There was a time when “gaming on the go” referred to Nintendo’s Gameboy or, dare we mention it, SEGA’s battery-devouring Game Gear. The power of modern PC gaming, however, is now a luxury that can be enjoyed away from your desktop. For the most part, at least.
The best gaming laptops may not quite live up to the power and durability of a standard PC, but some do come mighty close. Stocked with top of the line graphics cards, upgradable RAM, and crystal clear 4K screens, you can enjoy a high-end gaming experience with the right laptop. When shopping for a device to game on, consider any of these 15 best gaming laptops.
The Best Gaming Laptops
15. Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming
PROS:
– Affordable with high-performance options
– Long-lasting battery
CONS:
– Dull screen
– Awkward keyboard
– Average sound quality
You’ve got everything you need for high-end gaming on this VR-ready laptop, and it won’t bleed your wallet dry. The relatively affordable Dell Inspiron 15 7000 laptop delivers with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q GPU, though its graphical power is best displayed on an external monitor over the 15.6”, 1080p screen.
Where the Inspiron 15 7000 shines is in battery life, which clocks in at approximately 7 hours on a standard battery test. Gaming is made a little less comfortable as an oversized trackpad pushes the keyboard back, but it’s a forgivable pitfall when you consider the cost, the 2.5GHz i5-7300U processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. It’s far from the most powerful gaming laptop, but the Inspiron 15 has a lot to offer.
14. HP Omen 15
PROS:
– Solid graphics performance
– Beautiful display
– Booming sound quality
CONS:
– Awkward design
– Disappointing battery life
– Sluggish SSD at all sizes
There was a time when the name Hewlett Packard was best known for its conventional desktop PCs. Gaming and HP weren’t great bedfellows, but we’ve come a long way since and the HP Omen 15 is the perfect example. Though it may be clunky to carry around and exposed dual-screen hinges make the laptop susceptible to breaking, the Omen 15 is a powerful machine that will give you hours of entertainment.
At its peak, the Omen 15 is powered by an Intel Core 17-8750H processor and sports an 8 GB NVidia GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q GPU video card. Run high-end titles with 16 GB of RAM and store your favorite titles on the 2 TB HDD while the 256 GB SSD is better suited for common files. You’ll drop quite a bit on this model, but two additional configurations that either come with the same processor and less storage or a less powerful Intel processor with less RAM and storage.
13. Origin Evo15-S
PROS:
– Lightweight design is great for portability
– Plenty of customization options
– A lot of storage
CONS:
– Poor battery life
– Thin design sacrifices fan quality
– Pricey for its performance
When you want portability and high-performance, you’ll want to consider Origin’s Evo15-S. Though it lacks the speed of other high-end gaming laptops, the Evo15-S is a suitable machine for today’s greatest hits. As with most gaming laptops, it takes a hit with its battery, but the 15.5” 1920 x 1080 HD screen does the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 16 GB graphics card justice.
Powered by a 2.20 GHz Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 500 GB HDD, and 2 TB SSD, the Evo15-S offers a lot to gamers – for a price. There are more powerful machines on the market for a similar price tag, but the compact and lightweight design and ample customization help make this a worthwhile purchase.
12. Lenovo Legion Y740
PROS:
– Reasonable price for high performance
– Efficient fan prevents unnecessary noise
– Plenty of storage
CONS:
– Weak battery life
– Large size makes it less portable
– Awkward keyboard design can get uncomfortable
Though you’ll have to enjoy this gaming laptop while plugged into an outlet to compensate for the small, inefficient battery, what Lenovo does offer is worth the added hassle. At its best, the Legion Y740 features an anti-glare, 15.6” panel; 16 GB RAM; and a 256 GB SSD backed by a 2 TB HDD.
Give you the gaming experience you deserve are the Intel HD 630 and Nvidia RTX 2070 Max-Q 8 GB video cards and Intel Core i7-8750H processor. The Y740 surprises with its simplistic design, but make no mistake, this gaming laptop will have you bouncing between a library of the hottest titles.
11. Gigabyte Aero 15X v8
PROS:
– Powerful performance at no cost of battery life
– Vivid HD screen
– Thin design doesn’t sacrifice performance
– Abundance of ports
CONS:
– Expensive
– Low sound quality compared to other features
If you can overlook the loud fan that really only kicks in while working with 3D models and average sound quality, the Aero 15x v8 is a viable option for high-end laptop gaming. It may come with a steep price tag, but you do enjoy an impressive battery life, 6-core Intel i7-8750H processor, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q card.
