfect choice for you. It has everything you need to stay productive or have some fun, and its price makes it an excellent value for your money.

3. MSI GL66

Screen: 15.6″ FHD (1920×1080), 144Hz, IPS-Level | CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H (2.3GHz~4.6GHz) | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 6GB GDDR6, Up to 1435MHz Boost Clock, 85W Maximum Graphics Power with Dynamic Boost | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD | Ports: 1x Type-C USB3.2 Gen1, 2x Type-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Type-A USB2.0, 1x RJ45, 1x (4K @ 60Hz) HDMI, 1x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack | Speaker: 2 x 4W speakers | Weight: 4.63 Pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The MSI GL66 is a great choice for those who are looking for a powerful and portable laptop. Its graphics card is very good, making it a great choice for gaming or watching movies. The refresh rate is also very high, making it a great choice for those who want to use their laptop for productivity as well.

CPU and GPU

The MSI GL66 is powered by an Intel Core i79-11800H processor. This is a very powerful processor that can handle even the most demanding tasks. It has a base clock speed of 2.3GHz and can boost up to a whopping of 4.6GHz. So, whether you’re gaming or working on some demanding tasks, the MSI GL66 will be able to handle it with ease.

The MSI GL66 is also equipped with a very powerful graphics card. It has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 laptop GPU with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This graphics card is very powerful and can handle even the most demanding games. Plus, with a maximum boost clock of 1435MHz, you’ll be able to get the most out of this graphics card.

RAM and Storage

The laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. This is more than enough for most people. If you’re a power user or if you plan on doing some heavy multitasking, then you can always upgrade to 32GB of RAM. The DDR4 RAM is very fast and will be able to keep up with the powerful processor and graphics card.

The MSI GL66 comes with 512GB of NVMe SSD storage. This is enough space for most people. If you need more storage, you can always upgrade to a larger capacity SSD or add an external hard drive. The SSD is very fast and will be able to boot up your operating system and programs in no time.

Display and Keyboard

The MSI GL66 has a 15.6-inch Full HD display. This is a great resolution for most people. The display is also 144Hz, which is great for gaming or working on tasks that require a lot of screen refreshment. Plus, the IPS-level panel ensures that you’ll get great image quality from all angles. The resolution is also great for watching movies or TV shows.

The machine also has a very good keyboard. The keys are backlit, and the key travel is just right. So, you’ll be able to type comfortably for long periods of time. The single-zone RGB lighting is also a nice touch. You can customize the lighting to your liking.

Ports and Connectivity

The MSI GL66 has all the ports that you’ll need. It has one USB Type-C port, which is great for charging or connecting to external displays. This will come in handy if you need to connect to a projector for work or if you want to game on a larger screen.

There are also two USB Type-A ports, which are great for connecting your mouse and keyboard. The laptop also has an HDMI port, so you can easily connect it to your TV or monitor.

The machine also has a mic-in/headphone-out combo jack and an RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity.

The MSI GL66 also has very good wireless connectivity. It has an 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 adapter, which is the latest and greatest wireless standard. This will ensure that you’ll have a fast and reliable wireless connection.

It has a Bluetooth v5.2 adapter, so you can easily connect your wireless peripherals.

What could have been better?

The only thing that we didn’t like about the MSI GL66 was the lack of Thunderbolt support. This would have come in handy for those who need to connect to external GPUs or other Thunderbolt devices. Other than that, the MSI GL66 is a great laptop, and we highly recommend it.

Our Verdict

The MSI GL66 has a very powerful processor and graphics card. It’s also very portable, making it a great choice for those who are always on the go. Plus, the display is very good, and the keyboard is comfortable to use. The ports and connectivity are also great.

Overall, the MSI GL66 is a great choice for those who are looking for a powerful and portable laptop. It’s also a great choice for those who want to use their laptop for productivity as well.

4. Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15

Screen: 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Slim-bezel NanoEdge Touchscreen (100% sRGB Color Gamut) | CPU: 11th Generation Intel Quad-core i7-1165G7 (Base Clock 2.8GHz, Max Boost Clock Up to 4.7GHz, 12MB Smart Cache, 8 Threads) | Graphics: Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with Max-Q 4GB Graphic + Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphic | RAM: ‎16GB 3200MHz DDR4 | Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive | Ports:2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (Up to 40 Gbps), 1 x USB-A 3.2 (Up to 5 Gbps), 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD card reader, 1 x Combo Audio Jack | Speaker:‎ 2 stereo speakers | Weight: ‎4.19 Pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

This laptop is packed with some serious performance with an Intel Core i7-series processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 16-series GPU.

