The best gaming laptop in 2024: top laptops to game on for every budget

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VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID

The best gaming laptop is going to give you PC gaming on the go without the constraints of a PC gaming handheld, and for those who want the very best, there is no room for the kinds of compromises that come with a handheld.

Take the Razer Blade 14, for instance, currently our top pick, and you can see that the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go simply can't compete. It might be expensive, but if you want the best of the best, this is the best laptop for you.

If you want to check out our other picks for the best gaming laptops, from the best cheap gaming laptop to the best thin and light gaming laptop, as well as more premium beasts that can easily replace your desktop, you're in luck. We've reviewed dozens of gaming laptops over the past few years from all the biggest brands like Razer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Alienware, and many more, so we know which gaming laptops are worth your hard-earned money.

The quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out what the best gaming laptops are? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices, and you can jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.

The best gaming laptops in 2024

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best gaming laptop in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best gaming laptop overall

black gaming laptop with rgb lit keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming laptop overall

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 - 4070
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
Display: 14-inch, QHD+ (2560x1600), 240Hz, 3ms, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent gaming performance
+
Thin and light
+
Great audio system

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Poor battery life
Buy it if:

✅ You want a thin and light gaming laptop: This laptop weighs surprisingly little for its specs and can fit into most bags and be carried around with ease.

✅ You want top performance: For its size, the performance is great, scoring high on every benchmark as well as offering solid frame rates at even the highest settings.

Don't buy it if:

You’re on a budget: Razer laptops are not meant for those without excess cash flow and this model is no exception.

❌ You want a better battery life: For gaming purposes, the battery life is not good in the slightest – keep this laptop plugged in unless you’re doing office work.

Sure, it might be very expensive, but the new Razer Blade 14 is just a thing of beauty; a compact, quiet, durable, and powerful gaming laptop that ticks just about every box. Top-notch internal components are joined by an incredibly bright and vivid screen, with the classic machined metal chassis that has come to define the aesthetic of the Blade laptop line.

What's even better here is that despite its thin and light chassis, it boasts excellent gaming performance that's comparable to similarly-specced yet less portable gaming laptops. During our usual round of testing and benchmarking, it felt like its CPU and GPU worked better in tandem, surpassing other laptops in performance with something like Cyberpunk 2077 on high settings. In Marvel’s Spider-Man, its framerate didn't even dip below 75fps even under the highest possible settings.

Also for a thin laptop, it's got impressive cooling. That is, even though it did heat up during intense gaming sessions in our testing, it never suffered noticeable stuttering, freezing, or slowing down, meaning that you can push it like you would other laptops without getting frustrated. You might be disappointed by the battery life, though. Rated at 10 hours, it typically hovers around the eight-hour mark when used for productivity work. Sadly, that is cut down to at most half when you're gaming on it.

Read the full Razer Blade 14 (2023) review

The best budget gaming laptop

MSI Katana 15 (2023) in a gaming desk setup

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
The best budget gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: Up to Intel Core i9-13900H
Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5-5200MHz
Screen: Up to 15.6-inch FHD IPS, 144Hz
Storage: Up to 1 TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Solid gaming performance at 1080p
+
Fast refresh rate
+
Good entry-level price

Reasons to avoid

-
Trackpad isn't great
-
Middling battery life
Buy it if:

✅ You want good 1080p performance: This laptop is more than capable of playing the latest PC games at full HD. 

✅ You’re looking for your first gaming laptop: While not the most stylish, its performance is ideal for first-time buyers.

Don't buy it if:

You want the best of the best: With the entry-level specs, don't expect to get top-tier performance.

❌ You care about portability: This laptop is a bit on the heavy side, so don't expect to carry it around much.

The MSI Katana 15 (2023) brings accessible 1080p gaming in a laptop, especially for those not keen on spending over $1,000 for a gaming device. Resembling the bold designs of pre-pandemic gaming laptops, it focuses on essential gaming performance. It's a top choice for budget gamers, despite some style and battery compromises. Priced starting at $999, it features a 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, and a 1TB SSD, outperforming similarly priced laptops with older specs.

