In 2024, the market is flooded with choices for gaming laptops, making it tricky to pick the best one. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you navigate the sea of options and find the best gaming laptops of 2024 for your needs.
Gaming laptops have come a long way. Once bulky and heavy, they’re now sleek, powerful, and capable of delivering desktop-level performance in a portable package. If you’re a gamer, you know that not just any laptop will do. You need one that can handle the latest titles, run them smoothly, and give you an immersive experience, all while looking cool, of course.
So, let’s start with the most important question.
What Makes a Laptop “A Gaming Laptop”?
Before diving into the best picks for 2024, let’s talk about what makes a laptop a true gaming beast. It’s more than just slapping a “gaming” label on it. Here are the key elements:
- Powerful GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): The GPU is the heart and soul of any gaming laptop. It’s responsible for rendering all those detailed graphics and smooth animations that make your games look stunning. In 2024, top gaming laptops are equipped with the latest NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, ensuring they can handle the most demanding games at high settings.
- High-Refresh-Rate Display: A gaming laptop without a high-refresh-rate display is like a racing car with worn-out tires. It just doesn’t perform as it should. A refresh rate of 120Hz or higher ensures you get smooth, fluid motion in fast-paced games, making every move feel responsive and accurate.
- Fast Processor: Alongside the GPU, the CPU plays a crucial role in gaming performance. It handles everything from AI behavior to game physics. Modern gaming laptops feature powerful multi-core processors from Intel and AMD, providing the speed and efficiency needed for seamless gaming.
- Adequate Cooling System: Gaming generates a lot of heat, and without a good cooling system, your laptop could throttle performance or, worse, overheat. The best gaming laptops come with advanced cooling solutions, including multiple fans, heat pipes, and even liquid cooling in some cases, to keep things cool under pressure.
- Gaming-Optimized Keyboard: A good gaming laptop comes with a keyboard that’s designed for gaming. That means it’s comfortable, responsive, and often backlit with customizable RGB lighting. Some even have macro keys for added functionality.
- Plenty of RAM and Storage: To handle modern games, you’ll need at least 16GB of RAM, though 32GB is becoming more common. As for storage, SSDs are the way to go. They’re faster than traditional HDDs, reducing load times and making everything feel snappier.
Things To Remember When Buying Gaming Laptops
Now that you know what makes a laptop a gaming laptop, let’s talk about some important factors to keep in mind when making your purchase.
- Your Budget: Gaming laptops can be expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to get a good one. Decide on a budget before you start shopping and try to stick to it. Remember, more expensive doesn’t always mean better for your needs.
- Portability vs. Power: Some gaming laptops are ultra-portable, while others are more like portable desktops. If you plan to carry your laptop around a lot, you might want something lighter and more compact, even if it means sacrificing a bit of power.
- Battery Life: Gaming laptops aren’t known for their battery life, especially when gaming. However, some models are better than others. If you plan to use your laptop away from a power source often, look for one with decent battery life.
- Upgradability: Some gaming laptops allow you to upgrade components like RAM or storage. If you’re the kind of person who likes to tinker with their tech, this might be an important factor for you.
- Brand Reputation and Support: The brand of your laptop can make a difference in the quality of the product and the support you get after your purchase. Brands like ASUS, Razer, MSI, and Alienware are well-known in the gaming community for a reason.
Best Gaming Laptops in 2024
Let’s get to the good stuff: the best gaming laptops you can buy in 2024. We’ve rounded up the top picks, each with its unique strengths, so you can find the perfect match for your gaming style.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is a powerhouse designed for serious gamers who want top-tier performance. Sporting the latest Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, this laptop is built to handle anything you throw at it, from AAA titles to intense multitasking. The 16-inch QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh rate ensures you get crisp, smooth visuals, making every game look stunning.
The design is unmistakably gaming-oriented, with RGB lighting that you can customize to your heart’s content. The cooling system, with its liquid metal thermal compound and Arc Flow fans, ensures the laptop stays cool even during marathon gaming sessions. The keyboard is comfortable, with a nice tactile feel, and the battery life, while not exceptional, is decent for a gaming laptop.
