The best gaming laptops for 2024

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Video gaming laptop computers are truth Transformers of the computer globe: They’re effective adequate to play your favored titles, however you can likewise harness their rate for media development or severe multitasking, like streaming high-resolution gameplay to Shiver. Today, you can also locate a couple of that weight much less than the tiniest MacBook Pro, making them strong choices for day-to-day chauffeurs also. For the requiring Peak Legends gamer, or the power individual simply seeking a qualified GPU to manage video clip encoding, it’ll be much easier than ever before to locate the most effective video gaming laptop computer to match your demands — however arranging with the apparently limitless variety of choices can be tiring. We have actually checked and assessed lots of video gaming laptop computers and we remain to do so as brand-new versions appear. Right here, we detail our leading choices for the very best video gaming laptop computers, in addition to every little thing you require to recognize prior to acquiring one.

What to seek in a pc gaming laptop computer

Rate

Your laptop computer purchasing trip begins and finishes with the quantity of cash you agree to invest. Not a surprise there. Fortunately: There are lots of choices for players of every spending plan. Particularly, we’re seeing some fantastic entry-level computer video gaming options under $1,000, like Dell’s G15 schedule. An inexpensive video gaming laptop computer in this cost array will certainly really feel a little bit flimsier than costlier versions, and they’ll likely stint RAM, storage space and total power. Yet the majority of less costly laptop computers need to have the ability to manage most of computer game performing at 1080p at 60 structures per 2nd, which is the bare minimum you would certainly desire from any type of system.

Points obtain fascinating when you begin considering the most effective video gaming laptop computers in the mid-range room, with costs at $1,000 and greater. Then, you’ll begin discovering Computers like the ASUS Zephyrus ROG G14, among our favored video gaming note pads. Generally, you can eagerly anticipate much much better construct high quality than spending plan video gaming laptop computers (steel situations!), enhanced graphics power and adequate RAM and storage room to manage one of the most requiring video games. These are the video gaming makers we would certainly suggest for most individuals, as they’ll maintain you video gaming and benefiting years prior to you require to bother with an upgrade.

If you agree to invest around $1,800 or even more, you can begin thinking about even more costs choices like Razer’s Blade. Anticipate perfectly brightened situations, the fastest equipment on the marketplace, and extremely slim styles. The skies’s the limitation below: Alienware’s uber adjustable Location 51m is a massive monster that can set you back as much as $4,700. Couple of individuals require an equipment that premium, however if you’re a player with added cash money to melt, it might deserve taking a close check out several of these costlier systems.

CPU and GPU

The response to this concern made use of to be reasonably basic: Simply obtain an Intel chip with an NVIDIA GPU. Yet over the last couple of years AMD has actually tipped up its video game with its Ryzen note pad cpus, which are much better fit for managing numerous jobs simultaneously (like streaming to Shiver while blowing up fools in Fortnite). Intel reacted with its excellent 12th and 13th-gen chips, however it’s nice to have respectable Ryzen AMD options offered, particularly given that they’re frequently less costly than equivalent Intel versions.

When it involves video clip cards, however, AMD is still capturing up. Its Radeon RX 6000M GPU has actually been a wonderful entertainer in note pads like ASUS’s ROG Strix G15, however it drags NVIDIA when it involves more recent attributes like ray mapping. (We’re still waiting to check AMD’s brand-new Radeon 7000 collection mobile graphics.) At least, a Radeon-powered note pad can come close to the basic video gaming efficiency of the NVIDIA RTX 3070 and 3080 GPUs.

If you wish to future-proof your acquisition, or you’re simply excited to see just how much far better ray mapping can make your video games look, you’re possibly much better off with an NVIDIA video clip card. They’re in even more systems, and it’s clear that they have actually far better enhanced ray mapping innovation. NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs likewise include the business’s DLSS innovation, which makes use of AI to high end video games to greater resolutions. That’ll allow you play a video game like Fate 2 in 4K with faster structure prices. That’s useful if you’re attempting to make use of a high refresh price screen.

You’ll still locate lots of laptop computers with NVIDIA’s older RTX 30-series GPUs nowadays, and they’ll still provide you remarkable efficiency. Yet to be secure, it’s possibly worth going with the more recent RTX 40-series systems, given that they sustain the more recent DLSS 3 innovation and use a riches of efficiency upgrades. (If you’re keeping an eye out for the very best bargains, you can possibly locate some awesome RTX 3070 laptop computers available.) The entry-level RTX 4050 is a strong begin, however we’d suggest going for a 4060 or 4070 if you’re aiming to maximize your framerates on faster screens. The RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 are both incredibly powerful, but they typically make systems far too expensive for most users.