Alternatives like the Acer Nitro 5, with slightly older components, offer cheaper but less powerful options. The MSI Katana 15 also has pricier versions, with the highest model at $1,899, offering an Intel Core i9, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4070, though still limited to a 1080p display. Configurations vary by region, with different processor generations and price points.

Despite its bulk and dated design, the Katana 15 prioritizes gaming performance. Its thermal design effectively cools both CPU and GPU. Performance-wise, it impresses, handling demanding games like Control and Far Cry 6 smoothly, with minor adjustments needed for games like Cyberpunk 2077. The Katana 15, while not without its limitations, offers a balanced gaming experience, showcasing how it effectively blends power and affordability.

Read the full MSI Katana 15 (2023) review

The best affordable thin and light gaming laptop

black gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)
The best affordable thin and light gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 - 9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 -4060
RAM: Up to 32GB
Screen: 14-inch WQXGA+ 120Hz IPS (2880 x 1800)
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Great performance
+
Unique aesthetic
+
Excellent display
+
Solid keyboard and touchpad
+
Small and light form factor

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't handle ray tracing
-
Battery life inconsistent
-
Not very slim for being called "Slim"
Buy it if:

✅ You want an easy-to-carry laptop: The 14-inch screen and uncumbersome weight makes this laptop extremely easy to carry around.

✅ You want great performance: For its size, the performance is great, scoring well on every benchmark an offering solid frame rates at even the highest settings.

Don't buy it if:

You want a better webcam: The webcam in this is pretty average, especially if you plan on using it to livestream.

❌ You want ray tracing: Though general performance is quite good, it doesn't play nice with ray tracing options.

For those who want it all, the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 delivers in nearly every category including size, price, performance, and aesthetic. The Legion 5 Slim 14 is an excellent budget laptop that’s ridiculously portable thanks to its 14-inch display and lightweight form factor. The pricing is especially affordable compared to most other gaming laptops on the market this generation.

The Legion 5 Slim 14 already starts with an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU that can be upgraded to a Ryzen 9, and the GPU goes up to the RTX 4060, meaning that both productivity and gaming performance are high. The latter especially, as both benchmark scores and general framerate are excellent, and we found that we could max out settings in any AAA title we tested it with. It also performed well in non-gaming benchmarks, meaning it can handle creative and editing projects just fine. Its gorgeous display supports both gaming and creative work thanks to its excellent resolution, 100%DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR support, up to 500 nits of brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate.

However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. One is its less-than-stellar ray tracing performance – as soon as you enable it the framerate on any title plummets. Its battery life is another oddity, as it tends to be wildly inconsistent depending on what tasks are performed on the laptop. And finally, despite it being lightweight and small, it’s a little on the thicker side.

Read the full Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 review

The best premium gaming laptop

black gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming laptop overall

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 64GB
Screen: 16-inch 240Hz QHD+ IPS (2560 x 1600)
Storage: Up to 8TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Surprisingly thin and light form factor
+
Reasonably priced
+
Great performance
+
Incredible display with a super high refresh rate
+
Solid port selection
+
Excellent customization options

Reasons to avoid

-
Webcam isn't great
-
Ventilation isn't perfect
Buy it if:

✅ You want a thin and light gaming laptop: It weighs surprisingly little for its specs and can easily carry around.

✅ You want great performance: Performance scores high on every benchmark with high frame rates at highest settings.

Don't buy it if:

You want a better webcam: The webcam is pretty average, so not great for livestreaming.

❌ You want a better ventilation system: It mostly warm, but it will run hot under stress.

The slot for the best premium gaming laptop is a surprising dark horse, the Origin EON 16SL, with a strong balance between performance, form factor, and reasonable pricing, all of which are competitive or superior to other similar laptops in the market. Its aesthetics also set it apart from other gaming laptops, as its front plate can be completely customized to your liking.

