The best gaming laptops for 2023
What’s your budget?
Your willingness to spend money determines both the beginning and the end of your laptop shopping process. Not surprising at all. The good news is that gamers of all financial abilities have many selections. Particularly, we’re seeing some excellent sub-$1,000 PC gaming options like Dell’s G15 range. A budget gaming laptop in this price bracket will undoubtedly feel a little flimsier than more expensive ones, and it is possible that it will be less powerful overall and have less RAM. However, they should be capable of running the majority of games at 1080p at 60 fps per second, which is the very minimum you should expect from any system.
When you start looking at the top gaming laptops in the mid-range pricing category, which start at $1,000 and up, things get interesting. The ASUS Zephyrus ROG G14, one of our favorite gaming notebooks, will then start to appear. Overall, you should anticipate considerably superior build quality than low-cost laptops (metal cases! ), greater graphics performance, and enough RAM and storage to tackle the most demanding games. These are the laptops we’d suggest for the majority of users because you won’t have to worry about an upgrade for years if you use them for business and gaming.
You can begin to think about more expensive solutions like Razer’s Blade if you’re ready to spend $1,800 or more. Expect flawlessly polished enclosures, the most cutting-edge hardware available, and absurdly slim designs. Here, the sky is the limit: The gigantic Area 51m from Alienware is highly customizable and can run you up to $4,700. Few individuals require such an expensive machine, but if you’re a gamer with extra money to spend, it might be worthwhile to look closely at some of these more expensive systems.
What kind of CPU and GPU do you want?
Previously, the solution was as easy as purchasing an Intel processor with an NVIDIA GPU. However, AMD has recently made a strong comeback with its Ryzen laptop processors, which are better suited to managing several tasks at once (like streaming to Twitch while blasting fools in Fortnight). However, it’s excellent to have good Ryzen AMD alternatives accessible, especially because they’re frequently less expensive than equivalent Intel models. Intel reacted with its amazing 12th-gen CPUs.
On the other hand, AMD is still catching up in the area of visual cards. In laptops like ASUS’s ROG Stix G15, its Radeon RX 6000M GPU has been a superb performer, but it still falls short of NVIDIA in terms of more recent features like ray tracing. But at least a Radeon-equipped computer can compete with the RTX 3070 and 3080 GPUs from NVIDIA in terms of overall gaming performance.
You’re probably better off purchasing an NVIDIA video card if you want to future-proof your purchase or if you simply want to see how much better ray tracing can make your games seem. They’re in a lot more systems, and it’s obvious that their ray tracing technology is better optimized. The company’s DLSS technology, which use AI to upscale games to higher resolutions, is also included in NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs. You’ll be able to play Destiny 2 in 4K with higher frame rates thanks to that. If you want to benefit from a display with a high refresh rate, that is helpful.
NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 is a good entry-level card, but for reliable 1080p and 1440p performance, we believe you’d be better off with at least an RTX 3060. The RTX 3070, on the other hand, strikes the ideal mix between cost and gaming performance. With the aid of DLSS, it will be able to play various games in 4K and even take on challenging games like Control. You’ll spend more for a system that includes NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 or 3080 Ti because they are the top of the line.
It’s important to note that NVIDIA’s more potent desktop GPUs are not directly equivalent to its mobile GPUs. Voltage adjustments can also be made by PC manufacturers to improve performance in thinner cases. Basically, even though every notebook has the same GPU, don’t be shocked if they perform very differently.
What kind of screen do you want?
When comparing gaming notebooks, a smart place to start is the screen size. Generally speaking, 15-inch laptops offer the finest combination of immersion and portability, whereas larger 17-inch ones are heavier but, obviously, have larger screens. Although there are several 13-inch gaming laptops available, such as the Razer Blade Stealth, strangely you’ll frequently pay more for those than somewhat larger 15-inch choices. A lot of 14-inch choices are also available, such the Blade 14 and Zephyrus G14, which are more substantial than 13-inch laptops while still being rather portable.
Today, there are many factors to take into account in addition to screen size. Refresh rates are just one. The majority of monitors refresh their screens vertically at a rate of 60 hertz (Hz). Since NTSC TVs in black and white, that standard has been in use. However, displays have changed a lot in recent years. The basic minimum for any gaming laptop today is a 120Hz 1080p screen, however faster options include 144Hz, 240Hz, and even 360Hz displays. Making everything on your display appear as smooth as possible is the goal of all of this.
Higher refresh rates for video games also aid in removing screen tearing and other abnormalities that could interfere with your frag fest. Additionally, it simply results in a better viewing experience for everything else. On a 120Hz or faster panel, even scrolling a webpage is noticeably different than doing so on a 60Hz screen. Everything glides smoothly, giving the impression that you are reading a glossy paper magazine, as opposed to seeing a frenetic wall of text and images. Increasing the frame rate makes the game appear considerably more responsive, which gives some players a little advantage.
