Buying a laptop can be a big decision, so there are many options to consider. This guide will give you the basics and figure out the best gaming laptops of 2021

When choosing a new gaming laptop, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are many different features to consider including the display, form factor, battery life, and, of course, the components that make it all work.

Upgrading a gaming laptop to new hardware is usually not feasible, so it's important to plan and think ahead of time how you'll use the system. Prioritizing the most important features is a great first step.

We'll cover all of these topics in a little more detail, but let's start with a few basics.

Display

The right display can have a significant impact on your gaming experience, but there are more factors to consider than the size of the screen.

Laptop Display: Key Features

resolution . The higher the resolution, the more pixels appear on the screen, which means a sharper image. Modern laptops feature 1440p or 4K screens instead of the 1080p standard, but the hardware needed to run games at these resolutions can also increase costs.

Refresh rate. A display with a high refresh rate has a smoother, easier-to-operate screen. This is achieved by utilizing more images per second. Many gaming laptop displays use this technology, and some feature a refresh rate of 120Hz or 144Hz (or higher).

screen size . Laptop form factors and display sizes vary, with the most common configurations being 13, 15, and 17-inch screens. The thin bezels (the borders around the screen) allow the use of larger screens in smaller form factors.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) . This screen, available on some gaming notes, uses pixels to generate its own light rather than relying on backlighting. This means it can achieve deeper black levels and higher contrast than most laptop screens that are LED-lit liquid crystal displays.

A simple way to enhance your portable PC experience is to connect your laptop with an external monitor. You can use it as a laptop with a portable form factor on the go, and at home as a screen with 4K resolution, 240Hz refresh rate or ultrawide aspect ratio.

When considering an external display with a high resolution or high refresh rate, choose a CPU and graphics card that can take advantage of these features. Compare the components of the laptop you are considering against the recommended specs for the game you want to play, and prioritize your component selection accordingly.

For more information on how to choose a gaming monitor, see our full guide

CPU

The CPU, or central processing unit, serves as the "brain" of the laptop. The CPU signals other components in the system and processes commands sent by any software running on the device.

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Your choice of CPU can have a significant impact on everything you do with your device, from in-game frame rates to the response times of applications and even the battery life of your laptop.

The most commonly stated CPU specs are the number of cores and clock speed, but many other attributes apply, including the potential for overclocking ³ . The most important CPU features can vary depending on how you use your laptop, so it's worth knowing the basics.

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CPU: Main Features

clock speed . Clock speed refers to the number of CPU cycles (measured in GHz) executing every second. In general, higher clock speeds mean faster CPUs, but many other factors apply. See our guide for more information on CPU clock speeds.

number of cores . Multiple cores support CPU multitasking, with each core acting like a separate processing unit that can work in parallel to do more work. CPUs using Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology can run one or more software threads per hardware core, resulting in potential performance gains.

CPU option. There are CPUs specifically designed for almost every use case, so it's a good idea to pick the one that best matches the way you're using your system. If you are looking for higher core counts and clock speeds, the Intel® Core™ H processor family may be a great fit. Unlocked CPUs such as the Intel® Core™ i9-10980HK CPU can get extra performance by overclocking ³ . If portability is your priority, a powerfully efficient CPU like the Intel U-series can help conserve battery life

A minimum Intel® Core™ i7 processor is recommended for consistent in-game performance while streaming or recording gameplay . High clock speeds and core counts are especially important if you are interested in live streaming gameplay, as the capture software requires significant processing power to encode the video.
To learn more about CPU specifications and different options, see our guide on how to choose a gaming CPU .

GPU

Your laptop's GPU, or graphics processing unit, creates pixels that form images on your screen when you play games. Just like the CPU, it's the key to stutter-free frame rates and high-resolution gameplay.

If you want to play games in 1440p or 4K, you need a good CPU and GPU. A higher resolution creates more pixels on the screen. For example, running a game in 4K resolution increases the number of pixels by 4x compared to the standard 1080p.

GPU: Key Features

frame rate and resolution . Make sure your gaming laptop's GPU and CPU are able to render the proper resolution of your screen or external display while hitting a consistent frame rate. Compare the CPU and GPU of the laptop you're considering against the system requirements of the game you want to play to get an idea of how it will run.