The CPU performance on this laptop is outstanding. You can easily run multiple programs and games at the same time with no problem. The display on this laptop is also quite good.

It has a 360-degree hinge that allows you to use it as a tablet, and the touchscreen is very responsive. The battery life on this laptop is also quite good.

CPU and GPU

The 11th generation Intel Core i-series processors are the latest and greatest from Intel. They offer significant performance improvements over the previous generation. The Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15 uses the Intel Quad-core i7-1165G7 processor.

The base clock speed of this processor is 2.8GHz, and it can boost up to 4.7GHz. It has a total of 12MB of smart cache, and it uses hyperthreading technology.

This means that it can handle up to eight threads simultaneously. This processor is more than powerful enough to handle any task you throw at it, whether it’s gaming, video editing, or running multiple programs at the same time.

The Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15 uses an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with Max-Q GPU. This is a great choice for a laptop under $1200. The GTX 1650 is a very powerful GPU that can handle any game you throw at it on high settings. It also has a 4GB VRAM, which is plenty for most games.

It’s also great for video editing and other graphics-intensive tasks. If you’re looking for a laptop that can do it all, then the Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15 is a great choice.

RAM and Storage

This laptop comes with 16GB of RAM. This is more than enough for most users. It’s great for gaming, video editing, and running multiple programs at the same time.

Storage-wise, your files and games can be stored on the 512GB SSD of this gaming laptop. The storage drive delivers speeds well above average due to its PCIe interface with up to 3200 MB/s read, and 1800 MB/s write speed.

This means that you can play games and open files quickly without waiting for the device to catch up. Coupled with 16 GBs of RAM, The Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15 is a capable laptop for performing heavy tasks like video editing as well.

Display and Keyboard

The 15.6″ full HD IPS-type display provides crisp images that look great from every angle while delivering vivid colour accuracies with wide viewing angles. The Slim-bezel NanoEdge Touchscreen display also makes for a great experience when using the laptop in tablet mode. It has a 100% sRGB colour gamut and a brightness of 300 nits.

The keyboard on this laptop is backlit, and it’s very comfortable to type on. you can easily type for long periods without feeling any fatigue. The trackpad is also very responsive, and it supports Windows Precision Drivers. The keys have a good amount of travel, and they’re spaced out well.

Ports and Connectivity

The Asus Flagship Zenbook Flip 15 has a good selection of ports. It has two Thunderbolt four USB-C ports, which support data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps.

It also has a USB-A port, which is great for connecting older devices. This will come in handy if you have any legacy devices that you need to use with this laptop. The HDMI port is also great for connecting to external displays.

This laptop also has an SD card reader, which is great for transferring files from your camera.

The Combo Audio Jack allows you to connect headphones or speakers with ease.

The Wi-Fi support on this laptop is also great. It uses the latest 802.11ax standard, which is faster and more reliable than older standards. It has Bluetooth 5.0 support, which is great for connecting wireless peripherals.

What could have been better?

The graphics card on this laptop could have been a bit better. The GTX 1650 is a great card, but it could have been replaced by the RTX 2060 or RTX 3050 for even better performance.

Other than that, this is an excellent gaming laptop with great performance, a beautiful display.

Our Verdict

The ASUS TUF F15 is a great laptop for gamers and creative professionals. It has the power to handle demanding tasks while still being portable enough to take with you on the go.

The matte IPS display looks great, the keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the Thunderbolt ports allow you to connect external devices quickly and easily. Overall, the ASUS TUF F15 is an excellent choice for a laptop under $1200.

5. MSI Stealth 15M

Screen: 15.6″ 144Hz FHD 1080p Display | CPU: Intel Core i7-11375H | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Ports: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1 x RJ-45 | Speaker: 2 x 4W speakers | Weight: 3.73 Pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The MSI Stealth 15M is a great laptop for those who are looking for a powerful machine. It has a fast processor, a great graphics card, and plenty of RAM and storage. The display has a 144Hz refresh rate, which is great for gaming. The laptop also has a Thunderbolt port, which is very handy. The RGB keyboard is also a nice touch. It is also very lightweight, making it easy to carry around.

CPU and GPU

The MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is perfect for all your gaming and entertainment needs.

The latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11375H Processor delivers high performance with cores to take on any games or applications you choose to do. The processor’s base frequency is 3.3GHz with a boost of up to 5.0Ghz, and with 6 cores for multitasking without slowing down.

Powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, these graphics will keep up with today’s most popular games with no problem at all. Graphics are responsive and sharp with great colour accuracy.

If you’re playing intense games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Minecraft, you’ll never see any slowdowns or lag while playing.

The Stealth 15’s RTX graphics are capable of running multiple applications simultaneously without the laptop being bogged down by heavy use. The GeForce RTX GPU also has your casual games covered, so you’ll never be short of fun things to do.

RAM and Storage

MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop comes equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which will handle any games or applications you throw at it.

Memory is crucial when it comes to high-performance gaming, and with this amount of capacity, you’ll never have to worry about issues with game files getting corrupted or cleared from memory.

For storage, this laptop comes with a 512GB PCIe SSD that is quick and reliable for performance on the go.

The SSD memory makes boot-up time even faster than standard hard drives; there’s no need to wait for longer than a few seconds before you get into the action. It also makes transferring files from one device to another even easier, making this laptop a great choice for professionals as well as gamers.

Display and Keyboard

The MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop’s display is a beautiful 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080) panel with an anti-glare coating.

With wide viewing angles, you can watch your favourite shows or play your games from almost any angle without losing the image quality.

The 1080p resolution gives you clear pictures and text that are easy to read. A smooth 144Hz refresh rate lets you enjoy modern games at high frame rates for the smoothest experience possible.

The MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop doesn’t skimp on the keyboard either – it’s an anti-ghosting backlit keyboard with tactile feedback that gives you a smooth feel when typing.

Another nice touch is the three-colour RGB lighting to personalize your laptop to match other devices or just to give it a unique style.

Ports and Connectivity

MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop comes with plenty of ports to keep you connected. With USB-A and Thunderbolt ports, this is the perfect laptop for any desktop setup.

This device also comes with an HDMI port that allows your gaming content to be output onto an external monitor or TV when its gamers are not using it on the go.

MSI’s Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop features a wide range of I/O ports, Thunderbolt 4 supporting power delivery, and up to 40Gbps of data transfer and USB 4.0.

It also has the latest Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which will allow you to enjoy super-fast speeds with stability and connection consistency unmatched by other platforms.

Lastly, there is a headphone jack for people who don’t want to disturb those around them.

What could have been better?

We think this is the only laptop in its category that offers this much power and performance. We would have liked to see a higher-resolution display, but the 1080p panel is still good enough for most uses. There are no more things we can think of that could make this laptop better.

Our Verdict

The MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is one of the best laptops under $1200. It’s perfect for gaming, entertainment, and even some creative work.

The high-performance hardware ensures that you won’t have any issues running the latest games or applications, while the beautiful display and keyboard make it a great all-rounder laptop. If you’re looking for a laptop that can do it all, the MSI Stealth 15M Gaming Laptop is the one for you.

6. ASUS TUF Dash 15

Screen: 15.6” 144Hz Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-Type display | CPU: Intel Core i7-11370H processor (12M Cache, up to 4.8GHz) | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 | RAM: 8GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1, Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000), 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack | Speaker:  2 x 4W speakers | Weight: 4.85 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is one of the best laptops under $1200, thanks to its powerful hardware.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is an excellent graphics card that will allow you to play the latest games at high frame rates and with great graphics quality. It’s also VR-ready, so you can experience the latest virtual reality games and applications.

The refresh rate of the screen is 144Hz, which is higher than most gaming laptops. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy smooth and responsive gameplay.

The ASUS TUF Dash 15 also has a very slim and light design, so it’s easy to carry around with you.

CPU and GPU

The ASUS Flagship TUF Dash Gaming Laptop comes with cutting-edge 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11370H Processor Processors with 12 MB Intel Smart Cache.

For gaming or video editing, there are four more cores and four times the cache memory from Intel’s 11th Generation processors that speed up everything you do.

The processor has a base frequency of 2.60 GHz and Turbo Boost Technology up to 4.6 GHz, with eight cores for smooth handling of demanding tasks like editing multiple streams on various programs simultaneously or encoding videos at the same time.

Plus, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 from NVIDIA will make your graphics in games more detailed than before without any lag and stuttering, even at 1440p resolution.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 graphics card provides excellent visual quality that can run many games at high settings smoothly without any issues.

