If you need a new gaming laptop but don't want to spend more than $1,000, check out this great deal on MSI's GL65 Leopard (model 10SCSR-070), a 15.6" with an IPS display and fast 144Hz refresh rate. machine, priced at only $769 after discount.

There are three types of discounts. The laptop, normally priced at $1,099, is now on sale for $969. This is the first discount. Second, if you use the promo code "4STUDENT" at checkout, the price drops $100 to $869 (anyone can use the code, not just students). That's the second discount. And the third discount is a $100 mail-in rebate from MSI in the form of a prepaid card. When this is taken into account, the deal saves $330.

It is powered by an Intel 10th generation Core i7 10750H (Comet Lake) processor, a 6-core/12-thread CPU clocked at 2.6GHz to 5GHz with 12MB of L3 cache. For graphics and gaming, it is powered by an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU.

This GPU is on the lower end of the discrete spectrum, a seemingly odd combination for a 144 Hz display. However, the CPU/GPU combo is certainly powerful enough to exceed 60 fps in less demanding games such as "FIFA 21" and "Star Wars Squadrons."

More demanding titles may require lowering some settings for smoother gameplay. That said, the GeForce GTX 1650 Ti is definitely an upgrade over integrated graphics, but don't expect to approach 144 fps in most games.

Other features include 8GB of RAM (I would consider upgrading this to 16GB), a 512GB NVMe SSD, a red LED-backlit keyboard, and adequate connectivity (Wi-Fi 6/802.11ax, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, mini DisplayPort, HDMI).

For other options, be sure to check this week's Cheap Gaming Laptop of the Week deals, which are updated continuously.