A review of the best gaming laptops of 2023
Gaming laptops have come a long way in recent years, with more powerful components crammed into ever more portable designs.
There are a lot of great options to choose from in 2023. After extensive research, here are the best gaming laptops recommendations across various categories.
In Short
- Stands out as the best overall gaming laptop currently available.
- Excellent performance from high-end components like Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU and Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics.
- Has a slim, 16-inch chassis weighing just 6 lbs for good portability.
- 16:10 QHD+ screen is vibrant and immersive.
- Avoids the steep price premiums of many new RTX 4000 gaming laptops.
- Beats more expensive rivals like the Razer Blade 16 with RTX 4090 graphics in gaming performance.
- Runs quietly thanks to Lenovo’s balanced power delivery.
- Very well-balanced machine overall.
- Main limitations are average battery life and good but not stunning visuals from the screen.
- Still the best mix of power, price, and portability in a gaming laptop today.
- The Gigabyte G5 2023 model is recommended for strong 1080p gaming performance at a wallet-friendly price.
- Featuring an Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4050 GPU in last year’s chassis design, the laptop offers powerful gaming capabilities.
- Priced under $900, the G5 provides excellent gaming performance without breaking the bank.
- The RTX 4060, running at a full 75W, delivers outstanding frame rates for its price range, outperforming competing entry-level RTX 4000 laptops.
- While gaming, users may experience louder fan noise, which is a trade-off for the laptop’s performance.
- The laptop comes with a lack of storage space out of the box, requiring users to consider additional storage options.
- The G5 boasts a solid build, featuring a sleek chassis and a bright 1080p 144Hz screen for an enhanced gaming experience.
- The laptop is easy to upgrade, allowing users to customize and improve its performance as needed.
- Considering the affordable price, high gaming performance, and reputable brand, the Gigabyte G5 offers excellent value for those seeking affordable big-name gaming power.
- The top choice for a premium 15-inch gaming laptop.
- Packs desktop-level gaming power into a stunning 0.7-inch thick aluminum chassis weighing just 4.4 lbs.
- Can be configured with up to Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and Nvidia RTX 40-series graphics.
- Display options up to an ultra-fast 360Hz 1080p or 240Hz 1440p screen.
- Per-key RGB lighting provides an immersive experience.
- Build quality is unmatched and battery life impressive for the performance.
- Slim design can throttle max performance, especially on high-end configs.
- Razer charges a premium price, putting it out of reach for budget buyers.
- The ideal choice if you want a MacBook-like design with gaming-workstation power.
- The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is designed for on-the-go gaming, offering a powerful performance in a highly portable 14-inch magnesium alloy chassis that weighs only 3.8 pounds.
- The latest 2023 model is equipped with AMD’s impressive Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and can be configured with up to an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, providing a potent combination for gaming enthusiasts.
- The laptop’s super portable design makes it convenient for users who prioritize mobility, and its lightweight nature at 3.8 pounds adds to its portability.
- The Zephyrus G14 features a 165Hz QHD display, offering a high refresh rate and resolution for an enhanced gaming experience.
- While the high-end RTX 4090 configuration is available, it may not be fully utilized by the G14. Opting for more reasonably equipped models, such as those with the RTX 4060, strikes a better balance, providing impressive 1080p gaming speeds.
- Despite its gaming capabilities, the laptop offers real-world battery life of 9+ hours, making it suitable for extended usage on the go.
- The keyboard is designed for comfort, featuring well-spaced keys that enhance the overall typing and gaming experience.
- The new Nebula HDR mini LED display option sets the G14 apart visually, offering a stunning visual experience that surpasses competitors.
- If you seek serious gaming power in a supremely portable package, the 2023 Zephyrus G14 stands out as an excellent choice. However, it’s advised not to overspec the graphics for optimal performance.
- The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is a powerhouse gaming laptop that makes no compromises in delivering maximum-specs gaming performance.
- The latest 2023 Scar 17 model is equipped with AMD’s impressive 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU, paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU and a remarkable 240Hz QHD screen, establishing it as one of the most powerful gaming laptops available.
- The combination of the Ryzen CPU and RTX 4090 GPU results in exceptional frame rates, enabling the Scar 17 to outperform significantly more expensive competitors. Asus prioritizes performance over aesthetics.
- It stands out as the only laptop currently offering AMD’s special Ryzen 9 7945HX3D version with extra cache, enhancing gaming speed.
- Asus emphasizes performance over aesthetics, contributing to the laptop’s ability to outperform competitors in demanding titles.
