Do you think a gaming laptop is a bulky device, which screams monstrously under load and is hard to carry? Well, then it’s time we redefine the characteristics of the best gaming laptop, because, news alert guys, times have changed for the better and so did the gaming laptops! Gone are the days when even the laptops caused inconvenience to the gamers but now their characteristics have been tamed to rival the powerful desktops. Let us introduce you to the best gaming laptops of 2019, which are not only sleek and powerful but also look fancy to the eye!
However, before we give you the reviews, do not confuse a gaming notebook with a normal one.
Gaming Laptops vs Ordinary Laptops
If you are a gamer, does that mean you need to have an additional laptop other than the gaming notebook, in order to do your everyday work? That is a very valid question and one that bothers most newbies to the gaming field. What you need to understand is the fact that gaming or ordinary, all laptops have common specifications. The gaming machines are just better when it comes to GPU, RAM, VRAM, and CPU speed. They also have an efficient heat management system, so you do not burn your palms while playing.
The normal graphics card, which usually works well for ordinary laptops, may not work for gaming. It requires a dedicated graphics card. Some laptops come with even two cards to make the gaming experience even better. Moreover, gaming computers require a vibrant and larger display screen for an immersive experience. However, for an ordinary PC, the stability between its size, weight, and resolution holds much more importance. Moreover, gaming laptops require a larger battery to cater to dual fans and GPU. For a quick comparison, see the table below:
Our experts have tested different notebooks for reliability and quality since your satisfaction is our major concern!
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Gaming
Discrete GPU, powerful quad-core CPU such as Intel i7 6820hk with higher clock frequencies, big RAM, two powerful fans, large vents, powerful battery, backlit keyboard, 2k or 4k display
Ordinary
Small fan, compact design, low RAM, small battery, normal processing speed, integrated graphics
Top 8 Gaming Laptop Reviews
Here are GamesEverytime’s recommendations for the best laptop for gaming.
When it comes to pure power, nothing comes close to the Area 51m. Alienware’s new laptop is quite possibly the most powerful stock gaming laptop ever made. The performance is simply mind boggling, and few machines can compete. The entire look of the machine is very aesthetically pleasing as well.
Given the name, the laptop was always going to have an extra-terrestrial feel. The machine definitely looks like a space station up close. The white keyboard chasis helps give it a very premium feel as well. The only major issue with the laptop is the exorbitant price. However, if money isn’t a problem then the Area 51m is quite easily the most powerful gaming laptop on the market.
Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i7-9700 – i9-9900K
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 – 2080
- RAM: 16GB – 64GB
- Screen: 3” FHD (1920 x 1080) 60Hz Anti-Glare IPS – 144HZ IPS NVIDIA G-SYNC
- Storage: 1TB SSHD – 2TB RAID0 SSDs + 1TB SSHD
- Battery: Lithium Ion(90 Wh) Battery (Standard)
- Dimensions: 1 x 15.9 x 1.1 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
Pros
- Brilliant Aesthetic
- Super powerful
- VR compatible
- Incredible Keyboard
Cons
- Pricing
- Fans can get loud
The Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model doesn’t differ much from the one that came out in 2018. It just has a few more new tweaks that make the machine perform even better. The body and aesthetic are exactly the same. You get the same high-quality build and familiar Razer aesthetic.
The new Nvidia graphics card is incredibly powerful as well. It allows the laptop to absolutely blaze through modern video game titles. Furthermore, the battery life is equally impressive. Most gaming machines have a low battery life due to the extensive power. However, the Razer Blade can manage up to 5 hours of batter while gaming.
Additionally, the laptop also feels equally at home as conventional laptop. The trackpad is the only one in existence that runs windows and is similar to a Macbook. The only thing holding the product back is the lack of aesthetic innovation.
Razer could definitely have taken the top spot on this list, if only they decided to reinvent the look of the laptop as well. For now, it remains a missed opportunity.
Specs
- CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H(2.2GHz-4.1GHz)
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- RAM: 16GB
- Screen: 6” inch Full GD 144Hz
- Storage:512GB SSD
- Battery: Lithium Ion (60Wh–80Wh)
- Dimensions: 98 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches
- Weight: 56 pounds
Pros
- Top of class build quality
- Brilliant for everyday use
- Decent Battery
Cons
- Same design
- No longer innovative
The Legion series is responsible for putting Lenovo on the gaming industry map. However, Lenovo’s dedication towards providing the highest quality hardware at the best value price is also responsible.
The Legion Y740 follows their pattern perfectly. It offers the best quality hardware that provides you with top quality gaming performance. Furthermore, the price is incredibly competitive as well. The overall design of the laptop is done well. However, it does look like it belongs to an older generation of laptops.
