Still think that only a desktop will do for serious gaming? Think again.
2020 has unleashed some truly hardcore portable computers that are standing up well against their PC counterparts. Their impressive power combined with portability makes them decent alternatives to even the top gaming PCs, and when you factor in affordability then they become even more of an appealing option.
Whether you’re looking for an entry-level machine, are a pro gamer, or need a solid option to play games regularly yon the go, there’s a gaming laptop out there for you. Here are 6 of our favourites.
MSI GS65 Stealth
Don’t judge a book by its cover, the MSI Stealth may come in an ultra-slim package (just 0.69 inches thick), but it more than packs a punch. Lightweight, powerful, and featuring a clean, beautiful aesthetic, the Stealth is the ultimate option for gamers who need to spend a lot of time on the go.

With an Intel Core i7, Nvidia GeForce GTX 10-series graphics, 15.6-inch FHD anti-glare 144Hz panel, SSD storage of 256GB, and up to 32GB RAM, the MSI Stealth copes magnificently with every type of PC game you can load onto it.
Price: $1349 – $1454
Lenovo Legion Y545
The Lenovo Legion Y545 is full of surprises, and it’s the ideal model for casual gamers or online poker enthusiasts. Its muted aesthetic makes it look like a humble office laptop, but inside you have all the top-spec goods you need to seamlessly switch from Word docs and spreadsheets to a few rounds of Spin & Go Max or a good Doom Eternal gaming session.
A standard 15.6-inch display features Nvidia GTX 1660 graphics, and at 5.3lbs it’s by no means the most cumbersome entry-level model out there.
Price: $799 – $999
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Easily ASUS’ longest-lasting gaming laptop ever produced (the ROG Zephyrus G14 delivers a longer battery life than even traditional office notebooks), this machine is built for endurance. Lasting over 11 hours on full charge, the ROG Zephyrus is a force to be reckoned with.
It’s lacking a webcam and doesn’t have the best keyboard lighting, but an AMD Ryzen 9 processer paired with its Nvidia RTX 2060 Maq-Q chip delivers enough performance to suit pro gamers seeking a budget model, as well as entry-level gamers who’ve got a bit more cash to spare.
Price: $1049 – $1999
Razer Blade Pro 17
Razer has never been the type of manufacturer to scrimp on either power or performance — gaming is at the core of their brand after all. The 2020 edition of the Blade Pro 17 is a worthy addition to the line, combining al the functionality you need from a gaming machine with a dependable and effective workstation. Offering something for gamers and content creators alike, if you need a dependable all-rounder, the Blade Pro 17 is your machine.
For the premium price, you’ll be expecting premium specs, and the Blade Pro 17 delivers:
- Intel Core i7 – 10875H CPU
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2020 Super Max-Q chip
- 16GB Ram and 512 GB SSD
- 17.3 inch 1080p display
Weighing in at 6.1lbs it’s pretty hefty, but it nevertheless feels sleek and slimline. As always with Razer laptops, this model features a beautiful display that has been upgraded to a 300Hz refresh rate. Featuring a decent webcam– quite the rarity with laptops nowadays – endurance comes in at a solid 5 hours battery life after a full charge.
Price: $3400 – $4900
Alienware M15
The quintessential gaming brand, Dell’s Alienware lives and breathes gaming and they may just have dropped their finest gaming laptop yet in the M15. It strikes the perfect balance between a sizeable screen and a machine that’s still built with gaming in mind:
- 8th-Gen Intel Core i7-8750H (6 core) CPU
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 6GB GDDR6 graphics
- 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- 15.6-inch IPS screen with Full HD
In true Alienware style, the M15 offers up plenty of power and endurance. However, it’s the huge array of hardware configurations that really set this model apart from its competitors – including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and HDMI ports – as well as its customisable controls and keyboards
Price: $2049.99 – $3449.99
ASUS Zephyrus Duo 15
Could this be the ultimate gaming laptop? It’s certainly a legit contender, at the very least. Asus has clearly fine-tuned any negatives that were apparent in previous Zephyrus models, and the result is this dual-screen beast of a gaming laptop:
- Intel Core i9-10980HK CPU
- Nvidia RTX 2020 Super GPU graphics
- 32 GB Ram & Dual 1TB PCIe SSDs
- 15.6-inch 4k & 14.1-inch 4k
New bells and whistles include an AAS cooling system and a fully raisable secondary screen. These nifty features also make this a good machine for productivity usage, or content creators needing a powerful device.
Price: starting at $3,799.95