Introduction
Gaming laptops have come a long way in 2024, offering desktop-level performance in portable packages. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, finding the right gaming laptop can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the top 5 gaming laptops of 2024, based on extensive testing and real-world usage.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from performance and build quality to battery life and value for money. We’ll highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of each laptop, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
How We Tested
Before we dive into our top picks, it’s important to understand our testing methodology. We’ve rigorously tested 17 different laptops in the first half of 2024, evaluating them on the following criteria:
- Gaming Performance: FPS in various games at different settings
- CPU Performance: Benchmark scores and real-world tasks
- Display Quality: Resolution, refresh rate, color accuracy, and brightness
- Build Quality and Design: Materials used, durability, and aesthetics
- Thermals and Noise Levels: Temperature under load and fan noise
- Battery Life: Runtime during both gaming and general use
- Portability: Weight and size considerations
- Value for Money: Performance relative to price
Now, let’s dive into our top 5 picks for the best gaming laptops of 2024!
Top 5 Gaming Laptops of 2024
5. ASUS Scar 18
Pros:
- Massive 18-inch Mini-LED display
- Excellent gaming performance with RTX 4090
- Top-tier CPU performance
- Great for content creation
Cons:
- Large and less portable
- Similar performance to 2023 model
- Expensive
The ASUS Scar 18 kicks off our list with its impressive 18-inch Mini-LED display, offering a truly immersive gaming experience. If you’re looking for a desktop replacement that doesn’t compromise on performance, this might be your perfect match.
Key Specifications:
- Display: 18-inch Mini-LED, 2560×1600, 240Hz
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: Up to 4TB NVMe SSD
Performance:
The Scar 18 shines in both gaming and content creation. With its RTX 4090, it easily handles 4K gaming at high settings without breaking a sweat. In our Cinebench 2024 tests, it topped the charts for CPU performance, even when running on battery power.
Display:
The new Mini-LED display is a game-changer, offering exceptional brightness and contrast. Games look stunning, with deep blacks and vibrant colors that pop off the screen.
Build Quality and Design:
While the Scar 18 is well-built, its size makes it less portable than other options. It’s definitely more of a desktop replacement than a laptop you’d want to carry around daily.
Value:
Here’s where things get tricky. The 2024 model, while impressive, offers similar performance to the 2023 version in many areas. If you don’t need the Mini-LED display, you might find better value in last year’s model.
4. ASUS Zephyrus G14
Pros:
- Extremely portable 14-inch design
- Gorgeous OLED display
- Excellent battery life
- Superior build quality
Cons:
- Lower GPU power limit due to size
- Non-upgradeable RAM
- Pricey for higher RAM configurations
For those prioritizing portability without sacrificing too much gaming prowess, the ASUS Zephyrus G14 is a compact powerhouse that deserves attention.
Key Specifications:
- Display: 14-inch OLED, 2880×1800, 120Hz
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Max-Q)
- RAM: 16GB or 32GB (soldered)
- Storage: Up to 1TB NVMe SSD
Performance:
While it can’t match larger laptops in raw power due to thermal constraints, the G14 still delivers smooth gaming experiences. The OLED display’s quick response time ensures responsive gameplay.
Display:
The OLED panel is a standout feature, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent response times. It’s not the brightest display out there, but it’s more than adequate for most environments.
Build Quality and Design:
The G14 boasts the best build quality in our top 5 list. Its compact size and premium feel make it a joy to carry and use.
Battery Life:
Despite its small size, the G14 offers impressive battery life, outlasting many larger gaming laptops.
Value:
The main drawback is the lack of upgradeable RAM. We recommend opting for the 32GB version to future-proof your purchase, but this does drive up the cost significantly.
3. Acer Helios Neo 16
Pros:
- Excellent gaming performance for its class
- Improved screen with fast response time
- Quieter fan operation
- Great value for money
Cons:
- Larger and heavier than some competitors
- Poor battery life
- Limited 65W USB-C charging
The Acer Helios Neo 16 represents a solid mid-range option, offering a balance of performance and affordability in a 16-inch package.
Key Specifications:
- Display: 16-inch IPS, 2560×1600, 165Hz
- CPU: Intel Core i7-14700HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (upgradeable)
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Performance:
The Helios Neo 16 shines in gaming performance, offering some of the best frame rates we’ve seen in an RTX 4070 laptop. It handles both gaming and content creation tasks with ease.
Display:
The 2024 model boasts an improved screen with faster response times and better color accuracy, making it great for both gaming and content consumption.
Build Quality and Design:
While well-built, the Helios Neo 16 is on the larger and heavier side for a 16-inch laptop. The 330W power brick is also quite substantial.
Battery Life:
This is where the Helios Neo 16 stumbles. Battery life is below average, and the limited 65W USB-C charging means you’ll likely need to carry the bulky charger for long days out.
Value:
Despite its drawbacks, the Helios Neo 16 offers excellent performance for its price point, making it a compelling option for gamers on a budget.
2. Lenovo Legion 5
Pros:
- Excellent performance-to-price ratio
- Better battery life than the Helios Neo 16
- More customization options
- Improved Linux support
Cons:
- Slightly less powerful than some competitors
- Battery can deplete during intense gaming sessions even when plugged in
The Lenovo Legion 5 strikes an impressive balance between performance, features, and affordability, making it our runner-up for the best gaming laptop of 2024.
