Long gone are the days of bulky, unwieldy laptops with gigantic power cords. They are being replaced with increasingly compact designs every year. Even with a host of style and performance upgrades consistently raising the standard, that's not enough for some users. For laptop users who have a lot of places to be and people to see, only the thinnest, lightest laptops will do. Whether it's ultimately for style or for function, having a sleek laptop with premium specs can make a big difference on the subway or in the conference room.
Best Laptops for Gaming and Work in 2024
Discover the ideal laptops that excel in gaming and productivity, ensuring you get the best of both worlds in one device.
Packed with powerful features and high-quality hardware, these ultra-portable laptops make a few sacrifices in order to deliver convenient digital access from anywhere. This guide compiles the best lightweight laptops for gaming, with some of the most attractive specs today.
Updated on May 19th, by Sarfraz Khan: With the arrival of newer mobile APUs, we have updated our list by including newer laptops that excel in gaming without taking much space in your bag. These laptops also come with additional features to improve productivity and have terrific displays.
Game ZXC's Picks for the Best Light And Thin Gaming Laptops in 2024
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop - 15.6'
The Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop packs an enormous punch, hosting an Intel Core i7 12th-gen 14-core processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and an RTX 3070TI that should allow you to easily play all modern games. Packing an impressive 240Hz screen that competitive gamers will appreciate along with 1TB of NVME storage, the Razer Blade 15 trades at an impressive discount, making it one of the best gaming laptop deals you can find on Amazon right now.
- CPU
- Core i7 13th gen
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Laptop
- RAM
- 16 GB DDR5
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 15", 2560 x 1440
- Weight
- 4.54 pounds
- Dimensions
- 13.98 x 9.25 x 0.67 inches
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Storage
- 1TB PCI-E SSD
- Extremely light and thin
- Top-tier screen resolution
- Includes top-of-the line CPU and GPU hardware
- Very expensive
- Fairly plain looking
The so-called "Razer tax" may not be a completely fair moniker, but the Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop is one of the lightest and thinnest high-end laptops on the market. Listed at less than $2000, depending on the specific hardware options chosen during checkout, players will need to pay a pretty penny to get their hands on this gaming laptop. The compact laptop does have quite a few enticing features that make it worth the high asking price. With a thickness of just 0.66 inches and a weight of 4.4 pounds, Razer does have one of the lightest and thinnest gaming laptops gamers can have.
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Despite this already impressive design, Razer also throws in the high-end specs they're known for. The Blade 15 uses NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 40 series GPU and 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor. These powerful features are kept cool with super-thin dual fans, and it still manages to leave room for an extra M.2 slot and user-upgradeable slots that support up to 64GB of additional memory.
Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming/Creator Laptop
Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming/Creator Laptop with the i7 13700H and RTX 4070 is a killer QHD gaming machine that comes with a super fast IPS Mini LED display for unparalleled fluidity. The sleek silverish and the thin build allow users to carry it easily and don't compromise on the specifications. From productivity to intensive gaming, the Triton 14 is a complete package for enthusiasts.
- CPU
- Intel Core i7 13700H
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Laptop
- RAM
- 16GB LPDDR5
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14", 2560x1600
- Weight
- 3.75lbs
- Brand
- Acer
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Storage
- 1TB PCI-E SSD
- Display type
- IPS Mini LED
- Connectivity
- WiFi 6E, Bluetooth
- Size
- 12.3"x8.9"x0.78"
- Incredibly light and thin
- Boasts high-end hardware despite compact and lightweight
- 250Hz display with G-Sync support
- Low battery backup
- Screen size may feel small to some users
Acer Predator Triton 14 is unparalleled in both gaming and productivity when overall compact and build quality is taken into account. The Triton 14 has so much to offer that it can easily take place for the Game ZXC's overall choice for thin and light gaming laptops, but its 14" screen size might be too small for some users. Apart from this, the display is actually a high-quality Mini-LED panel with a 2560x1600 resolution for highly sharp details and has a super high refresh rate of 250Hz for great fluidity in movements. Furthermore, the G-Sync compatibility eliminates any kind of screen tearing as a result of the difference between the frame rates and the display's refresh rate.