RAM and Storage

The ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop comes equipped with 8 GB DDR4 dual-channel memory for a great gaming experience that doesn’t slow down during action-packed scenes with complex graphics.

In addition to the 8GB of RAM, you’ll also get an ultra-fast solid-state drive (SSD) that loads applications in seconds, so everything will feel fast, especially when it comes time to load your favourite gaming titles.

The 512GB PCIe Solid-State Drive (SSD) enables you to store large amounts of data and play any content you want without any delays.

You’ll be able to play games without lag or pauses in frame rate thanks to the high speed of your graphics card and RAM as well.

Display and Keyboard

The ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop features a 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) LED IPS level display which provides high refresh rates and low response times to give you an incredibly smooth gaming experience.

The 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for gaming or watching movies, ensuring the smoothest graphics and preventing any lag.

The LED display provides a clear picture with vivid colours and excellent contrast, displaying bright whites and deep blacks so you can focus on what’s important.

Asus TUF Gaming Laptop will have you hooked with an RGB intuitive keyboard made of highly rugged aluminium, 20-million keystroke durability on buttons rated 100% anti-ghosting feature, which makes scrolling through your latest news or switching between games smooth as glass.

Ports and Connections

The ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop comes with a lot of connectivity options.

It’s equipped with two USB (Type-A) 3.2 Gen. I connectors, one HDMI connector for high definition video output, an RJ-45 LAN port for wired connections at speeds up to 10/100/1000, and the headphone/microphone combo jack for gaming headsets to fully immerse yourself in the game.

And if you need more ports, it comes with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port as well.

The Thunderbolt 4 Type-C connector provides up to 40 Gbps data transfer speeds and allows you to connect an external monitor for a larger display or a gaming laptop docking station.

For wireless connections, the ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop comes with a Gigabit Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with Bluetooth 5.0 for incredible wireless speeds, as well as a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for your convenience.

What could have been better?

Here, RAM and storage are a bit on the low side for this price range, but if you can manage with those, then this is an excellent choice as it ticks all the other boxes.

The ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop is an excellent choice for gamers who want serious performance without breaking the bank.

Our Verdict

The ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop is one of the best laptops under $1200 that comes with a powerful CPU and GPU, plenty of RAM and storage, a high refresh rate display, and a comfortable keyboard.

It’s perfect for gaming or any other demanding task you might have. Plus, the slim and light design makes it easy to carry around with you. If you’re looking for a powerful and affordable laptop, the ASUS Flagship TUF Gaming Laptop is the one for you.

7. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Screen: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz IPS display, 250nits Anti-glare, 45% NTSC, DC dimmer | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (6C / 12T, 3.3 / 4.2GHz, 3MB L2 / 16MB L3 Cache) | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB DDR6, Boost Clock 1500MHz, TGP 75W | RAM: 8GB RAM DDR4 | Storage: 512GB Solid State Drive (PCI-e) | Ports: 1x Power connector, 1x Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (support data transfer only), 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm), 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Speaker: 2 x 4W speakers | Weight: 4.95 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The best thing about the Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop is that it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. For around $1200, you get a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU and plenty of RAM and storage.

The display is excellent, with a high refresh rate and sound color reproduction. Plus, the laptop is relatively slim and light, making it easy to carry around with you.

The Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop also comes with a high refresh rate(120Hz ) display, perfect for gamers who want the smoothest graphics and fastest response times.

CPU and GPU

The top processor available on this laptop is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600H. It runs at a base speed of 2.1 GHz and can boost up to 3.7 GHz, so even if you have a large number of apps open, it will never slow down. This means that you can enjoy smooth and responsive gaming as well as multitasking without any lag.

The Hexa-core processor is also great for content creation, so if you’re into video editing or graphic design, this laptop will be able to handle whatever you throw at it.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card is perfect for gaming and can handle even the most demanding games on high settings. It’s also great for creative work as it can render images and videos quickly and smoothly.

The graphics card also comes with 4GB GDDR6 GPU Memory. It offers supreme visuals and outstanding performance, making this one of the best laptops under $1200.

RAM and Storage

The top amount of RAM available in this laptop is a whopping 8GB. This means that it has more than enough room for storing files and apps without them having to be constantly deleted or moved to make way.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming comes with a whopping 512GB of storage, so you won’t have to worry about running out of space anytime soon. This is more than enough for most people, but if you need even more storage, you can always add an external hard drive or SSD.

