A gaming laptop is a luxury, but our best gaming laptop round-up will ensure you only buy one that's worth the money. We've reviewed dozens of machines to choose our list and there's something for everyone here.
Gaming laptops are great for playing games, but there's more to them than that. Their power makes them ideal for heavy-duty computing problems like editing video. Big, bright and colourful screens make them great for watching films, too.
However, unlike traditional laptops where size, weight, heat and noise are key factors when considering what to buy, gaming laptops are all about performance and value for money.
Since they’re laptops, they’re also portable, though only in the loosest sense. Even the most attractive, well-built gaming laptops are usually monsters – chunky, heavy and created with marathon gaming sessions in mind.
We’ve reviewed dozens of great gaming notebooks to help you decide which one’s best for you. They’re expensive, though, so before you decide to part with a sizeable wad of cash it’s worth considering what you’re looking for in a gaming laptop.
Laptops are on the rise again thanks toWindows 10's arrival, Nivida's efficient Maxwell graphics cards, and fresh newSkylakeprocessors from Intel. Notebooks once thought to be replaced by tablets are more plentiful and diverse than ever between gaming laptops that hook up to liquid-coolers, thin and lightUltrabooksto incredibly affordableChromebooks. Even Microsoft has gotten into the game with theSurface Book, the company's first ever laptop.
With so many options to choose from, picking the best laptop for your needs is more important than ever. Those who crave fast boot up times and a lightweight machine to carry might drool over an Ultrabook. Serious gamers will gravitate towards gaming laptops tailored to their processing and graphical needs, meanwhile those after flexibility might fancy a convertible laptop-tablet hybrid.
It might seem overwhelming at first – what with all of the available choices – but we're here to help you find the best laptop for you. Believe us when we say that there is a perfect laptop out there for you. With this guide, you'll find the absolutely best machines.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is bar none, the best laptop you can buy today. It features an revolutionary design that's astonishingly thin and light laptop. Fitting a 13.3-inch screen into a 11-inch laptop frame is no small feat, however, Dell has pulled off a miracle creating a nearly borderless Infinity display. It's a powerful and powerful and long lasting machine even by today's Ultrabook standards. The XPS 13 comes outfitted with Intel's latest Skylake processors plus lighting quick storage and memory, all while coming in at a very affordable starting price. For these reasons, it easily takes the top slot as the best Ultrabook, the best Windows laptop and the best overall laptop.
Offering a basic model and a touchscreen version, the Dell XPS 13 is one of the best ultrabooks out there for its price. Both models are very lightweight and have a beautiful 3,200 x 1,800 display.
Dell claims that the battery can last up to 15 hours, an impressive length of time. The performance of the machines is stellar, with its 2.2GHz Intel Core CPU and 8 gigabytes of RAM. Especially nice is that the cost of the machine is on the lower end, especially for ultrabooks of its calibre.
Lenovo LaVie Z Ultrabook
This product has the distinction of being the lightest ultrabook in the world, but it’s also a very, very good computer. The display is a powerful 2560 x 1440. It’s a strong performer with a 2.40GHz Intel Core and 8 GB of RAM.
The lack of a touchscreen and its shorter max nine hours of battery life are the biggest things standing in the way of perfection, but the Lenovo LaVie Z is certainly a fine piece of machinery in its own right.
Asus ZenBook UX305 Ultrabook
This Asus ultrabook needs to be consider with one thing in particular in mind: its low price. The starting model of a ZenBook is a pithy $629. That obviously means, though, that you’ll have to sacrifice in performance and many other features.
Its resolution isn’t high, it doesn’t have a touchscreen, its battery life is only up to 8-10 hours… all that shouldn’t necessarily discount it, though, given that its a solid machine for its price. If you’re on a budget, this might be the best ultrabook you can find. We’re giving this our award for best ultrabook for the money.
4. Macbook Air
The Ultrabook branding started as a way to compete with this device, but it feels wrong not to include the still very relevant MacBook Air in a discussion about the category of computer that it revolutionized. While it doesn’t have a touch screen option and the screen isn’t HD, the MacBook Air has the benefit of being the most tested model, given that it was the first of its kind, and both its hardware and software are dependable.
