Comparing the Best Gaming Laptops of 2024: Performance vs. Price

If you feel the need to travel with your rig, carry it to the couch, or simply save space on the table, a gaming laptop can deliver PC-like performance in a nimble package. And with the amount you’d be spending, you’d need some of the best gaming laptops. Due to the personal need and pocket allowance, the market offers options that include options for screen size which ranges between 14 to 18 inches, graphical cards that tackle different resolutions, and computer prices which start at less than $999 but can go as high as $5000. Laptops designed for gaming come with backlights in various colors, high image refresh rates, and even mechanical keyboards in some cases.

 

For this guide, we review lots of gaming laptops every year, running them through a series of benchmark tests, including Cyberpunk 2077, and Borderlands 3, evaluating screens based on color coverage and brightness, measuring battery life, and, particularly, gaming: playing. Down below, we have compiled a list of the recommended gaming laptops based on the size and cost of the devices and their utility. For buyers looking to save money on a gaming notebook, then we have specific guides for the best gaming laptops under $1500 and the best gaming laptops under $1000. Here’s our curated list for you:

MSI Titan 18 HX: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Acer Nitro 16: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ASUS ROG Strix G16: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

MSI Katana 15: ⭐⭐⭐

1. MSI Titan 18 HX: The pinnacle of gaming laptops

If there is one thing that sets the MSI Titan 18 HX apart from generic gaming laptops it is that it is not generic. It’s a behemoth, with the kind of power found in desktop replacements for the most portable of gaming machines. Here’s a breakdown:

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Specs:

Processor: The latest 14th Generation Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX is a 36-core monster with a base clock of 2.3 GHz and a maximum boost of up to 4.8 GHz.

 

 

Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090 Laptop GPU (with 16GB GDDR6)

RAM: Up to 128GB DDR5 (astronomical for multitasking)

Storage: Up to 4TB NVMe SSD, which means up to 5 times faster file loading than standard HDDs.

Display: Mini LED (streaming for incredible visuals with an 18” UHD+ panel)

Refresh Rate: 120Hz (or ‘super smooth gameplay’ as it is usually referred to)

Keyboard: The feature of this keyboard is the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile key switches. The low-profile design of the keyboard brings two main benefits, first, the physical height of the key switches is significantly lower, and second is that the key travel distance is also 1.8mm which is less than standard. 

Reasons to Buy:

Unmatched Performance: The Titan 18 HX triumphs each game you can play with the help of this powerful processor and graphics card. It is particularly suitable for high-octane / AAA gaming, artistic projects, and Virtual Reality gaming.

Stunning Display: The Mini LED panel offers vibrant and accurate color, high brightness level, and excellent HDR performance for stunning picture quality.

Mechanical Keyboard: Certainly, gamers will find the Cherry MX keyboard’s satisfying responsiveness together with the non-membrane tactile feedback enjoyable.

Future-proofed: They have designed the Titan with the latest specs and components which can be upgraded as well; this way, they ensure that it will remain current in the market for years.

Reasons Not to Buy:

Price: The Titan 18 HX cannot be considered cheap, as it starts at over $5,000 for the model pictured here.

Portability: It is an enormous laptop measuring 18 inches in size and is relatively heavy as it measures 3.6 kg. Well, it is not very lightweight, so do not anticipate that you are going to carry it around with ease.

Battery Life: Sad enough, probably do not hope for too-long battery life because of these powerful configurations. The intended application to it is more or less a desktop type.

Noise: Many high-performance components, especially GPU and CPU, produce heat, and therefore, the fan might be heard during usage.

Best Budget Alternative

MSI Raider GE78 HX: Vastly superior hardware with the same i9 processor and RTX 40 series card all in a more portable 17-inch form. 3” chassis as one might find with smartphones, in exchange for more affordable deals and somewhat diminished screen size.

 

2. Acer Nitro 16: Stellar performance capability, affordable price.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The Acer Nitro 16 is a gaming laptop that will give the user the performance they want when their pockets are tight. 

Specifications:

Processor: The CPU options include the AMD Ryzen 7000 series and the Intel Core i7 13th-gen series.

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 or 4060

RAM: Integrated 800MHZ 16 GB DDR5 RAM that can be upgraded to 32GB.

Storage: A 512GB capacity PCIe Gen 4 NVMe-based SSD.

Display: The display size is 16 inches Full HD (1920 x 1200) IPS panel with high refresh rate probably 144Hz or 240Hz.

Weight: 2.7kg (relatively heavy)

Reasons to Buy:

Strong Performance: The powerful processor coupled with an RTX 40 series graphics card can run most modern games with relatively easy and high frame rates at reasonable graphic settings.

Upgradable RAM: You can further increase performance by installing additional RAM.

Fast Storage: The PCIe Gen 4 SSD helps in quick booting and quick loading in games.

High Refresh Rate Display: Bring fluidity as compared to other mouse displays mostly employing a lower refresh rate.

Multiple Port Options: The Circuitry in this unit is such that the Video player connects very easily with other peripherals.

Reasons Not to Buy:

Heavy Weight: It is however not very portable because of its weight. Hence, it is not very practical for use when one is always on the move.

Average Battery Life: Just like most other gaming laptops, the Nitro 16’s battery life is not the best. 

FHD Display: Given that this has a 16-inch monitor, the resolution is not exactly mind-boggling. However, it may be possible to experience a QHD, so you can go for it if you can to have a more optimum feel of the game.

 

Best Budget Alternative

ASUS TUF Gaming A16: It aligns the value proposition with a powerful AMD Ryzen chip and RTX 40 series GPU and also provides users with a 1080p gaming experience at a fair price.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (16″): A relatively affordable PC for an affordable price that offers you decent performance for low-impact gaming and workloads.