It performs incredibly well thanks to its solid specs, which include the RTX 4000-series GPU and the 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 CPU. Both components playing so well together that Cyberpunk 2077 scored over 90fps on high settings and well over 60fps with ‘Ray Tracing Overdrive.’ The 16-inch display is QHD+ with an incredible 240Hz refresh rate, ensuring that gameplay is smooth and stutter-free.

As excellent as the Origin EON 16SL is, it does have two issues. The first is an absolutely average webcam, which requires great lighting for decent image quality. The ventilation, while solid for normal gaming sessions, isn’t perfect and can rapidly heat up on the underside during intense and long sessions.

Read the full Origin EON 16SL review

The best AMD-powered gaming laptop

Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage test unit on a table

(Image credit: Future / Alex Cox)
The best AMD-powered gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 - 9
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (discrete), AMD Radeon 680M (integrated)
RAM: 16GB - 32GB
Screen: 17.3” 360Hz 1080p - 120Hz 4K
Storage: 512GB - 1TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Pin-sharp design with clever cooling
+
Fantastic performance
+
Excellent, generous screen

Reasons to avoid

-
AMD Advantage spec is quite pricey
-
Slightly limited battery when gaming
-
Heavy, bulky chassis
Buy it if:

✅ You’re a hardcore gamer: You’ll have to be hardcore to reach as deep into your pocket as you’ll need to, but this has both the looks and the AMD performance to suit those who need the full experience on the move.

✅ You’ll appreciate a big, high-res screen: The higher-spec tiers of the Alienware m17 probably offer more pixels than your games truly need - but whatever the resolution, this is a bold, beautiful panel that refreshes fast.

Don't buy it if:

You value portability: Although the m17 isn’t over-heavy it’s most at home in the home.

❌ You’re wary of AMD: You shouldn’t be, but if you’re dead set on an Nvidia card, though, a different spec of the m17 would suit you better.

The Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage is an excellent gaming laptop that delivers on every front. The 17-inch display is a ridiculous 120Hz 4K screen, further enhanced with Dolby Vision support. During our testing, we found that the gorgeous crystal clear image paired well with a smooth enough refresh rate for most gamers.

Its performance during our own benchmark testing was even more impressive, with eye-watering high scores on every GPU test. And when it came to testing out general gameplay performance, most games hit the highest highs in terms of framerate and more. Not only is its performance top-notch, but it also has a gorgeous design befitting the Alienware line. 

The clamshell design is not only aesthetically pleasing but keeps the main vent clear and more effective at proper ventilation, something absolutely vital when it comes to high-power gaming sessions. It's a bit heavy and bulky with a somewhat decent battery life of about six hours, but if you're getting a desktop replacement gaming laptop then you know the deal.

Read the full Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage review

The best gaming laptop with fast refresh rate

Corsair Voyager a1600 laptop on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming laptop with fast refresh rate

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 - 9
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800M
RAM: 16GB - 32GB
Screen: 16-inch QHD (2560x1600), 240Hz
Storage: 1TB - 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent QHD performance
+
Big screen with a high refresh rate
+
Amazing mechanical keyboard

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive
-
Not enough ports
-
First-gen design will take some refining
Buy it if:

✅ You’re a streamer: With the touch bar, 1080p webcam, and streaming-focused software pre-installed, the Corsair Voyager feels like it’s perfectly suited to Twitch streamers

✅ You appreciate a high refresh rate: The speedy 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time will endear it to hardcore gamers.

Don't buy it if:

You want good value for money: It’s undeniably a very expensive purchase that we simply can’t recommend to anyone shopping on a budget.

❌ You need some peace and quiet: They’re not the loudest we’ve ever heard on a gaming laptop, but the Corsair Voyager does have some pretty noisy fans.

Corsair only broke into the gaming laptop space this August, and we have to say we're seriously impressed with the manufacturer's first attempt. The Corsair Voyager a1600 is a laptop that stands out from the crowd, from its big, beautiful 16:10 screen to the bar of touch buttons (and a tiny LCD display) that rests above the keyboard.

