Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Laptop under $1,600 is the LG Gram Laptop (2022). This powerful, lightweight laptop features a 16″ IPS display, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor, and 1TB of M.2 storage, making it an excellent choice for performance and portability.
- Laptops under $1,600 category offer diverse choices to the customers, ranging from high-performance machines to budget-friendly devices and travel-friendly laptops, all with excellent features and capabilities.
- Owning a laptop from this category means benefiting from powerful processors, substantial RAM, high-resolution screens, and durable yet lightweight designs. These laptops cater to various needs such as gaming, multimedia editing, heavy-duty multitasking, and even regular daily tasks.
- Selecting the right laptop depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider aspects such as what you primarily intend to use the laptop for, the laptop’s weight and screen size, the processor and RAM capacity, the storage type and size, and battery life. Other factors such as I/O ports and additional features like a touchscreen can also influence your decision.
- Notable laptops in this category include the HP Laptop 17 as the Best Budget Option, Microsoft 15” Multi-Touch Surface Laptop 5 as the Best Travel Laptop, ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop as the Best 16-Inch Laptop, and ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED as the Best Performance Laptop. These options highlight the diversity in design, performance, and features available under the $1,600 budget.
Laptops under $1,600 can pack a lot of power and provide users with stylish designs, bright and detailed displays, touchscreens, and at a price range under $1,600. They can be great for creators, gamers, students, or anyone looking to get daily tasks done.
All of the laptops we have picked for you in 2023 come with a minimum of 8GB of RAM, current-gen processors, and a minimum of 256GB available for storage space, ensuring that every system on this list can multitask efficiently and deliver a smooth experience, regardless of what you are using it for.
With so many great options available in 2023, picking the right laptop can be overwhelming and tricky. We spent a long time researching the market, and after weeks of research, we are happy to recommend the best laptops that are currently available for under $1,600.
Just take a look at our roundup of the 5 best laptops under $1,600:
- Best Overall: LG Gram Laptop
- Best Budget: HP Laptop 17
- The Best Travel Laptop: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- The Best 16-inch Laptop: ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop
- Best Performance Laptop: ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED
Best Overall Laptop Under $1600 Available Today: LG Gram Laptop
- 16-inch display
- 12th Gen i7 CPU
- 1TB M2 SSD
- 16GB RAM
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Lightweight and durable design. | 1. Display brightness is not as high as some may prefer. |
| 2. Impressive specs: 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and 1TB M.2 storage space. | 2. Limited port selection. |
| 3. High color accuracy on its 16” IPS display. |
The LG Gram Laptop (2022) is our best overall laptop that you can buy right now for under $1,600. The LG Gram is a lightweight laptop that packs a punch. In the configuration we used for this review, the Gram features a 16” 2560 x 1600 resolution IPS display, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM alongside a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor, and 1TB of speedy M.2 storage space.
LG’s Gram Laptop is one of the lightest notebooks on the market, weighing only 2.64 lbs. Even though the Gram features an incredibly lightweight chassis, LG has made sure not to sacrifice durability. The Gram is MIL-STD 810G certified, which ensures that you can take this laptop on the go without worry.
Opening the Gram, you are greeted by a 16” screen with a matte finish and a 2560 x 1600 resolution. The display doesn’t get as bright as we would have liked. Still, we did note that color accuracy was 99% DCI-P3 and that this is a great laptop display for video editors or programmers, thanks to its resolution and color accuracy.
Additionally, we were impressed that for a notebook of this size and weight, the Gram comes with a 1TB M.2 SSD and includes a free slot if you wanted to install another M.2 SSD to boost the storage capacity.
While it isn’t a gaming beast like some of the other picks on our list, it offers great performance, especially considering its size and weight. If you need the perfect blend of portability and power, the LG Gram is an excellent choice.
Specifications
| Size: | 16” |
| Weight: | 2.64 lbs. |
| Screen Type: | 2560 x 1600 Matte IPS |
| I/O Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5 RAM |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 + M.2 PCIe Gen 4 Slot |
| Audio: | Dual Speakers |
| Card Slot Type: | MicroSD |
| Battery Life | 8-Hours on Full Charge |
Check out the LG Gram Laptop on Amazon.
Best Budget Option Under $1600 Available Today: HP Laptop 17
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Cost-effective while still offering a solid performance. | 1. Not as powerful as some other options. |
| 2. Great battery life (11 hours). | 2. Heavier and less portable (4.58 lbs). |
| 3. Good color accuracy on a 17” IPS display. |
HP has long been recognized as a reliable and trusted brand regarding budget-friendly laptops. Catering to budget buyers’ needs, HP laptops balance affordability and performance, making them an excellent choice for individuals seeking a cost-effective solution. Our favorite budget option under $1,600 available today is the HP Laptop 17, an impressive laptop that packs a punch in terms of performance and value for its price.