Display & Keyboard

The display on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming is a 15.6-inch FHD IPS screen with a resolution of 1920×1080. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy crisp and clear visuals whether you’re gaming, working, or watching movies.

The 120Hz refresh rate is great for gaming as it ensures that there is no screen tearing or stuttering. Its 250nits brightness is also perfect for working in well-lit rooms or outdoors.

The keyboard is backlit so that you can game even in low light conditions, and it’s also comfortable to type on for long periods. The keyboard is also full-sized, so you won’t have to worry about your hands feeling cramped after extended use.

The keys are also spaced out nicely, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally hitting the wrong keys.

Ports and Connectivity

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming comes with a USB Type-C port, which is great for connecting external devices such as a mouse or keyboard.

It has two USB Type-A ports which are perfect for charging your phone or transferring data. The HDMI port lets you connect to an external monitor, and the RJ45 port allows you to connect to the internet.

The power connector also lets you charge the laptop, and the headphone jack lets you connect your headphones or speakers.

The Connectivity features on this laptop are pretty impressive as well, with 802.11ax Wi-Fi allowing you to connect to the internet without being restricted by the limitations of your cable.

It also comes with Bluetooth 5.0, which enables fast transfers between other devices as well as easy connections to wireless headsets and speakers.

What could have been better?

The only thing that could have been better with the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming is the brightness of the display. It would have been nice to have a brighter screen for working in well-lit rooms or outdoors. Its 250nits brightness is still good, but it could have been better.

Our Verdict

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming is one of the best laptops under $1200. It’s perfect for gaming, working, and watching movies. It has a great display, keyboard, and trackpad. The port selection is also great, with plenty of options for connecting to external devices. Overall, this is an excellent laptop and would be a great choice for anyone looking for a new laptop.

8. Apple MacBook Air

Screen: 13.3″ with Retina Display | CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU | GPU: Up to Apple 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Ports: 61W USB Type-C Power Adapter – USB Type-C Charge Cable (2m) | Speaker: 2.1 stereo speakers | Weight: 2.8 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The MacBook Air is one of the best laptops under $1200, and it’s perfect for those who want a laptop that’s portable and has a great Retina display. Its M11 chip with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU provides outstanding performance, and its 512GB SSD ensures that you have plenty of storage space.

The MacBook Air also has an impressive battery life, which is perfect for those who need to be able to work on the go. With up to 18 hours of battery life, you’ll be able to work all day without having to worry about your battery running out.

CPU and GPU

This Apple MacBook Air Laptop with Apple M1 Chip with 8-core CPU provides up to 3.5x faster performance for tackling projects without breaking a sweat.

The eight GPU cores with up to 5x faster graphics support for graphics-intensive apps and games will have you flying through them never like before for an even more streamlined experience than ever before.

The 6-core Neural Engine enables advanced machine learning capabilities in various technical fields like audio/video postproduction, scientific calculation, and many more.

RAM and Storage

The Apple M1 chip now comes with a whopping 8GB of RAM, which is twice as much as before.

This ensures that you can always have plenty of memory available to take care of your work needs without ever having to worry about lag or slowness when juggling multiple programs at once.

The Apple MacBook Air Laptop comes with a 512GB SSD hard drive, which is perfect for storing all of your important files and programs without running out of room.

Display and Keyboard

Apple MacBook Air has a new 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air Laptop with an LED-backlit display that is beautiful and gives true colour with the IPS technology supports millions of colours come on screen.

2560*1600 pixels are enough to display everything you need and want to see, while your battery can last up for about seventeen hours.

The keyboard is made of soft silicone and has a pressure-sensitive touchpad that can detect how much you’re pressing on it.

Ports and Connectivity

There is no need to worry about using adapters or dongles, thanks to the 61W USB Type-C Power Adapter – USB Type-C Charge Cable (2m) that comes with the 2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop. All of your cables and devices will be compatible out-of-the-box.

Ultra-high bandwidth Thunderbolt 4 ports provide transfer rates, charging, and video output all through a single Port.

This Apple MacBook Air Laptop is also equipped with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology for instant connectivity, even on giant project files.

What could have been better?

The only drawback of the MacBook Air is its ports selection. With only two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, you might need to invest in some adapters if you want to connect more than a couple of devices.

