In search of the ideal gaming laptop for 2024? Here, we’ve compiled our best recommendations for all price ranges.
The days of gaming-capable laptops being big, awkward devices with internal components that could hardly run games older than two years are long gone. Spec-wise, modern gaming laptops are sleek, efficient machines with nearly identical capabilities as a desktop PC at a comparable price.
picking a laptop requires weighing several factors, just like picking any other PC. What kind of show are you looking for? Are you looking to replace your desktop computer or do you need something really light? How about RAM, GPU, and CPU?
To help you answer all these questions, we present our selection of the top gaming laptops.
1. Razer Blade 14 (2023)
Key Specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS (8 core, 16 thread, up to 5.2GHz)
- RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600MHz
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6, 140W)
- Display: 14-inch 16:10 Mini LED (QHD 240Hz)
- Battery: 68.1 Whr (230W power adapter)
- Storage: 2x 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 2x USB 4 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 3.5mm combo jack
- Features: Anodized Aluminum unibody chassis, vapor chamber cooling, glass trackpad.
- Price: $2,699.99
The Razer Blade 14 is an extremely powerful device. It boasts top-tier specs jam-packed into a very compact and light chassis. This little laptop can handle any AAA game thrown at it thanks to components like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 and 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which provide fast frame rates and a vibrant screen.
It can even keep all those expensive parts nice and cold during lengthy gaming sessions because of the vapor chamber cooling, and the machined aluminum chassis makes sure it is strong and light enough to be carried on long trips without worrying about breaking.
The main downside for this laptop is the price. It is certainly not cheap, which along with the poor battery life might put some customers off.
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Key Specs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7940 HS or AMD 7735HS
- GPU: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
- Screen size: 14-inches
- Screen resolution: 2560 x 1600
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
- Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
- Connectivity: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort, 1x Type C USB 4 support DisplayPort / power delivery, card reader, HDMI 2.1 port, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Features: AniMe Matrix, Backlit Chiclet Keyboard 1-Zone RGB,1080P FHD IR Camera, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Aura Sync, 1.72 Kg
- Price: Starting at $1430
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14’s adaptability more than makes up for its lackluster raw specs. Customers may customize this laptop to include an AMD or an Intel processor, as well as the most powerful graphics card presently available on the market—the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU—among other construction parameters.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, like the Razer Blade 14, boasts a 14-inch screen with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600, however with a refresh rate of just 165Hz. The majority of users will find this to be more than sufficient, and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 display is a fantastic option for gaming because it employs a Mini LED panel that enables HDR output.
3. MSI Katana 15
Key Specs
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i9-13900H
- GPU: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: up to 32GB DDR5
- Screen size: 15.6-inches
- Screen resolution: 1920×1080
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Storage: Up to 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
- Operating system: Windows 11
- Connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 w/DP 1.4, HDMI v 2.1
- Features: Anti-glare coating, lightweight plastic body, FHD display
- Price: $1298.00
The MSI Katana 15 2023 model is an excellent choice if you’re looking for value for your money. Even though it’s from the previous year, its specifications are excellent, including an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU.
Despite the screen’s limited 1080p resolution capabilities, its 144Hz refresh rate keeps the images sharp and fluid.
Although this laptop was already reasonably priced, the 2024 models are currently on sale, so these earlier ones are likely to be marked down further, making them a great deal.
4. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17
Key Specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D (16 core, 32 thread, up to 5.4GHz, 128MB L3 cache)
- RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (16GB GDDR6, 175W)
- Display: 17-inch 16:9 LCD (WQHD 240Hz)
- Battery: 68.1 Whr (230W power adapter)
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 3.5mm combo jack, LAN port
- Weight: 3.0KG
- Features: Liquid metal vapor chamber cooling, 225W max power draw, Dolby Atmos speakers
- Price: $3,699.99
Because it is a premium device, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 has a premium price tag. Because of its size and weight, this laptop is not recommended for long-distance travel. However, it is a suitable option for people who want desktop power in a more compact form factor.
The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D, maybe the fastest and most competent laptop CPU available right now for gaming, is the main attraction in the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17. This is made possible by the 3D V-cache, which was created especially with contemporary 3D gaming in mind.
5. Acer Predator Helios 16
Key specs
- CPU: Intel i9-13900HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Display: 16″ WQXGA 240Hz LCD
- Battery: 90Wh
- Storage: 1x 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x microSD card slot
- Weight: 5.73 lbs
- Features: Mini LED display, per-key programmable RGB keyboard, PredatorSense management suite
- Price: $2,299.99
The powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU and Intel i9-13900HX CPU that come with the Predator Helios 16 make it capable of handling any task that comes with current AAA gaming. The most notable aspect of this laptop, though, is its screen.
The 16-inch display employs MiniLED technology, which distributes 1000 zones of small LED clusters around the display to allow for brighter peaks without overpowering other areas of the screen. In addition, the Acer Predator Helios 16 boasts an amazing 240Hz refresh rate, which when combined with the display yields fluid and colorful images.
Laptop alternative: Asus ROG Ally
Key specs:
- APU: AMD Z1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (6400MHz)
- Display: 7-inch 16:9 (120Hz display)
- Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11
- IO: USB-C (DisplayPort), PCIe XG, UHS-II MicroSD Slot
- Features: Embedded controller, three performance modes, dual speakers
For the contemporary gamer who wants to play on the move but doesn’t want to lug a laptop wherever they go, a portable gaming console is the ideal option.
Upon reviewing Asus’s latest ROG Ally portable gaming console, we were astounded by the AMD Z1 Extreme APU’s sheer power—it outperforms the APUs of its rivals.
