The Witcher 3’s Success Boosts Steam Records and Gaming Laptop Interest
The triumph of Netflix’s “The Witcher” has not only captivated audiences but has also significantly impacted the gaming world, notably on platforms like Twitch and Steam. According to Kotaku, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has achieved a remarkable milestone on Steam by establishing a new record for active player count.
At one point, over 94,000 players were concurrently immersed in the game, showcasing the enduring popularity of this expansive title. Remarkably, many of these enthusiasts were enjoying the game without relying on top-tier gaming laptops such as Clevo NH70 and Razer Blade 15 2018 h2.
Recognizing that The Witcher 3 demands robust hardware for optimal performance, we’ve curated a selection of gaming laptops that not only meet the game’s requirements but also come with budget-friendly price tags.
Top 3 Budget Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Unique Features of the Acer Aspire 5 with Nvidia MX150 GPU
The Acer Aspire 5 stands out for its incorporation of the Nvidia MX150 GPU, a significant improvement over the previously utilized 940, particularly in lower-cost devices.
- Processor: Core i5
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Hard Disk Size: 256 GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce MX150
- RAM: 8 GB
Equipped with a 15.6-inch display at 1080p, the image quality may not excel, especially when viewed off-center. This compromise is often made by manufacturers to reduce costs, with the display being a common area for such adjustments.
Powered by an i5-8250U processor, the Acer Aspire 5 makes a reasonable choice for an entry-level device. With 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, it offers room for a RAM upgrade in a single slot and allows for expanded storage.
The laptop provides approximately 5 hours of battery life, though prolonged GPU use will decrease this duration significantly.
For gaming, particularly in titles like Witcher 3, expect around 35 to 40 FPS at 1080p. Adjusting the resolution can enhance performance. While the processor is AAA capable, optimal performance requires tweaking graphics settings or opting for a slightly lower resolution with improved settings.
Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 offers excellent value for its price, delivering a budget-friendly configuration. Acer consistently manages to provide consumers with the most cost-effective versions, making it an ideal choice for those seeking decent gaming performance without breaking the bank.
Price: $699.99
HP Omen 2017: A Sleek and Powerful Gaming Laptop
The 2017 HP Omen marked a visual improvement over its predecessors, featuring a stylish two-tone finish and the HP Omen logo at the bottom.
- Processor: Core i7
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Hard Disk Size: 1 TB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Processor: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti
- RAM: 8 GB
The 15.6-inch laptop offers three panel configurations, with the base model featuring a full HD IPS anti-glare display. For those seeking higher resolution, an optional 4k IPS anti-glare panel is available for an additional $260.
While the trackpad may be somewhat small, it compensates with precise two physical buttons, accurate tracking, two-finger scrolling, and multi-touch capabilities, making it a decent overall trackpad.
Equipped with a substantial 4-cell 71-hour battery pack, the laptop provides approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life with casual light-duty usage at medium screen brightness. Gaming on battery power reduces this duration to around 1.5 hours.
The Intel i7-7700HQ quad-core chip delivers strong performance, and users can choose from various GPU options. The base model features a Radeon RX 550, with GTX 1050 (2 or 4 GB of GDDR5) and GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB of GDDR5) as additional choices.
In Witcher 3, playing on the GTX 1050 Ti yields an average of 48.3 fps on ‘High’ settings, dropping to 26.6 fps on ‘Ultra’ settings.
Priced at $849.00, the HP Omen 2017 offers excellent performance, impressive build quality, and is well-suited for casual gaming enthusiasts.
Acer Nitro 5: Affordable Gaming Excellence
In the realm of sub-$1000 laptops, the Acer Nitro 5 stands out, offering remarkable performance, especially when compared to models from just a couple of years ago.
- Processor: Core i5
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Hard Disk Size: 256 GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
While the laptop’s body is constructed entirely of plastic, it features an aluminum-inspired appearance. The keyboard, illuminated in basic red LED, provides excellent travel. The full HD IPS-type panel offers decent off-center viewing, though colors may appear slightly muted.
Despite the average display quality, the Acer Nitro 5 excels in various aspects. The GPU maintains a temperature of no higher than 72 degrees Celsius even during intensive gaming sessions lasting 2 to 3 hours.
The laptop can sustain approximately 5 hours and 33 minutes of streaming, which is impressive for a gaming laptop but relatively less for general use. Gaming on this laptop typically yields around 2 hours of battery life.
In Witcher 3, the Acer Nitro 5 delivers 59 average fps on ‘low’, 55 average fps on ‘medium’, and 25 average fps on ‘ultra’ settings.
To sum it up, the Acer Nitro 5 is an unassuming yet well-configured laptop for its price. It offers convenient options to expand storage and memory. In essence, it stands out as one of the finest budget gaming laptops available.
Price: $688.00