Other than that, the MacBook Air is an outstanding laptop and would be a great choice for anyone looking for a new laptop.

Our Verdict

The Apple MacBook Air Laptop with M11 chip is one of the best laptops under $1200, and its CPU and GPU performance is outstanding. It also has a great Retina display and an impressive battery life. With its 512GB SSD, you’ll have plenty of storage space for all of your important files and programs.

This is a very light laptop that only weighs in at just under three pounds, making it ideal for those who need a portable laptop that they can take with them on the go. If you’re looking for a high-performance laptop that won’t break the bank, then the MacBook Air is the perfect choice for you.

9. HP Pavilion

Screen: 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD Non-touch 1080p (1920 x 1080) IPS, Micro-edge, BrightView Display | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (8 Cores, 16 Threads, 8MB Cache, Base 1.8GHz up to 4.3GHz Max Turbo Frequency) | Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics | RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM | Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD | Ports: 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-C, 2 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Headphone/Mic Combo Jack, 1 x Media card reader, 1 x Smart Power Jack | Speaker: 2 x 2w speakers | Weight: 3.86 pounds

Why we choose this laptop: 

The HP 15 is a great laptop for those who are looking for a machine that can do it all. This laptop comes at a very affordable price tag, yet it still packs a powerful punch. The AMD Ryzen processor and the AMD Radeon graphics card will be able to handle any task that you throw at it, whether it’s gaming, video editing, or just browsing the web.

CPU and GPU

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor is a great choice for those who are looking for a powerful machine. This processor has eight cores and sixteen threads, making it a great choice for those who need to multitask. The base clock speed is also very fast, at just over 1.8GHz, and it can boost up to a whopping 4.3GHz.

Whether you’re browsing on your couch or braving a blizzard outside, this powerful laptop will be your lifeline with all the power.

The AMD Radeon graphics card is also a great choice for those who are looking for a powerful machine. This graphics card will be able to handle any task that you throw at it, whether you’re gaming or editing videos.

There’s no need to fret about performance either, as the Radeon graphics card will let you game and multitask to your heart’s content.

RAM and Storage

The HP 15 comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. This is more than enough for most users and will allow you to do some serious multitasking. The DDR4 RAM is also very fast, so you won’t have to worry about any lag when you’re using this laptop. You can also upgrade the RAM up to 64GB if you need to in the future.

The storage on this laptop is also very good. It comes with a 1TB hard drive, so you’ll be able to store all of your files and data without any problems. The hard drive is also very fast, so you won’t have to worry about any lag when you’re accessing your files.

Display and Keyboard

The laptop has a 15.6-inch screen with a resolution of 1920×1080. This is a great size for most users, and the resolution is also very good. The IPS panel on this laptop is also very good, so you’ll be able to enjoy your movies and games without any problems.

The display on this laptop is also very bright, so you won’t have any problems when you’re using it in a bright environment.

The keyboard on the HP 15 is very comfortable to use. The keys are well spaced out and have a good amount of travel. The backlight on the keyboard is also very good, allowing you to use the laptop in a dark environment. The keyboard is also very responsive, so you won’t have any problems when you’re typing.

Ports and Connectivity

The HP 15 comes with a good selection of ports. It has one superspeed USB Type-C port, which is great for those who need to connect to a lot of devices.

It also has two superspeed USB Type-A ports, which are great for connecting to external hard drives and other devices.

The HDMI port on this laptop is also very good, so you’ll be able to connect to an external monitor or TV without any problems.

The laptop also has a smart power jack, so you won’t have to worry about any compatibility issues.

The HP 15 comes with one headphone/mic combo jack. This is a great port for those who need to connect to a lot of devices. You can use this port to connect to an external microphone or headphones without any problems.

The Intel Wi-Fi 6 (2×2/160) Gig will provide you with the fastest wireless connection possible. This card makes it perfect for gaming and streaming.

The laptop also has Bluetooth 5.0, which is perfect for connecting to external devices. You can use this port to connect to an external microphone or headphones without any problems.

What could have been better?

The only thing that could have been better about this laptop is the graphics card. The AMD Radeon graphics card is a great choice for those who are looking for a powerful machine. However, it would have been better if the laptop had an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card.

Our Verdict

The HP 15 is a great laptop for those who are looking for a powerful machine. It has a fast processor, a great graphics card, and plenty of RAM and storage. The display is also very good, and the keyboard is very comfortable to use.