The Gigabyte Aero 15X is all you’ll need to play the latest games thanks to capacity for 32 GB of RAM, expandable 512GB SSD, and a vibrant 15.6” screen that lets you see every detail. The thin design makes it easy to travel with while the Supra Cool dual-fan effectively prevents overheating.
10. Acer Predator Helios 300
PROS:
– Good battery life for its high-performance
– 144Hz screen
– Affordable price for what’s included
CONS:
– Slightly bulky
– Small SSD or HDD storage
– Loud fan
Taking Amazon by storm, the Acer Predator Helios 300 was the platform’s top-selling gaming laptop. The bulky size may be a turnoff for many, but the Helios 300 is a powerhouse that will take you to new, digital worlds. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 delivers stunning visuals to the 15.6”, 144Hz panel while the 8th-gen Core i7 and 16 GB RAM keep things running smooth.
The price is considerably low considering everything you get in this 5.5 lb package. While the 256 GB SSD or 1 TB HDD could be more impressive, the Helios 300 uses everything at its disposal to deliver a high-performance gaming experience.
9. ACER Predator Triton 500
PROS:
– Powerful performance
– Thin body doesn’t sacrifice quality
– “Turbo” button to enhance graphics card
CONS:
– Difficult to upgrade storage and RAM
– Average battery life
Get blown away on this 15.6”, 144Hz display with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and Intel 8th-Gen Core i7-8750H processor. Every vivid detail of the latest games comes to life on the Triton 500, even at its thinner and lighter size. Where this machine falters most is with its battery life, which is decent, at best.
ACER found a way to compile a host of worthy features in a compact model without having to jack up the price. Though it is expensive, the Triton 500 has the features needed to play your favorite games on the highest setting so you won’t miss a detail. Memory may be difficult to expand, but the included 512 GB SSD will last with proper storage management.
8. MSI GT75 Titan
PROS:
– Impressive performance
– Vivid 17.3”, 120Hz display
– Plenty of storage
– Large variety of ports
CONS:
– Unreasonably oversized and not portable
– Two, bulky power supplies needed
Do you get everything you’d expect from a laptop with “Titan” in its name? You do – and then some. If there is one striking feature that stands out about the GT75, is its size. The 17.3”, 120Hz display is big enough to let you see every detail of your favorite games, but the unit itself is so uncomfortably large. Of course, with its size comes some truly incredible performance.
Packed into the large laptop are a 2.9GHz i9-8950HK processor, GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card, and a 512 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD. You’re going to pay quite a bit for the internal workings of this machine, but it’s worth it. To top things off, the GT75 is designed with a mechanical keyboard, something often absent from gaming laptops.
7. Origin PC Eon-17X
PROS:
Powerful unit with a lot to offer
Great keyboard design
Crystal clear audio
Ample lightning-fast storage
CONS:
– Very expensive, even at its base model
– Incredibly poor battery life
– Dim display
There is a lot to consider with Origin’s Eon-17X. On the one hand, its battery life is considerably bad, its display is dim, and its price tag is among the highest you’ll face. On the other hand, it comes packed with a 9th Gen Core i9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, 16 GB expandable RAM, and a 500 GB SSD and 2 TB SSHD. It’s hard to overlook the power and performance of this unit, especially when the fixes for its issues are a power adapter and external monitor.
The Eon-17X is a bulky unit, but it would have to be considering all that’s packed inside. It has the power to run the latest and greatest, but it is also designed with a keyboard that makes playing them comfortable and fun. Despite its drawbacks, there is a lot to love about the Eon-17X.
6. Acer Predator Triton 900
PROS:
– Adjustable touchscreen display
Dual SSD for lightning-fast and ample storage
Mechanical keyboard switches
Feature-rich design
CONS:
Disappointing battery life
Heavy and bulky
Awkward keyboard/touchpad layout
High price tag
Be prepared to break open and empty your wallets if you want Acer’s powerful Predator Triton 900. The Intel Core i7 9750H processor, 32 GB RAM, and dual 512 GB SSD is going to come at a hefty price tag. While there are quirks to get used to, the power of this unit is among some of the best out there.
The rotating display lets you adjust the angle and height of the 17.3” touchscreen so you can game comfortable, but you’ll also have to get used to the awkward keyboard layout. Awkward port placement and poor battery life may make it difficult to pull the trigger on the Triton 900, but it’s really difficult to pass up on the high-end performance that will have you enjoying the latest AAA titles in no time.