Pros:
- Incredible performance with top-tier CPU and GPU.
- Stunning QHD+ display with 240Hz refresh rate.
- Excellent cooling system.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Battery life could be better.
The Razer Blade 16 is for gamers who want a blend of power and portability. It’s sleek, with a design that doesn’t scream “gaming laptop,” making it great for both work and play. Under the hood, it’s packing an Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU, ensuring it can handle the latest games without breaking a sweat.
The display is another highlight, with a 16-inch 4K panel that offers stunning clarity and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. The keyboard is responsive, with customizable RGB lighting, and the trackpad is large and precise. One of the Blade 16’s standout features is its build quality—it’s a premium laptop through and through, with an aluminum chassis that feels durable and high-end.
Pros:
- Powerful yet portable.
- Gorgeous 4K display.
- Premium build quality.
Cons:
- Pricey.
- Can get hot during extended gaming sessions.
If you want the absolute best in gaming performance, the MSI Titan 18 HX is hard to beat. This laptop is a beast, featuring an 18-inch QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i9 processor, and an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU. It’s designed for gamers who don’t want to compromise on anything, from frame rates to visual quality.
The cooling system is top-notch, with a combination of fans and heat pipes keeping everything running smoothly. The Titan 18 HX also comes with plenty of ports, so you can easily connect all your peripherals. The keyboard is mechanical, offering a satisfying click with every press, and the overall build quality is solid, though it’s not the most portable option out there.
Pros:
- Unmatched gaming performance.
- Massive 18-inch display with 240Hz refresh rate.
- Excellent cooling system.
Cons:
- Very expensive.
- Heavy and not very portable.
Alienware is a name that’s synonymous with gaming, and the M18 is a perfect example of why. This laptop is a true gaming machine, with an Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU. The 18-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate delivers smooth, immersive gameplay, and the overall design is what you’d expect from Alienware—bold and futuristic.
The M18 also features Alienware’s Cryo-Tech cooling technology, which keeps the system cool even during intense gaming sessions. The keyboard is great, with customizable RGB lighting and a responsive feel. The M18 is also surprisingly upgradeable, with easy access to the RAM and storage. However, like the MSI Titan, it’s a bit on the heavy side.
Pros:
- Excellent gaming performance.
- Bold, futuristic design.
- Upgradeable components.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Heavy and bulky.
For those looking for a great balance of performance and price, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8) is a fantastic choice. It features an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU, making it powerful enough for most games at high settings. The 16-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, and the design is sleek and understated, perfect for gamers who don’t want something too flashy.
The Legion Pro 5i also comes with Lenovo’s Coldfront 4.0 cooling system, which does a great job of keeping the laptop cool during long gaming sessions. The keyboard is comfortable, with a good amount of travel, and the battery life is decent for a gaming laptop.
Pros:
- Great balance of performance and price.
- Sleek, understated design.
- Effective cooling system.
Cons:
- Not as powerful as some of the more expensive options.
- Battery life could be better.
If you’re on a budget but still want a solid gaming experience, the Dell G15 5535 is an excellent option. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti GPU, making it capable of handling most games at medium to high settings. The 15.6-inch FHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth visuals, and the design is functional, with a focus on durability.
The G15 5535 also comes with a decent cooling system, which keeps things cool during gaming, though it can get a bit noisy. The keyboard is comfortable and responsive, though it doesn’t have the same premium feel as some of the higher-end models. Overall, it’s a great choice for gamers on a budget.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Decent gaming performance.
- Durable design.
Cons:
- Not as powerful as more expensive options.
- Cooling system can be noisy.
Conclusion
Picking the best gaming laptop in 2024 depends on your needs and budget. Whether you want the absolute best performance, a balance of power and portability, or something that won’t break the bank, there’s a gaming laptop out there for you. From the powerhouse Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 to the budget-friendly Dell G15 5535, these laptops offer something for every gamer. So, take your pick, gear up, and get ready to dive into your favorite games with one of the best gaming laptops of the year. Happy gaming!
Feature Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash