The best gaming laptops you can buy right now (January 2020) - Android

Razer

Our list of the best cheap gaming laptops proves PC gaming doesn’t have to be expensive, but this list takes a different approach. Here we are focusing on the absolute best gaming laptops out there, regardless of the often insane prices these come attached with. If you are looking to get the best gaming laptop money can buy and are willing to spend a hefty buck on it, you have come to the right place.

The best gaming laptops:

Editor’s note: This list of the best gaming laptops will be regularly updated as new models are announced.

1. Alienware Area-51m

If you want a gaming laptop without hardware compromises, look no further than the Alienware Area-51m. The laptop made noise for its revamped “Alienware Legend” design, replacing the sharp edges of previous Alienware laptops for rounded corners.

You can outfit the laptop with up to 64GB of RAM, an Intel Core i9-9900K processor, and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2080. This isn’t the trimmed-down Max-Q design, either — this is a proper desktop-level RTX 2080. If that’s not enough power, the Alienware Graphics Amplifier lets you access other desktop GPU cards from Nvidia and AMD.

The laptop is also notable for how upgrade-friendly the components are. Not only can you swap out the memory, storage, battery, and CPU, but even the GPU is removable through parent company Dell’s nascent Dell Graphics Form Factor (DGFF) platform. The new system lets Alienware put the latest GPUs on modular boards that can be swapped out.

Alienware Area-51m specs:

2. New Alienware m15

Coming in at 18.3mm thin, the awkwardly-named New Alienware m15 is the company’s thinnest 15-inch laptop. It’s also extremely light for a gaming laptop, weighing only 4.75 pounds.

Even with such a thin and light design, the New Alienware m15 is a beast of a machine. Gamers might want to stick with the FHD options, which come with 60, 144, and 240Hz refresh rates. However, those who consume plenty of content can treat their eyes with the OLED UHD option.

Also read: The best Alienware laptops currently available

Processor options include the ninth-generation Intel Core i5-9300H, i7-9750H, and i9-9980HK. You can also outfit the laptop with up to 16GB of RAM and a combined 4TB of storage from two 2TB PCIe M.2 SSDs. The GPU maxes out with the GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design. Even with so much horsepower in a thin chassis, Alienware’s Cryo-Tech 3.0 system promises to keep things cool enough for sustained performance.

Alienware m15 specs:

3. Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701

Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 is very popular among gamers, and to many it’s the very best gaming laptop money can buy. It has a premium construction that is both sturdy and sleek. In fact, Asus claims it to be the most compact 17-inch gaming laptop at only 18.7mm thin with 399 x 272mm side dimensions.

This small body packs quite the punch. It can be configured with up to a 9th-gen Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080.

Also read: AMD vs Intel – Which is better?

Asus has also managed to throw in some really cool features. The screen has a 300Hz refresh rate, the dedicated GPU can be turned off/on at will, and it supports 7.1 channel surround sound.

Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 specs:

4. Asus ROG Mothership

Whether it is the best gaming laptop or not, the Asus ROG Mothership is one PC we all want. The sad news is very few can afford it at $6,495. What makes it worth so much?

Much of the hype surrounding the Mothership revolves around its design, because we have seen plenty of other great gaming laptops match its specs. This convertible PC can be used as a laptop or tablet, and the keyboard can be separated. The computer adapts to your needs and looks absolutely gorgeous.

Also read: The best phones for gaming

The Asus ROG Mothership sports an Intel Core i9 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, up to 64GB of RAM, 1.5TB of storage, and a 17.3-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Alternatively, you can opt for a 60Hz 4K UHD screen.

Asus ROG Mothership specs:

5. Razer Blade Pro 17

Razer can’t be missing in any list of the best gaming laptops. Its products are famous for their gorgeous and sleek designs, as well as offering great performance and nothing but high-end specs. Its best offering is the Razer Blade Stealth Pro 17, a behemoth of a gaming laptop with a starting price of $2,199.99.

Base specs include a 9th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 144Hz Full HD display. Of course, you can get some improvements, which could turn this laptop into a real killer machine. It’s possible to get up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, and more.

If the RTX 2080 GPU is not enough graphic power for you, it’s also possible to get the Razer Core X, which is an external GPU housing that connects to your laptop and can run a powerful desktop graphics card.

Razer Blade Pro 17 specs:

6. Razer Blade 15 Advanced

Razer

The Razer Blade 15 is for those who want something a bit smaller than the 17-inch giant listed above, but still want to take advantage of some good screen real estate. This laptop is manageable while still rocking some of the best possible specs around.

Also read: The best gaming mice you can buy

The advanced model comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU. You can also opt for a 240Hz Full HD screen or a 4K OLED display.

Like the option above, the Razer Blade 15 has support for the Razer Core X, which is an external GPU housing that connects to your laptop and can run a powerful desktop graphics card.

Razer Blade 15 Advanced specs:

7. Acer Predator Triton 900

Acer

The Acer Predator Triton 900 has all the specs you can expect from the best gaming laptops around, but its price point is significantly higher at nearly $4,000 for the base version. Similar to the Asus ROG Mothership, the Acer Predator Triton 900’s biggest lure is its unique design, which is also likely what drives the price