Best Gaming Laptop to Buy in 2019: Full Specs, Pros and Cons & More

PC gamers know how challenging it is to find a great gaming laptop that exactly match their extensive needs and preferences and doesn’t break the bank.

If you’re passionate about gaming, you’re likely going to want to test the latest games that come out.

But the newer they are, the higher the requirements will be.

Even more so, a high-performing laptop is a serious investment on anyone’s behalf, so you need to think it through wisely.

So what can help you decide on one model from the huge variety available on the market?

Take some time to read through all our favorites; we guarantee that the research will pay off when you get the gaming laptop of your dreams.

Best Gaming Laptops of 2019

Product Name	Dimensions (inches)	Screen Size (inches)	Graphics	Processor
MSI GS63VR Stealth Pro	9.8 x 14.96 x 0.69	15.6	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060	Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)
Acer Aspire VX 15	10.45 x 15.31 x 1.14	15.6	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050	Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)
Razer Blade 14″	9.3 x 13.6 x 0.7	14	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060	Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S	14.2 x 10.6 x 0.6	15.6	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070	Intel Core i7-8750H (up to 3.9GHz)
Lenovo Legion Y7000	14.2 x 1.1 x 10.5	15.6	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060	Intel Core i7-8750H (2.2- 4.10GHz)
HP 15-af131dx P1A95UA	0.96 x 15.13 x 10.02	15.6	AMD Radeon R4 graphics (up to 2048MB)	AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU (2.0GHz)
Lenovo G50	15.12 x 10.43 x 0.98	15.6	Integrated AMD Radeon R5 Graphics	AMD Quad-Core A8-6410
Dell Inspiron i7559	15.7 x 10.43 x 0.99	15.6	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M	Intel i5-6300HQ (2.3 GHz)
Acer Predator Helios 300	10.47 x 15.35 x 1.05	15.6	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060	Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)
Alienware 17″	16.69 x 13 x 1.17	17.3	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060	Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)

10. MSI GS63VR Stealth Pro – Best Portable Gaming Laptop

One of the main reasons we are usually looking for a gaming laptop in the first place is finding a compact alternative to a desktop PC.

In addition to the costs that a full gaming PC comes with, it limits us to a single playing area.

If you want to game on the go, you buy a portable substitute, like the MSI GS63VR Stealth Pro gaming laptop.

It’s incredibly thin and lightweight, at a total of just 3.96 pounds.

However, don’t let its portability fool you; it’s just as powerful as many high-end PCs on the market.

The Stealth Pro boasts remarkable hardware, with a 7th generation Intel Core processor and GeForce GTX 10-Series graphics.

For one of the best gaming laptop options, it’s comfortably priced at around $1,500.

Full Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.8-3.8GHz)
• RAM: 15 GB DDR4 2400MHz
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 with 6GB VRAM (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 56GB (SSD)+ 2TB (SATA) 5400rpm
• Screen: 15.6″; 1920 x 1080 (IPS-level screen)
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64 bit
• Item weight: 3.96 lbs/ 1.8 kg
• Misc: 1 x USB 3.0 Thunderbolt (Type-C) port, HDMI port

Design & Usability

There’s no doubt that the Stealth Pro is a beautiful unit.

With a slick black with red details cover, the laptop also features a custom SteelSeries RGB keyboard.

The matte, 15.6-inch display is just what you need for concentrating on the visual aspect of any game or video.

Oh, did we mention that the Stealth Pro weighs less than 4 pounds? That’s definitely a feature you don’t come across too often.

As opposed to other very portable gaming laptops, it also fits a full number pad in its 9.8 x 14.96 x 0.69 dimensions.

The fact that it’s so compact from any point of view makes it ideal for traveling gamers, or those who just want to play in various environments.

Nevertheless, a significant downside is the battery – it lasts less than 3 hours.

Quality & Performance

Overall, we’re talking about a high quality laptop that won’t disappoint even the pickiest of gamers.

Still, there are some details that could be improved in future models.

For instance, it’s great that you have a webcam incorporated in the design, but the image is quite pixelated.

What’s more, the laptop will heat up significantly after 15 minutes of use.