- Downsides include a poor battery life of around 1 hour while gaming, loud fans, and questionable ergonomics.
- The Scar 17 is positioned as a 17-inch desktop replacement, catering to users who prioritize no-limits gaming power.
- The Scar 17 offers outstanding gaming performance at its price point, making it a compelling choice for those seeking maximum gaming capabilities in a larger form factor.
Overall Best Gaming Laptop: Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i stands out as the overall best gaming laptop available now. It combines excellent performance with a grown-up, non-flashy aesthetic and a reasonable price given the high-end components inside.
Specifically, the Legion Pro 7i model with the Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU, Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD offers desktop-like gaming speeds in a slim 16-inch chassis weighing just 6 pounds. The 16:10 QHD+ screen is vibrant and immersive. Lenovo also avoided the extreme price premiums we’re seeing on many new RTX 4000 laptops.
Gaming performance beats out even more expensive rivals like the Razer Blade 16 with RTX 4090 graphics. The Legion Pro 7i runs quietly too thanks to Lenovo’s focus on balanced power delivery. Really an exceptionally well-balanced machine.
The main drawbacks are merely average battery life and a screen that, while great, lacks the visual pop of mini LED options. But overall the Legion Pro 7i is the best mix of power, price, and portability in a gaming laptop today.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop: Gigabyte G5
If you want strong 1080p gaming performance at a wallet-friendly price, the Gigabyte G5 2023 model is my top recommendation. By putting an Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4050 GPU into last year’s chassis design, Gigabyte created an under $900 gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp on power.
The RTX 4060 in particular delivers outstanding frame rates for the price. Gigabyte allows it to run at a full 75W, higher than competing entry-level RTX 4000 laptops like the MSI Cyborg 15. This allows it to outperform even laptops with superior CPUs in gaming tests.
You’ll have to live with louder fans when gaming and a lack of storage space out of the box. But the G5 otherwise feels very solid, with a nice bright 1080p 144Hz screen, sleek chassis, and easy upgradability. For affordable big-name gaming power, it’s hard to beat the G5’s value.
Top 15-Inch Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 15
Configurations are available with up to an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and Nvidia RTX 40-series graphics, up to a blazing fast 360Hz 1080p or 240Hz 1440p display, and immersive per-key RGB lighting. Build quality is unmatched and battery life impressive for such powerful specs.
The main limitations come from the slim design itself. Heat throttling can impact max performance, especially on higher-end configs. And of course, Razer charges a premium for this level of craftsmanship, putting the Blade 15 out of reach for budget buyers. But if you want a true gaming-workhorse in a MacBook-esque shell, the Blade 15 is hard to beat.
Best 14-Inch Gaming Laptop: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
For gaming on the go, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 packs a punch into a super portable 14-inch magnesium alloy chassis weighing just 3.8 pounds. The latest 2023 model pairs AMD’s stellar new Ryzen 9 7940HS processor with up to an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU and 165Hz QHD display.
Ignore that high-end RTX 4090 config though—the G14 can’t fully handle it. More reasonably equipped models like those with the RTX 4060 strike the right balance, delivering awesome 1080p gaming speeds from a compact 3.8 pound laptop with 9+ hours of real world battery life.
The keyboard is comfortable with well-spaced keys and the new Nebula HDR mini LED display option blows away competitors visually. If you want serious gaming power in a supremely portable package, the 2023 Zephyrus G14 is an outstanding choice. Just don’t overspec the graphics.
Best 17-Inch Gaming Laptop: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the hulking Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 delivers no compromises max-specs gaming power. The latest 2023 Scar 17 model pairs AMD’s phenomenal new 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU and up to a 240Hz QHD screen, creating one of the most outrageously powerful gaming laptops available.
With this combo, frame rates in demanding titles soar. The Scar 17 can outperform even vastly more expensive competitors, thanks in part to Asus’ focus on performance over aesthetics. It’s also the only laptop currently offering AMD’s special Ryzen 9 7945HX3D version with extra cache for added gaming speed.
Downsides are poor battery life of around 1 hour while gaming, loud fans, and questionable ergonomics. But if your priority is no-limits gaming power in a 17-inch desktop replacement under $3500, nothing beats the Scar 17’s performance at its price point right now.
Conclusion
In closing, there are a lot of great gaming laptop options in 2023. Focus on finding the right balance of performance, price, and portability to suit your specific needs. I hope these detailed breakdowns of some of the top contenders across various categories helps summarize what to look for and consider when purchasing a new high-end gaming laptop this year. Let me know if you have any other questions!