In today‘s world, having a reliable laptop is essential whether you‘re a student, professional, creative, or causal user. The good news is that laptops under $1200 can offer tremendous value, striking an optimal balance between performance, build quality, and price.
Advancements in hardware now allow manufacturers to pack the latest processors, abundant memory and storage, high-resolution displays, and robust connectivity into mainstream laptops costing around $1000. For a vast majority of users, these mid-range marvels can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, streaming, and basic content creation with aplomb.
This guide will explore the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop in the sub-$1200 segment and recommend the 5 best options currently available based on expert testing and reviews.
What to Look for in a Laptop Under $1200
When evaluating laptops priced up to $1200, pay special attention to these attributes that directly impact real-world experience:
Processor (CPU)
Seek out 10th or 11th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors or the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series chips. These CPUs offer at least 4 physical cores along with excellent single and multi-threaded performance for smooth multitasking.
RAM
8GB RAM is the baseline for decent responsiveness when having multiple apps and browser tabs open. 16GB RAM is recommended for power users and provides headroom for years to come.
Storage
SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives. Aim for at least a 512GB SSD for snappy boot times and app launches.
Display
Look for an IPS panel with 1920 x 1080 Full HD or higher screen resolution. IPS screens offer better viewing angles and color accuracy over cheaper TN panels.
Graphics
Integrated GPUs in modern Intel/AMD chips can handle basic games and photo/video editing. Discrete GPUs like NVIDIA‘s GTX 16-series boost gaming performance.
Battery Life
8+ hours of real-world battery life is ideal for those needing full-day computing sans wires. Laptops touting smaller batteries invariably deliver lower endurance.
Keeping these parameters in mind, below are the 5 best laptops that deliver excellent price-to-performance ratios under a $1200 budget.
1. Best Overall: Dell XPS 13
Pros
- Class-leading build quality with lightweight and ultraportable chassis
- Gorgeous bright and color-accurate 13.4" 1920×1200 touch display
- Fast performance from 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Iris Xe graphics
- 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD standard
- Excellent battery life of up to 12 hours
- Robust port selection (2 Thunderbolt 4, microSD, USB-C 3.2)
Cons
- Webcam lacks 1080p resolution
- Fans can get noisy sometimes
In many ways, the Dell XPS 13 defines the pinnacle for 13-inch Ultrabooks today. Weighing just 2.8 pounds, the expertly crafted aluminium and carbon fiber body squeezes a 13.4-inch 16:10 display into an 11-inch footprint thanks to its virtually borderless ‘InfinityEdge‘ design.
You get a vibrant and immersive viewing experience backed by Dolby Vision support for brilliant colors and contrast. The anti-glare touchscreen allows for easy navigation in laptop or tablet mode. Under the hood lies Intel‘s latest 11th Gen Core i7-1185G7 processor riding on Intel‘s cutting-edge 10nm ‘Tiger Lake‘ architecture to supply significantly faster CPU and integrated GPU performance over predecessors.
Whether you‘re browsing dozens of Edge tabs, streaming Netflix videos, or editing family photos, the Dell XPS 13 won‘t break a sweat. It ships with 16GB of RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD storage—ample capacity to juggle numerous apps with quick load times. Coupled with the 52WHr battery, you can expect around 12 hours of real-world usage on a full charge.
Despite the compact footprint, Dell still manages to fit in a decent selection of ports including a microSD slot and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support blazing-fast 40Gbps data transfers, external displays, and charging. If you want the perfect combination of premium build quality, gorgeous display, and speedy performance in a super portable package, the Dell XPS 13 fits the bill splendidly.
2. Best Battery Life: HP Envy x360 15
Pros
- All-day 15+ hours battery life
- Slim and lightweight convertible 2-in-1 design
- Vivid 15.6" 1080p touchscreen with stylus support
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5700U CPU
- 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- Bang & Olufsen speakers
Cons
- 256GB storage is inadequate for some
- Occasional fan noise
Positioned as a premium alternative to its more affordable Envy brethren, the metal-clad HP Envy x360 15 ups the ante to deliver class-leading battery life in a desirable 2-in-1 convertible package. This is thanks to AMD‘s ultra-efficient Ryzen 5000 U-series chips. Configured with the Ryzen 7 5700U, you get exceptional multi-threaded muscle and integrated Vega graphics within a miserly 15W TDP envelope.
In real-world testing, the 66Wh battery keeps the Envy x360 15 going for over 15 hours on a full charge! This enables true all-day work and play without worrying about taking the compact power adapter along.
Despite the mid-size footprint, the Envy manages to incorporate a roomy 15.6-inch IPS touch display. You can swivel the screen a full 360-degrees into tablet mode when required. Picture quality is also praiseworthy with accurate colors and wide viewing angles. HP throws some extra premium touches as well like a physical camera shutter and loud Bang & Olufsen speakers.
With abundant RAM and a speedy PCIe SSD paired with AMD‘s efficiency prowess, the HP Envy 15 x360 clearly sets the bar for maximum mileage from a single charging cycle. If longevity on the go is paramount, this 2-in-1 laptop deserves to be on your shortlist.
3. Best Budget All-Rounder: Acer Swift 3
Pros
- Great performance from Ryzen 7 5700U
- Bright 14" 1080p display with slim bezels
- Lightweight 2.65 lbs chassis
- Good port selection with USB Type-C
- Very affordable for specifications
Cons
- Fit and finish could be more premium
- 512GB SSD upgrade recommended
As one of Acer‘s premium thin-and-light series, the Swift 3 brings speedy Ryzen 5000 performance and excellent battery life to a sub-$700 price point. This represents a tremendous value for budget-conscious buyers who want good daily computing power inside a portable shell.