While most people, will predominantly use the laptop for gaming, the trackpad is certainly disappointing. It’s small to the point where it becomes very annoying to use. However, it’s very hard to fault this laptop for gaming performance.
While it’s not on the same level as the most powerful laptops out there, it offers very high-quality performance. You can easily play through modern titles on high settings. Certain titles will definitely reach 60fps with the use of some sliders.
Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i7- 8750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q
- RAM: 16GB
- Screen: 3” inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS 144Hz
- Storage: 1TB HDD; 256GB SSD
- Battery: Lithium Ion 76Wh
- Dimensions: 12 x 16.2 x 0.91
- Weight: 4 pounds
Pros
- Quality Hardware
- Competitive pricing
- Brilliant Video and Audio
Cons
- Tiny touchpad
- Older generation aesthetic
The Predator Triton is a solid 2019 gaming laptop release. The laptop is essentially a jack of all trades. It’s portable, powerful, and has a decent design. However, it’s not exceptional in any of these categories. It’s still a very decent laptop to purchase.
Furthermore, the laptop is available in a brilliant range of prices as well. Depending on the internal specs you choose, you can also improve certain features. The laptop is properly capable of playing through modern titles. If you opt for the latest graphics card, you’ll definitely get a high-quality gaming experience.
One of the most annoying things about the laptop is the horrifying boot-up sound. If you’re ever going to turn the laptop on in public, you’re certain to attract some puzzled looks. Additionally, the battery life isn’t up to the mark you’d want.
Aside from a few hiccups, the triton 500 is definitely a solid 2019 gaming laptop.
Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q
- RAM: 16GB
- Screen: 6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS 144Hz
- Storage: 512GB
- Battery: Lithium ion 84Wh
- Dimensions: 10 x 14.41 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 41 pounds
Pros
- Attractive pricing
- Portable design
- Comfy keyboard
Cons
- Startling boot-up noise
- Weak battery life
MSI are known for building some of the best gaming laptops we’ve ever seen. They also take into consideration all the people who can’t afford the most expensive laptops. The GL64 8RC is one of the best budget laptops you can buy in 2019.
For anyone looking to maybe get into gaming laptops at first, or on a tight budget this laptop is perfect. It will fulfill most of your gaming needs. You’ll even be able to play certain modern titles on medium-low settings. Relative to the laptops in the same price range, its performance is head and shoulders above.
Specs
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8300H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- RAM: 8GB
- Screen: 15.6” inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
- Storage: 1 TB HDD
- Battery: 3-cell 41 Whr
- Dimensions: 15.07 x 10.24 x 1.14 inches
Pros
- Budget pricing
- Decent performance
- Easily upgradable
Cons
- Frames drop once it’s unplugged
After the success of Alienware Area 51 and space-compressing Alienware Aurora R5, the space age computing firm introduced Alienware 17 R5. The laptop features an unchanged hinge-forward design as well as a 17-inch screen. However, it does not get any thicker in width in order to fit in the two extra processor cores that the laptop is equipped with – an Intel Core i7-8750H and a factory overclocked Nvidia GTX 1060. The Alienware laptop also features a full HD IPS screen display and a 1 TB hybrid hard drive. All these specifications make it the best gaming laptop under $1500.
With a 2.99 cm thick chassis that measures 33.2 cm in depth, the laptop weighs 4.42 kg. Because of these dimensions, you might find it difficult to carry around this premium device for too long. This is the reason it is advertised more as a desktop replacement gaming system.
- CPU: 2.9GHz Intel Core i9-8950HK (hexa-core, 12MB cache, up to 4.8GHz)
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 OC (8GB GDDR5X)
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- Screen: 17.3-inch, QHD (2,560 x 1,440) 120Hz G-Sync
- Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD, 1TB HDD
- Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C 3.0, 1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), HDMI, mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, headphone jack, microphone jack,
- Connectivity: Killer 1550 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
- Camera: Alienware FHD camera, Tobii IR Eye-tracking with Windows Hello
- Weight: 9.74 pounds (4.42 kg)
Pros
- Unique hinge-forward design
- Excellent graphical performance
- Amazing 17-inch display
- Good battery life
Cons
- Heavy, almost 10 pounds in weight
- Squared body proportions
The Acer Predator Helios 500 is designed with durability in mind. The best gaming laptop from Acer has a strong chassis with a matte surface that is not dirtied by greasy fingerprints easily. The laptop also comes with a number of ports, which allow you to connect it to three additional displays along with the laptop’s own 17.3-inch screen at any given time. Additionally, the Predator Helios 500 is equipped with 2 aeroblade 3D fans, 5 heat pipes, 4 exhausts, and 2 intakes, which allow for better air circulation. This means you can have prolonged intense gaming sessions without complaining about overheating. The keyboard also comes with individually backlit keys, adding a premium look to the Predator Helios 500.
