Chipmakers are repackaging last-generation CPUs as new ones this year, and GPU companies see 2025 as the suitable year for upgrades. But brands haven’t stopped launching new laptops in 2024, and it shouldn’t stop you from getting a new gaming machine, either.
Here are the most impressive gaming laptops that different types of gamers can buy in 2024.
No compromise gamers
1. Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024)
This year’s Scar 18 packs unrivaled hardware with an imposing build. It features an expansive and vibrant 18-inch Dolby Vision-certified mini LED display, while the 14th-gen Intel Core i9 and RTX 4090 enable triple-digit frame rates. Its large fans and multiple peripheral vents work tirelessly to eject heat. They’re said to get noticeably loud, but never discomforting.
The only factor less fitting to the top-end’s $3,899 price is Asus’ extensive use of plastic, which screams cost-cutting. However, the underbody RGB and the option to upgrade the current 90Wh battery make up for it.
- CPU – Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Display – 18-inch mini LED, 2560 x 1600 pixels, 240Hz
- RAM – 32GB
- Storage – 2TB SSD
- Price – $3,899
2. Alienware M18 R2
True to its legacy, the M18 R2 is packed with specs that put many gaming rigs to shame. Despite a similarly large display, it has a sleeker body than the ROG Scar 18, combining an aluminum top with a plastic base. Besides a 14th-gen Intel Raptor lake CPU, the behemoth can be specced with an RTX 4090 and up to 64GB of RAM.
For the display, you can pick an 18-inch Full HD screen with a hyper-smooth 480Hz refresh rate or settle for 165Hz but with a higher 1600p resolution. You can also opt for Cherry MX’s ultra-low profile mechanical switches to upgrade the keyboard.
A 360W power brick charges the large 97Wh battery, but don’t expect long battery life. Besides the power requirements, its 9-pound footprint will likely keep you mostly tethered to a desk. While it barely throttles, heating can be an issue despite extensive outlets. Make sure you really want this before you drop a whopping $5,000 on it.
- CPU – Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4090 with Dynamic Boost
- Display – 18-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600 165Hz or 1920 x 1200 480Hz
- RAM – 64GB
- Storage – 4TB SSD
- Price – $4,999
3. Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024
The Zephyrus G16 2024’s sleek aluminum body, along with a customizable white light strip on the top panel, looks great and cools more effectively than plastic gaming laptops.
With a shrunken-down chassis compared to the Scar 18, the Zephyrus G16 features a 2.5K OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate. The Core 9 CPU can result in slight performance cutbacks compared to the Raptor Lake chips, but that also translates to a more appealing price.
The 75% keyboard and large trackpad make everyday usage easy, so you can comfortably use it for work. The only caveat is the RAM soldered on board, preventing upgrades.
- CPU – Intel Core Ultra 9-185H
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4090
- Display – 16-inch 2.5K OLED, 240Hz
- RAM – 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage – 2TB SSD
- Price – $3,899
Another variant with 16GB RAM and RTX 4070 sells for $1,999 at Best Buy.
4. MSI Titan 18 HX
MSI’s Titan 18 HX takes outrageousness up by several notches. It flexes a rigid magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis with a glass top over the entire palm rest. The glass also covers the RGB-backlit trackpad, while the keyboard gets CherryMX ultra-low-profile switches as standard.
It goes far and beyond with a ludicrous 128GB of RAM, a 4TB SSD, and an RTX 4090 with a 175W TDP. It’s also rare to see a gaming laptop with a 4K mini LED display that refreshes at 120Hz, nears 600 nits of brightness, and covers 112% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Despite what it offers, its 8-lb weight and price of nearly $5,000 — even without the most high-end components — can seem impractical for all but the most indulgent gamers. If that sounds like you, this is worth a look.
- CPU – Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4090
- Display – 18-inch, 4K, mini LED, 120Hz
- RAM – 128GB
- Storage – 4TB SSD
- Price – $5,399
Work and play
5. Alienware M16 R2 2024
A subdued version of its larger sibling above, the M16 R2 is furnished with Intel’s newer Core Ultra CPU and an RTX 40-series GPU. The 240Hz refresh rate makes the QHD+ IPS appear smooth, but it lacks the brightness or color accuracy of mini LED or OLED.
