Joined Feb 2017
New User
Forum Thread
Slim Gaming Laptop recommendation, integrated graphics vs dedicated
March 10, 2025 at
07:08 PM
Hi SD,
First post here in the forums. I've been looking at laptops for a while now and feel like I'm stuck and can't find a good option for myself so I'm asking for any advice.
Currently I have a MacBook M1 for work.
I'd like a PC, 14 inch laptop. Ideally close to the same size and weight as the MacBook.
Budget ideally under $1,000 but could stretch for something nicer.
I'd like to use it for some lightweight video editing and gaming, say some modern indie games on medium settings
To be clear, light weight and portability are my biggest buying point. The charger counts too! (From what I've seen the Asus Zerpher has a big ole brick).
So I'd like to ask if anyone has any recommendations? Also I'm very curious if people have first hand experience gaming with these new integrated graphics? It kinda feels like that might be an option?
Thanks!
First post here in the forums. I've been looking at laptops for a while now and feel like I'm stuck and can't find a good option for myself so I'm asking for any advice.
Currently I have a MacBook M1 for work.
I'd like a PC, 14 inch laptop. Ideally close to the same size and weight as the MacBook.
Budget ideally under $1,000 but could stretch for something nicer.
I'd like to use it for some lightweight video editing and gaming, say some modern indie games on medium settings
To be clear, light weight and portability are my biggest buying point. The charger counts too! (From what I've seen the Asus Zerpher has a big ole brick).
So I'd like to ask if anyone has any recommendations? Also I'm very curious if people have first hand experience gaming with these new integrated graphics? It kinda feels like that might be an option?
Thanks!
About the OP
6 Comments
Your comment cannot be blank.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
You should be able to easily find something under $1,000, I've been holding out for something below $500. Have seen plenty of deals in the $700 / $800 range but it's not a necessity for me...
I agree on the charger. I'm limiting my options to laptops that can charge via USB-C power delivery. Definitely no power bricks, and it seems like the various brands are taking their sweet time converting over to USB-C charging. I want something I can add to my go-bag and not have to add any additional chargers.
You referenced Indie games and medium settings - integrated graphics will be fine for this. That said, if you were to do any serious gaming there is no substitute for a dedicated GPU.
Pay attention to the memory - lightweight laptops are moving to soldered memory (meaning you can't add or swap memory) to minimize the footprint. I'd try to find something with 16GB, especially if it's not upgrade-able.
You should be able to easily find something under $1,000, I've been holding out for something below $500. Have seen plenty of deals in the $700 / $800 range but it's not a necessity for me...
I agree on the charger. I'm limiting my options to laptops that can charge via USB-C power delivery. Definitely no power bricks, and it seems like the various brands are taking their sweet time converting over to USB-C charging. I want something I can add to my go-bag and not have to add any additional chargers.
You referenced Indie games and medium settings - integrated graphics will be fine for this. That said, if you were to do any serious gaming there is no substitute for a dedicated GPU.
Pay attention to the memory - lightweight laptops are moving to soldered memory (meaning you can't add or swap memory) to minimize the footprint. I'd try to find something with 16GB, especially if it's not upgrade-able.
I found a Dell XPS that is 3.7 lbs and it is just over 1K at the outlet and 1500.00 new.
https://outlet.us.dell.
Not something I need so I can afford to wait. Guessing with all this tariff activity prices are just going to go up from here in the short-term...
Not something I need so I can afford to wait. Guessing with all this tariff activity prices are just going to go up from here in the short-term...
https://slickdeals.net/f/18182770-lenovo-yoga-9i-2-in-1-14-2-8k-oled-120hz-touch-intel-ultra-7-155h-16gb-lpddr5-1tb-ssd-999-99?v=1
The specs are nice, but a review mentioned some graininess of the display. I'd try to have a look at one in store to decide if it was a problem.