If the OS X operating system and the other downsides mentioned above aren’t deal breakers, then the MacBook Air should absolutely be under consideration. And, for as low $899, even those “deal breakers” might stop feeling like such big obstacles to get past. This gets our award for best ultrabook under $1000.
5. Microsoft Surface Book Ultrabook
Thanks to a detachable touchscreen and slim form factor, the Surface Book is a top pick.
The monster in the ultrabook category, the recently released Microsoft Surface Books the priciest laptop on this list, but its cost might be validated by its impressive features. It’s one of the best performers out there with a 2.4GHz Intel Core and 8 GB of RAM It has a gorgeous 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense display.
The detachable tablet might be the best in its class. Downsides include the shorter battery life (especially without the keyboard), the heavier weight and of course the massive price point (starting at $1499). But if you have cash to spend, this device definitely needs to be under your consideration.
Updated: If you're looking for desktop-level performance, newly minted Origin EON17-SLX brings the heat in a (huge) laptop-sized package.
You don't even need to tell us what happened when you told your friends that you want to buy a gaming laptop. Their inner elitist got the best of them, and bashed you for not just building an outright gaming desktop. But we get you. Building a gaming PC takes knowledge and dexterity that you just don't have or care to develop.
That's where the gaming laptop shines, as a fast lane to PC gaming. No need to build a case or even buy a monitor. Of course, that convenience usually comes with a hefty price tag. Most vendors start their asking prices at around $1,400 (about £900, AU$1,900) for 13 and 14-inch products, whereas the biggest and beefiest 17 and 18-inch models can skyrocket upwards of $3,000 (around £1,900, AU$4,000).
If you're ready to accept that a gaming laptop will almost never be as affordable or offer the same level of performance as a comparably-priced gaming desktop, then your decision is already made. But again, the gaming notebook is a device of convenience and portability over raw power. Without further ado, here are our favorite gaming laptops that we've reviewed thus far.
1. Origin EON15-X
A desktop-grade CPU in an unbeatable gaming laptop
CPU: 4GHz Intel Core i7-4790K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M (8GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 LED Backlit Matte Display | Storage: 240GB SSD; 1TB HDD (5,400 rpm) | Connectivity: Intel PRO Wireless AC 7265 + Bluetooth Wireless LAN Combo | Camera:2MP Video Camera | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Dimensions: 15.2 x 10.31 x 1.40 inches (W x D x H)
+ Great value
+ Desktop-grade performance
+ Razor thin viewing angles
The Origin EON15-X is a real head turner. It packs a desktop processor into a fairly compact 15.6-inch laptop that, while smaller, offers even more performance compared to other, bigger hardcore gaming rigs. This extra CPU power is handy for users who need to edit video and other processor intensive tasks that a mobile chip can't handle. You'll also get an extra kick of performance in no matter what game you're running. This machine is definitely worth consideration over all others.
Laptops are made for computing on the go. Perfect for everything from typing up documents to gaming and editing photos, there’s a laptop to suit every need and budget.
Whether you already know what you’re looking for or just want to learn about what features are right for you, explore our range to find a laptop with the perfect mixture of performance, price and design.
If you aren’t sure where to start, we have some handy tips on what to look out for when choosing a new laptop. If you’re still stuck, check out our buying guide for more help.
Also, look out for ‘Our Experts Love’. These laptops have been chosen by our experts because they come with the most exciting new features, the latest technology and represent great value.
Windows Laptop
Our Windows range has something to suit any budget or need, including great-value laptops for families and powerful PCs for professionals.
Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops feature high-powered processors and dedicated graphics that enable them to run the latest PC games at their best, wherever you find yourself.
Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro looking for serious performance on the move, there’s a gaming laptop to suit your budget and demands.
However, unlike traditional laptops where size, weight, heat and noise are key factors when considering what to buy, gaming laptops are all about performance and value for money.
