Some gamers want the best laptop to play their favorite games with the highest settings and resolutions. Others may be looking for a laptop that can do double duty with video editing or CAD work.
Finally, some people want a slim and lightweight gaming laptop that can fit in their luggage or backpack.
Processor
You’ll want a laptop with a powerful processor and GPU capable of running the latest games at a high resolution. If you opt for a 4K display, look for one that supports Nvidia RTX graphics technology to take advantage of features like intelligent upscaling and ray-traced rendering.
AMD’s Ryzen processors are a good choice for gamers looking to stay within budget. Look for a model with a Core i7-6600H CPU that can handle demanding gaming workloads without overheating or slowing down, and that includes the option to enable overclocking2.
For a more premium experience, consider a laptop from brands known for their gaming-focused design. For example, Asus’ Zephyrus lineup is a top pick and offers a unique secondary screen that rises from the keyboard for an immersive touch-screen experience. The brand’s flagship Asus ROG Strix is another option that combines a beautiful design with a choice of Nvidia RTX GPUs and a fantastic screen. It can even run ray-traced games at playable framerates.
Graphics Card
You need a powerful GPU in your gaming laptop to play complex games at a reasonable frame rate and resolution. Check the system requirements of your favorite titles to get a sense of what kind of GPU you need.
Nvidia’s Geforce RTX processors provide a strong middle-of-the-road option, with higher-end models offering more advanced features like ray tracing and Intel’s DLSS upscaling technology (where supported). Look for RTX Max-Q variants of the latest processors to keep heat and noise down while maintaining performance levels.
Look for a laptop with plenty of video RAM to help the graphics card perform well. More RAM means a smoother game experience, and you can upgrade it later if needed. Premium gaming laptops may also offer a sleek aluminum design, extra ports for expanding functionality, and eye-catching design touches like brushed metal finishes or user-controlled RGB lighting. They might be thicker and heavier than some ultraportable options, however, to accommodate extra features that benefit a stationary home setup, such as overclockable hardware and powerful cooling solutions.
Display
The display is the only way you’ll see your games, and a bad one can spoil gaming experiences. Look for a high refresh rate to avoid blurriness and a fast response time to ensure you’re seeing the action clearly.
Resolution can also be important, as more pixels can make games more detailed and immersive. Look for options with a higher resolution, such as 1440p or 4K, to take advantage of that, but keep in mind that higher resolutions require more powerful GPUs and may force you to lower game settings for smooth gameplay.
Size can be a consideration as well, with many gaming laptops falling into the 15- and 17-inch range. But some makers have gone bigger, with Dell’s Alienware x17 R2 offering an 18-inch screen in a relatively thin chassis that has reviewers buzzing about its “absurd” 480Hz refresh rate.
Keyboard
A gaming laptop lets you play your favorite PC games on the go. A portable computer combines the power of a desktop with a built-in keyboard and display. These devices are popular among students, travelers, and people with limited space at home. Gaming laptops often come with extra features like high-speed ports and a customizable keyboard backlight. Some models feature RGB lighting that you can sync with other gaming accessories.
The MSI Raider GE67 HX is a powerful yet affordable gaming laptop. It has a 17-inch screen and a last-gen Intel Core i9-12900HX processor complete with 16 cores, 32GB of RAM, and Nvidia’s RTX 3080 Ti GPU. This laptop also has a robust cooling system to keep temperatures low during intense gaming sessions.
Gigabyte’s Aorus Falchion is another great option for gaming on the go. It has a compact design that fits in most laptop bags, and it offers fast switches for a responsive typing experience. It also includes a removable battery that keeps the device charged on the road.