It’s worth noting that NVIDIA’s mobile graphics cards aren’t directly comparable to its more powerful desktop hardware. PC makers can also tweak voltages to make gaming performance better in a thinner case. Basically, these laptops may not be desktop replacements — don’t be surprised if you see notebooks that perform very differently, even if they’re all equipped with the same GPU.

Screen and refresh rate

Screen size is a good place to start when judging gaming notebooks. In general, 15-inch laptops will be the best balance of immersion and portability, while larger 17-inch models are heftier, but naturally give you more screen real estate. There are some 13-inch gaming notebooks, like the Razer Blade Stealth, but paradoxically you’ll often end up paying more for those than slightly larger 15-inch options. We’re also seeing plenty of 14-inch options, like the Zephyrus G14 and Blade 14, which are generally beefier than 13-inch laptops while still being relatively portable.

But these days, there is plenty to consider beyond screen size. For one: refresh rates. Most monitors refresh their screens vertically 60 times per second, or at 60Hz. That’s a standard in use since black and white NTSC TVs. But over the past few years, displays have evolved considerably. Now, 120Hz 1080p screens are the bare minimum you would certainly want in any gaming notebook — and there are faster 144Hz, 240Hz and even 360Hz panels. All of this is in the service of one thing: making everything on your display look as smooth as possible.

For games, higher refresh rates also help eliminate screen tearing and other artifacts that could get in the way of your frag fest. And for everything else, it just leads to a better viewing experience. Even scrolling a web page on a 120Hz or faster monitor is starkly different from a 60Hz screen. Instead of seeing a jittery wall of text and pictures, everything moves seamlessly, as if you’re unwinding a glossy paper magazine. Going beyond 120Hz makes gameplay look even more responsive, which to some players gives them a slight advantage.

Not to make things more complicated, but you should also keep an eye out for NVIDIA’s G-SYNC and AMD’s FreeSync. They’re both adaptive sync technologies that can match your screen’s refresh rate with the framerate of your game. That also helps to reduce screen tearing and make gameplay smoother. Consider them nice bonuses on top of a high refresh rate monitor; they’re not necessary, but they can still offer a slight visual improvement.

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One more thing: Most of these suggestions are related to LCD screens, not OLEDs. While OLED makes a phenomenal choice for TVs, it’s a bit more complicated when it comes to gaming laptops. They’re mostly limited to 60Hz, though some models offer 90Hz. Still, you won’t see the smoothness of a 120Hz or 144Hz screen. OLEDs also typically come as 4K or 3.5K panels – you’ll need a ton of GPU power to run games natively at that resolution. They look incredible, with the best black levels and contrast on the market, but we think most gamers would be better off with an LCD.

ASUS ROG G14 — Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Other things to remember when buying a gaming laptop:

Get at least 16GB of RAM. And if you’re planning to do a ton of multitasking while streaming, 32GB is worth considering.
Storage is still a huge concern. These days, I’d recommend aiming for a 1TB M.2 SSD, which should be enough space to juggle a few large titles like Destiny 2. (If you can afford the jump to a 2TB SSD though, just do it.) Some laptops also have room for standard SATA hard drives, which are far cheaper than M.2’s and can hold more data.
Get your hands on a system before you buy it. I’d recommend snagging the best gaming laptop for you from a retailer with a simple return policy, like Amazon or Best Buy. If you don’t like it, you can always ship it back easily.
Don’t forget about accessories! For the best performance, you’ll need a good mouse, keyboard and headphones.

How we test gaming laptops

We review gaming laptops with the same amount of rigor as we approach traditional notebooks. We test build quality by checking cases for any undesirable flexible spots, as well as the strength of screen hinges during furious typing and Halo Infinite sessions. We benchmark every gaming notebook with PCMark 10, a variety of 3DMark tests, Cinebench and Geekbench. We also use NVIDIA’s Frameview app to measure the average framerates in Cyberpunk 2077, Halo Infinite and other titles. For media creation, we transcode a 4K movie clip into 1080p using Handbrake’s CPU and GPU encoding options.

Displays are tested under indoor and outdoor lighting with productivity apps, video playback and gameplay. We also try to stress the full refresh rate of every gaming notebook’s screen by benchmarking Halo Infinite, Overwatch 2 and other titles. Laptop speakers are judged by how well they can play back music, movies and the occasional game session with detail and clarity, and without any obvious distortion.