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It is powered by the i7 13700H CPU, which has 14 cores in total as a result of 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. This is a wonderful way of distributing different types of loads on all the cores while keeping the performance ones ready for more intensive applications/games. The RTX 4070 goes along the 13700H to ensure no game struggles to achieve 60+fps on the highest settings possible. All of this insanely impressive hardware fits inside a small 14" body that measures less than 0.8" in thickness and weighs only 3.7 lbs(1.70 kgs).
Acer Swift Go 14 Intel Evo 718K
This Acer Swift Go 14 Intel Evo model brings the latest Meteor Lake Ultra 7 processor to fulfill every type of user requirement including work and gaming. The display is especially unique as it boasts an IPS panel with FHD+ resolution for great picture quality and has touch gestures enabled. It's a complete package on a budget that can last up to 10 hours and is easy to carry around.
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- CPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
- GPU
- Intel Arc Graphics
- RAM
- 16GB LPDDR5X
- Storage
- 512GB SSD
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14", 1920x1200p
- Brand
- Acer
- Model
- SFG14-72T-718K
- Display type
- IPS
- Battery
- 65Wh
- Dimensions
- 12.32" x 8.58" x 0.59"
- Weight
- 2.91 lbs
- Great picture quality with touch display
- Excellent battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Not for enthusiast gamers
- Not convertible even though features touchscreen
Budget gaming laptops typically tend to cut the cost by depending on the iGPU. This is why gaming with satisfactory frame rates is generally not possible on budget gaming laptops unless you opt for an APU that can compensate for the lack of a dGPU. After the success of Rembrandt and Phoenix APUs, Intel started its own Meteor Lake APU series, which is now becoming mainstream in the mobile market. The Acer Swift Go 14 Intel EVO is a fantastic budget laptop that is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, a chip that hosts both the CPU and an iGPU based on Arc Alchemist architecture.
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While it's not going to compete with dGPUs like RTX 4060 or 4070, it certainly has enough power to compete with budget GPUs like GTX 1650. With the absence of a discrete GPU, the Acer Swift Go 14 is able to retain a small form factor by bringing down the thickness to less than 0.6 inches, on top of an already small size due to the 14-inch display. This also helps in reducing the overall weight to just under three lbs. The laptop, apart from bringing the latest hardware, comes with a touchscreen display, featuring an FHD+ resolution and has a wide color gamut.
ACEMAGIC AX16 PRO Gaming Laptop
ACEMAGIC AX16 PRO is an entry-level yet potent laptop for gaming without a discrete GPU. With a powerful power-efficient Ryzen APU, this laptop is able to outperform its Intel counterparts on a budget and brings adequate system RAM to eliminate bottlenecks.
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- GPU
- Radeon RX Vega 8
- RAM
- 16GB DDR4
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16.1", 1920x1080p
- Weight
- 1.7Kg
- Brand
- Acemagic
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Storage
- 512GB NVMe SSD
- Battery
- 53Wh
- Model
- AX16 Pro
- Size
- 14.07" x 9" x 0.66"
- Highly power efficient and great battery backup
- Measures less than 0.7" in thickness
- Good 16.1" screen size
- Lackluster in modern titles
- 60Hz refresh rate
Acemagic might not be very popular in the gaming laptop industry, but its AX16 Pro is a successful model for users looking for an ultra-light and compact gaming laptop. If casual or light gaming is what users require, the AX16 Pro is not only capable of performing well in that scenario, but can run longer than regular gaming laptops. With a 53Wh battery life, it is able to run 6+ hours on a single charge. One of the primary reasons for that is its ultra power-efficient CPU, which is the Ryzen 7 5700U, which has a default TDP of only 15W. It is a powerful 8 cores and 16 threads APU, specially designed for efficiency purposes, and can run apps like Photoshop without breaking a sweat.
It brings a Radeon RX Vega 8 iGPU onboard with 8 cores clocked at 1900MHz to do well in gaming, but it's not suitable for modern titles. It's recommended to play older or non-intensive eSports titles, where users can achieve playable framerates on low to medium settings. It has got 16GB DDR4 RAM and a fast 512GB SSD to complete the system's specifications, which are up to the mark. It's incredibly thin, measuring just 0.66 inches in thickness, and weighs only 1.70 kg.