Key Specifications:
- Display: 16-inch IPS, 2560×1600, 165Hz
- CPU: Intel Core i7-14700H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (upgradeable)
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Performance:
While not quite as powerful as the Helios Neo 16 in some scenarios, the Legion 5 offers comparable gaming performance and excels in battery-powered situations.
Display:
The 16-inch display offers good color accuracy and brightness, making it suitable for both gaming and content creation.
Build Quality and Design:
The Legion 5 is slightly smaller and lighter than the Helios Neo 16, offering better portability without sacrificing too much on build quality.
Battery Life:
A significant improvement over the Helios Neo 16, the Legion 5 offers better battery life and supports higher wattage USB-C charging.
Value:
Often priced lower than the Helios Neo 16, the Legion 5 offers an excellent balance of features and performance, making it a great value proposition.
1. Lenovo Legion 7
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Excellent performance
- Upgradeable RAM (improvement over previous model)
- Sleek design with no side exhaust vents
- Great thermal management
Cons:
- High price point
- Lower performance-to-price ratio compared to some competitors
Topping our list as the best gaming laptop of 2024 so far, the Lenovo Legion 7 offers a premium experience that justifies its higher price tag.
Key Specifications:
- Display: 16-inch IPS, 2560×1600, 240Hz
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (configurable up to RTX 4090)
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 (upgradeable)
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Performance:
The Legion 7 delivers outstanding performance in both gaming and productivity tasks. Its new cooling design allows it to maintain high performance levels without thermal throttling.
Display:
The 16-inch display offers a high 240Hz refresh rate, excellent color accuracy, and good brightness levels, providing a top-tier gaming and content creation experience.
Build Quality and Design:
The Legion 7 shines in this department. The glacier white version we tested looks stunning, and the overall build quality feels premium. The removal of side exhaust vents improves comfort during long gaming sessions.
Battery Life:
While not class-leading, the Legion 7 offers respectable battery life for a high-performance gaming laptop.
Value:
The main drawback of the Legion 7 is its price. At $2,449 for an RTX 4070 configuration, it’s pricier than some RTX 4080 laptops. However, you’re paying for premium build quality, design, and overall user experience.
Lenovo Legion 7
Comparison Table
| Feature | ASUS Scar 18 | ASUS Zephyrus G14 | Acer Helios Neo 16 | Lenovo Legion 5 | Lenovo Legion 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 18″ Mini-LED | 14″ OLED | 16″ IPS | 16″ IPS | 16″ IPS |
| CPU | i9-14900HX | Ryzen 9 7940HS | i7-14700HX | i7-14700H | i9-14900HX |
| GPU | RTX 4090 | RTX 4070 (Max-Q) | RTX 4070 | RTX 4070 | RTX 4070-4090 |
| RAM | Up to 64GB | 16/32GB (soldered) | 16GB (upgradeable) | 16GB (upgradeable) | 16GB (upgradeable) |
| Storage | Up to 4TB | Up to 1TB | 1TB | 1TB | 1TB |
| Battery Life | Average | Excellent | Poor | Good | Good |
| Weight | Heavy | Very Light | Heavy | Medium | Medium |
| Price | $$$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Gaming Laptop
When shopping for a gaming laptop, consider the following factors:
- GPU: The most crucial component for gaming performance. RTX 4000 series offers the best performance in 2024.
- CPU: Look for 13th or 14th gen Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors for best performance.
- RAM: 16GB is the minimum, but 32GB is recommended for future-proofing.
- Storage: NVMe SSDs are a must. 1TB is a good starting point.
- Display: Consider resolution, refresh rate, and panel type (IPS, OLED, Mini-LED).
- Build Quality: Look for sturdy construction and good thermal management.
- Battery Life: Important if you plan to use the laptop on the go.
- Portability: Consider weight and size if you’ll be carrying the laptop frequently.
- Price: Balance your budget with the features you need most.
FAQ
- Q: Are gaming laptops worth it in 2024?
A: Absolutely. Modern gaming laptops offer unprecedented performance in portable form factors, rivaling desktop setups in many cases. - Q: How often should I upgrade my gaming laptop?
A: It depends on your needs, but typically every 3-5 years to keep up with the latest games and technologies. - Q: Can I use a gaming laptop for work or school?
A: Yes, gaming laptops are powerful machines that excel at most tasks, including productivity and content creation. - Q: Are RTX 4000 series GPUs a significant upgrade over RTX 3000 series?
A: Yes, they offer improved performance and features like DLSS 3.0, which can significantly boost frame rates in supported games. - Q: Should I wait for sales to buy a gaming laptop?
A: If possible, yes. Gaming laptops often see significant discounts during major sale events. Check gaminglaptop.deals regularly for the best prices.
Conclusion
The gaming laptop market in 2024 offers something for everyone, from ultra-portable options like the ASUS Zephyrus G14 to desktop replacements like the ASUS Scar 18. Our top pick, the Lenovo Legion 7, offers the best balance of performance, build quality, and features, but it comes at a premium price.
For those on a tighter budget, the Lenovo Legion 5 and Acer Helios Neo 16 offer