 

3.MSI Katana 15: A Big-Time Budget Gamer With Some Strings Attached

 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The MSI Katana 15 is an affordable gaming laptop known for its strong performance at a competitive price. It helps to make your gaming experience smoother with the latest specs and high resolution.

Specs:

Processor: The processor includes the 13th generation Intel Core i5 through i9.

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Series or higher (depending on the model)

RAM: 16GB to 32GB

Storage: from 512GB SSD to 1TB SSD

Display: 15. 6” diagonal, 1080p+ (check refresh rate- 60Hz minimum is required)

Reasons to Buy:

Strong Budget Performance: It provides stable 1080p performance at decent settings with the current flagship RTX 4000 GPUs.

Competitive Price: Priced starting at $999, the gearing offers an especially appealing entry point for the budget-conscious gamer.

Decent Upgradability: As for personal computers, some of them can support RAM and storage enhancements.

Reasons Not to Buy:

Bulkier Design: This weighs more and is chunkier compared to some of the ultra-sleek gaming laptops you would find in the market.

Limited Display: Some players may not find 1080p adequate and refresh rates also matter, look for something above 60Hz for buttery smooth gaming.

Basic Features: Unlike some high-end keyboards such as RGB backlighting or a mechanical keyboard.

Best Budget Alternative:

Different people have different priorities and therefore coming up with the best compromise depends on what option suits a particular individual the most. Here are some options to consider

For even tighter budgets: Check out the Acer Nitro 5 which comes with slightly outdated components but may cost less.

For a thinner and lighter design: Potential recommendations include the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 but this might be a bit more costly than the others on the list.

 

4. ASUS ROG Strix G16 – Thinnest and Lightest Gaming Laptop

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Asus ROG Strix G16 is a potential gaming laptop that does not have the look of a portable computer. The technical aspect of the GPU is perfect for running high-grossing games.

Specifications (of the latest 2024 model):

Processor: Up to Intel Core i9-14900HX, 24C/32T (perfomance for gaming and multitasking)

Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU (ideal for all sorts of gaming with very sharp graphics)

RAM: Up to 16GB-DDR5 RAM (the fast kind that keeps things running smoothly).

Storage: PCIe Gen4x4 SSD; the game loads quickly (provides fast loading times).

Display: 16-inch 2. 5K (2560×1440) 240Hz Nebula Display (For overall better graphics in addition to smooth movements)

Reasons to buy:

High Performance: Excellent performance that allows running modern games and heavy applications

Display: The display in this game is excellent and the refresh rate is high for an outstanding gaming experience.

Lightweight: Compared to some other gaming laptops out there, this one is rather slim and relatively light in weight (it can be easily transported).

Cooling system: To curtail the high temperatures from threatening the entire system, technological application on cooling was enhanced.

Reasons not to buy:

Expensive: The Asus ROG Strix G16 is Costly, especially ultra book is typically costly, specifically the gaming types.

Not very future-proof:  Sometimes even features like RAM or storage can be mounted directly on the motherboard.

Unimpressive battery life: Overall battery life could not be that impressive since more powerful devices are generally those that have less efficient batteries and require recharging more often.

Best Budget Alternative

MSI Pulse 15: It has similar configurations (i7, RTX 4060) but it’s a slightly smaller and cheaper 15. The 6” form factor has been adopted to allow for portability of the console but with a robust back end for game performance.

Dell G16: Cost-saving option emphasizing affordability while still targeting versatility, the device will be equipped with the Ryzen 7 CPU and the RTX 4060, capable of delivering a solid 1080p gaming performance.

 

 

5. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8): The ideal 16-inch E-sport

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Boasting a 16-inch display, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 8 is considered to be a premium gaming laptop optimized for esports. 

Specifications:

Display: It packs a high-end display with an ultra-wide DCI-P3 color gamut, a 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS panel with a high refresh rate most possibly 165Hz or more.

Processor: Up to 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor (good for both multitasking and when playing high graphics games).

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics card- This is particularly relevant for people who engage in high-performance gaming.

Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM (which is perfect to support the speed that the processor offers for multitasking)

Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD (ensures super-fast loading times as well as additional storage)

Cooling: Legion ColdFront 5.0 technology (helps in cooling the system especially when one is indulged in gaming).

Reasons to Buy:

Excellent Performance: Having a strong processor, powerful graphic card, and sufficiently fast RAM ensures the highest level of the game for esports titles and other performances requiring excellent hardware.

High Refresh Rate Display: A greater frame rate helps to depict sharp images across the screen and minimize motion blur essential for the gaming category.

Advanced Cooling: Legion ColdFront 5: 0 technology makes sure the laptop does not get hot during gaming and subsequent rendering and thus performs well even after several hours of gaming.

X-Rite Pantone Certification (Depending on Model): This helps to give accurate colors especially when designing gaming structures or even creating game content.

Reasons to Consider Other Options:

Price: This laptop is probably going to be pricey, mainly because it boasts some advanced features.

Battery Life: Despite their portability, gaming laptops are built with performance in mind, so battery life is normally lower than that of more traditional work laptops.

Portability: While the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8) is designed as a potent gaming laptop, some of the traits that are conducive to portability are slightly compromised; it measures 16 inches and is equipped with heavy components.

 

Best Budget Alternative

ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition: AMD Ryzen processor with powerful integrated Radeon graphics is a stable all-body build that works great for gaming and creating content potentially cheaper than a dedicated graphics card.

Acer Predator Triton 500 SE: A lighter and more portable alternative that offers comparable performance (i7, RTX 4070) to the standard version for players who want to carry their rig around for gaming sessions on the go.