On the downside, the Acer Predator Helios 500 is not a portable laptop because of its weight and size. It also has mediocre built-in speakers.
- CPU: 90GHz Intel Core i9-8950HK (hexa-core, 12MB cache, up to 4.8GHz)
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB GDDR5); Intel UHD Graphics 630
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Screen: 3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) 16:9 IPS (144Hz refresh rate)
- Storage: 512GB SSD, 2TB HDD
- Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x USB 2.0, 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0, RJ-45 Ethernet, DisplayPort, Mic-In jack, 3.5mm headphone jack, Kensington Lock
- Connectivity: IEEE 802.11AC Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0
- Camera: HD webcam (1,280 x 720)
- Weight: 82 pounds (4kg)
Pros
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Configurable fans
- Easily adjustable CPU and GPU
- Excellent gaming performance
- Durable designing and upgrades
Cons
- Inefficient trackpad
- Low battery life
- Speakers are below average
If you are looking for the laptop under $800, we feel the Inspiron 7000 series is a good bet. Gamers who have too little budget like $600 can go for Acer Aspire E 15 but they have to compromise on the speed.
In just $799, you get 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 graphics memory, 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Display, 2 tuned speakers plus 1 subwoofer; audio processing by Waves MaxxAudio® Pro, Dual drives with 256GB Solid State Drive + 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive and Integrated Widescreen HD (720p) Webcam with Dual Array Digital Microphone.
Of course, you will not be able to run graphics intensive games and venture into virtual reality realm but you get what you pay for. Mind it, it is not very sleek and portable with 6.61 pounds of weight, so you will not feel very comfortable carrying it for long.
On the positive side, it has a revolutionary cooling design to beat the heat and impressive sound. The memory can be upgraded to 32GB and the 74 WHr battery is not bad either.
- CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 2400MHZ
- Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080)
- Storage: 256GB SATA SSD
- Battery: 6-cell 74 Whr
- Dimensions: 10.82 x 15.15 x 1.00 inches
- Weight: 6.61 lbs
Pros
- Excellent for less-demanding games
- Good battery time of 4 hours
Cons
- Not very powerful
- The construction material looks cheap
What is the Perfect Gaming Laptop?
So how would you decide which the A-1 laptop for gaming is? I know that is a tricky question and one that is bothering you! Easy guys, decisions like these are better not to make in haste! Frankly, it depends a lot on the type of gamer you are. Are you a beginner, who is starting it for fun? Better go for a solid, mid-range, portable machine!
Do you rather find yourself knee deep in the gaming world? It means you would be anywhere between an intermediate and expert gamer. In such a case, you would require a laptop with good CPU, GPU, RAM, and battery.
Still did not get it? Well, that is probably because you are not aware of the kind of specs you should be looking at. Let us take a look at each specification and identify which is best for you.
How We Tested
Time to shift our focus on how we determined the best gaming laptop in 2019. Well, we have our very expert team to vouch for it, and a number of tests followed by a set of synthetic benchmarks to determine which one will suit the users best.
These tests were run on high graphics quality of 1080p during which a loop of ten minutes of web browsing followed by five minutes of playing videos was carried out. Our expert team determined the battery life, heat, noise, graphics, processing for each laptop. Multiple games were played for hours to check the speakers, the display and the keyboard in order to get a feel for the trackpad.
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Gaming Laptop Buying Guide
CPU (Computer Processing Unit)
The CPU is the brain of your computer and unlike your brain the bigger it is, the faster! Go for a quad-core or hexacore but choose the generation as per your budget. The latest 8th Generation is very expensive, so try anything from 6th Gen to 7th Gen with at least Core i5 processor. The Intel i3 core is out of the question.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
To run a game smoothly, your GPU must be top class. All modern games require at least Nvidia GeForce GTX 10-series GPU. In order to get the most out of your GPU, you would need to combine it with a good CPU as well as a bigger RAM. Conversely, you can have a discrete GPU, with its own memory called the V-Ram. This is specifically needed for expert gamers, the ones who are genuinely married to their laptop screens!
You need to be very careful when deciding about the GPU since you cannot upgrade it later. If you do not really want to play at the highest settings and would rather go for an entry-level gaming experience, go for GTX 1050 or somewhat better GTX 1050 Ti.
We recommend the GTX 1060 for mainstream gaming. This is also the minimum you should get for virtual reality games on Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. For highest settings and VR, get the Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070. To get the best playing experience, opt for the most powerful GTX 1080. Mind it; it would definitely go heavy on your pockets!
