You might not think a laptop that costs under $1000 would be capable of running modern games, but you'd be surprised. These cheap gaming machines can actually do quite well when you dial down the in-game settings to more reasonable levels, which makes them a great option for gamers who want to spend less money.
The Dell XPS 13 2 in 1 is one of the best options for a laptop with 970m, as it is able to run even the latest titles at medium or high settings on a FHD screen. Its performance is boosted by an Intel Core i7 processor, while its AMD Radeon RX Vega graphics deliver stunning visuals. Its slim and light design makes it easy to carry for work or school, while its battery life is impressive at around 12 hours.
Another great option for a 970m laptop under 1000 is the MSI GE72 Apache Pro-003. This gaming machine features a premium build quality with an attractive and unique design. It weighs 2.75 kg/6.1 lbs and has an optical-mechanical RGB keyboard with a separate trackpad. Its 144Hz FHD or QHD display delivers excellent colors, brightness and contrast. The machine also offers solid ports and IO with two USB 3.2-A Gen 1 sockets, an HDMI socket for connecting to displays and an RJ-45 port for ethernet connections.
It has a small disadvantage in that it only has 8GB of RAM, but this can be upgraded later on. The SSD is also smaller than we'd like to see at this price point, but you can easily upgrade these components if needed.