Best gaming laptop for ~$1800? 15.6" or higher.

[Xialoh]

I have very few requirements for it. Basically, I want the fastest machine possible for that budget, but, also with an SSD that is at least 256GB. Unless the machine is otherwise perfect, falls below the budget, and can be upgraded to a larger SSD within the price range.

I've looked around quite a bit, and it's difficult to pinpoint what's ideal here. I have a bit of an understanding of all the Max Q stuff by now, but they're often not labeled. Good deals I come across have reviews suggesting serious problems (certain ASUS laptops). However if you'd still recommend one, I'm open to the option.

 

[velocityg4]

This MSI GL63 8SE-054 is a good deal. It only runs $1,300. I don't see anything in the $1,300 to $1,500 price range with a better CPU or GPU. The SSD is small. For about $100 you could toss in a 1TB NVMe SSD. You'd still be under budget and have something better than any pre-built in the sub $1,500 range. You could even boost the RAM to 32GB and keep it under $1,500 or go with a 2TB NVMe SSD for slightly over $1,500 and ditch the spinner entirely.

• GeForce RTX 2060
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (1x16GB)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• 1920x1080, 120hz, 100% sRGB display
• Weak 51 Wh battery
• Limited to USB 3.1 Gen 1

The HP Omen 15-dc1030nr is also a good deal. It adds a lot of battery life and Thunderbolt 3. The downside is a 60hz IPS panel. Colors and contrast will look nicer but won't be as smooth. It'll need an SSD upgrade.

• GeForce RTX 2060
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• Thunderbolt 3
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 70 Whr battery
• 60Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

As you said you are willing to push to $1,600. $1,600 lets you leap up to an RTX 2070. This HP Omen 15-dc1040nr costs $1,500. The $1,600 figure comes from adding a 1TB NVMe SSD.

• GeForce RTX 2070
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• Thunderbolt 3
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 70 Whr battery
• 60Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

The MSI GE63 Raider RGB-683 also pushes the budget. On the upside it has a larger 512GB SSD. The downside no more room in your extended budget to go bigger and no HDD.

• GeForce RTX 2070
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 512GB NVMe SSD
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 51 Whr battery
• 144Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

SSD Upgrades

• 1TB Crucial P1
• 2TB HP EX950

 

[Xialoh]

This MSI GL63 8SE-054 is a good deal. It only runs $1,300. I don't see anything in the $1,300 to $1,500 price range with a better CPU or GPU. The SSD is small. For about $100 you could toss in a 1TB NVMe SSD. You'd still be under budget and have something better than any pre-built in the sub $1,500 range. You could even boost the RAM to 32GB and keep it under $1,500 or go with a 2TB NVMe SSD for slightly over $1,500 and ditch the spinner entirely.

• GeForce RTX 2060
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (1x16GB)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• 1920x1080, 120hz, 100% sRGB display
• Weak 51 Wh battery
• Limited to USB 3.1 Gen 1

The HP Omen 15-dc1030nr is also a good deal. It adds a lot of battery life and Thunderbolt 3. The downside is a 60hz IPS panel. Colors and contrast will look nicer but won't be as smooth. It'll need an SSD upgrade.

• GeForce RTX 2060
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• Thunderbolt 3
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 70 Whr battery
• 60Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

As you said you are willing to push to $1,600. $1,600 lets you leap up to an RTX 2070. This HP Omen 15-dc1040nr costs $1,500. The $1,600 figure comes from adding a 1TB NVMe SSD.

• GeForce RTX 2070
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 128GB NVMe SSD
• 1TB HDD
• Thunderbolt 3
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 70 Whr battery
• 60Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

The MSI GE63 Raider RGB-683 also pushes the budget. On the upside it has a larger 512GB SSD. The downside no more room in your extended budget to go bigger and no HDD.

• GeForce RTX 2070
• i7 8750H
• 16GB RAM (2x8GB allowing dual channel)
• 512GB NVMe SSD
• USB 3.1 Gen 2
• 51 Whr battery
• 144Hz IPS Display 1920x1080

SSD Upgrades

• 1TB Crucial P1
• 2TB HP EX950

Nice, thanks, this is a great list. I do have to say though that I really like that last recommendation, the MSI GE63 Raider. I like the deal so much that I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that deal. It's like $700 cheaper than inferior laptops in the same line on Amazon, comes with 2 games, and a free mouse, $200 rebate because why not...

It seemingly has everything I'm looking for. The 2070, the 512GB ssd, IPS. It even has the optional numpad I wanted but didn't mention. Though I did change the budget to $1800 7 minutes before you posted (so obviously you compiled this before that), I'm seriously thinking I'm just going to pull the trigger on that now before I wake up. I'm just trying to find the catch...it must at the least be a 2070 max Q. That'd still be pretty good though.

 

[velocityg4]

Nice, thanks, this is a great list. I do have to say though that I really like that last recommendation, the MSI GE63 Raider. I like the deal so much that I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that deal. It's like $700 cheaper than inferior laptops in the same line on Amazon, comes with 2 games, and a free mouse, $200 rebate because why not...

It seemingly has everything I'm looking for. The 2070, the 512GB ssd, IPS. It even has the optional numpad I wanted but didn't mention. Though I did change the budget to $1800 7 minutes before you posted (so obviously you compiled this before that), I'm seriously thinking I'm just going to pull the trigger on that now before I wake up. I'm just trying to find the catch...it must at the least be a 2070 max Q. That'd still be pretty good though.

MSI generally make nice gaming laptops. The only catch I see is battery life won't be that great. You'll probably get three or four hours web browsing. As you are willing to spend $1,800. I'd definitely pump up the SSD to 2TB. Games take a lot of space. The spec page indicates it also has a 2.5" bay. Perhaps stick with the 512GB NVMe and add a cheap 2TB SATA SSD to store games.

I set a client up with a lower end 1050 Ti model which was also a killer deal. It's quite a nice laptop. Much nicer than the Dell Inspiron i7559 it replaced. Felt more solid, nicer screen and firmer keyboard. I think the MSI laptops are quite nice. The GTX 1070 variant has a good review on laptopmag.com. I believe the current RTX 2070 is just a spec bump. I don't think anything else has changed.