The HP Laptop 17 we’ve looked at is designed with an AMD Ryzen 5 mobile processor clocked at 2.3 GHz, alongside 8GB of DDR4 RAM for efficient multi-tasking and a 256GB SSD for storing all your files and work documents. It’s not a beast by any means, but the HP Laptop 17 is a reliable notebook that comes in at budget-friendly pricing and provides you with everything you need to do some word processing work or day-to-day computing tasks.
The HP Laptop 17 has a simple design, a simple clamshell with the glossy ‘HP’ logo on the front lid. The chassis is made out of reinforced plastic, giving the laptop some heft. The HP Laptop 17 weighs 4.58 lbs, which may be a drawback to users who want a laptop for always being on the go. Opening the clamshell, you are greeted by a colorful 17” 1920 x 1080P resolution IPS display. While not an OLED or a 4K model, it is still a satisfactory display for most uses.
HP has focused on the fundamentals with this laptop, and it shows when you look at its relatively basic feature set. However, it comes at an astonishingly low price tag compared to our other picks and delivers great performance for basic tasks.
Specifications
| Size: | 17” |
| Weight: | 4.58 lbs. |
| Screen Type: | 1920 x 1080 IPS |
| I/O Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x USB Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Audio: | Dual Speakers |
| Battery Life | 11-Hours on Full Charge |
Check out the HP Laptop 17 on Amazon.
The Best Travel Laptop Under $1600 Available Today: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Touchscreen convertible display
- 12th gen Intel Core i7 CPU
- RTX 3050-Ti GPU
- Lightweight and portable
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Sleek design and lightweight (2.86 lbs), ideal for travel. | 1. The actual battery life (around 6 to 8 hours) may be less than the advertised 13.5 hours. |
| 2. High performance: Powered by the 12th Gen Intel i7 processor with a maximum of 4.7 GHz and 16GB of LPDDR5 memory. | 2. Might not be ideal for those who prefer a larger display. |
| 3. Long battery life, making it ideal for long flights or travel days. |
When it comes to finding the perfect travel laptop, striking the right balance between portability and performance is essential.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio emerged as our top contender in this regard. Its sleek design and powerful specifications offer a combination of stylish design and functionality, making it one of the best travel laptops you can get for under $1,600.
At first glance, you might mistake the Surface Laptop Studio for a tablet with an attachable keyboard. But you’ll soon find it is much more than that once you start using it.
We are impressed with the design of the Surface Laptop Studio. Microsoft has gone out of its way to craft this laptop with precision and elegance, boasting a slim and lightweight form factor that’s ideal for travelers. The chassis is constructed from aluminum to enhance durability while providing added elegance to the overall laptop’s appearance.
Despite its compact size, the Surface Laptop 5 does not compromise on performance. Powered by the 12th Gen Intel i7 processor with a maximum of 4.7 GHz of power and 16GB of LPDDR5 memory for fast and efficient multitasking. It even packs an Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU for those mobile gaming sessions.
Battery life is another crucial factor to consider when buying a travel laptop, and the Surface Laptop Studio does not disappoint. Microsoft claims this laptop has an estimated 13.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, and in testing environments, we’ve seen around 6 to 8 hours of battery life.
The Surface Laptop Studio has more than enough power to get you through a long flight or travel day, and the laptop is rechargeable by way of USB Type-C, providing a quick and universal charge. You can’t go wrong with a laptop of this caliber, especially at this price point.
Specifications
| Size: | 14.4” |
| Weight: | 2.86 lbs. |
| Screen Type: | 2256 x 1504 Touchscreen |
| I/O Ports | 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort Compatible), 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5x |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Audio: | Dual Speakers |
| Battery Life | 13.5-Hours on Full Charge |
Check out the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio on Amazon.
The Best 16-Inch Laptop Available Today Under $1600: ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. High-performance: 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 1TB SSD. | 1. Heavier weight at 5.51 lbs. |
| 2. Superior graphics with NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU, and 2560 x 1600 ROG Nebula display with fast response time and refresh rate. | 2. Battery life of 8 hours may not be sufficient for long gaming sessions or full workdays without access to a charger. |
| 3. Robust cooling system to prevent overheating. |
16-inch laptops provide users with an immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or just working, the spacious display of a 16” laptop allows for better visibility and enhanced detail. It just so happens that 16-inch laptops are immensely popular as gaming systems – and for good reason!
We went with the ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop as our favorite 16” laptop, as it provides a powerful computing experience with high-end hardware and an immersive display that is great for gamers and content creators alike while remaining under our target budget of $1,600.
The laptop is powered by a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 processor with 24 cores operating at a maximum frequency of 5.60 GHz. There’s 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM for efficient multi-tasking and a 1TB SSD to store all of your media files.
