Deciding which gaming laptop to buy in 2023 can be tough without knowing what you’re looking for. And with new game releases and advancements in technology, the choice of gaming laptops has never been higher. PC games are also extremely diverse; it can be hard to know whether your gaming laptop will be able to handle the games you want to play. Generally speaking, laptops will benefit in portability and convenience, but be less powerful and adaptable. Check out our article detailing the differences between laptops and PCs.
When buying a gaming laptop, it can help to narrow down your choices by considering:
- Your maximum budget for a laptop
- The requirements of the games you want to play
- How up-to-date the laptop is
This might help you to eliminate certain laptop types from the plethora of choices. In this article, we will be taking a look at two varieties of gaming laptops: premium choices for those looking for an ultimate gaming experience, and budget options for those looking to make a small step into PC gaming in 2023 without dropping a huge amount of money.
Premium choices
1. Razer Blade 18
The Razer Blade 18 has only been available since February 1st 2023 – this is one of the newest and best laptops available on the market. A direct upgrade from the popular Razer Blade 17, the Razer Blade 18 is an impressive gaming laptop that packs some serious power under the hood. With an Intel i9-13950HX processor, 32GB of DDR5 5600MHz RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card, it’s capable of handling even the most demanding games and applications with ease. The 18-inch QHD+ 240Hz display is also a standout feature, offering stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.
In addition to its impressive specs, the Razer Blade 18 is also built to last, with a sturdy aluminium chassis that’s both durable and stylish. The laptop also includes a generous 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVME SSD for lightning-fast storage, making it a great choice for gamers who want to store all of their favourite games and media without having to worry about running out of space.
If money is no object, this laptop wins in almost every way.
2. MSI GS76 Stealth
The MSI GS76 Stealth is a powerful gaming laptop that offers excellent performance and features. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i9-11900H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, making it capable of handling the most demanding games. The laptop also features a 17.3-inch display with a 240Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for competitive gamers.
One of the standout features of the MSI GS76 Stealth is its cooling system. The laptop has a unique cooling system that uses six heat pipes and three fans to keep the laptop cool even during intense gaming sessions. The laptop also has a slim and sleek design, making it easy to carry around.
3. Alienware x17 R2
If there’s any list about premium gaming laptops, there has to be an Alienware laptop somewhere. While Alienware stuff is quite overpriced, it is usually high-quality.
The Alienware x17 R2 is a high-end gaming laptop that boasts impressive hardware specifications and sleek design. It features a 17.3-inch full HD display with a refresh rate of 480Hz and NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i9-12900HK processor, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games with ease.
In terms of build quality, the Alienware x17 R2 is top-notch, with a premium magnesium alloy chassis that looks and feels premium. The laptop’s keyboard and touchpad are also well-designed and provide a comfortable typing and gaming experience. Additionally, the laptop has an impressive selection of ports, including USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI 2.1, making it easy to connect to external displays and accessories.
Budget choices
1. ASUS ROG Strix G513RM
The ASUS ROG Strix G513RM 15.6″ WQHD 165Hz gaming laptop is an impressive gaming machine with a sleek design and powerful specs. The laptop features a 15.6-inch WQHD display with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, providing an immersive gaming experience. The laptop is equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, allowing for seamless gameplay and excellent performance.
The laptop’s RGB-backlit keyboard is comfortable to use, and the laptop’s audio quality is also impressive, thanks to its dual speakers and Hi-Res audio certification. The laptop also includes plenty of ports, including three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI 2.0b, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing users with a variety of connectivity options.
2. Acer Predator Triton 50 SE
The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is a powerful gaming laptop that offers excellent performance and features for a good price. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and Nvidia RTX 2070 Super graphics card. The laptop also features a 16-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for gamers who want a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
The laptop has RGB lighting on the keyboard as well as a durable and premium design, making it perfect for gamers who want a stylish laptop that can also withstand the rigours of daily use.
3. ASUS TUF F15 FX506HC
The ASUS TUF F15 FX506HC is a solid gaming laptop that offers impressive performance and features for its astonishingly low price (£749). Powered by an Intel Core Intel i5-11400H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this laptop will be able to handle demanding games and applications.
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel boasts a fast 144Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time, making it sufficient for fast-paced games and esports. The keyboard is also noteworthy, featuring RGB lighting and durable construction that can withstand heavy use.
In terms of design, the ASUS TUF F15 FX506HC has a sleek and modern look with a military-grade MIL-STD-810H build that can withstand tough conditions. It also has a range of connectivity options, including USB Type-C and HDMI, making it easy to connect to external devices.
Overall, the ASUS TUF F15 FX506HC is a great gaming laptop that offers solid performance and features for its price. While it may not have the most powerful graphics card, it’s still a solid choice for gamers on a budget who want a reliable and durable laptop that they can get into PC gaming with.
