The best gaming laptops you can buy, always up to date with the latest hardware configurations.
In preparation for the highly anticipated launch of Far Cry 5 on March 27, it’s not only necessary, but essential, to have only the best system for paying your 20-to-30-hour visit to Hope County. Of course, we’re talking about PC. While graphics aren’t everything in the realm of gaming, portability has spawned a newfound popularity as a result of the success of the Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, a critically-acclaimed lineup of gaming laptops has gone unnoticed.
These mobile monsters are designed from the ground up to deliver an experience that’s better than a PlayStation or Xbox while also bearing reasonable price tags relative to performance. The Razer Blade, for example, is barely over half an inch thick despite being more powerful than an Xbox One X. Better yet, it’s compatible with an endless library of legacy titles on Steam and Origin in addition to new releases. That means that you can use a gaming laptop to play Metal Gear Survive or you can use it to play something better like the original Dead Space.
So, whether you’re in dire need of a laptop that’s as qualified for work as it is play, or you’re in the market for a setup dedicated to gaming and streaming, we have exactly the recommendations that you crave. As we’ve tested, reviewed and subsequently ranked every gaming laptop on this list, we hope to provide trustworthy recommendations that promote the very best gaming laptops with the best value overall.
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501
Under an inch thick and still kicking ass
CPU: Intel Core i7| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070| RAM: 24GB| Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) anti-glare, wide-view 120Hz panel with G-Sync| Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
Astonishingly powerful
Innovative and quiet cooling
Laughable battery life
Poor keyboard and ergonomics
It’s almost as if Asus has initiated a new laptop category of its own with the Zephyrus GX501. That’s because, with the help of Nvidia’s Max-Q technology, the Republic of Gamers has crafted a hardy gaming notebook that measures no thicker than an Ultrabook. In fact, the only area wherein it’s not Ultrabook-esque is the battery, which struggles to attain a consecutive lifespan beyond two hours.
Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501
Buy now from AED 8,999
2. Razer Blade
A gaming-ready MacBook Pro rival
CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5 VRAM)| RAM: 16GB| Screen: 14-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) IGZO (LED backlit, multi-touch)| Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD
Impressive battery life
4K display option
Fans whir loudly under load
Limited upgrade options
For many gamers, Ultrabook is a four-letter word, but it doesn’t have to be. The first time you get your hands on a Razer Blade, you’ll be looking at a battery life of 7 and a half hours of non-stop video. While you could argue it does skimp as far as graphics are concerned, with the help of a Razer Core external GPU enclosure, you can strap an Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti to this thing down the road if you want. Plus, with the newly added 4K screen option, you may actually need it.
Read the full review: Razer Blade
Price: Starts at AED 4,700
3. MSI GE63VR 7RF
Speak softly and carry a big chroma keyboard
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 i7-7700HQ| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070| Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080)| Storage: 256GB PCie SSD, 1TB HDD
Ace thermal management
Per-key customization
Relatively light weight
Poor performance for price
What battery?
The MSI GE63VR is a gamer through and through, with all the racing stripes, chromatic keys and pixels you want. But, unlike most gaming laptops, it’s quiet, light and cool.
Read our hands-on preview: MSI GE63VR
Buy now from Let’s Tango at AED 8,818
4. Alienware 13 R3
Gawk at the first-ever OLED gaming laptop
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060| RAM: 8GB – 16GB DDR4| Screen: 13.3-inch HD 1,366 x 768 TN – QHD 2,560 x 1440 OLED touchscreen| Storage: 180GB – 512GB SSD
Gorgeous OLED screen
Improved hinge-forward design
Unexpectedly dense
Short battery life
Unlike most laptops its size, the Alienware 13 R3 bears a hinge-forward design. By moving the heat sinks behind the screen, the chassis is allowed to be thinner, at 0.81-inch (0.22cm). Unfortunately, this means you won’t find many 13-inch laptop bags that will actually suit the Alienware 13 R3. While you may be tempted by the inclusion of a full-size Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, it’s the OLED touch display that caught our attention.
Read the full review: Alienware 13 R3
Price: Starts at AED 5,300
5. Razer Blade Pro
Finally, a desktop replacement with portability in mind
CPU: Intel Core i7| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5) – 1080 (8GB GDDR5X)| RAM: 16 – 32GB| Screen: 17.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) 120Hz matte IPS – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IGZO touchscreen with G-Sync| Storage: 512GB – 2TB PCIe SSD
Starboard trackpad placement
A desktop experience you can finally carry
Off-putting price
Less than 5 hours of battery life
At long last, Razer has introduced a true desktop replacement that won’t weigh you down. Measuring in at only 0.88 inches thick with the option between a 17-inch 1080p display running at 120Hz or a G-Sync-laden 4K touchscreen, the Razer Blade Pro also introduces the company’s ultra-low-profile mechanical switches to a notebook for the first time ever. That’s a deal that’s only sweetened by an unusual trackpad placement that makes it comfier to boot.
Read the full review: Razer Blade Pro
Price: Starts at AED 10,500
6. Asus ROG G752VS
A hefty, punchy mobile PC gaming powerhouse
CPU: Intel Core i7| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070| RAM: 32GB DDR4| Screen: 17.3-inch Ultra HD 3840×2160| Storage: 1TB HDD
Top-end specs and performance
G-Sync tech for smooth play
Very weighty machine
Poor battery life
No 4K screen
If you’re looking for an all-out gaming laptop to replace an aging desktop PC, you could do little better than the Asus ROG G752. With top-end specs, impressive build quality and stand-out looks on offer, there are few alternatives that offer quite so much power for the price. While there are slimmer and slightly more powerful alternatives available if money is no object, the G752 offers an awful lot for the money.
Read the full review: Asus ROG G752
Buy now from Let’s Tango at AED 12,499
7. Acer Predator 17 X
A monster gaming notebook that’s almost ready for 4K
CPU: Intel Core i7| Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M| RAM: 32GB DDR4 Dual Channel| Screen: 17.3-inch 4K UHD screen, 3,840 x 2160, with Nvidia G-Sync| Storage: 256GB SSD – 1TBHDD
Loaded to the max with features
4K resolution G-sync screen
Relatively quiet cooling fans
High price for last gen video card
Annoyingly loud power-on sound
When considering a high-end gaming notebook, you need to look at performance, features and style. Acer has all those bases covered, and even though it’s pricey for a notebook that’s still using a previous generation video card, all the packed-in features — including the 4K screen, an SSD and hard drive combo, and booming sound system — make it worthwhile.