Design and build quality may not turn heads like some fancier Ultrabooks, but the Swift 3 checks all the essential boxes in terms of display, performance, and connectivity. Notably, you get AMD‘s top-of-the-line Ryzen 7 5700U chip which can easily handle everyday workloads. The integrated Radeon graphics are also plenty capable for light gaming and content creation.
The 14-inch Full HD display looks sharp thanks to slim bezels on three sides. Factor in the lightweight 2.65-pound chassis, and the Acer Swift 3 stands out as a feat of engineering starting under $700 online. Battery life is equally impressive, managing nearly 11 hours of mixed-use as per third-party testing.
With 8GB RAM, you‘ll want to upgrade the 256GB storage down the line for accommodating larger files and games. Thankfully, upgrading the M.2 SSD later on is straightforward. Considering its affordable pricing, the well-rounded Acer Swift 3 packs quite the wallop under its spartan hood.
4. Best for Creatives: Asus Zenbook Flip 15 OLED
Pros
- Stunning 4K OLED touchscreen display
- Discrete Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti GPU
- Innovative hinge and keyboard design
- Good connectivity: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- Bundled Asus Pen for creative work
Cons
- Battery life is below average
- Fans can get loud under load
Creative professionals like graphic artists and video editors demand both performance and brilliant visuals from their machines. The Asus Zenbook Flip 15 OLED melds processing muscle with a gorgeous dynamic display in a unique convertible chassis made for content creation on the move.
Let‘s start with the dazzling 4K UHD OLED touchscreen which offers exceptional vibrancy and contrast with true blacks and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. You can pivot the display a full 360° into tablet mode while retaining full SRGB and Adobe RGB fidelity. The bundled Asus Pen provides responsive pressure sensitivity for digital inking too.
Inside, you‘ll find Intel‘s potent 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 quad-core chip plus NVIDIA‘s entry-level GTX 1650 Ti discrete GPU backing things up. This tandem allows for smooth photo editing in Lightroom and 1080p gameplay with medium settings. The ErgoLift hinge angles the keyboard for comfortable typing when needed while allowing cool air to flow underneath.
With 16GB RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD onboard, the Asus Zenbook Flip has sufficient multitasking muscle and storage space to manage beefy media files. Connectivity is also generous with full-size HDMI, Type-A USB, and Thunderbolt 4 over USB-C. If you desire serious creative flair from your convertible laptop, the Zenbook Flip 15 OLED warrants a closer look.
5. Best Value Gaming: Lenovo Legion 5
Pros
- Excellent 1080p gaming performance from GTX 1660 Ti GPU
- High-refresh rate 120Hz display
- Great thermal design for sustained FPS
- Tactile RGB-backlit keyboard
- Good battery life for a gaming laptop
Cons
- 15-inch chassis is bulky
- occasional fan noise under heavy loads
While serious gamers may mock its mid-range Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti GPU, the Lenovo Legion 5 delivers shockingly good 1080p gameplay in a sub-$1200 package. Thanks to a smart thermal design featuring large exhaust vents, an overclocked i7-10750H CPU, and 16GB RAM, the Legion 5 achieves consistently high FPS to please most gamers.
The meaty 80Wh battery keeps frames going strong for 5+ hours as per third-party gaming tests. This is excellent endurance compared to competing models. The 15.6-inch IPS display also impresses with its snappy 120Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals in fast-paced titles like Fortnite and Valorant. Having a MUX switch further optimizes FPS delivery compared to forcing display output via integrated graphics.
Despite its gaming intentions, the Lenovo Legion 5 looks rather innocuous with its refined ‘stealthy‘ aesthetic unlike flashy rivals. And the Signature Edition configurations provide great value by including everything you need for satisfying PC gameplay without breaking budgets. If you want a solid triple-A gaming workhorse sans the garish bling, the Lenovo Legion 5 warrants strong consideration.
How to Find the Right Laptop Under $1200
When evaluating the perfect laptop under $1200 for your needs, consider these factors:
Usage: Are you a student, professional, gamer, content creator? Your primary applications will determine ideal specifications. Prioritize CPU cores, GPU power, display resolution, storage capacity accordingly.
Portability: Frequent travelers need lighter but well-built laptops with good battery life. If mobility isn‘t vital, you can choose heavier models with discrete GPUs and large screens instead.
Features: Touchscreens, pens, and 2-in-1 designs are great for notetaking and creative work. Gamers should get high-refresh rate displays, RGB keyboards, and robust cooling. Analyze the features that best suit your work.
Carefully weighing key factors like core hardware, ergonomic design, battery efficiency, and feature set tailored to your needs will help single out the perfect $1200 laptop.
FAQs on Laptops Under $1200
Q. Are there good student laptops under $1200?
Yes, many mainstream laptops offer excellent value for student needs under $1200. Models like the Dell XPS 13, HP Envy x360 15, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 are great options to consider.
Q. Can I play AAA games on a $1200 laptop?
Most gaming laptops under $1200 can handle the latest games comfortably at Medium settings and 1080p resolution. Laptops with GTX 1650/1660-series GPUs strike a great value balance for 1080p gameplay within budget constraints.
Q. Is 8GB RAM enough in 2022 laptops?
8GB RAM is the bare minimum required for a good experience today. 16GB RAM is strongly recommended as it provides plenty of breathing room for lots of browser tabs and apps running simultaneously.
Q. Do laptops in this budget range have good build quality?
Yes, spending up to $1200 gives you access to incredibly well-built laptops using aluminum, metal and carbon fiber materials crafted to high standards. Many premium 2-in-1 laptops and Ultrabooks fall into this segment.