However, this is nothing when you think about the hardware.

The GTX 1060 6G GDDR5 graphics card provides stunning imagery, with the option of switching from the NVIDIA graphics to the CPU ones and back again.

Plus, the i7-6700HQ processor and 16GB of RAM are more than enough to support games, HD video streaming and anything else you could want from your desktop computer.

Unsure whether you should invest in a VR-ready device? Check out this article:

9. Acer Aspire VX 15 – Best 15-Inch Gaming Laptop

Aside from state-of-the-art models like Alienware, most of the best gaming laptop offers come in 15-inch varieties.

So, it was quite the task for us to identify the best.

Be that as it may, the Acer Aspire VX 15 (VX5-591G-75RM) stands out as an amazing value for hardcore gamers seeking a 15.6-inch screen size.

Even though it’s in the ~$1,000 price range, it actually packs features that many >$2,000 gaming laptops come with.

The GTX 1050 graphics card, 7^th gen processor and lack of overheating issues are the details that sparked our interest.

Even though the 256GB SSD may seem like a discouraging specification, the manufacturing company offers a nice solution (which we’ll talk more about below.)

Full Specs

• Processor: i7-7700HQ Processor (3.8GHz max)
• RAM: 16 GB DDR4
• Graphics card: GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB VRAM (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 256GB SSD (SATA upgrade kit available)
• Screen: 15.6″; 1920 x 1080 (IPS display)
• OS: Windows 10 Home Edition 64bit
• Item weight: 5.51 lbs/ 2.5 kg
• Misc: USB 3.1 Type-C port, HDMI port, 6 total ports

Design & Usability

With a sharp-angled black and red design, the VX 15 looks super cool straight out the box.

Despite the plastic case, users will be happy to find out that fingerprints won’t be an issue.

It has two fans incorporated in the design, which actually prevent the laptop from heating up.

The keyboard won’t make any annoying noise, allowing you to concentrate on the game.

We would have awarded the VX 15 with top usability points if it weren’t for the persistent HDD issue.

Seeing as the 256GB SSD isn’t nearly enough for what avid gamers look for in a unit, they’ll probably want to replace theirs.

Here’s where the problem kicks in – you don’t have any hardware to do so.

To solve this issue, the folks at Acer let you request a free HDD installation kit by completing a form.

Quality & Performance

Don’t let the plastic casing fool you; the VX 15 is a serious gaming machine.

The Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor is powerful and effective, while the IPS display comes to life and keeps speed up to par with the NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti with 4 GB GDDR5 VRAM graphics.

We also want to give a shout out to Acer for offering prompt, patient and all-around terrific customer service.

In most cases, it’s all smooth sailing with this Acer model.

It’s reported to run like a gem, allowing you to play and listen to music without any problems.

You’ll be able to run most modern games on medium at least.

Although a few users complained about their screen flickering from time to time, it hasn’t been an issue for all users.

8. Razer Blade 14″ – Best Slim Gaming Laptop

Gaming laptops have their fair share of ups and downs, with heaviness being one of the major cons in most models.

The idea of getting a portable gaming device is so you can move it around with ease, which is why so many customers look for a slim unit.

Out of all the thin gaming laptops we’ve researched, the Razer Blade takes the win.

The Razer Blade is incredibly thin, being only 0.7 inches tall.

Even though it’s not the slimmest model from the company (their Stealth Ultrabook is 0.5” thick), it’s by far the best overall value.

Don’t expect it to be cheap, at an approximate $2,000 price tag, but expect it to deliver astounding quality for the money you invest.

Full Specs

• Processor: Quad Core Intel Core i7-7700HQ with hyper-threading 2.8GHz/3.8GHz (Base/Turbo)
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 2400MHz
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 512GB SSD
• Screen: 14”; 1920×1080 (IPS display)
• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64bit
• Item weight: 4.16 lbs/ 1.88 kg
• Misc: VR-ready, 0.70” thin, 3 x USB 3.0 Ports, 1 x Thunderbolt 3 type C port

Design & Usability

It’s easy to understand why design is the Razer Blade’s strongest point of all.