ASUS ROG Strix G16 G614JV-AS73
ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a beautiful RGB gaming laptop with an RGB backlit keyboard and an RGB LED strip on the front. It's powered by a powerful Core i7 CPU from the Raptor Lake series and is highly effective in modern gaming through the RTX 4060 GPU. It boasts a 16" display with 165Hz for users who love smooth gameplay.
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- CPU
- Intel Core i7 13650HX
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 Laptop
- RAM
- 16GB DDR5
- Storage
- 512GB NVMe SSD
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16", 1920x1600p
- Weight
- 5.51 lbs
- Brand
- Asus
- Model
- G614JV-AS73
- Size
- 13.94" x 0.89" x 10.39"
- Powerful 14 cores/220 thread i7 CPU for productivity
- RTX 4060 to play games on ultra
- RGB backlit keyboard and strip
- High battery consumption
- Only 512GB storage space
The ROG Strix G16 2023 model is a performance-oriented gaming laptop that is equipped with a high-performance i7 13650HX CPU. This CPU is incredibly powerful with a wide operating TDP range that helps it achieve close to a 5.0GHz frequency. The combination of 6 performance and 8 efficient cores readies it to tackle any CPU-intensive task while performing various background operations at the same time. It's combined with a capable RTX 4060 laptop GPU to keep stuttering or performance dips at bay and can play modern titles on ultra settings.
The screen is decently big for an immersive experience and boasts a high 165Hz refresh rate to provide very smooth movement. Hence, it is an ideal gaming laptop that suits competitive gamers who don't want to spend several thousand dollars to achieve high performance. Moreover, its compact design and lightweight body make it portable. It's certainly not the thinnest laptop on the list, but it measures less than an inch in thickness, which does matter a lot. On top of all that, the RGB-backlit keyboard and the RGB LED strip are quite appealing to RGB lovers.
ASUS 2023 ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED
The ASUS 2023 ProArt StudioBook makes it easier to carry out various tasks simultaneously via its incredibly powerful configuration, which not only delivers exceptional performance in CPU-intensive workloads, but is also quite powerful in 3D rendering and gaming. With a wonderful OLED display that also has touchscreen enabled, the laptop increases the productivity of its users immensely.
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- CPU
- Intel Core i9 13980HX
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 Laptop
- RAM
- 32GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB SSD
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16", 3200x2000p
- Brand
- Asus
- Model
- H7604JV-DS96T
- Umatched picture quality
- Great at crunching big numbers
- Touch display
- A bit pricey for its gaming performance
- High resolution will make it struggle in modern titles
- Not convertible into tablet mode
No one can deny the fact that OLED panel is significantly superior to VA or IPS, which are generally found on most gaming laptops. A game level or stage full of vibrant colors with extensive details will look good only on an OLED panel that excels in color reproduction and delivers true blacks for an immersive experience. Meet the Asus ProArt StudioBook 16 OLED 2023 edition, which is the ultimate solution if you want excellent picture quality and the power to execute any operation without breaking a sweat.
Its Core i9 13980HX CPU doesn't struggle a bit in performing CPU-intensive operations and is fit for rendering, compilation, video editing, and gaming. It's paired with the RTX 4060 GPU, which is capable of playing games on high to ultra settings and has sufficient VRAM for modern titles. The laptop is a bit expensive compared to other RTX 4060 laptops, but let's not forget that the StudioBook 16 also brings a touch display, 32GB of RAM, and a thin body made with military-grade chassis. The laptop can be laid completely flat via the 180-degree hinge, has a haptic touchpad, a Mux switch for boosting performance, an Asus dial, and plenty of outstanding features for productivity.
Razer Blade 16 (2024)
This Razer Blade 16 is a 2024 model with updated specs for unparalleled gaming and productivity performance. It's a complete package for enthusiasts who don't want to compromise on anything. Whether it's the hardware, display, or construction, the Razer Blade 16 wins over 99% of all gaming laptops by a mile.
