Gaming laptops have never been thinner, lighter or more powerful. Now able to run Cyberpunk 2077 at medium graphical settings at a fraction of the cost of consoles, gaming laptops offer gamers access to games like Cyberpunk 2077 on medium graphics settings at a fraction of what would otherwise cost.
These laptops provide comfortable keyboards, powerful performance for writing and editing, HD webcams and upgradeable RAM and storage capacities.
1. Razer Blade 15
Razer has recently introduced its popular portable gaming laptop, the Blade 15, with an updated model featuring powerful CPU and GPU specifications - perfect for streamers and content creators who require reliable CPU performance and GPU graphics processing power. Our review unit boasts an Intel Core i7-12800H CPU and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU; as well as a stunning 240Hz display.
This year's Blade 15 features minor upgrades over last year's model, such as slightly larger keys for its keyboard and an easier-to-find power button. Furthermore, it supports USB 3.2 Type-C standards as well as offering a UHS-III full-sized SD card reader.
Far Cry New Dawn on ultra settings was tested using the Blade 15 with impressive results; it averaged 98 frames per second at 1080p resolution and 82 at 4K, beating out all competition. Furthermore, Red Dead Redemption 2 benchmark tests averaged an impressive 62 frame-per-second at 1080p.
2. Acer Nitro V 15
Add an exciting edge to your gaming adventures with the Acer Nitro V 15 laptop, featuring 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPUs from NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 series GPUs from NVIDIA GeForce. Together they offer unparalleled speed when orchestrating battle or creating visual masterpieces.
On our 1080p gaming tests, the Nitro V 15 achieved an excellent 105 frames per second - placing it ahead of more powerful models from competing manufacturers and budget gaming laptops alike.
The Nitro V 15 weighs 4.66 pounds, making it easy to transport between classes or coffee shops. Its durable chassis resists display flex and feels solid in-hand; plus, there are three USB-A ports and one USB-C port included as standard features.
3. Alienware M18
If you want unrivaled power coupled with an amazing mechanical keyboard and plenty of ports, the Alienware M18 laptop may be just what you're searching for. It can run all the latest titles at full settings with DLSS enabled seamlessly while looking incredible on its massive 18in display.
Our tests found the M18's 24-core Intel CPU to perform exceptionally well in 2D benchmark tests, handily outpacing rivals like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 and easily surpassing them on 4K video encoding scores as well. Its 4K video encoding score also earned top marks.
The M18 features an incredible 480Hz FHD+ display with quick response times, upgradeable RAM and storage, regular scissor-style keyboard with per-key RGB lighting that can be customized through its software, as well as being extremely well built thanks to an anodised aluminium frame.
4. MSI Raider 18 HX
The Raider 18 HX laptop from MSI is an impressive beast with all of the trimmings. Featuring MSI's signature design aesthetic of black lid with red lining and angular side paneling as well as an RGB light bar below its keyboard for subtle gaming aesthetic, the Raider 18 HX makes an impressionful statement about your style and taste.
This laptop is quite heavy and bulky. That's because it was created as a desktop replacement with high-resolution gaming and plenty of ports--USB-C, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, SD card reader, Kensington lock slot--to keep up with today's demands. And if that wasn't impressive enough for you, the GTX 1080 graphics card should surely pique your interest.
5. Asus TUF A14
Gaming laptops that feel more like portable powerhouses than desktop clones have become rare, yet Asus TUF A14 stands out as an exception. Compact yet sturdy with exceptional battery life - that isn't always something we see from gaming laptops!
Solid drive storage and 16GB of RAM keep it competitive against Intel-powered rivals in our Geekbench tests, while its RTX 4060 GPU handles modern demanding games at moderate settings while still remaining highly capable for productivity tasks compared with any other laptop we've tested.
Asus doesn't skimp on ports either, offering a comprehensive selection of USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, USB-C with Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity as well as HDMI 2.1 support and an ethernet port. Furthermore, their new Slim Power Jack helps support higher power devices more efficiently than standard USB-C ports.