AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Gaming laptops are unique in their ability to deliver high-quality graphics, snappy response times and envelope-pushing performance in a portable form factor. Due to their unique designs, they aren’t as modular or upgradeable as gaming desktops, which requires you to make important decisions about your configuration before committing to a laptop. In this article, we’ll break down what to look for when choosing the best gaming laptop and make a few suggestions about the best options to buy right now.
Our picks for the best gaming laptops
Best gaming laptop for most gamers: Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
Blackstone’s best overall pick features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, 24-core CPU and a responsive 240-hertz in-plane switching (IPS) display with ample storage and memory. “It’s tough to say much is wrong with this,” he says. “It may not be as easy to carry around with you as some, but if you have the budget and are serious about gaming, this is a standout.” Thanks to its high refresh rate and killer internal specs, this laptop is hard to beat if you’re looking to stay competitive and enjoy the best of what modern gaming has to offer. But bear in mind that it has a price tag to match.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.
RAM: 32GB DDR5.
Storage: 1-terabyte (TB) solid-state drive (SSD).
Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz IPS.
Dimensions: 14.31 inches wide x 10.38 inches deep x 0.86-1.02 inches high, depending on configuration.
Weight: 6.17 pounds.
Ports:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On).
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 @ 40Gbps.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x Ethernet.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $3,299.
What we like:
- Top-of-the-line specs.
- Flexible connectivity.
What we don't like:
- Expensive.
- Heavy.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
This robust gaming laptop features specs in line with the best of what this product category currently has to offer, topped off with a blazingly fast 240-hertz refresh rate.
Get it here: Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
Most powerful gaming laptop: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G834JYR-XS97
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G834JYR-XS97
More power comes at a higher cost, but you’ll have a serious competitive edge if you decide to take the plunge. Blackstone’s pick for the most powerful gaming laptop features a build similar to that of the Legion Pro 7i but with a better processor, larger mini-LED display and two 2-terabyte SSDs in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configuration. This configuration allows for snappy reading and writing of data so you can load up your favorite games as fast as humanly possible.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090.
RAM: 32GB DDR5.
Storage: 2TB + 2TB SSD, RAID 0.
Display: 18-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz mini-LED.
Dimensions: 15.71 inches wide x 11.57 inches deep x 0.91-1.21 inches high.
Weight: 6.83 pounds.
Ports:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x Ethernet.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $3,899.99.
What we like:
- Screen quality.
- Performance.
What we don't like:
- Very expensive.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better gaming laptop than the ROG Strix Scar 18 — if you have the budget for it.
Get it here: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G834JYR-XS97
Best value gaming laptop: MSI Katana 15 B13VEK-1675US
MSI Katana 15 B13VEK-1675US
This gaming laptop offers excellent value for its price thanks to its RTX 4050 GPU and 16 gigabytes of RAM. While it’s more stripped-down than some of Blackstone’s other picks on this list, this allows its design to be lighter and more streamlined, making it an appealing option for gamers on the go. Customers also report that this gaming laptop doesn’t come with a lot of manufacturer-installed software, which is another plus in our book.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050.
RAM: 16GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz IPS.
Dimensions: 14.13 inches wide x 10.2 inches deep x 0.98 inches high.
Weight: 4.96 pounds.
Ports:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x USB 2.0.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x Ethernet.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $999.
What we like:
- Balanced performance.
- Relatively light.
What we don't like:
- Limited refresh rate.
- 720p webcam.
- Low max resolution.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
Budget-friendly design with an excellent price-to-performance ratio.
Read full review here: MSI Katana 15 review: Cuts corners, but delivers where it counts
Get it here: MSI Katana 15 B13VEK-1675US
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UI-XS96
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UI-XS96
If portability is what you’re after, this gaming laptop delivers with style. Despite its feather-light weight and backpack-friendly form factor, it features an attractive organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen with an impressive 3K resolution. To accommodate its small size, ASUS forewent the inclusion of Ethernet, but this laptop does feature the latest Wi-Fi 6E tech for fast wireless connections.
Specifications:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070.
RAM: 32GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120 Hz OLED.
Dimensions: 12.24 inches wide x 8.66 inches deep x 0.63 inches high.
Weight: 3.31 pounds.
Ports:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x USB-C 4.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x microSD card reader.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $2,199.99.
What we like:
- Very light and portable.
- High-resolution OLED display.
What we don't like:
- No Ethernet; Wi-Fi only.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
This gaming laptop favors portability without sacrificing performance and image quality.
Get it here: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UI-XS96
Best 16-inch gaming laptop: Razer Blade 16
Razer Blade 16 Gaming Laptop
Blackstone’s 16-inch gaming laptop pick is an aesthetic powerhouse featuring an aluminum chassis and a high-contrast OLED screen. Though it packs plenty of power in its base configuration, you can upgrade the Razer Blade 16 up to an eye-watering 96GB of RAM for simultaneous streaming, gaming, recording and more.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070.
RAM: 16GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1440, 240 Hz OLED.
Dimensions: 13.98 inches wide x 9.61 inches deep x 0.87 inches high.
Weight: 5.40 pounds.