When it comes to battery life, we see how long gaming systems last with a mixture of real-world productivity apps and gameplay, and we also test with PCMark 10’s “Modern office” battery test. In addition, we’re judging the quality of a machine’s keyboard with typing tests as well as relative accuracy and comfort during extended gaming sessions.

ASUS

Read our full review of ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

Update 3/28/24: ASUS has announced new Zephyrus G14 and G16 models, but we haven’t had a chance to review them yet. The previous model is still a worthy gaming notebook though, especially if you find it on sale.

If you can’t tell by now, we really like the Zephyrus G14. It’s shockingly compact, at just 3.5 pounds, and features AMD’s new Ryzen chips paired together with its NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series graphics. While its 14-inch screen is a bit smaller than our other recommendations, it looks great and features a fast 165Hz refresh rate. We also like its retro-future design (some configurations have tiny LEDs on its rear panel for extra flair). While the G14 has jumped in price since it debuted, it’s still one of the best gaming notebooks around, especially since ASUS has finally added a built-in webcam.

Pros

Compact design
144Hz refresh rate
Excellent performance

Cons

Screen’s on the smaller side

$1,499 at Amazon

Dell

We’ve been fans of Dell’s G5 line ever since it first appeared a few years ago and it remains the best budget gaming laptop out there. Now dubbed the G15, it starts at under $1,000 and, while not the most powerful gaming laptop, it features all of the latest hardware, like Intel’s 13th-generation CPUs and NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series cards. (You can also find AMD Ryzen chips in some models.) This budget-friendly gaming laptop is a bit heavy, weighing over five pounds, but it’s a solid notebook otherwise. And you can even bring it into mid-range gaming territory if you spec up to the RTX 4060.

Pros

Affordable
Supports NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs
Good performance for the price

$912 at Amazon

Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

Read our full review of Razer Blade 15

Razer continues to do a stellar job of delivering bleeding-edge hardware in a sleek package that would make Mac users jealous. The Blade 15 has just about everything you’d want for great gaming, including NVIDIA’s RTX 4080, Intel’s 13th-gen CPUs and speedy quad-HD screens. Our recommendation? Consider the model with a Quad HD 165Hz screen and an RTX 4060 GPU for $2,500. You can easily save some cash by opting for a cheaper notebook, but they won’t feel nearly as polished as the Blade.

Pros

Polished design
Great performance
Can be configured with a 165Hz screen

$2,000 at Amazon

Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget

Alienware’s m18 is its biggest gaming laptop ever, and it packs in just about everything we’d want including a really big screen. It can be equipped with Intel and AMD’s fastest CPUs, as well as NVIDIA’s fastest GPUs (including the 4090). Its base configuration with an RTX 4060 is also surprisingly affordable for an 18-inch laptop, starting at $2,100. We’ve always liked Alienware’s m-series gaming laptops, but this year they’re more refined, with better cooling and a slightly sleeker design. You can also opt for CherryMX mechanical keys, which deliver a desktop-like gaming and typing experience.

Pros

Huge 18-inch screen
Solid performance
Sleeker design than previous version

Cons

Unwieldy; not very portable

$2,335 at Amazon

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Read our full review of ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16

You know if you actually need a dual-screen laptop: Maybe a single 17-inch screen isn’t enough, or you want a mobile setup that’s closer to a multi-monitor desktop. If that’s the case, the Zephyrus Duo 16 is the best laptop for you. It’s effective, and its extra 14-inch screen can easily let you multitask while ~~gaming~~ dutifully working. It also has all of the latest hardware you’d want, like AMD’s new Ryzen chips and NVIDIA’s RTX 4000 GPUs. Sure, it’s nowhere near portable, however a true multitasker won’t mind.

Pros

Powerful performance
Handy additional 14-inch display below main 17-inch screen

$2,010 at Amazon

Other gaming laptops we’ve tested

Framework Laptop 16

We were eager to test the Framework Laptop 16 since it promised both modular customizability and a decent amount of gaming power. But while we appreciated just how repairable and upgradeable it is, its actual gaming performance was middling for its high price. You could always buy it without the additional GPU, but that makes it more of a daily workhorse than a gaming system.

MSI Stealth Studio 14

On a brighter note, we were pleased to see MSI return to form with the Stealth Studio 14, which is much faster and more attractive than the previous model.

Razer Blade 16 and 18

We were amazed to see a genuine 4K/1080p native screen in the Razer Blade 16, but it’s far as well pricey and impractical, also for such an expensive brand name. Likewise, we discovered the Razer Blade 18 to be both extra-large and pricey.

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