BEST GAMING LAPTOP 2024 

Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024)

Gaming 

 

9.1

Size 

 18"

Refresh Rate 

 480 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 

 G-SYNC

Typing Quality 

 

9.0

Ports 

 

9.5

Thermals And Noise 

 

5.4

Serviceability 

 

9.1

The best gaming laptop we've tested is the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024). This large 18-inch model delivers a fantastic gaming experience with high, consistent frame rates. It's available with fast Intel 14th Gen CPUs and discrete NVIDIA GPUs, up to a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 4090, respectively. Display options include a 480Hz FHD+ and a 165Hz QHD+ panel, so you can choose whether you want smoother motion and better responsiveness or a sharper image. Both displays have a fast response time and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. Online gamers will be happy to hear it has Wi-Fi 7 and an Ethernet port to ensure a fast, reliable internet connection. Of course, the main downside is portability, as it's a bulky, heavy laptop that's more of a desktop replacement than a device for on-the-go use. It's also quite expensive. The upside is that the memory and storage drive are user-replaceable, so you can get a cheaper configuration to start and upgrade later, which might be cheaper.

Also worth mentioning is the Dell Alienware m16 R2 (2024), a smaller, cheaper 16-inch model. It's very similar to its larger sibling design-wise; however, due to its smaller chassis, its configuration options are more limited, with the GPU topping out at an RTX 4070. It also uses Intel Meteor Lake CPUs, which are more power-efficient than the m18 R2's 14th Gen HX CPUs and a tad slower. It still delivers a great gaming experience; just know that you can't turn up the graphics as much as on the m18 R2's RTX 4080 or 4090 models. There's a single display option: a 240Hz QHD+ IPS display. Thankfully, it has a fast response time and VRR support.

Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023)

Gaming 

 

8.8

Size 

 16"

Refresh Rate 

 165 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 

 FreeSync

Typing Quality 

 

8.0

Ports 

 

9.0

Thermals And Noise 

 

6.7

Serviceability 

 

8.6

If you want something a little cheaper, check out our best mid-range pick, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023). Available with AMD Ryzen 7040-series CPUs and NVIDIA 40-series GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), this 16-inch model also delivers an excellent gaming experience. For the display, you can choose between a 165Hz or a 240Hz QHD+ IPS panel; both have a fast response time and FreeSync support. It has a tactile, full-size keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, and tons of ports, including an HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet. Unfortunately, the USB-Cs only support USB 3.2 Gen 2 transfer speeds, which are much slower than the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Dell Alienware laptops mentioned above. Wireless connectivity is also a slight downgrade, as it only supports Wi-Fi 6E instead of the latest Wi-Fi 7 standards.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022)

Gaming 

 

5.1

Size 

 16"

Refresh Rate 

 120 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 

 No

Typing Quality 

 

7.5

Ports 

 

7.0

Thermals And Noise 

 

9.1

Serviceability 

 

6.0

The best gaming Chromebook we've tested is the Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022). Unlike our picks above, this device runs Chrome OS, an operating system that isn't typically associated with gaming, and it runs on its Intel CPU's integrated graphics. It's because it's made for cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW. Cloud gaming means the processing takes place on NVIDIA's server—or whichever company provides the service—and the image is streamed to your device, alleviating the need for powerful hardware. GeForce NOW is a paid subscription service; the laptop comes with a three-month trial.

The overall build quality is good, and while it's on the bulkier side, it isn't too heavy, so it's still portable. Its 16-inch QHD+ display has a 120Hz refresh rate and a good response time, resulting in a clear image with minimal ghosting in fast-moving scenes. You get Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity and an Ethernet port, which is great, as cloud gaming performance highly depends on your internet connection. The keyboard feels spacious and tactile, doesn't get hot under load, and has RGB backlighting. Unfortunately, its battery life is very short, at around six hours of light use or an hour of gaming.