Ports:
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x SD card reader.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $2,999.99.
What we like:
- High-resolution OLED display.
- Upgradeable for multitasking.
What we don't like:
- Upgraded configurations get very expensive.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
A sleek and eye-catching OLED gaming laptop built for multitasking.
Get it here: Razer Blade 16
Best 18-inch gaming laptop: Alienware m18 R2
Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop
The Alienware m18 R2 is built for multitasking and placing at the center of any streaming and pro-level gaming setup, thanks to its plethora of ports. Like all gaming laptops, it starts to get expensive quickly once you begin adding manufacturer upgrades to your cart, but you might be fine with that if you don’t want to compromise on performance and quality. “In my opinion, this and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 are interchangeable both in best 18-inch and most powerful areas,” says Blackstone. “Both are excellent options. However, both are not cheap and not that portable!”
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i7-14650HX.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060.
RAM: 16GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 18-inch, 2560 x 1600, 165 Hz IPS.
Dimensions: 16.15 inches wide x 12.59 inches deep x 1.05 inches high.
Weight: 9.32 pounds.
Ports:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1.
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x SD card reader.
- 1 x Mini DisplayPort.
- 1 x Ethernet.
- 1 x SD card slot.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $1,899.99.
What we like:
- Lots of connectivity.
What we don't like:
- Heavy.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
A powerful all-in-one gaming hub with room to grow.
Get it here: Alienware m18 R2
Best convertible gaming laptop: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 16-aa0097nr
HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 16-aa0097nr
Convertible laptops are a novel way to get the best of a tablet and a laptop in a single unit, but their highly portable form factor stands in contrast to the bulk and weight of traditional gaming laptops. The HP Spectre x360 bridges this gap elegantly with an immersive OLED display and specs that can go head-to-head with many other options on this list, at the cost of battery life and connectivity. This is an appealing option if you’re not only a gamer but also want a portable hub for entertainment, writing or graphic design.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050.
RAM: 16GB DDR5.
Storage: 2TB SSD.
Display: 16-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120 Hz OLED.
Dimensions: 14.05 inches wide x 9.67 inches deep x 0.78 inches high.
Weight: 4.3 pounds.
Ports:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4.
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
Price on publish: $2,299.99.
What we like:
- Competitive specs.
- Beautiful display.
- Very portable.
What we don't like:
- Sacrifices performance for portability.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
One of the best two-in-one laptops on the market for visually demanding tasks, including gaming.
Get it here: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 16-aa0097nr
Best budget gaming laptop: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops aren’t exactly known for being inexpensive due to their specialized nature and high-performance components. If you want to get in on the action but spend less than $1,000, this affordable gaming laptop offers very good performance alongside a few compromises in processing power and storage. Despite its budget price point, the Nitro V 15 includes a dedicated Ethernet port and a screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, so you don’t have to outspend the competition to stay in the game.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i5-13420H.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050.
RAM: 8GB DDR5.
Storage: 512GB SSD.
Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz IPS.
Dimensions: 14.3 inches wide x 9.4 inches deep x 1.06 inches high.
Weight: 4.66 pounds.
Ports:
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x Ethernet.
Price on publish: $769.99.
What we like:
- Affordable and portable.
- Great refresh rate.
What we don't like:
- Less RAM and storage.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
A streamlined gaming laptop with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Get it here: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop
Best mini gaming laptop: GPD WIN Max 2
GPD WIN Max 2 Gameplayer Handled Game Laptop
This mini gaming laptop is a bit of an outlier on this list due to its unique design, limited technical capability and high price point. However, it fills a niche that none of the other machines can when it comes to sheer portability and novelty. Thanks to its mini size, integrated control buttons and built-in Wi-Fi, you can enjoy a handheld playing experience similar to that from gaming devices like the Steam Deck with the customizability that makes gaming laptops desirable.
Specifications:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800U.
GPU: AMD Radeon 680M.
RAM: 16GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200, IPS.
Dimensions: 8.94 inches wide x 6.3 inches deep x 0.91 inches high.
Weight: 2.21 pounds.
Ports:
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4.
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x SD card slot.
- 1 x microSD card slot.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
Price on publish: $1,599.
What we like:
- Integrated controls.
- Very portable.
- High-tier connectivity.
What we don't like:
- Very expensive.
- Small screen and keyboard.
- Integrated GPU performs well under dedicated GPUs.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
This shouldn’t be your first gaming laptop, but consider it if you’re more concerned with fun than performance.
Get it here: GPD WIN Max 2
Best Gigabyte gaming laptop: Gigabyte G6 KF
GIGABYTE - 16" 165Hz Gaming Laptop
If you’re familiar with building computers, you’ve probably heard of Gigabyte, a Taiwan-based manufacturer known for its high-quality computer components. The G6 KF is a ready-made gaming laptop with fantastic specs and the same stellar build quality for which the company’s standalone components are known. Priced at just over $1,000, this is also our second-favorite gaming laptop in value thanks to its top-tier specs like 32 gigabytes of RAM and a high-refresh-rate IPS panel.
Specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060.
RAM: 32GB DDR5.