With 9.3 x 13.6 x 0.7 dimensions and a weight of just 4.16 pounds, it really is as close as you can get to an Ultrabook without losing quality.

The black aluminum frame is gorgeous, even though it is prone to fingerprints.

The specific model we’re reviewing has a 14-inch screen, but you can also get the 17 inch model.

We love how versatile the Razer Blade is. Naturally, it’s one of the best gaming laptop choices, but it’s also fantastic for businessmen in IT or even 3D artists.

The laptop arrives with the colors accurately calibrated, also serving as one of the first mobile devices in the world certified by THX.

Additionally, the Chroma lighting system by Razer lets you fully customize your keyboard colors.

Quality & Performance

Most of the time, the Razer Blade is such a powerful piece of eye candy that it almost seems too good to be true.

Well, unfortunately, it appears that it is that way for some customers.

We have identified an alarming number of complaints about backlight bleeding or dead pixels.

Razer seems to have solved these issues, but not as fast as users would have liked.

Without a doubt, the 3.8GHZ Intel Core Intel Core i7-7700HQ is up to par with industry standards for gaming laptops in this price range.

You get the unit with an Nvidia GeForce 1060 graphics card, which is just what you need for basically any new game on the market.

All in all, countless reports say that the Razer Blade has everything Apple should have considered for the MacBook Pro (which is saying something).

7. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX531GS-AH76) – Best ASUS Gaming Laptop

With its ROG series, ASUS has launched an impressive range of powerful gaming laptops on the market.

The company is known for designing fairly-priced units that work like a charm for avid gamers.

Considering that most of their products have the above-mentioned qualities, it wasn’t easy proclaiming the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S as the best gaming ASUS laptop for (hardcore) gaming.

But what makes it our top choice?

A satisfying blend of full high-definition performance, generous hard drive, awesome aesthetics, ultra-slimness, and stress-free upgrade options, all for around $1,800.

In a nutshell, you can play most of the coolest games out now, even on Ultra.

Notwithstanding, there are notable issues you may wind up going through, which we’ll go into detail about below.

Full Specs

• Processor: 8^th gen Intel Core i7-8750H (up to 3.9GHz)
• RAM: 16GB 2666MHz
• Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB VRAM GDDR5
• Hard drive: 512GB (PCIe NVMe M.2) SSD
• Screen: 15.6” Full HD; 144Hz/3ms; IPS-type display
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64bit
• Item Weight: 4.63 lbs/ 1.8 kg
• Misc: 0.62” thin; military-grade magnesium alloy body; Max Q tech; Rog Active Aerodynamic system (AAs)

Design & Usability

As ASUS explains, the design of the GX531GS-AH76 was inspired by an F-22 stealth fighter.

A fusion of military-grade magnesium alloy body and a CNC-milled aluminum  cover will ensure that this laptop will survive a fair share of abuse and  day-to-day hazards, like drops from up to 2.5 ft (76 cm).

The Zephyrus S is also one of the world’s ultra-slim gaming laptops, at 0.62″ thin (which is 12% thinner than the original GX501)

It also features one of the world’s best cooling systems for a super thin gaming laptop and a unique keyboard/mousepad layout that you either love it or hate it.

The Active Aerodynamic system (AAs) adjusts on its own fan speeds depending on GPU and CPU temperatures.

There are also three modes of adjusting the 12V fans, including a manual one and a dust-tunnel design that keeps unwanted air-borne particles at bay.

This laptop is almost as small as the Macbook Pro 15 and the design while being sleek won’t catch too much attention to itself.

Quality & Performance

This Zephyrus S model is able to destroy any popular PC title on the market and still maintain minimum 60fps most of the time.

Overall the performance it manages to pull off is very impressive especially for a device in this price range.

Another positive aspect is the IPS-level display, with an insane 144Hz/3ms refresh rate and 178-degree viewing angle.

Many users have complained about backlight bleed issues which are the most obvious when the screen turns completely black from a loading screen, for example.

But the problem seems to affect just a few models.

If are among the unlucky ones at this Russian roulette of faulty screens, you can always ask ASUS to replace the device, no questions asked.

