4 Best Laptops Under $1200: Reviewed & Compared

Expectations from Laptops Under $1200

At this price range, laptops are great for those who need something to handle demanding applications like 3D modeling software, high-resolution gaming, complex business tasks, or photo and video editing.

Since the budget is higher for laptops, there is more flexibility in chips used within the computers to achieve better performance for specific tasks. Lower budgets can still find reliable laptops, but they will not have the power for more complex tasks.

Laptops Under $1200 Compared

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Laptops under $1200

Screen Size & Display

If you travel frequently or intend to use your laptop with a second monitor, smaller screen sizes (13-14") may be the right choice. Those who intend to use the laptop at work or home on a desk as the primary monitor will want to look for something a bit larger (15-17").

For those looking to use the laptop for gaming, photo or video editing, or any graphically intense process, should opt for those with screens supporting resolutions above 1440p.

RAM & Storage Space

You can expect higher RAM on a laptop in this price range than you would typically need for most moderate computer activities. 6-8GB is common, although up to 16GB is available depending on the manufacturer.

Storage space is a premium, so for those who value program speed and load times over additional space, an SDD between 512GB to 1TB is a good range to shoot for.

Processor

Battery Type & Life

Battery life is very dependent on the type of work being done on the laptop and the settings used while in use. For more intense processing activities, you can expect a shorter battery life than usual, falling under two hours being typical. Light use can see battery life around 6-8 hours on a full charge.

Charging times also vary depending on if the laptop is in use or resting during the charge but can range between 30 minutes to multiple hours while in use.

Design

Laptops come in a variety of styles these days, and some of these features can enhance usability. A 2 in 1 convertible laptop can be used as a traditional laptop with a keyboard and screen and a tablet with just the screen functioning as a touchscreen.

More traditional laptops, sometimes called a clamshell model, have evolved to include features like lights, additional ports, and enhanced durability.

Portability/Weight

Recent advances in the materials used in laptop shells and the continued evolution of smaller chipsets for processors have led to laptops that are powerful, durable, and lightweight. Those who are prone to travel or enjoy working from anywhere and taking their laptop with them can enjoy models under five pounds that are fully capable of meeting their needs.

Extra Features

Multi-mode is a feature that lets the user work with their laptop using a touchscreen. Often there are options to either remove the keyboard or use it as a stand to view the tablet at various angles.

Offline mode can be enabled by turning off the Wi-Fi setting on your laptop. This can help save battery life when you do not need an internet connection.

Battery saver is a handy tool to automatically adjust your laptop settings to prolong the remaining battery life. This typically will dim the brightness of a screen, enable offline mode, or disable unnecessary programs running in the background.

Warranty

Warranties on laptops will cover hardware failure due to a defect in the product or if the computer stops working due to no user's fault. Typically warranties last for one year from the manufacturer and can sometimes reach two to three years.

Extended warranties can frequently be purchased from the retailer for additional costs and may cover more situations beyond the manufacturer's warranty.

1. HP Envy 2019

Best All-Round Laptop Under $1200

HP is well known for quality laptops and PCs and is an excellent option for those looking for a computer for everyday use but also for more resource-intense hobbies like editing or for light enthusiast gaming.

The larger screen on this computer gives plenty of space for multiple programs to be open at one time and is a full HD screen capable of streaming video and playing games at 1080p. This laptop is heavier than a lightweight model, but for the size, it comes in at a respectable 6.14 pounds, which is easy enough to comfortably carry in a bag or case without being a burden.

Preinstalled on the laptop is Windows 10 Home 64, an OS that is compatible with a number of programs and has seen a marked improvement on the resource use by the OS to free up as much of your laptop's power as possible for whatever you want to do.

This laptop is the best all-round laptop under $1200 thanks to its ability to go from work to play in seconds, and with a larger screen, it makes it easier to use this on its own or connected to a second screen for a large workspace.

2. ASUS ROG

Best Gaming Laptop Under $1200

3. Lenovo ThinkPad E15

Best for Work and Business

If you look up "workhorse" in the dictionary, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 obviously will not there, but it should be. This laptop is made to handle anything you can think to throw at it for your business needs and keep going with plenty of space to spare on the 1TB SSD for your quick program needs.

For those working in data analysis or computer science, where being able to run through thousands of code or data lines is necessary to compile or identify a pattern, this laptop packs 32GB of RAM to crush any task. The 12.2 hour battery life and 15.6 inch screen mean that you can work from anywhere for as long as you need without fear of missing a beat.

This model is an enhanced version of the E15, modified by Oemgenuine for peak performance. The display on this laptop is built with anti-glare technology so that no matter what conditions you find yourself in, you can easily see and read the screen.

When not in use, the built-in webcam shutter helps maintain your privacy against any unwanted viewers. With all of these features and power, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 still clocks in at 4.3 pounds, making it an ideal traveling computer and easily the best for work and business under $1200.

4. MSI GP65 Leopard 10SDK-049

Best for VR Games

Virtual reality has come a long way in the last few years, and with titles like Half-Life: Alyx redefining what is possible in VR gaming, laptops are starting to step up to be able to run VR like desktops.

The MSI GP65 Leopard is a powerhouse made to run games in VR by taking advantage of modern chipsets like 10^th gen i7 Intel processors and a GTX 1660 Ti GPU. Since VR games naturally require a bit more space to use the controls, having desk space to keep the laptop plugged in is less of a concern.

When using the laptop in VR on battery, the duration is impacted quite heavily, and many users have noted close to an hour of battery life during use.

One of the standout features on this laptop is the Steelseries keyboard with per-key RGB. You can set up each key to have the backlight color of your choice to customize your experience completely. While you might not get to see the keyboard while you use the VR features, you can still feel the durability and ease of using the Steelseries keys with each stroke.

Also Recommended: Best Graphics Card for VR

Extra Laptop Features/Specs to Factor In

Laptop Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting

To make sure your laptop lasts as long as possible, it is essential to take regular care of it by cleaning the screen with a microfiber cloth and cleaning out the keyboard. This starts by keeping food and liquids away from the laptop to avoid any unwanted debris under the keys. If you notice your laptop overheating, check the fans for any dust or debris and consult the manufacturer's guidelines on proper cleaning.

On the software side, it is important to practice safe habits like not clicking on suspicious links and only installing programs from verified sources.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What’s a good processor speed for a laptop under $1200?

At a minimum, you should look for 1.8 GHz and, if possible, shoot for closer to 2.4 GHz.

Does Apple offer any laptops under $1200?

Yes, there are some smaller versions of the MacBook Air under $1200 with comparable specifications.

How long do laptops in this price range typically last?

With proper care and maintenance, laptops around $1200 can last upwards of 10-15 years or longer.

Where is the best place to start browsing for top laptops under $1200?

Amazon is a great place to start looking for the best laptops under $1200 since it has a wide variety of offerings and options not found at other retailers.

Conclusion

Whether it is for work or play, the proper laptop can improve any experience and is well worth the investment. For those looking under $1200, the HP Envy 2019 is an excellent choice that balances budget, power, and capability for many years to come.