The ports and connectivity on this laptop are also very good, so you’ll be able to connect to all of your devices without any problems. If you’re looking for a powerful laptop that won’t break the bank, the HP 15 is a great choice.

10. Dell Inspiron 16

Screen: 16.0-inch 16:10 3K (3072 x 1920) IPS AG Non-Touch, 300nits, 100% sRGB color coverage | CPU: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H Processor 4.6 GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6 | RAM: 16GB, 8GBx2, DDR4, 3200MHz Memory | Storage: 512GB CL35 M.2 SSD Storage | Ports: 1 x Headphone & Microphone Audio Jack, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x SD card reader, 2 x Side vents, 1 x Power Jack, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (DP/Power Delivery) | Speaker: 2x 2W Speakers | Weight: ‎4.43 pounds

Why we choose this laptop:

The Dell Inspiron 16 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile laptop. It has a large screen and plenty of storage, making it perfect for gaming, watching movies, or working on projects. Its 3k resolution display is also great for creative work, and its 11th generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor ensures that it can handle even the most demanding tasks.

CPU and GPU

The CPU is the most important component in a laptop, and the Dell Inspiron 16 has a powerful one. Its 11th generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor can handle demanding tasks like video editing and gaming with ease. It has a max boost clock of up to 4.6 GHz, making it one of the fastest processors on the market.

The Dell Inspiron 16 also has a great graphics card. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 is perfect for gaming and can even handle some VR applications. It has 4GB of GDDR6 video memory, making it one of the most powerful graphics cards in its price range.

RAM and Storage

The Dell Inspiron 16 has 16GB of RAM, making it perfect for multitasking. It can easily handle multiple tabs and programs open at the same time, and its high-speed DDR4 type RAM ensures that it can keep up with even the most demanding tasks.

The Dell Inspiron 16 has a 512GB SSD, giving you plenty of space to store your games, photos, music, and more. Its M.2 type SSD is also much faster than a traditional hard drive, making it ideal for gaming or working with large files.

Display and Keyboard

The Dell Inspiron 16 has a large 16-inch display with a resolution of 3072 x 1920. This high resolution makes it great for gaming, watching movies, or working on creative projects. The Dell Inspiron 16’s display is also an IPS panel, meaning that it has great viewing angles and colour accuracy.

It has a 300nits brightness, making it bright enough for most environments. The 100% sRGB colour coverage ensures that colours are accurate and vibrant.

The keyboard on the Dell Inspiron 16 is backlit, making it easy to use in low light conditions. It has a full-sized layout with a numeric keypad, making it great for gaming or working on spreadsheets. The keys are also well-spaced and have a good amount of travel, making them comfortable to type on.

Ports and Connectivity

The Dell Inspiron 16 has a wide variety of ports, making it easy to connect to all of your devices.

It has three USB Type-A ports, which are great for connecting external hard drives or mice. It also has an HDMI port, so you can easily connect it to a TV or monitor.

The Dell Inspiron 16 also has a Thunderbolt 4 port, which is perfect for connecting an external GPU.

The SD card reader is also a great feature, as it allows you to easily transfer photos and videos from your camera.

The headphone/microphone combo jack gives you more versatility when gaming with friends in online multiplayer sessions.

The Dell Inspiron 16 also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, making it easy to connect to the internet or your other devices.

What could have been better?

The Dell Inspiron 16 is a great laptop, but there is only one thing that could have been better Its weight. At ‎‎4.43 pounds, it is not the lightest laptop on the market. However, its large screen and powerful components make it worth the extra weight.

Despite its weight, this is still one of the best laptops on the market, and it is our top pick for the best laptop under $1200.

Our Verdict

This Dell Inspiron 16 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile laptop. Its 11th generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card make it one of the most powerful laptops in its price range.

Its 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD also make it great for multitasking and gaming. The large 16-inch display is also perfect for creative work or watching movies. Overall, the Dell Inspiron 16 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile laptop under $1200.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article has touched on the best laptops under $1200 in 2022. We looked at a range of different features and prices to help you find the right laptop for your needs.

Remember that it is crucial to match up what’s important with what money can buy, so make sure that you take into account all factors when finding the perfect laptop for you.

We have narrowed down our top picks to the 10 best laptops and then divided them for different users. These laptops meet the criteria of high performance and portability in an affordable package.

We hope that you found our list of the best laptops under $1200 helpful.

Feel free to comment your views below?