Display refresh rate . If you've invested in a 144Hz screen, you'll need a GPU that can consistently achieve 144FPS (or more) to take full advantage of the higher refresh rates.

ray tracing . If you plan to use a hardware-intensive rendering technique such as ray tracing, check out the relevant benchmarks to determine how performance will be impacted in advance.

In most areas that affect gaming, solid state drives (SSDs) outperform older mechanical drives (HDDs). SSDs use a type of flash memory (NAND) to read and write blocks of data electronically without moving parts. HDDs, on the other hand, use mechanical platters that are rotated by a motor approaching them with a moving drive head.

One major advantage of SSDs over HDDs is their high random read/write speeds, which means SSDs can quickly access data stored elsewhere on the drive. In general, it loads programs and files faster than a relatively large HDD and can reduce system startup time.

SSDs also last longer than traditional HDDs because they do not use moving parts and have a process that wears out evenly across the memory blocks.

Because SSDs are typically more expensive to manufacture, they cost more per gigabyte than relatively larger HDDs. For this reason, some systems are equipped with both SSDs and large HDDs for storing large files, but modern laptops are increasingly reliant on SSDs only.

Laptop Storage: Key Features

NVMe SSD . This drive uses a high-speed PCIe bus rather than an older SATA interface to provide relatively fast random read/write speeds and high throughput.

SATA SSD . These drives use the same SATA connectors as traditional HDDs. They are generally faster and more durable than HDDs, but slower than newer NVMe drives.

Intel® Optane™ memory technology. Intel® Optane™ memory is a compact NVMe-based solution that combines intelligent memory with new storage technology to store frequently used programs and files for quick retrieval. This technology is designed to quickly load key applications and data, making it a great choice for bootable drives.

external storage . When faced with limited onboard storage, an external hard drive or SSD can provide a decent amount of extra space.

Ram

Random AccessMemory (RAM) is memory that temporarily stores data for fast retrieval by the CPU. Unlike SSDs or HDDs, it doesn't store data permanently and resets every time the computer is shut down, but makes frequently used data available faster than the storage drive.
Additional RAM allows your PC to run more processes simultaneously and the system can switch programs faster while running background services.

The amount of RAM your laptop needs depends on how you plan to use the system.

2-4 GB of RAM is enough for the internet, light-duty applications, or older games.
8GB of RAM is enough for most work applications or mid-spec games. Many modern PC games mention at least 8GB of RAM as a minimum system requirement.
16GB of RAM allows the system to run newer, more resource-intensive games, multiple background apps (such as voice chat or video highlight recording), and streaming software at higher settings.
32GB of RAM is ideal for resource-intensive multitasking, including gaming, content creation, and those who frequently use memory-intensive processes such as video editing or rendering.

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The amount of RAM a system can use is arguably the most important metric for the average user, but RAM also has other features to consider.

RAM: Main Features

speed . RAM frequency, measured in MHz (or millions of cycles per second), measures the speed at which RAM can access memory when it receives a request from the CPU.
Upgradability . Some gaming laptop designs may have access to an internal SO-DIMM slot with RAM installed. However, this is still fairly rare. So consider how much RAM you will need for your preferred environment. Adding later may not be practical.
SO-DIMMs . Please note that RAM in laptops and desktops is not interchangeable. RAM in laptops is often smaller, has a different pin configuration, and fits in small outline dual in-line memory module (SO-DIMM) slots rather than the DIMM slots you find on most desktop motherboards.

Design

Gaming laptops come in many shapes and sizes. While more powerful gaming laptops traditionally take up more space, entry-level options strive to balance portability and performance. However, in recent years such a balance has not been common. Premium laptops with advanced thermal designs can be relatively thin and light while still utilizing high-performance components.

When thinking about your laptop design, consider not only the available ports and performance-enhancing extras, but also the trade-offs between power, price, and portability.

Design: Main Features

Build Quality. Aluminum cases can be designed to be sleeker and more durable than traditional plastics.
Bezel . You should also look at the use of thin bezels to reduce the overall thickness of the laptop. By reducing the size of the screen border, manufacturers can make laptops smaller while maintaining a similar screen size.
Weight. Thin and light design makes it portable. However, thick and heavy gaming laptops (so-called 'muscle books) often include features that help home setups with less movement, such as more input and output options (I/O) or particularly powerful cooling solutions.
Aesthetic Element. Premium laptops can boast a brushed metal finish, user-tunable RGB lighting, and other eye-catching design features worth considering.
Advanced additions. Although uncommon, high-end gaming laptops may include multiple screens, ultrawide aspect ratios, overclockable designs, upgradeable hardware, or keyboards with mechanical switches.
Wireless connection . Most laptops include a wireless card that can connect to hotspots and home routers in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands. For access to the fastest wireless internet speeds, look for Wi-Fi 6 capable components . Another common wireless feature is Bluetooth, which uses the 2.4 GHz band to connect peripherals such as headsets or controllers to the system.

