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Laptops for gaming have really improved over the last couple years! They’ve got some killer new GPUs and CPUs, sleeker designs I’m diggin’, and truly stunning displays that will blow your mind. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just someone who wants a good laptop that can handle playing some games here and there, I’ve got the inside scoop on finding the ideal gaming laptop to meet your needs and budget in 2023.
Table of Contents
- What to Peep When Laptop Hunting
- Top Pick Gaming Laptop: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
- Best Budget Pick Gaming Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
- Killer Display Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 15
- Massive 17″ Screen Gaming Laptop: MSI Crosshair 17
- Ultimate Splurge gaming laptop: Alienware x17 R2
- Longest Battery Gaming Laptop: Gigabyte Aorus 15
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Good Laptops For Gaming
What to Peep When Laptop Hunting
When you’re checking out new laptops for gaming, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
Graphics Card
This bad boy is critical for a gaming laptop. NVIDIA RTX 30 series and AMD Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs deliver sick performance for both 1080p and 1440p gaming. The higher the model number, the more power you get.
CPU
You’ll at least want an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor. If you’re into more demanding games, go for the Core i7 or Ryzen 7 chips to really crush it. More cores and threads also means way better multitasking.
Display
I’d look for a 1080p or 1440p screen with high, smooth refresh rates (144Hz+) and fast response times. NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync tech offers buttery variable refresh rate support too.
RAM
16GB of RAM is ideal for gaming and lets you game and multitask like a boss. Some laptops can even be upgraded to 32GB+ later down the road.
Top Pick Gaming Laptop: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 takes the cake for delivering an absolutely killer package without costing a fortune. Here’s why it’s so rad:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU
- 15.6” 1440p 165Hz display
- 16GB DDR4 / 1TB SSD
- Sleek, premium design
- Great battery life
- $1,649 MSRP
This beast combines excellent 1440p gaming performance and stupid smooth 165Hz gameplay with awesome portability. It’s less than 0.8 inches thick and just 4.2 pounds, so the Zephyrus G15 lets you game or work wherever without losing speed or graphics.
The RTX 3070 smokes AAA titles at over 60 fps even on max settings. The Ryzen 9 chip also handles video editing, streaming, intense multitasking like nothing. There are a few display options too with a wicked fast 360Hz panel.
For a truly top-notch experience in a slim, sturdy magnesium chassis, the 2023 Zephyrus G15 is absolutely worth considering.
Best Budget Pick Gaming Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
If you’ve got a tighter budget, the Acer Nitro 5 packs a major punch with specs rivaling more expensive options.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU
- Intel Core i5-12500H CPU
- 15.6” 1080p 144Hz display
- 16GB DDR4 RAM / 512GB SSD
- Aggressive gamer looks
- $899 MSRP
Don’t judge it by the cost—the Nitro 5 can totally handle the newest games no problem thanks to the RTX 3050 Ti graphics and 12th Gen Intel processor. You’ll get over 60 fps on high settings at 1080p in most titles, no sweat. The 144Hz screen keeps up with fast multiplayer games too.
The all-black chassis and edgy exhaust vents scream “gaming laptop” though the aesthetic isn’t for everyone. But if you want beastly specs without wrecking your wallet, the 2023 Nitro 5 is easily one of the best values out now.
Killer Display Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 15
When we’re talking jaw-dropping visuals, nothing competes with the Razer Blade 15 and its simply gorgeous 2560 x 1440 display running at an insanely smooth 240Hz.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
- Intel Core i7-12800H CPU
- 15.6” 1440p 240Hz display
- 16GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD
- Sleek aluminum unibody design
- Huge precision trackpad
- $2,899+ MSRP
This premium gaming laptop crushes all boxes if you want a stunning high-res display for both gaming and creative work. The RTX 3070 Ti and latest Intel silicon demolish intensive games and apps too.
