How much should I spend on a gaming laptop in 2025?

Across the reviewers we read, an RTX 4050/5050 machine in the $800–$1,100 range handles 1080p gaming well, while RTX 5060 models around $1,100–$1,300 are the current sweet spot for 1440p-class displays. Spending $2,000+ buys an RTX 5070 Ti and higher-refresh QHD panels, which reviewers describe as overkill for esports but worthwhile for demanding AAA titles.