Premium gaming in 2024 is all about how far the hardware can go when the graphics sliders are put to max. While the previous generation of gaming laptops did well, the newer generation is making sure the next-gen games can have all the horsepower they will need to max out the graphics settings without the need for upgrading the hardware.

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The Best Gaming Laptops for 2024

The best gaming laptop for you will come down to budget, expected performance, and workload. Let's dive in and find your new gaming laptop.

This is why hardcore gamers opt for premium gaming laptops straight away. As we enter 2024, most laptop manufacturers have already started equipping their newer gaming laptops with the latest Intel/AMD processors and GPUs to ensure that users have enough cores to run modern titles, execute intensive applications, and have enough memory to quickly load all the textures in modern titles. With a plethora of options available in the market, these are the best and latest premium gaming laptops every enthusiast should consider in 2024.

Game ZXC's Picks for the Best Premium Gaming Laptops in 2024

Our pick for the best overall premium gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 18. Nothing beats the combination of Core i9 14900HX and RTX 4090 in 2024. Featuring an impressive 24-core, 32-thread configuration with clocks going up to 5.8GHz, the 14900HX is incredibly fast in crunching big numbers, compiling, rendering, and doing various intensive tasks. Paired with the fastest GPU on the planet, there should be no doubt left on the Razer Blade 18 capabilities in gaming as well.

The exterior is quite premium too, boasting a CNC aluminum body that doesn't feel flimsy and is highly durable. Powered by a 91.7Whr, the battery life is acceptable but don't expect it to last longer than 3 hours on continuous gaming sessions as both the hardware and display consume quite a good amount of power continuously. Apart from this, the laptop excels in other areas convincingly, including the display, connectivity, sound, and aesthetics.

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While most laptops bring basic 2 x2W speakers, this one brings a six-speaker array and supports 7.1 Code via HDMI port. Other connectivity features include multiple super-fast Thunderbolt 4 and 5 ports, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. With all these premium features in hand, the 300Hz mini-LED display further enhances the gaming experience to the point where no other laptop can match its potence.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 2024 edition is an upgraded model of the 2023 version and our pick for the best RGB premium gaming laptop. It not only boasts newer specifications but also gorgeous RGB lighting. The laptop, thankfully, isn't just limited to the RGB lighting on the keyboard and the front edge, but also brings a terrific display, good battery life, and great connectivity features. The RGB lights are bright and can be customized via Aura Sync software, which can also extend its effects by synchronizing the RGB LEDs on other RGB products.

The Strix Scar 18 will particularly suit those who like to game on a big screen and love the immersive experience. Through its powerful Core i9 14900HX and RTX 4090 combo, expect it to max out graphical settings in modern titles at 60+ fps without any fear of overheating. This ROG Intelligent Cooling-equipped laptop will take care of the thermals of all the components while its users can game for hours. Its QHD+ display with a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut will make sure every pixel is vibrant, while a low response time of 3ms will ensure users can stay competitive at all times.

The list is incomplete without including the MSI Radier GE68HX, a high-end gaming laptop and the newest release by MSI in its 2024 laptop lineup. It not only competes with the best high-end gaming laptops as mentioned above, but it has a good advantage over them through its UHD+ panel that brings sharper details through more pixel density. Its Mini-LED panel is bright and vibrant and brings hyperrealism to games through its powerful configuration comprising the i9 14900HX and RTX 4090.

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While users can play competitive games like CS2, or Valorant on it, it's best suitable for triple-A titles, where the colorful world and unique and highly creative stages need more pixels to deliver an immersive gaming experience. The display runs at a 120Hz refresh rate, which may not seem very high considering we have laptops with 240, 300, and 360Hz panels, but considering that it's almost impossible to push the framerates past 200 fps at 4K resolution, MSI has made the right choice.

Crafting a balance between processing power and spectacular display quality, the MSI Raider GE78 defines a class of its own in the premium gaming laptop arena. The incorporation of the 13th Gen. Intel Core i9 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 renders it a force capable of handling the most graphic-intensive games with seamless ease. Gamers will be mesmerized by the QHD+ 240Hz display, which not only ensures minimal motion blur but also delivers a vast, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, elevating visual experiences to a realm seldom experienced in portable gameplay.

As noteworthy as its gaming capabilities are, it's the future-ready technologies integrated into the MSI Raider GE78 that secure its position as a premium choice for gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike. The provision of Thunderbolt 4, alongside DDR5-4000 memory, doesn’t merely suggest faster data transfers and heightened system responsiveness. It signals a readiness to interface with upcoming technologies, ensuring this laptop remains a formidable companion in both work and play for years to come.

