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Best gaming laptops 2023: play your favorite PC games on the go

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Best gaming laptops 2023: play your favorite PC games on the go

PC gaming laptops need to deliver top performance and portability. These are the best based on our testing

Jackie Thomas
and
Adam Vjestica
Mar 24
7
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Best gaming laptops 2023: play your favorite PC games on the go

www.theshortcut.com
Best gaming laptops 2023
(Credit: The Shortcut)

Looking for the best gaming laptops? We’ve got you covered. With the recent release of Nvidia’s RTX 4080 and other GPUs coming to laptops, the best gaming laptops are about to get even better.

These powerful GPUs allow for higher resolutions and frame rates on laptops, something that has been a challenge in the past. Heat management and poor battery life have also been persistent issues, but thankfully this has also improved in recent years.

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If you’re not interested in the best gaming PCs, We recommend choosing a laptop with a 1080p or 1440p display for optimal performance. And if you want to experience 4K gaming, you can always connect your laptop to one of the best gaming monitors.

With so many options available, finding the right gaming laptop can be overwhelming. But don’t worry – as experts in reviewing the best gaming laptops, we’re here to help you find the perfect one for your needs.


5. Dell G15

A budget gaming laptop that doesn’t suck

Dell G15
(Credit: The Shortcut)

➕ Affordable

➕ Solid performance for the price

➖ Plastic chassis

Specs: CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 – Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti | RAM: 8GB, 16GB | Storage (SSD): 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080; 2560 x 1440

Looking for an affordable gaming laptop? The Dell G15 is a budget-friendly laptop that offers impressive specs and a sleek design that doesn’t look like a toy. And while the chassis is primarily plastic, the value you’re getting for the price more than makes up for it.

One of the best things about the Dell G15 is that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for affordability. In fact, the cheapest version of this laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an RTX 3050 Ti – all for less than a similar RTX 3050 model.

With these specs, you’ll be able to play almost any game at 1080p. And while you can upgrade the screen to 1440p, we recommend sticking with the standard 1080p 120Hz display unless you also plan to upgrade to the RTX 3070 Ti GPU.

So if you’re looking for a budget gaming laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Dell G15 is a great shout.

Best Buy: Dell G15


4. Alienware X17 R2

The ultimate gaming laptop

Alienware X17 R2
(Credit: The Shortcut/Jackie Thomas)

➕ The fastest gaming laptop on this list

➕ Absolutely beautiful design

➖ Extremely expensive

Specs: CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7 – Intel Core i9; AMD Ryzen Ryzen 7 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 – Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti; AMD Radeon RX 6700M - Radeon RX 6850M | RAM: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | Storage (SSD): 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | Screen Size: 17.3 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080; 2560 x 1440; 3840 x 2160

The Alienware X17 R2 is a powerhouse laptop that’s available with either Intel/Nvidia or AMD components and is perfect for playing the latest and greatest PC games without any compromises.

In our testing, we found that the Alienware X17 R2 could handle even the most demanding games with ease. And while it’s a large laptop – as you’d expect from a 17-inch model – its unique design allows for better cooling, making it competitive with even larger desktop-replacement gaming laptops.

While its size does limit its portability, it still looks great on your desk and is relatively easy to move around. Our only wish is that it had a slightly smaller profile so it could fit more easily into a backpack.

Overall, if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line gaming laptop that can handle anything you throw at it, the Alienware X17 is definitely worth considering.

Best Buy: Alienware X17

Walmart: Alienware X17

Newegg: Alienware X17


3. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE

This gaming laptop looks the business

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
(Credit: The Shortcut/Jackie Thomas)

➕ Decent value

➕ Powerful

➖ Questionable gaming laptop design

Specs: CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7 – Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 – Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti | RAM: 16GB, 32GB | Storage (SSD): 512GB, 1TB | Screen Size: 14 inches, 16 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1200; 2560 x 1600

Looking for a gaming laptop that can blend in with a professional setting? The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE might be just what you need. With its simple silver design and unassuming exterior, this laptop looks like a business machine from the outside – but don’t let that fool you.

Under the hood, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE packs some serious power. With the latest Intel H-series processors and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, this laptop can handle even the most demanding games with ease. And if you opt for the QHD display option, you’ll be able to enjoy stunning visuals without sacrificing performance.

If you’re looking for something that can do double duty as a work machine, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE might be for you.

Best Buy: Acer Predator Triton 300 SE

Newegg: Acer Triton 300


2. Asus TUF Dash F15

An affordable Razer Blade alternative

Asus TUF Dash F15
(Credit: The Shortcut)

➕ Powerful and portable

➕ Tempting price point

➖ Gamer aesthetic might be divisive

Specs: CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – Intel Core i7 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 3050 – Nvidia RTX 3070 | RAM: 8GB, 16GB | Storage (SSD): 512GB, 1TB | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080; 2560 x 1440

When it comes to thin and light gaming laptops, the Asus TUF Dash is a standout option. When it was first released in 2020 with AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, we were blown away by its fast performance – especially considering its slim design and affordable price tag of just $1,199.

Now in 2022, the Asus TUF Dash has been updated with Intel Alder Lake chips for even better performance. And one of the biggest complaints about the previous model – the lack of a webcam – has been addressed. While this year’s model does come with a slightly higher price tag, it’s still an incredible value proposition for such a portable and powerful gaming laptop.

Best Buy: Asus TUF Dash F15

Newegg: Asus TUF Dash F15


1. Razer Blade 15

Luxury and power in a gaming laptop

Razer Blade 15
(Credit: The Shortcut)

➕ Easily the most beautiful gaming laptop out there

➕ Thin and light

➖ Big investment

Specs: CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7 – Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 – Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti | RAM: 16GB, 32GB | Storage (SSD): 1TB | Screen Size: 15.6 inches | Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080; 2560 x 1440; 3840 x 2160

When it comes to gaming laptops that look as good as they perform, the Razer Blade 15 is hard to beat. With its sleek black aluminum unibody design and illuminated Razer logo, this laptop is the gaming equivalent of a MacBook Pro – and it’s sure to turn heads wherever you take it.

But the Razer Blade 15 isn’t just a pretty face. In our testing, we’ve found it to be one of the fastest portable gaming laptops on the market. While there are other laptops with similar hardware that may be slightly quicker, they’re not nearly as easy to carry around – and isn’t portability one of the main reasons to choose a gaming laptop in the first place?

The Razer Blade 15 is the perfect blend of beauty and brawn, and there’s a reason why it tops our list as the best gaming laptop of 2023.

Best Buy: Razer Blade 15

Newegg: Razer Blade 15


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