5. ASUS ROG Strix GL502
PROS:
– Vibrant 15.6” G-Sync display
– Impressive audio
– Quad-core processor with up to 3.5GHz with Turbo Boost
CONS:
– Poor battery life
– On the heftier side
Immerse yourself in digital worlds with a gaming laptop that is a powerhouse of performance. You’ll forget about the poor battery life when you’re sucked into the vibrant 15.6” G-Sync display. Bringing you these visual worlds is an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 and 16 GB of RAM. The ASUS Republic of Gamers Strix GL502 carries the staples of every ROG model, including an illuminated keyboard that really sets the tone of your office.
This device is powered by a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ quad-core and comes with two modes of storage. Keep your precious documents on the 1 TB HDD and boot up your favorite games quicker from the 256 GB SSD. As with most ROG models, the GL502 is a bit on the bulkier side, but what’s within the technologically advanced package is worth the extra heft.
4. Alienware M17
PROS:
– Powerful gaming laptop with above-average battery life
– Thin, lightweight design
– Keyboard made for casual and experienced players
CONS:
– Incredibly costly at its peak performance
You’ll have to drop quite a bit to get your hands on the Alienware M17, but it’s worth noting that you’ll walk away with a powerful machine. Dual 512 GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM give you what you need to store and run the best of gaming’s newest releases. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics card brings vibrant digital worlds to life on the 15.7” panel.
Alienware’s M17 may not be the best the company has put forth, but the slimline gaming laptop runs like a charm thanks to the 2.4GHz Intel Core i9-9980HK processor. Enjoy crisp and clear sound and a battery life that’s improved over most gaming laptops on this sleek, thin, and lightweight laptop.
3. Razer Blade Pro 17
PROS:
– Dual 512 GB SSD
– Slime design is great for travel
– Booming audio
CONS:
– Below-average battery life
– Base model is incredibly expensive
– Screen could be more vivid
For power, you sometimes have to sacrifice battery. With the Razer Blade Pro 17, you do get the peak of portable gaming performance with a slight drop in battery quality. The perks, however, far outweigh the pitfalls as you’ll be sucked into exciting worlds thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q card, Intel UHD 630 Graphics GPU, and 15.6” 144Hz display.
The Razer Blade Pro 17 is powered by a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-9750H processor and runs off of 16 GB of RAM. Need more to power those resource-hungry titles? You can upgrade the RAM to 64 GB. As for storing your library, you’ll be doing that on the dual, lightning-fast 512 GB SSDs. Of course, all of this power and beautiful design comes with a high price tag.
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701
PROS:
– Powerful performance for peak gaming
– Large, vibrant display
– Thin, sleek design looks good on any desk
– Fan runs quiet
CONS:
– Battery life takes a hit
– Keyboard is awkward
– Hefty design makes it tough to travel
There are gaming laptops out there that simply aren’t meant to travel. The Zephyrus S GX701 from ASUS is pretty high on that list, despite a thin design. The vibrant display with G-Sync and a 144Hz refresh rate is attached to a unit that puts power and performance above anything else. Powered by a 2.2GHz hexa-core Intel Core i7-8750, the GX701 has no problem reaching peak performance.
See every detail of your favorite games on the 17.3” HD display backed by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card. The laptop is packed with a 1 TB SSD and 24 GB of RAM, but it does take a hit when it comes to battery life. Though it is filled with powerful hardware, the GX701’s fan runs efficiently and quietly.
1. Alienware Area-51m
PROS:
– Upgradable GPU and CPU
– High-end performance in an aesthetically pleasing case
– Plenty of lightning-fast storage
Beautiful and vibrant display
CONS:
– Incredibly high price tag
– Two power bricks needed
– Poor battery life
The convenience of a laptop with the power of a desktop. The Alienware Area-51m is a spectacle of laptop gaming. Dual 1TB SSHD and 64 GB of RAM backed by a 3.6Hz Intel Core i9-9900K processor deliver high-quality performance that’s ideal for professional players. The Area-51m comes with a 17.3” display that brings digital worlds to life as you play through your ever-growing library.
If you don’t mind spending a great deal of money, you can get in on Alienware’s high-end model, priced considerably high. What you get, however, is well worth it. The Area-51m gaming laptop is an unparalleled powerhouse with the option for CPU and GPU upgrades to make it even more powerful.
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