Another issue brought up by some users was battery life, as it is a bit short at just 2 hour for continuous gaming.

But when the screen is dimmed to less than 40% and no gaming is involved you can squeeze up to three hours of autonomy.

And bear in mind, that battery life is an issue with most powerful gaming laptops as today’s games need tons of power.

6. Lenovo Legion Y7000 – Best Lenovo Gaming Laptop

Another popular manufacturer of budget-friendly gaming laptops is Lenovo, with most units priced under $1,500.

From where we stand, the Legion Y7000 takes the crown as the best gaming laptop from Lenovo, part of their high-performing Ideapad series.

With a sturdy aluminum structure, solid performance and numerous audio-related compliments, it’s definitely a bang for the buck.

And there’s that  1 TB of available storage, too, for you to store all your favorite games and pics.

This particular model is currently on sale for a dash above $1,200 on Amazon, but even if you don’t catch the promo you won’t have to pay more than $1,400 for it.

All in all, it’s one of the best gaming laptops out there in this price category.

Full Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H
• RAM: 16 GB DDR4
• Graphics card:  GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 VRAM (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 128GB PCIe SSD + 1 TB HDD
• Screen: 15.6″ Full HD; 60 Hz; 300 nits of brightness (Anti-glare IPS)
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64bit
• Item Weight: 5.17 lbs/ 2.5 kg
• Misc: 1.1 inch thin; HDMI slot; 3 USB and USB-C ports (no Thunderbolt support)

Design & Usability

With the Legion Y7000, we’re not only dealing with a visually pleasing laptop, but also with a durable one.

The device has a metallic finish and a cool, white-backlit keyboard for night gaming.

Furthermore, the 15.6” IPS delivers clear and bright images, all while preventing glare.

It’s quite the stylish unit, especially for gamers who like sharp angles and edges in their design.

What’s more, at 1.1 inch thin and 5.5 lbs, this is one of the best buy for hardcore gamers who have portability as a priority.

But unfortunately, this unit’s SSD capacity cannot be user upgraded.

You’ll need the assistance of a certified technician to do it.

However, the 1TB of HD storage is more than enough for most users.

Quality & Performance

The Lenovo Legion Y7000 has a particular quality benefit that makes it tower over competitors – outstanding video quality.

While plenty of gaming laptops lack proper graphics, a game running on the Y7000 set to the maximum looks amazing.

Add that to the speed (easily handles 60 FPS on ultra) and power and you have a terrific value at hand.

Here’s where the main customer concern comes in: the Y7000’s 128GB SSD most likely won’t be enough for your gaming requirements.

However, rest assured that you can get it upgraded by a professional without a problem.

5. HP 15-af131dx P1A95UA – Best Cheap Gaming Laptop under 300 Dollars

Before we dive into details about the cheapest laptop from our selection, we want to set the record straight.

No <$300 laptop will allow you to play complex, modern games.

Now that we have that settled, let’s talk about what you can expect from the HP 15-af131dx P1A95UA, the best gaming laptop for an extremely limited budget.

This HP best buy is the ideal tool for school, home, and office work, especially if you can’t afford to throw in few more hundreds for a high-end laptop.

You can use it for basic online games or low-maintenance ones like Minecraft or Sims, thanks to the AMD Radeon R4 video graphics and AMD quad-core processor.

At the moment, it’s a bit over $250 on platforms like Amazon.

Full Specs

• Processor: AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU (2.0GHz)
• RAM: 4GB DDR3
• Graphics card: AMD Radeon R4 – up to 2048MB total graphics memory
• Hard drive: 500GB hard drive (5400RPM)
• Screen: 15.6-inch (1366×768) WLED-backlit display
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64bit
• Item Weight: 4.73 lbs/ 2.1 kg
• Misc: Multi-Format Digital Media Card Reader; HDMI port; 1 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0

Design & Usability

As expected, this HP 15 model has a plastic chassis, but don’t let the cheaper material fool you.

The manufacturer is known for designing sturdy laptops that usually withstand minor drops.

For a unit in its price range, it has a surprisingly large screen, with the 15.6” diagonal that better gaming laptops come with.

A nice touch for casual gamers is the full keyboard, complete with a number pad.