Storage: 1TB SSD.
Display: 16-inch, 1920 x 1200, 165 Hz IPS.
Dimensions: 14.2 inches wide x 10.5 inches deep x 1 inch high.
Weight: 5.1 pounds.
Ports:
- 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1.
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.
- 1 x USB-A 2.0.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1.
- 1 x Mini DisplayPort.
- 1 x MicroSD card slot.
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo jack.
- 1 x Ethernet.
- 1 x Power connector.
Price on publish: $1,199.99.
What we like:
- Great build quality.
- Good price-to-performance ratio.
What we don't like:
- Bulky.
The AP Buyline takeaway:
An appealing package deal for every gamer from a reputable component manufacturer.
Get it here: Gigabyte G6 KF
What to consider when buying a gaming laptop
Gaming laptops are complicated machines built from many components working together. We reached out to Roy Blackstone, the creative director and founder at Shadow War, to learn more about how to choose the right gaming laptop for your budget and needs.
Upgrade potential
You can’t upgrade every component in a gaming laptop. For example, there’s a difference between upgrading the graphics processing unit (GPU) and the central processing unit (CPU): “Regardless of whether or not you have a limited budget, it is far better to buy a laptop with the aspects that you can’t update at a higher spec in the future,” Blackstone explains. “For example, GPU, which you cannot upgrade later on, so you want to be sure to get a computer with a high spec now to future proof the purchase and increase your potential usage period. Contrastly, CPU is something you can upgrade later on, though there are certainly factors to consider when upgrading.”
Speed vs. fidelity
Balancing graphical performance and visual quality is another key factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. “A general rule of thumb is the higher the fidelity, the slower the speed,” Blackstone says. “This can be a crucial aspect and one you should consider, depending on what’s more important to you and the games you intend to play.”
Keyboard design
Gaming often demands more of your keyboard than basic productivity tasks. Blackstone notes that you should consider keyboard durability, feel, backlighting and ability to set automation.
Memory
Random access memory (RAM) is another limiting factor in the overall performance of a gaming laptop. “Any serious gamer cannot select a laptop without considering its memory,” stresses Blackstone. “Ideally, one should aim for a minimum of 16GB RAM, though since RAM can be easily upgraded later on, if you are on a budget it’s not the deciding factor.”
Recommended read: What does RAM do for gaming? Here’s why you need to care
Connectivity
Modern computers feature a plethora of ports and wireless connectivity options, so it’s important to choose a gaming laptop that’s compatible with your specific accessories. If you’re looking to use any of today’s best wireless earbuds or the best noise-canceling headphones with your gaming laptop, make sure it offers a compatible wired or wireless connection.
How we selected the best gaming laptops
I built this list of the best gaming laptops using a combination of expert advice, customer reviews and personal experience building computers. While this is not an exhaustive list, it features the best of what the constantly evolving computer market currently offers. I did my best to include picks that appeal to various budgets with an emphasis on performance and image quality.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do you need a gaming laptop with an RTX GPU?
This depends on whether or not you spend time playing competitively and need the highest frame rate possible. RTX GPUs enable aesthetic improvements that improve immersion and visual quality but lower performance slightly, which might put you at a disadvantage if you’re gaming competitively. Overall, though, Blackstone endorses gaming laptops with RTX GPUs: “With features like DLSS and real-time ray tracing, RTX is simply more advanced than other options out there.”
What’s the most important gaming laptop component?
While many components work in concert to give a gaming laptop its power, Blackstone stresses the importance of the GPU. “What I would suggest is, again, look at what you can and cannot upgrade,” he emphasizes. “When buying a gaming laptop, focus on the parts you can’t upgrade and focus your budget there. Therefore, a good GPU that helps future-proof would, in my view, be a good component to focus on.”
What screen size is best for a gaming laptop?
Blackstone recommends considering the specific games you want to play and how immersive you’d like your experience to be: “Let's take it as a given that you’re buying a gaming laptop with a view for portability in mind. You therefore want to get one that isn’t too tough to move around. I would always look in the 16-inch range,” he says. “The bigger the screen, the more immersive your experience.”
Are high refresh rate panels worth it for laptops?
“It depends on how serious you are,” says Blackstone. “To be blunt, if you’re non-competitive then a lower refresh rate in the 144+ Hz range should normally be enough. If you’re looking to take your gaming more seriously, then you might want to look higher, but you are then moving into the premium range and costs go up quickly.”
How much memory does a gaming laptop need?
RAM is one of the easiest components to upgrade yourself, Blackstone explains: “All you need is a screwdriver! Aim for the 16GB mark if possible, but know you can buy more if and when budget allows.”
How much laptop storage do I need for gaming?
“This is super budget dependent,” says Blackstone. “I would recommend getting an SSD with a min of 500GB if you can afford this. Remember, it can be upgraded later if funds are tight.”
What is a good resolution for a gaming laptop?
“This comes down to speed and how good the graphics are. The higher the resolution, the nicer the game will look. But you’re not gaming on a 70-inch screen, so you may well not need 4K UHD quality. QHD (2560 x 1440) would usually be a good bet.”
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AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.