However, potential buyers may need to weigh their need for supreme performance and visuals against factors like cost, portability, and battery life. Navigating these considerations, for those who prioritize performance and visual excellence, the MSI Raider GE78 stands out as a remarkable, forward-thinking choice.

The Alienware M16 R1 is a testament to Dell’s commitment to providing gaming laptop solutions that do not compromise on visual performance. With its 16" 165Hz WQXGA display, gamers are treated to crisp and vibrant visuals, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ensures high-quality graphics, critical for an immersive gaming experience. The anti-glare 300 nits, 100% sRGB display ensures vivid color reproduction and minimizes reflection, ensuring the on-screen action is always in clear view, regardless of the ambient lighting conditions. Notably, the per-key RGB backlit keyboard caters to the aesthetic and ensures key visibility during late-night gaming sessions.

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The laptop features exceptional internal specs, featuring an Intel Core i7-13700HX 16-core processor and 64GB DDR5 SDRAM, which ensure games run smoothly, without lagging during intense gaming sessions. Moreover, with 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD, gamers are not only afforded ample storage space but also benefit from rapid data retrieval and loading times. However, potential buyers should consider the 7.3 lbs and 6-hour battery life, factors that might inhibit the laptop’s portability.

If you're in the market for your first premium gaming laptop, then the ASUS ROG Strix G17 (2023) has unbridled power for its price tag, enabled by its AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. It makes no compromises in delivering top-notch gaming and multitasking performance. Designed for the dedicated gamer looking to dive into premium gaming for the first time, every attribute from its blazing speed to its substantial storage, stands prepared to usher gamers into a realm of premium features without breaking the bank.

Yet the Strix isn’t merely raw power. The included QHD 240Hz/3ms display panel is a gateway into vibrant universes, with 100% DCI-P3 color space, Dolby Vision, and Adaptive-Sync support ensuring each frame is rendered with precise clarity and vibrant, true-to-life colors. Even during prolonged gaming marathons, the laptop's intelligent ROG cooling systems, featuring Thermal Grizzly's elite Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal, work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain optimal performance. With every detail – from its internally routed MUX Switch to its Advanced Optimus functionality – the Strix G17 elevates gaming on a budget.

Things to Consider When Buying a Premium Gaming Laptop

CPU-GPU combo: A premium gaming laptop means no compromise on the configuration. Even though RAM and cooling solutions are quite important in maintaining a good gaming performance, nothing affects it more than the CPU-GPU combination. In 2024, we are looking at the latest 14th gen Intel Core i7 or i9 CPUs paired with RTX 4070 or higher in order to achieve ultra settings games with 60+ fps. Anything less than that, the gaming laptop doesn't deserve to be called premium.

Display: A regular 60Hz IPS display won't cut it. A 120+Hz refresh rate is the bare minimum users should be getting when buying a premium gaming laptop. Plus, a high-quality panel such as Mini-LED, OLED, Q-LED, etc. should be the preference over the VA and IPS panel displays. With the display technology evolving rapidly, it's not going to be hard to find such displays on the market.

Connectivity: Connectivity includes ports for peripheral connectivity and wireless connectivity for either Internet or Bluetooth devices. While USB A and C with Gen2 speeds are found commonly on most gaming laptops these days, premium gaming laptops bring Thunderbolt ports apart from regular USB ports. WiFi 6E and a 2.5G or higher should be present along with ports for peripheral connectivity.

Cooling: The higher-end the configuration goes, the hotter the laptop tends to operate. This is why premium gaming laptops need extraordinary cooling solutions to dissipate heat quickly and continuously. From a combination of multiple fans and heat pipes inside to multiple vents on the outside, a premium gaming laptop must ensure that the laptop is free from any thermal throttle.

FAQ

Q: What is a premium laptop?

A premium laptop refers to a high-end computing device that is built with top-notch materials and exceptional performance capabilities. It often comes with added features like advanced cooling systems or vibrant displays. These laptops are tailored for users who seek superior performance and are willing to invest in quality.

Q: Is it worth buying a gaming laptop in 2023?

Absolutely. In 2023, gaming laptops have evolved to offer near-desktop-level performance in a portable form. With technological advancements such as ray tracing and faster refresh rates becoming more common, investing in a gaming laptop now promises a future-proof gaming experience.

Q: Which laptops are best for gaming?

The best laptops for gaming are those that combine powerful hardware with excellent thermal management and display quality. Brands like Alienware, Razer, and ASUS ROG often dominate this sphere, offering devices with high refresh rates, high-performance GPUs, and efficient cooling systems.