Novice gamers or users who aren’t exactly tech experts will appreciate the simple setup.

Basically, it’s ready to use straight out of the box.

However, you should know that it comes with tons of pre-installed software (bloatware).

In essence, it’s a user-friendly laptop for all types of customers, from students to seniors and everyone in between.

Quality & Performance

As with all budget products, you will always get what you pay for.

That being said, we were still surprised to find satisfactory results with the HP 15-af131dx.

It is indeed a quality laptop for the money, provided you don’t set your expectations too high.

HP has done a fine job of creating a product and marketing it accordingly, although their customer service is reported to be slow.

For a quick specs follow up, be aware that this laptop has an AMD A6-5200 microprocessor, with only 4GB of RAM.

Clearly, you’ll want at least 8GB of RAM for anything more than light gaming.

In addition to this, you may want to spend a few extra bucks on an SSD, regardless if you’ll be using it for games.

Otherwise, you risk struggling with a slow laptop, no matter how affordable it is.

4. Lenovo G50 – Best Gaming Laptop under 500 Dollars

At less than $500, the Lenovo G50 80E30181US came in pretty close to the HP that won the slot for the cheapest laptop on our list.

Be that as it may, the G50 has significant advantages that come with the extra minor investment.

Still, don’t forget that this is a unit priced at less than $350, which makes it a fantastic value for the amount you spend on it.

Although the G50 graphics are integrated, the AMD Radeon R5 variety is pretty satisfactory when compared to the HP.

Moreover, the 6GB of RAM are better, but will also most likely need an upgrade for faster use.

It’s definitely not an option for those who play heavily, but the G50 will meet and maybe even exceed the expectations of casual gamers.

Full Features

• Processor: AMD Quad-Core A8-6410
• RAM: 6GB DDR3L
• Graphics card: AMD Radeon R5 graphics (integrated)
• Hard drive: 500GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
• Screen: 15.6″ LCD HD widescreen display
• OS: Windows 8.1
• Item Weight: 4.63 lbs/ 1.8 kg
• Misc: Built-in high-speed wireless LAN, 1 x USB 3.0 port; 2 x USB 2.0 ports

Design & Usability

Design-wise, the Lenovo G50 is nothing out of the ordinary.

It has a classic frame made from plastic but shines through the large 15.6-inch display for a laptop in its class.

The screen is an LCD with LED backlighting and 1366 x 768p resolution. There’s a webcam incorporated in the design, but it’s only 0.3MP.

The G50 also has a sleek, all-black finish, allowing it to fit comfortably into any environment.

Like with most other low-budget laptops, the G50 provides a swift installation once you receive it.

However, be aware that you’ll need to spend quite some time uninstalling all the malware and adware it comes with.

You can easily use it to play older games, and even some modern ones with low settings.

Gameplay won’t be a problem, but the frame rate for streaming isn’t the best.

Quality & Performance

If you’re one of the lucky users that make up the majority, you should enjoy an exceptional deal with the nice quality for the small investment.

Nevertheless, we want to inform you that there are a handful of negative reports regarding the G50 keyboard.

Not only do the keys feel cheaply made, but it’s also prone to falling out completely after a year or so of use.

Performance won’t be astounding for avid gamers, but it gets the job done for basic computing.

If you ever want to step up its speed, consider replacing the 6GB of RAM it comes with.

You have two slots available, which can support 8GB each.

As a result, you’ll be able to upgrade to a total of 16GB of RAM.

Throw in an SSD and you just may have one of the best deals you can get your hands on.

3. Dell Inspiron i7559 – Best Gaming Laptop under 1000 Dollars

Aside from being the best gaming laptop that you’ll pay far less than $1,000 for, the Dell Inspiron i7559 is one of the best deals you can enjoy.

The 7559 is a powerful machine that boasts the configurations of many upper-end gaming laptops, all for somewhere around $700 on sites like Amazon.

Plus, it’s a Dell model, the same company that owns the world-class Alienware brand.

With a competitive 6^th gen Intel Core processor and remarkable GTX 960M graphics, the 7559 stands out from the crowd through wonderful value.