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- CPU
- Inel Core i9 14900HX
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Laptop
- RAM
- 16GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- Battery
- 95Wh
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16", 2560x1600p
- Weight
- 5.40lbs
- Brand
- Razer
- Model
- Blade 16 (2024)
- Display type
- OLED
- Size
- 0.87” x 9.61” x 13.98”
- Flagship hardware for insane performance
- OLED display with great color gamut and 240Hz refresh rate
- Thin body and lightweight construction
- High power consumption
- Very expensive
The Razer Blade 16 2024 edition is a monster and aims to go one step ahead of every other high-end offering. This newly launched gaming laptop isn't for regular gamers but for enthusiasts and content creators who cannot withstand wasting another minute. Powered by the i9 14900HX CPU and the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, the Blade 16 can do wonders without breaking a sweat. Whether users want to crunch big numbers quickly or play on 100+ fps on ultra settings, this is the ultimate choice they should be opting for.
The laptop boasts a highly durable aluminum body with an RGB-backlit keyboard and a highly responsive trackpad. The display is quite premium with an OLED panel that runs at a 240Hz refresh rate. Not only does it have an infinite contrast ratio, but it also has a wide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 for vibrant colors. Its display has the capability to show true blacks and is also HDR-certified to provide more vivid details. Razer Blade 16 is the ultimate light and thin notebook for enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of their competitors without having a hard time carrying their laptops anywhere.
When Shopping for a Light and Thin Gaming Laptop, Consider the Following Factors
Getting a gaming laptop is not as easy as expected,since different models have varying capabilities. Below are some important factors to consider:
Graphics Card: Gamers must know what graphics card their preferred laptop comes with. Seeing as it is the comment of the laptop that renders images and scenes on the screen. With today's games becoming more and more demanding, a powerful graphics card is a must-have to enjoy one's gameplay. However, the graphics card needs of some games are different from others. Some games may run quite smoothly on max settings even with a budget GPU like RTX 4060 but modern titles like Hogwarts Legacy, CyberPunk 2077, etc., will need higher-end GPUs like an RTX 4080 or 4090 as laptop GPU variants are far slower than the desktop counterparts.
RAM: Another crucial aspect of shopping for a light and thin gaming laptop is the RAM. For gaming, higher RAM is recommended to allow the laptop to run smoothly and switch from one software to another. Buyers are advised to aim for laptops that feature at least 8GB of RAM as that's the threshold for entry-level gaming. Anyone looking to play new titles without hassle should raise the bar and buy a 16GB RAM laptop.
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Battery Life: The best gaming laptops are designed for high performance and can take a toll on the battery. However, some laptops can last for up to six hours thanks to high-end lithium batteries. When browsing the specs of laptops, ensure that the battery life is adequately considered. If one's budget permits, aim for a laptop with a long-lasting battery. Gaming laptops that rely on APUs tend to last longer as the power consumption is low, but they also lack the power that comes with premium hardware incorporating high-performance CPUs and GPUs.
Refresh Rate: Like TVs and gaming monitors, laptops come with a refresh rate which can be higher or lower depending on the manufacturer. A high refresh rate allows users to enjoy excellent gameplay without any screen tearing or other inconveniences. While the benchmark is 60Hz, aiming for a higher refresh rate guarantees fluid gameplay. Look for laptops that provide 100+Hz refresh rate to make gaming more pleasurable.
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FAQ
Q: What are good gaming laptop specs?
Shoppers should get a laptop that packs a decent number of features. For instance, the laptop in question should have a good GPU, a modest refresh rate, a decent battery life, and at least 8GB of RAM. If the budget permits, a later upgrade can be planned.
Q: How much RAM is good for gaming?
8GB of RAM is ideal for mid-range gaming, while anyone looking to play new titles without issues should aim for 16GB of RAM. The rationale for suggesting higher memory is that gaming relies heavily on RAM.
Q: Is 32GB of RAM overkill for gaming?
Yes, 32 GB is a bit much for just gaming alone. However, if other productivity-based tasks like graphics design, content creation, and programming are thrown in the mix, it makes sense to have that much memory.
