Gaming laptops With powerful new GPUs and CPUs, thinner and lighter designs, and improved displays, there are some excellent options for mobile gaming in 2023. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top gaming laptop picks across various price ranges and use cases.
Budget Gaming Laptops Under $1000
If you’re looking for a capable gaming machine on a budget, there are a few standout options in the under $1000 price range.
Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 has been a budget gaming staple for years, and the 2023 model continues that trend. It comes equipped with 11th gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics. This combination is enough to drive AAA games at medium settings and steady frame rates. The laptop also features a 15.6” 1080p IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate. At just under 5 pounds, it’s reasonably lightweight for a gaming laptop.
The Nitro 5 provides excellent value, with base models starting under $750. It’s a great option for budget-conscious gamers looking for a laptop that can handle modern games without breaking the bank.
MSI GF63 Thin
Another good-value gaming laptop is the MSI GF63 Thin. Specs-wise, it’s very similar to the Acer Nitro 5, packing an 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor and RTX 3050 Ti graphics. It also has a 15.6″ 144Hz 1080p display. The design is a bit more stylish and thinner, though, with MSI’s signature black and red colour scheme.
The GF63 Thin starts at around $850, so it’s just a bit pricier than the Nitro 5 but still within the budget range. It hits a nice balance between performance and price.
Mid-Range Gaming Laptops $1000 – $1500
In the mid-range price tier, you can get a more powerful gaming laptop that can comfortably run demanding games at high settings.
ASUS ROG Strix G15
The ROG Strix G15 from ASUS is a great mid-range choice if you like flashy gaming aesthetics. It comes loaded with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of dedicated memory. This hardware combo allows it to hit high frame rates in most titles at 1080p with settings maxed out.
Some other great features include a 15.6” 1080p 144Hz IPS display, RGB keyboard, generous port selection, and a MUX switch to boost gaming performance.
Pricing starts around $1300, providing excellent value for the performance. It’s an ideal laptop for gaming enthusiasts who want a strong FPS without breaking the bank.
Razer Blade 15
For those wanting a premium gaming laptop that doesn’t scream “gamer”, the Razer Blade 15 is an excellent pick. Razer’s laptops are designed with thin and light metal unibodies for an elegant, low-key aesthetic.
The 2023 Razer Blade 15 model comes packed with Intel 12th gen Core i7 processors and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. This powers through AAA games on the 15.6″ 1080p 144Hz display. At just 4.4 pounds, it’s extremely portable for a gaming laptop, too.
A downside is the pricing starts closer to $1500. However, you’re getting a premium laptop with incredible performance in a slim package. It’s great for gamers who want something just as suitable for work or school.
High-End Gaming Laptops $1500+
On the high end, gaming laptops come equipped with the most powerful components to drive 4K gaming and beyond 60 FPS. They can be pricey but deliver desktop-class gaming performance in a mobile form factor.
MSI Raider GE76
MSI’s flagship Raider GE76 line shows just how powerful gaming laptops have become. It can be configured with Intel’s 12th gen i7 or i9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti graphics for blazing-fast frame rates. The 17.3″ 144Hz 1080p display provides an immersive experience with its thin bezels and high refresh rates.
Combine this hardware with 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a premium Cherry MX keyboard, and this is pretty much a desktop killer. It handles 4K gaming or ray tracing with ease. The aluminium chassis keeps things cool under load.
The GE76 starts at around $2,000 and goes up from there, depending on specs. It’s on the pricey side but delivers no compromises, high-end gaming that rivals many gaming PCs.
Alienware x17 R2
Alienware has always been known for its unique alien-inspired aesthetics, and the x17 R2 doesn’t disappoint. This futuristic beast is the world’s thinnest 17-inch gaming laptop.
Beneath the hood, you can configure it with Intel 12th gen Core i9 CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti GPUs with up to a whopping 175W of power. This allows you to game with all settings maxed out across the 17.3” 1440p 165Hz display. It also features Alienware’s proprietary “Cryo-tech” cooling technology to ensure optimal performance.
With all the bells and whistles, the x17 R2 starts at around $2,900. So it’s definitely a splurge, but you get the absolute best gaming experience Alienware can deliver in an innovative design.
Key Considerations for Gaming Laptops
When choosing a gaming laptop, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- GPU – The graphics card is one of the most important components, allowing you to run games at high frame rates and graphics settings. NVIDIA RTX 3000 series and AMD Radeon RX 6000 series GPUs deliver the best performance right now.
- CPU – You’ll want at least an 11th or 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent AMD Ryzen CPU to avoid bottlenecks while gaming.
- RAM – 16GB of RAM is ideal for modern games. Upgradable RAM is nice for future-proofing.
- Display – Look for a 1080p display with high refresh rates (144Hz or more) for smooth gameplay. QHD or 4K displays are great for high-end laptops.
- Storage – An SSD of 512GB or higher enables fast load times. Make sure it has room for your game library.
- Battery life – Gaming drains batteries much quicker, but look for at least a few hours of life for productivity use.
- Size and weight – Consider the tradeoff between performance and portability to match your needs.
Focusing on these aspects will help you choose the right gaming laptop to suit your budget and needs in 2023. The options have never been better for mobile PC gaming.