Massive 17″ Screen Gaming Laptop: MSI Crosshair 17
Bigger screens equal more immersive gaming, and the MSI Crosshair 17 delivers with its vivid 17.3-inch 1440p 165Hz display.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
- Intel Core i7-12700H CPU
- 17.3” 1440p 165Hz display
- 16GB DDR4 / 1TB SSD
- Fancy aluminum design
- RGB backlit keyboard
- $1,599 MSRP
The Crosshair 17 may be a bit bulkier than smaller 15″ models but that expansive screen space is so worth it. The aluminum chassis and RGB keyboard add some nice style too. You can expect killer 1440p gaming thanks to the RTX 3070 graphics.
Ultimate Splurge gaming laptop: Alienware x17 R2
Money no issue? The ludicrously powerful Alienware x17 R2 stands tall as a top choice for enthusiasts.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU
- Intel Core i9-12900HK CPU
- 17.3” 4K 120Hz G-Sync display
- 32GB DDR5 / 2TB RAID 0 SSDs
- Wild alien spaceship looks
- Cherry MX mechanical keyboard
- $4,099+ MSRP
With a desktop-class RTX 3080 Ti GPU and unlocked 12th Gen Intel chip, this monster devastates games easily. You’ll get stunning visuals on the vibrant 4K panel running smooth at 120Hz. Extras like the Cherry MX keyboard, quad speakers, and advanced cooling make the x17 R2 an elite pick for enthusiasts.
Longest Battery Gaming Laptop: Gigabyte Aorus 15
The Gigabyte Aorus 15 balances strong gaming perf with excellent battery life for gaming on-the-go.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU
- 15.6” 1440p 240Hz display
- 16GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD
- Sleek all-black aluminum design
- $1,699 MSRP
While not as portable as other options, the Aorus 15 compensates with a massive 99Wh battery allowing over five hours untethered. So you can game longer without worrying about battery drain. The quick display, RTX 3070 graphics, and Ryzen 6000 series chip crush the latest titles easily too.
Check out the following neat game laptop for a fun trip down memory lane..
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Good Laptops For Gaming
What’s the hottest gaming laptop brand?
ASUS, MSI, Razer, Alienware, Acer, Lenovo, and Gigabyte are big time and reliable names for gaming laptops. But honestly always peep the specific components and reviews rather than just the brand.
What screen size rules?
15-inch and 17-inch are common gaming laptop sizes. The first is a solid balance between screen real estate and portability while the latter gives you super immersive viewing but carries more chunk. Ultraportables trade some graphics power for maximum mobility.
How much RAM we talkin’?
For the newest games, I’d go for at least 16GB of RAM, fam. Anything less might struggle with recent titles while having more than that gives you headroom for extreme multitasking. Some laptops let you upgrade RAM later too.
Good for everyday use?
Heck yes! Gaming laptops crush it for general home and office work thanks to their fast processors, plentiful RAM, and dedicated graphics. Just know they tend to have shorter battery life compared to non-gaming ultrabooks.
Can I upgrade parts?
You can swap out some components like RAM and storage but not as extensively as on a desktop. Upgradability varies a lot between models so do some Googling before you buy!
Which is best: HDD, SSD or RAID?
SSDs blow traditional hard drives out of the water for speed while RAID configs offer next-level velocity by combining multiple solid state drives. But SSDs cost more per gigabyte vs HDDs so think about mixing both to maximize value.
Worth getting a built-in webcam?
If streaming your gameplay is the plan, fo sho! Integrated webcams simplify streaming without an external cam, though video quality might be lower than a dedicated webcam.
Best way to save battery?
Limit screen brightness, close unused apps/browser tabs, switch to integrated graphics for simpler tasks, and disable bling lighting features. Keep it plugged in while gaming when possible too!
Good for college?
Absolutely! Gaming laptops are versatile but less vital if focused on basic schoolwork. Prioritize battery life, weight, and overall value for mainly academic use rather than max gaming power.
How long do they last?
On average, around 3-5 years with proper TLC but it varies a lot based on build quality, temps during use, upgradability, and budget picks tend to have slightly shorter lifespans too.
