A gaming computer is necessary if you’re a hardcore gamer, but you may want to opt for a laptop over a PC if you want to play on the go. Gaming laptops are like standard laptops, but their specs and features are more advanced and meant to enhance gaming.
Amazon offers several excellent gaming laptops. For those who don’t mind spending the money, the is the best one you’ll find. It features a premium graphics card, a powerful processor and tons of storage.
What to know before you buy a gaming laptop
Screen size
Laptops with smaller screens are ideal for traveling, but they can make gaming sessions a bit lackluster. Standard laptops have a 15.6-inch display, with some having screens as wide as 17 inches. If you’re likely to play on the go, a 15.6-inch laptop is adequate, but anything larger might feel burdensome.
Resolution
Most gaming laptops have a full high-definition display that renders at least 1920 by 1080 pixels. However, some laptops offer ultra-high-definition screens that can display 4K content and give gamers a more immersive experience. It’s worth noting that the higher the resolution a computer can display, the more expensive it is.
Battery life
Since PC games use a lot of processing power, getting a laptop that offers enough battery life is crucial. On average, you should be able to use your computer for 4-6 hours for everyday things like surfing the internet. However, for gaming and graphic editing, expect your laptop to last no longer than 3 hours on a full charge.
Gaming laptop features
Core processing unit
Most PC games require a lot of processing power, meaning your laptop should have a fast CPU. The two most common processors found in laptops are AMD and Intel, with varying levels of speed offered by each. For example, an Intel i9 processor is more powerful than an Intel i7. The more powerful the processor, the more smoothly games will run and the less likely you’ll experience lag.
Random-access memory
The amount of RAM a computer has affects its multitasking efficiency. Laptops with more RAM can run multiple programs without a notable decrease in performance.
For serious gamers, laptops with at least 16G gigabytes of RAM are ideal, but if you’re a casual gamer, one with 8GB of RAM should suffice. In any case, you can upgrade the hardware on most gaming laptops should you want more memory down the line.
Storage
If you want to store files locally on your laptop so you can access them even when you’re offline, it’s best to have plenty of storage space available. Laptops with solid-state drives let you access files much faster than hard-disk drives but usually provide less storage space.
Gaming laptop cost
Gaming laptops are pricier than standard ones due to their premium specs and features. If you don’t mind spending the money, the best gaming laptops with high-end graphics cards and powerful processors cost at least $1,000-$2,000. However, if you want something more basic and affordable, you can find a quality gaming laptop for $600-$900.
Gaming laptop FAQ
Do gaming laptops need a cooling pad?
A. No. However, gaming laptops can get very hot since running a PC game uses a lot of power, so cooling pads can help prevent overheating and prolong your laptop’s life.
What is a refresh rate?
A. Refresh rate refers to how many frames a display can process per second. The higher the refresh rate of a display, the less motion blur there is and the smoother and more realistic visuals will appear.
Which gaming laptop should I get?
Top gaming laptop
What you need to know: This laptop has a powerful Core Ultra 9 processor and offers stunning visuals for an immersive gaming experience.
What you’ll love: The LED display is 16 inches wide with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, and the graphics are excellent, thanks to a high-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti card. It offers an ultrafast 240-hertz refresh rate for smooth gameplay, 32GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage on a solid-state drive and immersive 360 lighting.
What you should consider: It can run hot if you use it for a long time.
Top gaming laptop for the money
What you need to know: This laptop was a top performer among those we tested. It excels at a lot of everyday tasks, such as editing videos and streaming in addition to gaming.
What you’ll love: It offers a 60-hertz refresh rate and 300-nit brightness scale that work beautifully together to create great coloration. It handles gaming and productivity tasks well without decreasing performance.
What you should consider: It’s a bit heavy and thick.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This laptop has all the necessary features for an affordable, high-end gaming experience and can also serve as a great work laptop.
What you’ll love: It offers a lot of value for your money, with an RTX 2050 GPU, 144Hz display and 16GB DDR5 RAM. It can handle most current-generation games easily, even if it might not be at the highest graphics settings. It also boots up really fast.
What you should consider: It’s a bit behind the curve when compared to other gaming laptops, but that’s to be expected with a more affordable laptop.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our for the best products at the best prices and sign up to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