Not to add to the complexity, but you should also be aware of AMD’s Free Sync and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC. Both of these adaptive sync systems can sync the refresh rate of your screen with the game’s framerate. This also contributes to less screen tearing and a smoother gaming experience. They are not required, but they can nevertheless provide a modest visual enhancement. Think of them as lovely additions on top of a high refresh rate display.
One more thing: The majority of these recommendations pertain to LCD panels rather than OLEDs. OLED is a fantastic choice for TVs, but choosing one for a gaming laptop is a little trickier. Although some versions offer 90Hz, they are often restricted to 60Hz. A 120Hz or 144Hz screen’s smoothness won’t be visible, though. OLEDs can also be purchased as 4K or 3.5K panels, although running games natively at those resolutions requires a powerful GPU. They have the best black levels and contrast on the market, and they look amazing, but we believe that most gamers would fare better with an LCD.
A few other takeaways:
. Purchase 16GB or more RAM. Additionally, 32GB is a good option if you intend to multitask a lot when streaming.
. Storage is a major issue. Nowadays, I’d advise going for a 1TB M.2 SSD, which should provide enough room to accommodate a few huge games, such as Destiny 2. Standard SATA drives, which are much less expensive than M.2s and have a larger storage capacity, can also fit in some laptops.
. Normally, we’d advise trying out a system before you buy, but because the epidemic is still going strong, that’s difficult. I’d advise purchasing your favourite system from a merchant like Amazon or Best Buy that has an easy return policy. You may easily ship it back if you don’t like it.
. Accessories shouldn’t be overlooked! A reliable mouse, keyboard, and headphones are required.
Best overall: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
We really enjoy the Zephyrus G14, in case you couldn’t tell by this point. It is a startlingly light 3.5 pounds and includes AMD’s new Ryzen processors combined with Radeon 6000M graphics; for $1,400, we recommend the Ryzen 9 variant with an RX 6700M. Even though its 14-inch screen is a little smaller than those of our other picks, it still looks beautiful and has a quick 144Hz refresh rate. We also enjoy its futuristic retro style (some configurations have tiny LEDs on its rear panel for extra flair). Even though the price of the G14 has increased since it was first released, it is still among the best gaming laptops available, especially now that ASUS has at last included a built-in webcam.
Best budget: Dell G15
Since the G5 range from Dell initially debuted a few years back, we have been admirers of it. It is now known as the G15, starts at less than $1,000, and has all of the newest hardware, including RTX 30-series graphics cards from NVIDIA and 12th-generation Intel CPUs. (Some versions also feature AMD Ryzen CPUs.) Although it weighs more than five pounds, this inexpensive gaming laptop is a good one overall. If you upgrade to the RTX 3060, you can even push it into the mid-range of gaming.
Best premium gaming laptop: Razer Blade 15
The cutting-edge hardware that Razer continues to offer in a stylish design that would make Mac users envious is still excellent. The Blade 15 is equipped with nearly everything you could possibly need, including the RTX 3080 Ti, NVIDIA’s fastest mobile GPU, as well as 12th-generation Intel CPUs and quick quad-HD displays. Recommendation from us? Think about the $2,050 model with the Quad HD 165Hz screen and RTX 3070 GPU. Going with a less expensive notebook will allow you to save some money, but they won’t feel as high-quality as the Blade.
Another good option: Acer Predator Triton 500 SE
While Acer has presented some crazier notions in the past, such as the Triton 900 with a 360-degree hinge, the Triton 500 is a more practical and reasonably priced choice. This year, the screen size has been increased to 16 inches, providing you a more immersive gaming experience. It is slightly over five pounds, reasonably slim, and supports both RTX 30-series GPUs from NVIDIA and Intel’s 11th generation of processors. The Acer’s construction is as solid as ever, and it includes the majority of the features you’d expect in a gaming laptop.
Best large gaming laptop: Razer Blade 17
You’re pretty much in gamer paradise if you take everything we liked about the Razer Blade 15 and increase the size to a larger 17-inch screen. The Blade 17 will provide the most desktop-like gaming experience you can get in a laptop, if you can handle its six pounds of weight. It is ideal for watching Netflix in bed because it is relatively thin. The Blade 17 is a wise pick if you’re editing material as well because of its larger screen area, which is ideal for navigating through longer timelines. Sometime you simply have to go big or go home, right? It’s not for everyone.
Best with a dual screen: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
You are aware of your requirement for a dual-screen laptop if: Maybe you need more than just a single 17-inch screen, or you want a mobile solution that is more akin to a multi-monitor desktop. The Zephyrus Duo 16 is ideal for you if it applies. Because of its strength and additional 14-inch screen, you can effortlessly multitask while working diligently and playing video games. It also features the most recent hardware available, including NVIDIA’s RTX 3000 GPUs and AMD’s new Ryzen processors. Although it’s not at all portable, a true multitasker won’t care.