That keyboard is great too - it uses Cherry MX Ultra-Low Profile mechanical key switches, a rare sight in gaming laptops, which feel absolutely incredible to play games with. This is a fully AMD-powered gaming laptop too, with the excellent Radeon RX 6800M graphics card and a powerful Ryzen 9 6900HS processor.

One other nifty feature is seamless 'Slipstream' connectivity, which allows you to instantly connect compatible Corsair peripherals (say, a wireless headset or mouse) without the need for a plug-in dongle. The touch bar and included software are also geared towards streamers, so if you're waiting for your big break on Twitch, this could be the laptop for you.

Read the full Corsair Voyager a1600 review

The best desktop replacement gaming laptop

An MSI GT77 Titan on a pink desktop mat

(Image credit: Future)
The best desktop replacement gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 - 4090
RAM: 64GB - 128GB DDR5
Screen: 17.3-inch IPS, 4K 144Hz Mini LED, HDR 1000, 100% DCI-P3
Storage: 2TB - 4TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Out of this world performance
+
Surprisingly OK battery life
+
Mini DisplayPort output

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Enormous and heavy
-
Sounds like a tiny jet engine
Buy it if:

✅ You want the best gaming performance around: With an Intel Core i9-13980HX and an Nvidia RTX 4090 mobile GPU and DLSS 3, no game will put up much of a fight here, even at 4K.

✅ You want lots of customization options: With per-key, lid-logo, and accent RGB, you can really get that gamer twinkly light look exactly to your liking.

Don't buy it if:

You want something affordable: The price of this laptop puts it out of reach of just about everyone reading this review.

❌ You want something portable: Better get a donkey if you want to cart this one around.

If you’re looking for a contender for the most powerful gaming laptop, the MSI GT77 Titan (2023) has the competition beat so far. It comes with the latest in specs, including a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4080 12GB Laptop GPU. During our extensive testing, we found that it managed to beat out the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i in most of our benchmark scoring when it came to GPU performance.

Its display is a ridiculous 4K resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, and as we tested this behemoth we found that PC games never looked and moved better. The cherries on top are that this laptop comes with a Mini DisplayPort output and, according to our tests, the battery life is okay for a gaming laptop four and a half hours. It does charge fast, so that’s another positive to add.

There are some caveats we found, however. The biggest one is the sheer size of this behemoth, which weighs over seven pounds. You will never move this laptop off your desk, it’s the truest form of desktop replacement. And thanks to its size, it sounds like a jet engine. Cost is also an issue, but if money isn’t a problem then you can’t go wrong investing in this exceptionally powerful laptop.

Read the full MSI GT77 Titan (2023) review

The best gaming laptop with 16-inch screen

Razer Blade 16 (2023) on a desk

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
Best 16-inch gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i9-13950HX
Graphics: Up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
RAM: Up to a 32 GB DDR5-5600MHz
Screen: Up to 16-inch UHD+ 240Hz, 16:10 (3840 x 2400 WQUXGA) / FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200, WUXGA)
Storage: Up to 2TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent performance
+
Gorgeous screen with fast refresh rate
+
Well-designed in just about every way

Reasons to avoid

-
Very, very expensive
-
Upgrades are exorbitant
-
Finish picks up fingerprints easily
Buy it if:

✅ You want excellent gaming performance: The Razer Blade 16 will give you excellent performance no matter how hard you push it.

✅ You want a fast display: You’ll have a 240Hz refresh rate no matter what configuration you get.

Don't buy it if:

You’re on a budget: There’s no way around it. This thing is expensive. 

❌ You want a smaller footprint: Though Razer has managed to fit a 16-inch screen in a slightly larger than 15-inch laptop body, this is still a large laptop.

If you're looking for a near-perfect gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 16 (2023) should be your top choice. It features top-tier specs including a 13th-Gen Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU, up to an RTX 4090 GPU, and robust RAM and storage to boot. Its display can either be FHD+ or UHD+ and runs at an absolutely incredible 240Hz refresh rate, making for butter-smooth gameplay at the competitive level.

