Not long ago, if you wanted a good gaming laptop, you’d have to pick up a bulky beast trying to pass off as a portable device. Now, that’s no longer the case. Today’s best gaming laptops squeeze impressive graphics processing units (GPUs) into slim chassis and transform into powerful performers. But which specifications make for the best gaming laptops?
We spoke to Simon Hoffmann, an avid gamer since the age of four and now the co-founder of GameIN, a Dubai-based gaming solutions agency that specialises in PC and console gaming; and Mustafa Sibai, a game lecturer at the SAE Institute Dubai. Both experts take us through the core components of a gaming laptop - dedicated graphics card, processor and RAM - which will ultimately affect your performance and shopping decision.
Overall, it's an exciting year for gamers: Intel and AMD, two industry-leading manufacturers of mobile CPUs, have rolled out their latest processor generations. It's still early days for flagship gaming laptops to feature either Intel Core 14th Gen or Ryzen 8000 Series, but we'll be seeing them soon enough in upcoming releases of 2024. This means you can expect their preceding configurations (that still pack a punch) to go easy on your pocket.
You can find some of the latest models on Amazon, so check out our curated list below to see the best features (and limitations) of gaming laptops we think are worth your time, money and consideration. Make sure you become a Prime member to get your favourite one as soon as possible during the PC Mania sale. Game on!
1. Best Overall: ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18
Pros
- Amazing CPU performance by latest 14th Generation Intel Core i9
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card
- 240Hz refresh rate on 2.5K resolution
- Enough 32GB RAM
- Fast 50 per cent charge in 30 minutes
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy at 3kg
The ROG Strix Scar (2024) is one of the few laptops to carry Intel's latest Core i9 14th Generation processor, backed by Nvidia GeForce graphics card RTX 4080. These configurations translate to a top-of-the-line bargain for gamers who play the heaviest AAA titles on the go. It strikes a good balance between fast-paced action and rich, detailed visuals on an 18-inch Nebula display with 2.5K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. With enough horsepower and a large screen, the Scar 18 is an attractive machine for developers and visual artists, too. Its Intelligent Cooling system comprises a liquid metal thermal compound and seven heat pipes, driving temperatures down by 15 degrees Celsius and keeping the laptop’s chassis and components cool no matter how hard you push the device. You also get 32GB RAM and 2TB storage space, which means it’s always ready for action.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh1,483.25 for 12 months with select banks.
2. Best for Portability: Razer Blade 15
Pros
- Latest RTX 40 series
- 2.5K OLED screen for excellent visuals in dark games
- Decent speeds with Intel Core i7 13th Generation
- Upgradable 16GB RAM and 1TB storage
- 240Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Doesn't have a full-sized keyboard
The Razer Blade 15, highlighted by Sibai, is ideal for the serious gamer who happens to travel a lot with their laptop in tow. A 15.6-inch OLED screen isn't too small for play or too big for the backpack, while delivering fantastic deep blacks and smooth frame rates at 240Hz. The laptop houses one of Nvidia’s latest RTX 40 series GPUs (4070), and Intel’s 13th generation i7 CPU, making it a strong contender for demanding gameplay. It has the same beautiful CNC aluminium chassis as its predecessor and its updated graphics processing capability supports up to 8GB. Meanwhile, the Blade 15 is powered by a decent 16GB RAM, features two Thunderbolt 4 ports and has 1TB storage. If you want, the RAM and storage can be upgraded up to 64GB and 4TB, respectively. Our only qualm is that the keyboard lacks a dedicated number pad, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh893.37 for 12 months with select banks.
3. Best Upgraded RAM: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Pros
- Runs on 13th Gen Intel Core i9
- Decent 165Hz refresh rate
- Has RTX 4070 graphics card
- AI features for smoother gameplay
- Large 64GB RAM
Cons
- Storage is 1TB despite the massive RAM upgrade
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Gen 8 is visibly less flashy than most gaming laptops, so you can carry it into the office, the library and anywhere else you might need a powerful machine. It comes with an upgraded 64GB RAM, future-proofing the laptop against heavier software updates, like AI integration. Enjoy speeds by the Intel Core i9 13 Generation processor, in combination with the latest RTX 40 series graphics card (4070), which is AI-enabled and works brilliantly with Lenovo's AI Engine+ to help your games run at the maximum frames per second. You get to play on a 16-inch 2.5K screen with a decent refresh rate of 165Hz - not too bad for a gaming laptop at this price.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh691.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh482, a one-year accidental damage for Dh807, and a two-year damage protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh1,029.
