The “sweet spot” lately is still RTX 4060 8GB at 100-140W paired with a midrange CPU (Ryzen 7 7840/8845HS or Core Ultra 7 155H/i7-13620H), 16GB dual‑channel RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 15/16″ 1080p 144-165Hz IPS panel that hits close to 100% sRGB. That combo gives the best frames-per-dollar without cooking itself. Watch for a MUX/Advanced Optimus toggle-free 10-20% uplift in many games.
Avoid low‑wattage GPUs (weak 4050s), single‑stick 8GB RAM, tiny SSDs, and the awful 45% NTSC panels. A 4060 with QHD is fine if you’re willing to tweak settings; otherwise stick to 1080p for smoother results.
Value lines worth tracking: Lenovo LOQ/Legion, HP Omen 16, Acer Nitro 16, ASUS TUF A15/A16, Gigabyte G6. Sale pricing I’ve seen repeatedly: 4060 rigs at $799-999, 4070s at $1099-1299. With holiday deals incoming, I’d set alerts and wait a couple weeks unless you’re in a rush.
Refurb can be a win if it’s manufacturer‑certified (1‑year warranty). Skip “seller refurb.” Check battery cycle count, thermals/fan noise, keyboard wear, and return window; expect 20-35% savings. Plan on adding RAM/SSD yourself-make sure the chassis has two RAM slots and a second M.2 bay.
Biggest gotcha: the same model name can hide very different TGPs and panels. Look up a review of the exact SKU before pulling the trigger.