The Razer Blade 16 also features an excellent port selection that includes everything you could possibly need, something that many laptops seem to be lacking in this generation. That includes a UHS-II SD card reader for those who plan on using it for video or photo editing, making it even more flexible. And despite it being large, it still impressively fits its 16-inch display in a near 15-inch form factor, which is no mean feat for such a powerful gaming laptop.

Unfortunately, it's a near-perfect gaming laptop because of two major pitfalls. The first is its extremely high price point, in which many of its competitors can offer most of its features for almost half the cost. The second is that this is a desktop replacement, which means it's still on the thicker side, heavy, and comes with a terrible battery life that chains it to your AC adapter.

Read the full Razer Blade 16 (2023) review

The best RTX 4000 gaming laptop

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i gaming laptop with cyberpunk running

(Image credit: Future)
The best RTX 4000 gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: 13ᵗʰ Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 - 4090
RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR5 5600MHz
Screen: 16-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS 500nits, 100% sRGB, 240Hz
Storage: Up to 2 TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible gaming performance
+
A wide keyboard with RGB lighting
+
High-end specs
+
Excellent port selection
+
Display has a ridiculous 240Hz refresh rate

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Horrible battery life
-
Slight overheating issues
-
Very heavy
Buy it if:

✅ You want a powerful gaming machine: The performance on this machine is beyond outstanding, able to play any PC game on its highest settings and maintain incredibly high frame rates.

✅ You want an excellent port selection: This laptop has one of the best port selections around, with four USB Type-A ports, two Type-C ports, and nearly anything else you could want.

Don't buy it if:

You want a long lasting battery: The battery life on this machine is atrocious. If you need a laptop that lasts well over two hours, this is not the product for you.

❌ You need a portable laptop: This laptop is over six pounds, an extremely hefty machine to lug around.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is one of the most powerful gaming laptops we’ve tested so far, thanks to its RTX 4080 mobile GPU. When we tested it out, it delivered some incredible gaming performance, absolutely smoking through every one of our graphics-based benchmark tests with flying colors, and nearly matched our scores for the Alienware Aurora R15 gaming PC. This level of power also translates to gaming performance, with titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered looking its best.

Its display is an absolutely ridiculous 16-inch WQXGA, 240Hz, 500nits screen, which means that when we took it for a gaming test drive, we found the refresh rate to be butter smooth enough for professional gamers. The screen is extremely bright with a high-definition resolution, and it also features an RGB-lit keyboard with an excellent port selection to boot.

The chassis is very bulky and heavy, as befitting of a desktop replacement laptop, with an abysmal two-and-a-half-hour battery life. This laptop was made purely for performance, with not a thought to its aesthetics, but for the performance it’s worth it.

Read the full Lenovo Legion Pro 7i review

The best dual-screen gaming laptop

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 open on a desk, with both screens turned on and displaying a desktop background.

(Image credit: Future)
The best dual-screen gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 - 3080 Ti
RAM: 64GB DDR5-4800
Screen: 16-inch 2560 x 1600 165Hz - 3840 x 2400 240Hz
Storage: 2TB + 2TB NVMe PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Great gaming performance
+
Two vibrant displays
+
Amazing, booming speakers

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Cramped keyboard and trackpad
Buy it if:

✅ You need a super-flexible system: The ScreenPad Plus is a nifty feature that some users will get more mileage out of.

✅ You want the best in gaming audio: The speaker array on this bad boy is powerful and the surround sound works great.

Don't buy it if:

You’re aiming to game at 4K Ultra: Although some models of the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 do come with a 4K primary display, the internal configuration maxed out at the RTX 3080 Ti. 

❌ You want good value for money: While it might be awesome in almost every way, it’s impossible to deny that this is a premium product that comes with a premium price tag.

If you're after something a bit different — or you're a content creator who wants a laptop for gaming too — then the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is an incredible (if expensive) choice. The 16:10 main display is joined by the delightful ScreenPad Plus, a secondary touchscreen that elevates out of the chassis when you open the lid, creating a laptop that's reminiscent of a certain beloved handheld console.