Port

More ports means more options to expand your laptop's capabilities. Some gaming laptops may even reduce the number of available ports to achieve a smaller form factor, so keep that balance in your comparison.

Laptop Ports: Main Features

display . Use this port to connect an external monitor or HDTV. The most common ports are HDMI and DisplayPort.
Thunderbolt™ 3 technology . This versatile connection technology can transmit video and audio to the monitor using the DisplayPort standard. It also enables data transfer and power delivery 4x faster than USB 3.1. This connection can be especially useful for transferring multiple monitor settings or large amounts of data to an external drive. Not all laptops support Thunderbolt™ 3 technology, so double check to take advantage of this technology.
USB . The USB port can be used to connect mice, headsets, external hard drives, and numerous other peripherals. Revision numbers such as 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1 reflect the data transfer rate of the port, while classifications such as “Type-A” and “Type-C” indicate the shape of the connector.
audio . Most laptops have a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a USB port for compatible headsets and speakers.
Ethernet The RJ-45 Ethernet jack can provide a fast and reliable connection to your system, making it a great alternative to relying on Wi-Fi when you are at home. If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB to Ethernet adapter.
SD . The SD card slot makes it easy to expand storage with SDXC cards and allows for fast data transfer between devices that support this form factor. This can be especially useful in applications that require frequent media transfer, such as taking photos and videos.

If limited ports are available on the laptop you want, consider using a multi-port USB hub or docking station. If you find it difficult to connect a mouse, headset, webcam, external hard drive, or other peripheral to a slim laptop with only two USB ports, these options can provide new connectivity options.

For more information on how to build a laptop-centric gaming station, see our ultimate laptop setup guide.

laptop cooling

Cooling improvements have allowed notebook manufacturers to overcome the old stereotype of thick, unwieldy gaming laptops. Today, some of the most powerful systems on the market are thin laptops with meticulously designed cooling systems.
Although the workings inside are complex, the basics of a laptop cooling system are still mostly comprised of vents, fans, cooling pipes and heatsinks. That said, huge advances have been made in how these cooling tools are designed and implemented, allowing for the smaller form factors found in modern gaming laptops.
Comparing the cooling of one system to another can be difficult from a manufacturer's description alone, so it's worth checking out reviews to see how it might relate to actual performance and usage needs.

Taking full advantage of your laptop's input and output options will give you a desktop-like gaming experience at home. Place your laptop in the center and connect a gaming mouse, responsive keyboard or premium audio to create a fully featured gaming station.

Laptop Input: Key Features

mechanical keyboard . Most gaming laptops don't use mechanical switches, but you can easily connect an external keyboard via USB to enjoy a full-size keyboard layout with your preferred switch aesthetic.

gaming mouse . The touchpad in laptops has come a long way, especially designed for everyday comfort. However, when gaming, it may be preferable to connect a mouse to additional input options for more precise and customizable movement.

Headset and Audio . Given a built-in microphone and an adjustable balance between game audio and voice chat, gaming headsets are very useful for modern multiplayer gaming. Many have both stereo and digital surround sound configurations. Usually connected via USB port, Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio jack.

speaker . Upgrade your laptop's built-in speakers to create a rich soundstage with desktop speakers or sound bars. Connect traditional speakers via USB or audio cables, or use lightweight Bluetooth speakers or sound bars for a more immersive audio experience.

Which laptop is right for me?

When choosing a laptop, the most important thing is to plan on using it.

If you plan on gaming with an external monitor, it may make sense to prioritize CPU and GPU over the feature-rich built-in display. If you want to edit video or create content, 32GB of RAM, solid CPU and high-resolution display can be more important than modern GPU architectures.

It's not just about comparing the parts or form factor of a gaming laptop to other products. It's about finding the features you value the most and finding a device that has everything you want.