Top 10 Best Laptops for Gaming 2018 Reviews

For the serious gamer, choosing the right laptop is crucial. Modern games tend to push the envelope when it comes to specifications, so a powerful computer is a must. This list details ten of the very best laptops for gaming.

A good gaming laptop will be powerful, first and foremost, with competitive processor speed and RAM. A strong graphics card and large display screen are crucial to fully appreciating the gaming experience. Beyond that, it’s a question of trade-offs: How large and heavy is too large and heavy? Are you willing to sacrifice battery life for performance?

The absolute best gaming laptops strike a balance between those factors while delivering an elite gaming experience.

10. CybertronPC – Vapor 15

The Vapor 15, from CybertronPC, is a precision gaming machine, powered by an Intel Core 2.60GHz processor, which can be overclocked to 3.50GHz at peak performance levels. A 15.6 inch display and NVDIA GeForce GTX graphics card give the user an immersive experience while gaming.

PROS:

• Excellent specs, as would be expected for the price.
• Light weight for a gaming laptop.
• CybertronPC offers good customer support.

CONS:

• Trackpad is a bit awkward, meaning it’s probably best used with a mouse.
• Difficult to upgrade the hardware.

9. Alienware 13 Inch Touchscreen Gaming Laptop

The Alienware 13 offers a powerful gaming experience combined with the mobility to provide an excellent at-home experience. Powered by an Intel Core 2.4GHz processor and 16GB of RAM, along with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX video card, the Alienware 13 can deliver the gaming experience a hardcore gamer expects. Its 13 inch touchscreen allows users to explore the limits of touchscreen-based gaming.

PROS:

• Reasonably priced for a gaming laptop.
• Touchscreen allows gamers to play games benefiting from or requiring a touch screen.
• Light weight, especially for a gaming laptop.

CONS:

• The 13 inch screen is smaller than a lot of other gaming laptops on the market.
• Specs are slightly lower than a number of other options, though still able to handle modern gaming.

8. ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 Touchscreen Laptop

The VivoBook, by ASUS, is a premier gaming laptop, boasting an Intel Core 2.8GHz processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card. Lightweight and slim, the VivoBook balances power with portability, and its 15 inch touch screen delivers and immersive gaming experience.

PROS:

• Excellent power for its price.
• 15 inch screen is competitive in size, while offering the benefits of a touch screen.
• Aesthetically pleasing, especially for a gaming laptop.

CONS:

• Battery life leaves a little bit to be desired.
• Is a touchscreen, but without some of the flexibility of more touchscreen-oriented laptops which allow the user to manipulate the screen’s position.

7. MSI 15.6″ Full HD Performance Gaming Laptop

The MSI 15 is a potent laptop, satisfying the requirements of the gamer with an Intel Core i5 3.1GHz processor and 8BG RAM. 15 inch screen and NVIDIA GTX 1050 video card ensure vibrant visual gaming sessions, and the portable MSI 15 is easy to take wherever it’s needed for a gaming-on-the-go experience.

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PROS:

• One of the most reasonably priced gaming oriented laptops. For any budget-conscious buyers, the MSI 15 is among the best options available.
• Strong processor speed, again especially when considering the price.
• Easy to upgrade if in the future you decide you’d like more power, especially more RAM.

CONS:

• All in all, the specs don’t quite stack up with some of the more expensive gaming options out there. So you’ll have to balance budget with performance.
• Base sound system is a bit subpar.

6. ASUS ROG Liquid Cooled Gaming Laptop 18.4”

The ASUS ROG is at the absolute pinnacle of gaming performance, with an Intel Core 2.7GHz processor and a mind-blowing 64MB of RAM. Overall, its power is virtually unrivaled among gaming laptops, and with an enormous 18 inch display, the ROG will make you forget you’re gaming on a laptop at all.

PROS:

• Performance is outstanding, truly top of the line.
• Large display allows you to immerse yourself in gaming experience.

CONS:

• This computer is great, but it’s also very expensive.
• Clocking in at over 12 pounds, the ROG isn’t the most portable option out there.

5. Lenovo Legion 15.6″ Gaming Laptop Computer

The Lenovo Legion is a quality gaming laptop, delivering strong performance via Intel Core 2.5GHz processor and 8GB of RAM. The Legion has a visually stunning design, with a sleek black finish and backlit red keyboard, and is light and flexible for gaming on the go.

PROS:

• Outstanding price for performance.
• One of the nicest looking gaming laptops around.

CONS:

• As with other less costly laptops, there’s a tradeoff between cost and performance.
• Battery life is a little iffy for a machine of these specs.

4. Lenovo Y700 15.6 Inch Gaming Laptop

The Lenovo Y700 is a strong gaming laptop, sporting an Intel Core 2.6GHz processor and 8GB of RAM. Light weight and excellent battery life make the Y700 an especially attractive option for anyone planning to use the Y00 frequently while mobile.

PROS:

• A nice balance between economy and performance.
• Exceptionally good battery life for a gaming laptop, along with a manageable weight.
• Excellent sound system.

CONS:

• There have been some reports of the keyboard having problems, including keys detaching over time.

3. Gigabyte Aero 14″ Notebook

The Aero, by Gigabyte, is one of the more powerful gaming laptops around. An Intel Core 3.8GHz processor and 16GB of RAM allow the Aero to shine during gaming sessions, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card and exceptionally good screen resolution make for a stunning visual gaming experience.

PROS:

• Outstanding screen resolution, standing out from the pack, even on a 14 inch screen.
• Performance specs are a cut above some of the more budget conscious gaming laptop selections.

CONS:

• While this laptop is excellent for its price, doesn’t quite hit the absolute top tier in specs.
• Some issues with the laptop running hot at peak performance.

2. Acer Aspire 15 Gaming Laptop

The Aspire, by Acer, is a wonderful laptop for anyone interested in gaming. The Intel Core 2.8GHz processor and 16GB of RAM are more than competitive in the field of gaming laptops, and the 15 inch screen and excellent NVIDIA graphics card delivers visual immersion to the gamer. The Aspire shines as a mid-point between budget considerations and power.

PROS:

• Excellent value for the money, with a price closer to budget gaming laptops and performance in the mid-tier range.
• All-around excellence in areas like weight, screen size, battery life and performance.

CONS:

• About the only thing bad to say about the Aspire is that if you’re looking for the absolute elite performance, this isn’t it. But you’ll have to pay quite a bit more for that performance.

1. Acer Predator Helios Gaming Laptop

The Predator, by Acer, is our top choice for a gaming laptop. Its specs are excellent, checking the boxes with a 2.8GHz Intel Core capable of being overclocked to 3.8GHz and 16GB of RAM. Light and portable, with quality battery life and a 15.6 inch screen, the Predator is a well-rounded gaming machine capable to delivering on anything a gamer would want. Out of the best laptops for gaming, the Predator stands out from the field.

PROS:

• There just aren’t any real weaknesses with the Predator.
• Excellent durability and build quality.

CONS:

• Again, the only real weakness is that it can’t measure up to the specs on laptops costing thousands more. If money is no object and you don’t worry about the weight of the machine, go with the ASUS ROG. Otherwise, the Predator is a wonderful choice.
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