Best Gaming Laptops To Splurge On

Over the past two years, the gaming industry has grown like never before. With around 200 AA or AAA games being released every year and over 65% of adults identifying as video gamers today, there is a massive demand for gaming platforms. Aside from the usual consoles and gaming rigs, gaming laptops are top-of-mind for many serious gamers.

In fact, by the end of 2027, the global gaming laptop market is even estimated to reach around $16 billion. Able to marry portability with performance, gaming laptops come in many price points with different specifications. Some of the best gaming laptop specs have hefty price tags. While these laptops are not for the faint of heart or the casual gamer, for those ready to splurge, here are some of the best higher-end laptops.

 

MSI Raider GE67HX

Considered one of the most notable gaming laptops, the MSI Raider promises desktop performance in a 5lb, 15.6” body. Outfitted with the latest Intel Core i9-12900HX processor, the Raider enjoys eight Performance-cores and eight Efficient-cores that ensure even the most demanding games can perform without affecting your other tasks. NVIDIA DLSS and Max-Q optimize AI technologies so that your image quality and processing can keep up with your every need.

For ultra-crisp display, the OLED screen supports up to QHD 240Hz, so you can play every game as the developer intended you to. Since gaming must be a fully immersive experience, the Raider also comes with a STEELSERIES GG keyboard and DYNAUDIO. The former is a specially designed keyboard that prevents fading and ghost keys. Meanwhile, the latter is a special combination of 2-sided Duo Wave Woofers, Hi-Res, and Nahimic tech for perfectly tuned audio.

MSI Overboost Technology supports the Raider and also comes with a Windows 11 Pro OS, 32GB memory, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 4-cell battery pack, and Cooler Boost 5 for next-gen cooling. As with all other MSI units, the Raider can also be further customized care of the MSI Center. Of course, to enjoy the Raider, you’d need to shell out about $3,799.

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17

The 17-inch ROG Stix Scar can deliver top-notch performance with impressive all-day battery life. This model comes with an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 32BG RAM, 2560x1440 native display resolution, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. Although it doesn’t have a webcam, it makes up for its top-of-the-line design. Purposely created to look more archetypal than the typical “sci-fi” design that many new-gen models have, the ROG Strix Scar has a more distinctive chassis. Larger and more angular than most recent releases, the ROG Strix Scar also comes with customizable RGB effects on the front, sides, and perimeter. Alternatively, all the lights can also be turned off should the laptop be needed for more “conventional” (read: school- or office work) tasks.

Coming in with a price tag of just under $4,000, this laptop’s biggest draw is the huge gaming screen. Aside from being one of the biggest screens in luxury gaming laptops today, the ROG Strix Scar’s display is up to 50% more detailed than those with 1920x1080 pixels. An award-winning model that promises to keep up with even the most competitive gamers, this laptop is a worthy purchase.

Alienware x17 R2

This laptop is a second-generation revival of an already existing Alienware product, a super slim model that costs at least $2,600 for the most basic unit. Internally, the x17 comes with 12th-generation Intel processors with DDR5 memory, NVIDIA’s newest RTX 30 Ti GPU, and Dolby Vision and Atmos. All in all, these promise an ultra-high-definition experience whether you’re gaming, streaming, or just working. Because the 17” display can offer a 360Hz display rate, you can be assured that the images you’re seeing are the most vivid they can be with impressive FPS.

Aesthetically speaking, the x17 is also worth the extra cost. Free of the excess bulk that lots of high-performance models have, the X17 features a sleeker chassis with ports located discreetly at the rear. For a more tactile experience, the x17 can also be customized with a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard. With the Alienware Command Center software, every key, rear LED, and alien-head power button can also be assigned RGB lighting. One of the most advanced builds today, the x17 stands out the most thanks to its satisfying design and firepower.

Price may not be the only determining factor for a great gaming laptop, but it can influence a lot. With a larger budget, you can afford the newest technology that's usually reserved for higher-end releases. Though there are also tons of great budget laptops for gamers with a more modest allowance, buying an expensive model is a great investment if you have the extra cash.