Graphics are handled by a next-gen NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU, pointing to ASUS’s commitment to next-gen hardware at an affordable price in their gaming laptops. The 4050 ensures that even triple-A titles can be played with ease on the Strix G16’s 2560 x 1600 ROG Nebula display.
The display features a 3ms response time, a blazing fast 240 Hz refresh rate, and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy. These are premium features that will delight any gamer or content creator who wants a responsive and color-accurate display on a laptop.
In addition to the ROG Strix’s great hardware, the laptop provides a robust cooling system thanks to an advanced thermal design. The laptop is able to effectively dissipate heat during gaming sessions, ensuring optimal performance and preventing overheating issues – a problem common with many gaming laptops.
Specifications
| Size: | 16” |
| Weight: | 5.51 lbs. |
| Screen Type: | 2560 x 1600 IPS Nebula Display |
| I/O Ports | 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort Compatible), 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5x / 32GB Maximum |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD + M.2 Slot Available |
| Audio: | Dual Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8-Hours on Full Charge |
Check out the ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop on Amazon.
Best Performance Laptop Available Today Under $1600: ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED
- Touchscreen 15.6-inch display
- AMD Ryzen 9 CPU
- RTX 3050-Ti
- 1TB SSD
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Powerful performance: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X processor, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB M.2 storage. | 1. The OLED display, while gorgeous, may consume more battery life compared to non-OLED screens. |
| 2. Stunning 15.6” OLED panel with exceptional color accuracy and sharpness. | 2. Even though the laptop has an impressive 18-hour battery life, real-world performance may vary based on usage. |
| 3. Wide range of connectivity options including multiple USB ports, HDMI output, and SD card reader. |
When it comes to high-performance laptops, the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED stands out as a top contender that delivers users exceptional power and cutting-edge features. With its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 5900X processor providing a max speed of 4.75 GHz coupled with 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a stunning OLED display, this laptop offers great performance in our targeted $1,600 budget range.
Our favorite aspect of the Zenbook 15 was its 15.6” OLED panel that delivers vivid colors, deep blacks, and a near-infinite contrast ratio. Whether you’re watching movies, editing movies, working on photographs, or designing graphics, the OLED display provides an immersive visual experience with exceptional color accuracy and sharpness. It’s a dream come true for content creators and creative professionals who need precise visuals but don’t want to spend more than $1,600.
Additionally, the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED offers a wide range of connectivity options that will be useful to any content creator. There are multiple USB ports for plugging in external storage devices, an HDMI output for connecting to external monitors, and an SD card reader, providing flexibility and convenience for connecting peripherals and transferring files.
If you’re looking for a great performing laptop that won’t break the bank, the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED is a great choice that checks all those boxes.
Specifications
| Size: | 15.6” |
| Weight: | 4.4 lbs. |
| Screen Type: | 3840 x 2160 OLED |
| I/O Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5 RAM |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 + M.2 PCIe Gen 4 Slot |
| Audio: | Dual Speakers |
| Card Slot Type: | MicroSD |
| Battery Life | Up to 18-Hours |
Check out the ASUS Zenbook 15 OLED on Amazon.
What To Know Before Buying a New Laptop
We hope we’ve helped you get some new ideas about which laptops to buy. Still, there are a few things you should know before diving in. The first is to figure out your use case. This will help you determine a budget.
It’s good to know what to look for when shopping for a new laptop, but this depends largely on what you need it for. If you just need a laptop for word processing, emails, and some other light daily tasks, you won’t need a multi-core blazing fast processor or large amounts of RAM. In this case, you would be served well by a Chromebook or a notebook with 8GB RAM and a 2.1 GHz speed processor.
But on the other hand, if you want to play games at a 4K resolution, you will need not only a fast multi-core processor but also a laptop that comes with a dedicated high-end GPU and has a 4K screen. The good news is that a $1,600 budget gives you plenty of options for finding a high-performance system.
Always make a budget before looking for a new laptop. Making a budget helps you thin out options based on price alone. The last thing you want to do when upgrading computers is to waste any money. And different types of laptops can range widely in price. Always make sure you shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal, as prices can fluctuate frequently on laptops.
Using a Laptop Under $1,600: What it’s Like
Laptops under $1,600 offer an ideal balance of performance and features while also not going drastically over budget. You can easily find systems with 4K or OLED displays in this price range while maintaining portability and lightweight design.
You’ll typically be able to upgrade your components, such as RAM and storage. And some gaming-focused models may even support overclocking. The best part is your experience with using a laptop under $1,600 should be relatively long-lived. Due to high-end specifications and better-quality hardware, you can expect a longer lifespan from your laptop compared to a more entry-level system.
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