You get some of the highest speeds on the market, thanks to the ultra-efficient 256GB SSD card.

It’s a marvelous piece of equipment that has even the fussiest gamers excited.

Full Specs

• Processor: 6th Gen Intel i5-6300HQ 2.3 GHz Quad-Core (up to 3.2 GHz)
• RAM: 8 GB DDR3L 1600MHz
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M with 4GB VRAM
• Hard drive: 256 GB SSD
• Screen: 5.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) Wide-Angle, Anti-Glare IPS display
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64Bit
• Item Weight: 6 lbs/ 2.7 kg
• Misc: 2-in-1 media card reader; USB 3.0 port; HDMI port; wireless card-paired bluetooth 4.0

Design & Usability

The 7559 has a matte black finish with eye-catching red accents.

It’s easy for anyone to appreciate that it’s an attractive unit, even if it is a bit on the heavy side (5.67 pounds).

As much as we love how it looks on a desk, the 15.6-inch screen may have certain design issues.

Even though the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution is lovely, there are recurring complaints of backlight bleeding.

However, the product scores extra points for usability.

You can start using the laptop the moment you unbox it, even having the display pre-calibrated.

Compared to other manufacturers, Dell lays low on the bloatware and saves users time they would have spent uninstalling it.

You can use the 7559 for playing the latest and greatest games at high settings, from Fallout 4 to Witcher 3.

Quality & Performance

There’s no doubt in the world regarding the quality of hardware put into the 7559.

The GTX 960M GPU provides spectacular images, and the 6^th generation i5-6300HQ processor won’t disappoint.

Nonetheless, we have pinpointed multiple reviews by discontent users that highlighted the poor quality of the hinges.

To be more specific, the hinges on their units broke in just a few months.

The performance stats are stellar, owing to the awesome 256GB SSD it comes with.

If that isn’t enough, you can always add another SSD to make your unit skyrocket.

The memory is also upgradeable, allowing users to escalate to 16GB of RAM.

Although the pros prominently outweigh the cons, we do have to mention that several users had their product die out after 1 year or so.

2. Acer Predator Helios 300 – Best Gaming Laptop under 1500 Dollars

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is as close as you can get to a top-of-the-line gaming laptop without breaking the bank.

In fact, you’ll barely have to pay over $1,000 to make this baby yours.

It’s the only best gaming laptop that’s in a top 10 best-selling Amazon list, and in two categories: #5 in Traditional Laptops and #7 in the general Laptops category.

We were extremely close to crowning it the best gaming laptop of 2019, if it weren’t for several persisting issues that Acer hasn’t succeeded in clearing up yet.

But before we detail them, let’s take a moment to shine some light on the unbelievable value this laptop has. A 8^th generation Intel Core processor, 256GB SSD and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB overclockable graphics card, all for well under $1,300.

No, we’re not kidding.

Full Specs

• Processor:  Intel Core i7-8750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 4.1GHz)
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB VRAM (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 256GB (2.5 inch hard drive slot)
• Screen: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 x 1080); 144Hz refresh rate; IPS display
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64Bit
• Item weight: 5.51 lbs/ 2.5 kg
• Misc: Backlit keyboard;  dual all-metal AeroBlade 3D cooling system; USB 3.1 (Type C) port

Design & Usability

We want to make it clear that the Predator Helios 300 is a laptop evidently designed for gamers.

In this regard, you can’t expect a unit with a futuristic design and a huge “Predator” logo on the back to fit in with your school or office setting.

The sleek metal chassis is paired with nice red backlighting for the keyboard, with the W / A / S / D keys accentuated for gaming purposes.

Furthermore, we don’t really recommend taking the Predator Helios 300 out for walks anyway, partly due to the weight.

It is indeed a reliable desktop computer replacement for gamers, but at 5.95 pounds it’s quite heavy.

As for actual gameplay, you should know that there aren’t any limits to the advanced games you can play with 60 fps+ and high or even ultra settings.

Quality & Performance

The processor, graphics card, SSD and distinctly large memory are all clear signs of quality with the Helios 300.

Disappointingly, the area lacking quality is the screen.