Nintendo DS references aside, the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is also an absolute monster of a system thanks to its Ryzen 9 6900HX processor and RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, backed up by a whopping 64GB of DDR5 RAM. It's great for gaming and watching movies, in no small part due to a set of powerhouse speakers that provide shockingly good room-filling audio.

Read the full Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 review

How to choose the best gaming laptop for you

Selecting the best gaming laptop is straightforward if you have a substantial budget, but finding a high-quality gaming laptop becomes more challenging with limited funds. Fortunately, the market now offers more budget-friendly CPUs and GPUs that don't skimp on power. Modern components are increasingly affordable and efficient, enabling gaming laptops under $1000 to rival desktop PCs in performance while offering portability and saving space.

When it comes to affordability, AMD's Ryzen-powered laptops typically offer better value. For graphics, Nvidia reigns supreme in performance, with the choice of RTX card depending on your gaming preferences. The RTX 3060 is an excellent mid-range choice for 1080p gaming, while the RTX 3070 or higher suits those seeking 4K experiences.

Additionally, consider RAM, storage capacity, display quality, port variety, and battery life, particularly for mobile gaming. High-end laptops like Alienware might not always offer long battery life. Aesthetic preferences, like design and RGB lighting, also play a role in your decision.

Our recommended picks cater to a range of preferences, from budget-friendly options to the best in laptop gaming, ensuring you can enjoy a wide array of games, from the best cheap PC games to the most demanding titles, without being confined to a desk.

Which laptop is best for gaming?

To meet your gaming needs, a gaming laptop that can handle the latest game releases, both AAA and less demanding titles, is essential. A good graphics card is key – it doesn't need to be top-of-the-line like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, which handles intense graphics at high settings, but it should be capable of playing a wide range of games.

Ample RAM is also vital in a gaming laptop to avoid performance lags or freezing during crucial gaming moments. Aim for a laptop with enough RAM to smoothly run high-intensity games.

Consider screen size based on your preferences. For an expansive gaming view, opt for a larger screen, ideally between 16 to 17.3 inches. If a standard screen size suffices, a 14 to 15.6-inch screen should do.

For gamers on the go, the laptop's weight and the need for additional accessories are important factors. Frequent travel also demands a laptop with good battery life to avoid constant searching for power outlets.

How much RAM do I need for gaming?

Many gaming laptops come with a baseline of 8GB DDR4 memory, which is the bare minimum in current standards. Yet, this may not suffice for optimal performance. For those who frequently play demanding AAA games, a minimum of 16GB is advisable for seamless gameplay. If your budget allows, opting for 32GB memory will ensure the smoothest and most immersive gaming experience.

Is it worth it to get a gaming laptop?

Definitely. The gap between gaming PCs and mobile devices has significantly narrowed, as laptops have become both more compact and more powerful. If you're looking for a device that saves space and offers portability, yet still packs enough power to handle everything from less demanding games to the most graphically-intensive titles, one of the top gaming laptops should be on your list.

What is a good thin gaming laptop?

While the selection of thin and light gaming laptops is limited, there are still several notable options available. The finest models manage to combine portability with robust performance and enduring battery life. Leading this category is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, with the MSI GS65 Stealth and the Razer Blade Stealth trailing closely in terms of quality and features.

How we tested these gaming laptops

Evaluating a gaming laptop is more complex than it might seem, much like the process of choosing the right one. We approach this task with the utmost seriousness, even if it involves extensive gaming – a necessary sacrifice, of course.

In our rigorous testing process, every gaming laptop undergoes thorough evaluation to ensure it lives up to its promises and justifies your investment. This involves not only playing the latest and most popular games to assess gaming and thermal performance but also conducting synthetic benchmarks like PCMark 10, 3DMark, and Geekbench 5, along with battery life tests.

We also scrutinize the laptop's peripherals. This includes checking the display's quality and response time, the comfort and responsiveness of the keyboard, the availability and variety of ports, the overall design, and the webcam's performance for potential game streaming use.

Finally, we weigh all these factors against the laptop's price. We assess if its performance and features justify the cost and whether it offers the best value to customers.

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Allisa James
Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

With contributions from