With these cutbacks, however, you get a much more attractive price to justify gaming besides work tasks. Lower power also means the laptop cools more effectively.
The RGB lighting outside the trackpad makes it more compelling to gamers. You still get Thunderbolt 4 and (optional) Wi-Fi 7 support, along with the option to upgrade to up to 64GB of RAM and an 8TB SSD.
- CPU – Intel Core Ultra 9 185
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4070
- Display – 16-inch IPS, 2560×1600, 240Hz
- RAM – 32GB
- Storage – 4TB SSD
- Price – $2,549.99
Get it at Dell Best Buy (1TB)
6. Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9
The Lenovo Legion 7i is a looker that sheds the bulkiness of a powerful gaming laptop without significantly affecting performance. Inside lies a 14th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU and RTX 4070 to bear the load of AI models besides gaming duties.
The 240Hz refresh rate is excellent for casual gamers, but the WQXGA resolution may feel restrictive.
The previous generation, with a 13th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, RTX 4060, and RGB keyboard, is much cheaper but not really better value for money.
- CPU – Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4070
- Display – 16-inch IPS, 2560 x 1600 pixels, 240Hz
- RAM – 32GB
- Storage – 1TB SSD
- Price – $2,359.99
Get it at Lenovo
Casual gamers
7. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (16-inch)
Elegant looks, a lightweight design, and a large MacBook-like trackpad make the Yoga Pro 9i feel like a productivity-oriented machine. However, its Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU paired with an RTX 4070 delivers serious gaming chops, while the 165Hz mini LED display sweetens the deal.
Battery life may not match up to other lean mean machines, but the laptop fares remarkably in gaming and daily usage without the fans making much noise.
Besides being a useful gaming machine, the 3,200 x 2,000 resolution and a six-speaker setup make for a great entertainment hub. Too bad it comes with non-upgradeable RAM.
- CPU – Intel Core Ultra 9-185H
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4060
- Display – 16-inch mini LED, 3200 x 2000 pixels, 165Hz
- RAM – 32GB
- Storage – 1TB SSD
- Price – $2,104.99
8. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
The ROG Zephyrus G14 looks identical to the G16 but is more portable. While the Ryzen 9 and RTX 40 combo will guarantee a decent – albeit not the ultimate – gaming experience, the machine is perfect for designers, video editors, and coders working with large libraries.
The 120Hz 3K OLED panel offers a balance of sharpness and power usage and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut like its bigger sibling.
Meanwhile, the smaller 73Wh battery means the battery will drain faster than other portable laptops. While the tiny rubber feat can choke the bottom vents on the bottom, the three-fan cooling module otherwise does the job adequately. Like the G16, the RAM comes soldered, limiting upgradeability.
- CPU – AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4070
- Display – 14-inch OLED, 2880×1800 pixels, 120Hz
- RAM – 32GB
- Storage – 1TB SSD
- Price – $1,999.99
Get it at Best Buy
Gamers on a budget
9. Acer Nitro V 15
If you’re looking for high performance on a strict budget, this is the best option. For $850, Acer squeezes an RTX 4050 alongside a 13th Gen Core i5 or i7.
The Full HD display isn’t anything to swoon over, but the 144Hz refresh rate at least allows for smooth gameplay action on screen. Lastly, while the build quality isn’t remarkable, the 5-lb laptop is easy to lug around for gaming on the go.
- CPU – Intel Core i5-13420H
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4050
- Display – 15.6-inch, Full HD IPS, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage – 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage – 512GB SSD
- Price – $844
10. Lenovo LOQ 16
For roughly $150 more, the LOQ 16 gets some substantial upgrades, including a 13th Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM. It retains gaming-oriented aesthetics, while the 16-inch display has smaller bezels and an anti-glare coating. Its shortcomings include fast battery depletion, lack of Thunderbolt support, and loud fans.
- CPU – Intel Core i7-13620H
- GPU – Nvidia RTX 4050
- Display – 16-inch, Full HD IPS, 144Hz
- RAM – 16GB DDR5
- Storage – 512GB SSD
- Price – $989.99
Another model with a last-gen Ryzen 5 or 7 is available for $809.99 at Walmart.
Bonus: If you don’t need all that firepower, check out our list of Chromebooks for 2024.
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