Sure, it’s full HD and with a 15.6” diagonal, but there are more screen bleeding reports than we can count.

The quality of the battery is also lower than advertised – 2-3 hours for basic computing instead of the promised 7 hours.

Notwithstanding, the tech specs and exceptional performance of the Predator Helios 300 make it a lean mean gaming machine.

Aside from amazing speed, you can also toy around with its VR features and take your playing experience to the next level.

Just be prepared to update your firmware right when you take it out of the box though (BIOS 1.3 required).

1. Alienware 17″ – Best Gaming Laptop of 2019

If you know anything about gaming, you were already expecting an Alienware unit to top off our list.

Our pick of the year is the Alienware 17″, the absolute beast of gaming laptops.

You get the best of the best in hardware, from the latest 7^th Gen Intel Quad Core processor, to the most recent GTX 1060 graphics card and all the way to VR capabilities. But all these come at a hefty price tag (>$2,500).

The Alienware 17″ is an undisputable workhorse, withstanding an overwhelming amount of state-of-the-art games and software.

As a matter of fact, it’s a premium choice for individuals working in video or image processing, thanks to the dazzling specs.

It has more custom options than you could ever hope for, allowing you to truly make this gaming machine yours.

Full Features

• Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ Quad-Core, 6MB Cache (Up to 3.8GHz)

• RAM: 16GB 2400MHz DDR4,
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8 GB VRAM (dedicated)
• Hard drive: 128GB + 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA HDD
• Screen: 17.3″ QHD (2560 x 1440); 120Hz refresh rate; IPS 400-nits anti-glare display
• OS: Windows 10 Home 64Bit
• Item weight: 9.7 lbs/ 4.4 kg
• Misc: Nvidia G-sync; Tobii Eye-tracking tech; PredatorSense gaming control panel; 3 USB 3.0 ports; Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port

Design & Usability

The Alienware brand is known for designing some of the coolest-looking gaming laptops on the market.

The 17 model shines with an icy silver shell and all-around innovative design, with a fully customizable backlit keyboard and ports galore.

The screen is a whopping 17.3 inches in diagonal, making it the largest display on our list.

We regret that it’s incredibly heavy though, at almost 10lb.

Almost all customers purchase the Alienware 17 for gaming, obviously.

However, its impressive graphics and processing make it more than suitable for content creators.

You can also use the awesome Tobii eye-tracking software to enhance your gameplay and content creation.

Use this beautiful beast for any game on the market, no matter how complex or demanding it is.

Quality & Performance

The 17 model by Alienware is probably the only best gaming laptop we can think of without any major quality issues.

Its case is well-built and super sturdy, and there’s no doubting the quality of the components Dell has invested in it.

Also, it has solved the seemingly ubiquitous problem of overheating; the advanced thermals keep it cool even when gaming for hours on end.

Alienware 17 offers a 5-star performance with every game session.

It’s a laptop you can genuinely rely on, designed by one of the game industry leaders right now.

Honestly, the mediocre battery life and potentially noisy fan system are really just nitpicking.

On the whole, the Alienware 17″ is the best gaming laptop of the year, from specs to performance and any other aspect you can think of.

The Verdict

In summary, the best gaming laptop of the year may be the Alienware 17, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the best option for you.

Every gamer has their own conditions, and to each his own.

There are quite a few details that you should always consider before buying your gaming laptop, especially if you don’t want to regret your purchase a month after unboxing.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you go through this checklist and set your priorities in order before you’re tempted to check out on the first unit you see:

• Processor – Will I stand for nothing less than a 7^th generation Intel Core processor? Or am I ok with an AMD Quad Core too?
• Graphics Card – How much do I value graphics as part of my gaming experience?
• Memory – Would I rather get a fast unit from the beginning, or upgrade as I go along?
• Size – Do I want to travel with my gaming laptop, or do I just want to keep it on my desk at home?
• Budget – How much am I willing to spend on the best gaming laptop for me? More than $1,000? Less than $500?

Once you have these specifics settled, the rest will be a breeze.

Put the pieces of the puzzle together and see which gaming laptop will bring you the most long-term joy.

Have fun!