RAM
RAM basically dictates how many tasks you can do on your laptop at the same time. Gaming, which is widely dependent on the amount of RAM you have, generally requires at least 8GB, even for average productivity. If you are a pro at gaming and play games that are graphics intensive, you would need a higher RAM. 16GB is normally ideal for high productivity tasks.
Oh and in case, you are low on budget or you have already bought your laptop with a low RAM, there is absolutely no need to panic. You can even consider upgrading your RAM later.
Storage
We have all been through the struggle of emptying our drives to save memory in order to add more things to it. But as you are buying a gaming notebook, try not to compromise on the storage. Get a good HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in addition to an SSD (Solid State Drive). We suggest getting an HDD of at least 2TB with a 128GB of SSD for decreased loading times. If you have a tight budget and want the best cheap gaming laptop, ignore the SSD because it will not be cheap.
Display
The display is an important factor while considering the best gaming laptop for the money. When we talk about the display, we can never compromise on size and resolution. What is the use of a high storage, good GPU and an amazing RAM, when you view it on a laptop with a resolution less than 1920×1080? Consider 2560×1440 resolution with GTX 1070 GPU.
Oh and the screen size! Remember the fact that viewing a movie in the cinema is always more fun than watching it on your laptop screens! Therefore, screen size matters! However, the big screen would make your laptop heavier, so do not make a stupid decision! 16-17 inch laptops work ideally for most gamers because of a larger viewing screen as well as a powerful system since they have more room to fit in heat-management components. However, they can become a burden to carry along, hence making them less portable. They are extremely power hungry as well, so cannot be used unplugged for long.
Meanwhile, 13-14 inch screens are usually light and portable, whereas they lack higher-end components and are generally less powerful. Since they are lighter, weighing less than 5 pounds, they have a comparatively higher battery time.
The 15-inch screen is most common because it provides medium portability, weighing around 4.6 and 7.2 pounds. Moreover, they have a relatively good battery time, lasting for an average of 5 hours 50 minutes unplugged.
Therefore, the gaming laptop would depend on what you can compromise; portability, power or none.
Touch Screens are an absolute NO! They eat up your battery quickly and that is not a good idea considering the games you run on your laptop are going to make sure you have none to spare. In addition, the fact that they are totally unnecessary renders them absolutely useless. Other than that, they are expensive too!
You might not have heard of it but you can also choose between a glossy and matte display! Surprising isn’t it? Glossy displays provide vibrant colors, adding life to the virtual reality of games; however, they are susceptible to annoying glares. Matte ones combat the issue of glare rather nicely but they compromise on the quality of details and color.
Keyboard
Surprisingly, there are quite a number of things you need to consider while selecting the kind of keyboard to go with your choicest gaming laptop.
Primarily, check for key travel! Ideally, a depth of 2mm is optimum without being uncomfortable. The force required to push a key is also important, since sometimes the keys are too hard to be comfortably pushed, and at other times, they are too soft and mushy, slowing your response time. We have determined around 65 grams of force is ideal.
Customizable backlighting is another feature you can look at because who would not want a really cool and flashy sort of lighting to their keyboards. The best affordable gaming laptop may provide only red or white lighting. However, best ones render RGB backlighting. Some allow you to literally change the color to each key while others have several lighting zones. Some even let you change color as per the game you are playing.
Furthermore, look for keyboards with the anti-ghosting feature. It lets you press several buttons and at the same time, each one is registered. This comes especially handy in a situation when you have to use a combo move!
Speakers
Most gamers prefer using a nice headset but what if you lose them or they receive a damage? You would not want to wait to play until you get new ones; that is for sure. Therefore, you would have an edge over the situation if you had bought a laptop with good speakers. The MSI-exclusive, Nahimic audio software gives you the best sound experience, both for headphones as well as for speakers.
Bottom Line
Here is some advice from our side. While buying the greatest gaming laptop get Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 for standard Virtual Reality settings. For CPU, go for at least core i7 6th generation while the minimum RAM should be 16 GB for smooth gaming. The storage isn’t a big issue but more is better especially if you are into playing heavy games. For resolution and display, see what we have recommended above.
FAQs
Should I get a laptop with 1 TB HDD or 256 GB SSD?
If you are low on budget, we do not recommend SSD because it can be costly. For a gaming PC, we though recommend both SSD and HDD. Most systems today come with both, so getting both in one package is ideal.
Are gaming laptops good for programming?
Traditional or gaming notebooks, both are good for programming. For programming, you might need good RAM, processing speed and graphics card, and gaming notebooks excel in all these departments. Therefore, programming on a game machine is ideal.
Which laptop brand is best for gaming?
When it comes to the best of the best, unfortunately, we cannot name any specific brand. However, we do know that MSI, Acer, Alienware, Razer, Asus, HP, Gigabyte, Origin, and Dell are top brands. At least this is what the other sources say.