4. Best Value: MSI Bravo 15
Pros
- Specially designed keyboard with WASD keys highlighted
- Runs on Ryzen 7 processor with GeForce RTX 4050
- Thermal solutions with up to six heat pipes
- Decent 144Hz refresh rate
- Enough 16GB RAM for gaming
Cons
- Only one USB-C port
- Limited 512GB storage
Further down the price range, you can bag the budget-friendly MSI Bravo 15 at an incredible value. Backed by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card and the AMD Ryzen 7 7035 series processor, this laptop handles multitasking well, alongside gameplay. You might have to put up with a slightly slower refresh rate at 144Hz, though Sibai says: "There's not that big of a difference between 240Hz and 144Hz." If you're a fan of RGB backlit keyboards, MSI Bravo gives you the option of a four-zone colourful layout, but the keyboard looks just as futuristic with the specially designed keycaps and lightened WASD keys. With six pipes and two fans, the Cooler Boost 5 ensures cool temperatures on the CPU and GPU. Do note that it only comes with one USB-C port, as opposed to other models that carry at least two. You might also need to upgrade the 512GB storage.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh324.08 for 12 months with select banks.
5. Best Premium: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
Pros
- Two-screen laptop, eliminating the need for a second monitor
- 4K secondary display with touch
- Runs on the latest RTX 4090 and Ryzen 9 7000 series
- 240Hz refresh rate
- 32GB RAM and 2TB storage
Cons
- Number pad is on the trackpad
- Expensive
An AMD Ryzen 9 7000 series chip with a GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 seems to have it all. It has a unique build for a gaming laptop, coming with not one but two screens to help you maximise strategy mid-game or control your livestream session expertly via the 1080p HD webcam. It's the true multitasking beast for your rig, supported by 32GB RAM and 2TB storage space, eliminating the need for a second monitor. The main display is a 16-inch Mini LED screen with a high 240Hz refresh rate, while the second 14.1-inch touch screen boasts stylus support in 4K resolution. The Duo 16 weighs less than 3kg despite squeezing two screens onto a single machine. Due to its unfamiliar layout, however, the laptop can be a learning curve for some - the trackpad is not in the centre but flushed to the right, also doubling as a number pad.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh1,741.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a two-year warranty.
Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon?
Hoffmann's advice is straightforward - look out for the graphics card (GPU) before everything else, if you want faster and seamless gameplay.
"The main component that drives gaming laptops is the graphics card since the game relies on it. A popular gaming graphics card is the Nvidia GeForce and its latest version is the 30 series [as of 2023], which ranges from 3050 to 3090. If you want the top of the line, you would go for 3090, but the graphics card also controls the price of the laptop," said Hoffmann. A gaming laptop must be equipped with at least a GeForce 3060 graphics processing unit, nothing less, adds Sibai.
A lot has changed since we last spoke to our experts, but their advice remains true. As of 2024, the GeForce 40 series is the newest iteration in the Nvidia mobile GPU family, with the RTX 4090 trumping everything out right now. For a less expensive model, you can opt for lower classes, such as 4050 or 4060, as Sibai says.
Hoffmann also recommends AMD's Radeon graphics cards as an alternative, for they're quite similar in processing power to the Nvidia GeForce line but more affordable to gamers. "GPUs are power-hungry. AMD consumes less power so your battery will last longer, too, but this shouldn't be a concern since most gamers play plugged into the wall," he added.
AMD Radeon's latest GPU family is the RX 7000 series for laptops, with the RX 7900M carrying the most high-end specs.
Processor: Intel Core or AMD Ryzen?
Intel and AMD dominate the mobile CPU market, with the latter, again, offering more cost-effective options. "The computer processing unit is like the engine of a gaming laptop; while the gameplay takes power from the GPU, every other function relies on the CPU," said Hoffmann, who says the processor is the next component to watch out for.
AMD-only laptops offer a budget-friendly combination with a Ryzen computer processing unit and a Radeon graphics card. Ryzen 3, 5, 7 and 9 processors received an upgrade to the 8000 series in 2023.
On the other hand, Intel Core and Nvidia GeForce pack an expensive punch. Both Hoffmann and Sibai agree that Intel's latest generation core processors are powerful for gaming, with the i7 being ideal but the i9 processors offering better performance, much like the Ryzen 9.
RAM: 16GB or 32GB?
Your graphics processing unit will come with its own temporary memory, along with the laptop's separate RAM storage - the larger the two, the smoother the operation will be within the device. "The DDR5 is the latest RAM (generation) found in most gaming laptops already. Usually, 16GB would do well for gaming," said Hoffmann.
However, Sibai says 16GB RAM will prove too slow for the latest releases; a better investment is a 32GB laptop that will last you a solid three years before technology evolves again. If you want a longer-lasting laptop, he recommends 64GB for future-proofing.
Which gaming laptop is the best for me?
Well-known gaming laptop lines, such as ASUS' ROG Zephyrus, HP's Omen, Razer's Blade and Dell's Alienware, implement these specifications in various combinations. Hoffmann prefers the ASUS ROG Zephyrus line since it's compact and affordable for gaming and ASUS "is one of the few companies that are consistently active in the gaming industry, so they know what they're doing". Not to mention, ASUS operates locally.
Sibai recommends Razer Blade 15 for its "amazing build quality", sleek enough to be carried to work meetings. It can also be configured with different GeForce graphics cards and processors depending on your needs. He said: "You do pay the Razer premium tax because of the build quality, but you can find comparable devices with the same specs at a lower price."
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
