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8 Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

MSI GS65 Stealth

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Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

Gaming laptops don’t have to be bulky eyesores, a point proven by MSI’s new gaming laptop, the MSI GS65 Stealth. It boasts impressive power given its sleek and portable appearance, capable of high-end gaming and fairly intensive work-production. There are two models to choose from, with the higher one doubling the memory to 32GB and increasing the storage using two 512GB NVMe SSDs.

What stands out about the MSI GD65 Stealth is that it doesn’t really aim to stand out at all. Gaming laptops so often boast bright red LEDs and jagged edges, a design philosophy that the Stealth moves away from entirely. Instead offering a smart, subtle and understated design. The lower model will set you back around $1,799, though you’ll be paying $2,799 for the higher end one. Check out the full specs and prize over at Amazon.

Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

The wizards over at Asus have managed to cram an Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q tech into an impossibly thin laptop. The Zephyrus GX501 benefits from this extra tech in that it offers more performance with less heat and power output, something which those who’ve dealt burning hot gaming laptops will certainly appreciate. It’s really smart design all around here, with a panel built into the bottom of the laptop which opens when the lid does, allowing for more efficient cooling. The GPU is the main reason to go for the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501, seriously boosting the machine’s performance.

The GX501 is for those who want the performance and portability that only a higher-end gaming laptop can offer. Lucky then, that it is far and above more sleek and slender than the majority of its competition, forgoing the need for lugging a heavy and bulky machine around with you.

Razer Blade

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

One of the coolest things about this gaming laptop, besides its name of course, is the fact that it is VR ready, seriously opening up the portability of the platform. For those not interested in VR though, there’s still plenty to love, given the Razer Blade’s excellent GPU and processor performance. The screen comes in full HD and 4K options. The Razer Blade is another example of understated design in gaming laptops, offering a sleek black body that isn’t likely to turn heads when you whip it out at a coffee shop. The Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU mean that you’ll have no problem playing games at 1080p and editing video, which in a package this lightweight is a real selling point.

The Razer Blade is a little more expensive than its rivals, but the lightweight design and VR compatibility will no doubt make it worth the money for some. Check out the full specs and price over at Amazon.

Razer Blade Pro

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

The big brother of the previous entry, the Razer Blade Pro, takes everything to the next level. Both laptops will have their own separate audiences, with the Pro aiming at those who want the best possible gaming visuals in an easy to manage, and slightly larger product. The Razer Blade Pro boasts a 4K Nvidia Sync display, perfect for gaming, though a full HD option is also available for those who value battery life. It’s also the first mobile device to feature THX audio certification meaning that you know you’re in very safe hands indeed when it comes to the speakers.

The Razer Blade Pro is great in an entirely different way to the standard model, but does come with a higher price-tag. Check out the full specs and price over at Amazon.

Acer Predator Helios 300

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

If you’re looking to stay around the $1000 mark, the Helios 300 is definitely the way to go. It’s essentially a mini version of the Predator range we’ve come to know and love, though it definitely surprises in the performance category. The Predator Helios 300 aims for mid-level performance on a budget and largely succeeds, mostly due to its excellent display. The laptop features a 17.3in 1920 x 1080 IPS LCD screen with a matte finish which seriously thrives where pixel-density and contrast are concerned. There are multiple models to choose from, with the GTX 1060 model definitely being a great all-rounder, though the base model will also be enough for most.

The GTX 1060 model will set you back around $1,279, head here for full specs and price.

Aorus X7 Pro v5

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

The Aorus X7 Pro v5 is an absolute 4K gaming beast. Though almost two years old at this point, it still goes toe-to-toe with many top of the line competitors, and can be picked up for a fairly reasonable price. The simple and sleek black chassis houses two Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M chips, working together to maintain games at incredible framerates. The Aorus X7 Pro v5 features intelligent fan control meaning it wont overheat as easily as some of its competitors. It’s a great way to take a 4K gaming machine on the go with you, given that it runs games incredibly well when plugged into an external monitor.

You can pick up the Aorus X7 Pro v5 for around $1900, check out the full specs here.

HP Omen 15

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

best gaming laptops 2018

The world of gaming laptops can be an intimidating one. Everything about the HP Omen, from its name to generous price point, is designed for accessibility and inclusion, a stark contrast to the majority of its competitors. And despite being a very budget, entry-level gaming laptop, the HP Omen is wonderfully capable. It’s powered by an Intel i7-7700HQ CPU, allowing it to comfortably run games at 1080p. It’s on the lighter end of gaming laptops, with its 15.6in screen and bitesized keyboard going a long way to increase portability.

At around $900, the HP Omen 15 is an absolute steal, acting as the perfect jumping on point for anyone looking to pick up a gaming laptop. Check out the full specs and price over at Amazon.

Alienware 17 R4

Best Gaming Laptops in 2018

 

 

best gaming laptops 2018

Alienware has always valued performance above all else and the R4 is no exception. While its competitors have been busy trying to slim down and squeeze adequate performance into the smallest housing possible, Alienware has stayed big, filling their laptops with top of the line parts and as a result, offering unmatched gaming performance. The Alienware R7 R4 is far and away the largest entry on this list, but also has the best heat management and a top of the line display to boot. You can opt for full HD or 4K screens, both looking incredible and there are a ton of builds available to suit your set up.

For this level of performance you can expect to pay around $1,900, but if you’re looking for a desktop replacement, it’s definitely worth it. Head over to Amazon for the full specs and price.

About the author

Twinfinite Staff Writer

Jake Green

A Nintendo evangelist and X-Files super-fan, Jake can be found peddling his gaming opinions online. He has a soft spot for VR and values story-telling in gaming above all else.

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