Getting the best gaming laptop positively impacts your gaming sessions, especially if you want a smooth, immersive experience. In 2024, gaming laptops have reached impressive heights, packing desktop-level power into sleek, portable designs that can handle even the most demanding titles.
With options for high-refresh-rate displays, powerful GPUs, and cutting-edge CPUs, here is what you should look for to find the best gaming laptop in 2024.
Why Choose a Gaming Laptop Over a Gaming PC
A gaming laptop offers several advantages over a traditional gaming PC, making it appealing to many gamers. These benefits include:
- Portability
- Power efficiency
- Convenience
- Adaptable for future upgrades
Besides gaming, the best gaming laptops excel in handling work, school, and recreational tasks due to their powerful hardware, making them a versatile choice for those needing a single, multifunctional device.
What to Look For in a Gaming Laptop in 2024
In 2024, selecting the right gaming laptop means focusing on several key features that impact performance and user experience.
These ideal specs for the best gameplay include:
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- GPUs: Recommend Intel’s 13th Gen and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series
- Display: High refresh rates (144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz) and resolution options (1080p to 4K)
- NVMe SSDs
- RAM: At least 16GB for smooth performance and 32GB for multitasking
- Cooling Solution: To avoid overheating during your long gaming sessions, whether it’s air or liquid cooling
- Operating System: All new gaming laptops currently come with Windows 11, although a computer with Windows 10 can function well.
All iBUYPOWER’s best gaming laptops, from our Chimera to ASUS laptops, come with these specs at different levels to satisfy any gamer.
How Much Does a Gaming Laptop Cost?
The cost of a gaming laptop can range significantly, typically falling between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the brand, hardware specifications, and additional features. Aiming for a $1,000 to $2,000 laptop is ideal for most gamers. This price range often offers a balanced mix of performance and value, including strong processors, quality GPUs, and enough RAM to handle most modern games without overspending.
If you are on a budget, another option is to purchase a certified refurbished gaming laptop for an excellent computer at an even better price.
How Long Does a Gaming Laptop Battery Last?
The best gaming laptop battery typically lasts between 1 and 2 years before requiring replacement, although actual battery life can vary widely based on usage patterns, the intensity of applications, and power settings.
To maximize battery life, develop good charging habits and choose a model with solid battery ratings. If a gaming laptop battery begins draining rapidly (lasting only an hour or two), it’s likely time for a replacement.
What is a Good Resolution for a Gaming Laptop?
For most gamers, 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p) remains the ideal choice, while QHD provides an excellent middle ground for those seeking more detail without compromising too much on performance.
A few reasons why these resolutions are ideal for the best gaming laptops in 2024 include:
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD or 1080p): This balances visual clarity and performance and is manageable for most graphics cards while providing high-quality visuals.
- 2560 x 1440 (QHD) Offers a noticeable increase in sharpness over 1080p for gamers wanting even better details, but it requires a more powerful graphics card to maintain smooth frame rates.
- 4K (Ultra HD): Though hugely demanding on hardware, 4K offers the sharpest and most immersive visual quality. However, due to its high impact on performance, it may not be necessary for most gamers.
Check out our ASUS collection to find the best gaming laptop of 2024 with an impressive resolution that doesn’t use all the laptop’s power.
Is it Better to Use an External Monitor on a Gaming Laptop?
Using an external monitor with the best gaming laptop can significantly enhance the gaming experience by providing a larger screen, higher refresh rates, and better image quality. For competitive gaming, where clear visuals and broader viewing angles are crucial, an external monitor often outperforms a laptop’s built-in display, helping with precision and reaction times.
Other benefits of using an external monitor include:
- Larger screen size for more immersive gameplay and better multitasking capabilities,
- Support higher refresh rates than most laptop screens to reduce motion blur and deliver better graphics
- Improved color accuracy and image quality
- Enhanced ergonomics to decrease strain during extended gaming sessions.
Our MSI monitors are a high-quality option, especially when paired with our MSI laptops.
How Much Memory Does a Gaming Laptop Need?
The best gaming laptop in 2024 will have enough RAM to handle your gaming habits, multitasking needs, and budget. 16GB of RAM is best for most gamers, offering a solid performance balance for modern games and room for some background processes without significant slowdowns.
32GB of RAM is ideal for gamers who want to future-proof their system or run multiple demanding applications while gaming. Though 32GB might exceed most game requirements, it can prevent performance dips when running complex applications alongside gaming. Our MSI gaming laptops offer 16 GB and 32 GB of RAM to satisfy gamers on a budget or those interested in streaming their gaming sessions.
Memory speed is also essential for gaming performance, where DDR4 or DDR5 memory is preferred. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series CPUs work optimally with DDR5 at 6000 MT/s. Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation processors support speeds up to DDR5 7200 MT/s, while their newest Core Ultra 200 Series CPUs are compatible with DDR5 8000 MT/s. Our Chimera and ASUS gaming laptops come with Intel’s 14th-generation processors.
How Much Laptop Storage do I Need for Gaming?
The storage you need for a gaming laptop largely depends on how you game and the amount you want to install. For occasional gamers who play a few smaller titles, 500GB to 1TB of storage is sufficient, providing space for a handful of games and essential applications. Moderate gamers may want 1TB to 2TB to install multiple AAA games comfortably. In comparison, enthusiasts who regularly play high-demand games may require 2 TB to 4 TB, while professional gamers should consider 4TB or more.
ASUS and Chimera are two brands that offer the best gaming laptops with storage of at least 1 TB or 2 TB.
What Size Laptop Should I Get for Gaming?
Finding the best gaming laptop based on size depends on how and where you plan to use it. 15.6-inch laptops balance portability and screen size, making them suitable for most gamers. This size also typically supports key gaming features like 144Hz refresh rates and variable refresh rate technology, which enhance gameplay smoothness and clarity.
For further immersion, 17-inch laptops are popular as they feature good processors and RAM for handling demanding games. However, larger displays can make laptops bulkier, heavier, and more power-hungry, which can be a drawback if you travel frequently.
Can I Use a Gaming Laptop for Graphic Design?
The best gaming laptops in 2024 are well-suited for graphic design work because of their processors, high-quality graphics cards, large storage capacities, and ample RAM.
Their robust hardware enables detailed scene work, heavy texturing, and efficient storage of large design files. However, to make design work more accessible and precise, you still need the right operating system, adequate cooling, and an appropriate display and screen size.
Find the Best Gaming Laptops of 2024 at iBUYPOWER
If you’re ready to find the best gaming laptops in 2024 and beyond, check out our selection at iBUYPOWER. From Chimera to ASUS, we have high-quality brands at affordable prices, along with certified refurbished gaming laptops for those on a tighter budget.
Get your iBUYPOWER laptop today to start gaming more conveniently.
