Top gaming laptops of 2024: Performance, portability, and new features

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Whether you want a cozy couch gaming experience or a powerful portable device, there’s a gaming laptop for everyone. From 14-inch compact models to massive 18-inch ones, there’s a wide variety to choose from, each suited to different playstyles.

For 2024, most top gaming laptops are similar to last year’s models in terms of performance. However, new features like super-fast OLED screens, a few AI enhancements, and slimmer designs have been introduced. This is a great time to shop if you value screen quality or portability.

The best gaming laptop we’ve tested is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16. It balances power and portability perfectly, offering high framerates, a stunning display, and a sleek design. While there are lighter and more powerful options available, the Scar 16 stands out overall. We’ve tested many laptops to find the best ones, loading our Steam libraries onto countless devices.

Below, you’ll find our top picks. Each laptop has gone through extensive in-game and stress-test benchmarks. We’ve also used each one for at least two weeks, ensuring they’re not just great for gaming but for everyday use as well. For more on our testing process, check out our dedicated guide.

With Amazon Prime Day coming up, we’re excited for deals on both last year’s models and the latest 2024 laptops.

Dell Alienware m18 R1 Gaming Laptop

The Dell Alienware m18 R1 Gaming Laptop offers a powerful performance with the latest in CPU and GPU technology, featuring the Intel i9-13900HX 13th Generation processor (3.90 GHz up to 5.40 GHz, 36MB Cache, 24 Cores) and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12GB GDDR6. This laptop delivers an uncompromised gaming experience with a larger 18.0″ QHD+ ComfortView Plus display, supporting NVIDIA G-SYNC, DDS, 100% DCI-P3, and a 165Hz refresh rate with a 3ms response time. It includes a full-sized Alienware CherryMX ultra-low-profile mechanical backlit keyboard with per-key AlienFX. The system is equipped with 32GB DDR5 RAM, expandable up to 64GB, and a 1TB SSD for ample storage. The ports are well-distributed with an RJ-45, Global headset jack, and Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port with PowerShare on the left, a Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port on the right, and a Power/DC-in Port, and two Type-C (Thunderbolt 4.0, USB 4 Gen 2) ports at the back. The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home and includes Office Home & Student 2021.

MSI Crosshair 16 HX, Intel 14th Gen. i7

The MSI Crosshair 16 HX is equipped with a 14th Generation Intel Core i7-14700HX processor, reaching speeds up to 5.5GHz, ensuring robust performance for all tasks. It comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 Home with lifetime validity and includes the MSI Center software. The package contains the laptop, a power adapter, and an MSI laptop bag. The laptop features a 41 cm 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600) display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy on an IPS-level panel. For graphics, it has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060. Connectivity options include 802.11 ax Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.3. The system is equipped with 16GB DDR5 RAM (8GBx2) and a 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD for ample memory and storage.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, featuring 8 cores, 16 threads, and speeds up to 5.2 GHz, with AMD Ryzen AI up to 39 TOPs for enhanced performance. Its 14-inch 3K OLED display (2880 x 1800) with a 16:10 aspect ratio boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and ROG Nebula & Anti-Glare Glossy Display technology. The laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB GDDR6, capable of reaching up to 1940MHz at 90W. It includes 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400MHz RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD for ample storage and memory.

The ROG Zephyrus G14 features a backlit chiclet keyboard with 1-zone RGB, a robust 73WHrs 4-cell Li-ion battery with fast charging capability (0-50% in 30 minutes), and a range of I/O ports including 1x Type C USB 4 with DisplayPort and power delivery, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and a microSD card reader (UHS-II). The audio system includes AI noise-canceling technology, Dolby Atmos, a 1080P FHD IR Camera for Windows Hello, a built-in 3-microphone array, and a 4-speaker system with dual force woofers, smart amplifier technology, and two tweeters for immersive sound quality.

ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop

The ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop features an Intel Core i5-11400H processor with 6 cores, 12M Cache, and speeds up to 4.5 GHz, ensuring efficient multitasking and improved multimedia performance. It includes 16GB of SO-DIMM DDR4 3200MHz RAM, expandable up to 32GB with 2x SO-DIMM slots, and a 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD with an additional M.2 slot for storage expansion. The 15.6-inch FHD display (1920 x 1080) offers a 144Hz refresh rate, a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and vIPS-level anti-glare technology with Adaptive-Sync, delivering smooth visuals and reducing screen tearing.

The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home with lifetime validity and is powered by a 48WHrs 4-cell Li-ion battery, providing up to 6 hours of battery life, depending on usage conditions. The backlit chiclet keyboard features 1-zone RGB lighting, enhancing the gaming experience. It also includes a variety of I/O ports: 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort support, and 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. 

The ASUS TUF F15 is designed to be thin, measuring 2.28 ~ 2.45 cm in thickness, and offers a subscription to Game Pass for one month, giving access to over 100 high-quality PC games, including new and upcoming blockbusters like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Age of Empires IV, with additional titles such as Back 4 Blood, Battlefield V, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and more.

ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16

The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 is a high-performance gaming laptop equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, featuring 24 cores and 32 threads, with speeds up to 5.8 GHz and a 36MB cache. It includes 32GB of DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD, providing ample memory and storage for intensive gaming and multitasking.

The laptop offers access to over 100 high-quality PC games, including new and upcoming blockbusters like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Age of Empires IV, with a one-month subscription to Game Pass, including EA Play. This subscription ensures a constantly updated library with titles such as Back 4 Blood, Battlefield V, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and more.

Graphics are powered by a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, delivering top-tier performance for the most demanding games. The 16-inch QHD+ display (2560 x 1600) features a 16:10 aspect ratio, 240Hz refresh rate, Mini-LED anti-glare technology, ROG Nebula HDR, and an impressive brightness of 1100 nits. It boasts a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Pantone validation for exceptional visual quality.

The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 also includes a backlit chiclet keyboard with per-key RGB lighting, allowing for personalized and immersive gaming experiences. This combination of advanced hardware and software makes the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 a top choice for serious gamers seeking a powerful and versatile laptop.

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