Gaming is a stress reliever for many and while there are plenty ofgreat gaming laptopson the market, most users don’t want to invest in a second laptop for their work. This means a laptop that can serve both purposes is the most cost-effective option here.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 RTX 4090 Laptop
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (4070)
Not only does this double down the time one may need to find an appropriate laptop, but it may also create a lot of confusion inchoosing the right laptop, considering how many options are available for a similar price. Finding the right laptop that serves both gaming and work purposes can be as challenging as choosing a character class in an MMORPG. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, this guide dives into the world of dual-duty laptops that excel both in the heat of battle and the boardroom.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Laptop
When choosing the best laptops for gaming and work, consider these factors.
For gamers who want to level up in real life, an upgrade toa premium gaming laptopmight be the next quest.
Game Rant’s Picks for The Best Laptops for Gaming and Work in 2024
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023)
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is designed for smooth gameplay and efficient multitasking. The computer sports a 13th-generation Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. These allow high frame rates for a smooth gaming experience even at 2560x1600 resolution. For faster load times and efficient multitasking, the laptop includes 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe SSD.The Strix G16 also features ROG Intelligent Cooling, with liquid metal on the CPU. The laptop’s QHD 240Hz panel ensures clear, fast visuals and is DCI-P3 compliant.
No matter how heavy the workload is, the ROG Strix G16 can handle it without breaking a sweat.Asus' ROG Strix seriesis generally a top-of-the-line offering for every product lineup and the G16 has proven that it can’t be outperformed in functionality or aesthetics. This highly-rated laptop is powered by the Core i9 13980HX, which is the flagship mobile CPU in the Raptor Lake Refresh family and is designed for high performance in CPU-oriented tasks. This makes it a potent solution for different types of CPU-intensive loads, whether it is rendering, compilation, encoding, or similar stuff.
With 24 cores and 32 threads, it is already too good for just work, but with the RTX 4070 laptop GPU, it becomes overwhelming in gaming too. The RTX 4070 is the most popular ADA card and this laptop edition GPU is sufficient to max out graphics in modern titles at 60+ fps. It brings 8GB of VRAM, which is enough for most games available today to bring eye candy on its QHD screen. This isn’t a regular IPS display but a Nebula one that comes with a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant colors andruns at a 240Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for competitive gaming.
Other specs include 32GB of DDR5 memory, 1TB fast NVMe SSD, and all other latest connectivity features to keep users ahead. The construction is sturdy and brings a bezel-less design for more immersion. On top of that, the keyboard is RGB-backlit and the front edge has its own RGB LED strip that enhances its aesthetics significantly.
MSI Vector GP68HX
MSI Vector GP68HX brings the best capabilities for both gaming and work. The high-end Core i9 CPU takes care of CPU-intensive programs and the RTX 4080 powers the pixels to push the frame rates higher. This Vector model comes with fantastic aesthetics, has a 144Hz refresh rate IPS display, and the latest connectivity features for easy future proofing.
MSI Vector GP68HX comes in various configurations, but this 13VH-098US model is probably the most attractive one.Featuring an exceptional configuration, the laptopis ready to deliver unparalleled performance for its price tag. At its core lies the i9 13950HX CPU, featuring a whopping 24 cores and 32 threads. While 8 cores are performance ones, the rest 16 are efficient cores that take on the background tasks to minimize the load on the primary ones. This helps it achieve superior performance in intensive operations.
So, whether users are running rendering applications or applications related to encoding, compilation, or compression/decompression, the Vector laptop has got them covered. Nowfor gaming, the RTX 4080is probably the best choice at the moment, which can max out any title at way over 60 fps. Assisting the laptop’s performance further is the 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD for quickly booting up applications and OS. While it’s recommended to upgrade to 32GB if users see any limitations, 16GB will do the job perfectly in most programs and games.
To enjoy high fluidity, the laptop is equipped with a fast 144Hz refresh rate, and an IPS display that measures 16" for a more immersive experience and brings an FHD+ resolution. Connectivity is also satisfactory, providing users with multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, including Type C and Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Acer Nitro V ANV15
The ANV15 model of the Acer Nitro V brings an incredibly fast Core i9-13900H processor from the 13th gen and an RTX 4060 for under a thousand dollars. It’s perfect for both gaming and work and gives users a high refresh rate IPS panel to see fluid movements. It’s lightweight and has the latest connectivity features.
Budget gaming laptops need not cost an arm and a leg anymore and can be bought for around a thousand dollars, irrespective of deals or sales. However, it is crucial to understand that not all laptops with the same GPU perform similarly due to their varying MGP (maximum graphics power). To take the guesswork out of the equation, we have selected one of the best RTX 4060 laptops in the market, the Acer Nitro V (2024).
Coupled with Intel’s flagship mobile processor from last year, the Core i9-13900H, this affordable and portable gaming beast is equally competent in intense productivity workflows. While the 8GB RTX 4060 is apt for budget laptops, not all are allowed to operate at their full potential, leaving performance on the table. The Acer Nitro V doesn’t hold back the GPU, allowing it to achieve an MGP of 115W, one of the higher ones among its competition.
The rest of the specs include 16 GB of dual-channel DDR5 SDRAM running at 4800MHz, 512 GB of NVMe storage with an average read/write speed of 5500 MB/s, and a 15.6" 144Hz FHD IPS display. The laptop also comes with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and a decent 57 Wh battery which can be charged with the supplied 135W AC charger. For those looking for an entry-level gaming laptop capable of achieving 100+ FPS in popular e-sports titles at 1080p along with light video editing on the go, this laptop checks all the right boxes without burning a hole in the pocket.
HP Victus 16.1-inch 144Hz Laptop
The HP Victus 16.1" brings a solid value to the table for its price tag. The laptop is powered by the Core i7 13700H CPU, 32GB RAM, and RTX 4070. It is a beast in CPU-intensive programs and gaming as well. The laptop is slim, has an anti-glare IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, and comes with an RGB backlit keyboard.
Gaming laptops with the RTX 4070 typically cost close to $2000, which makes achieving ultra-quality eye candy difficult at an affordable price. The HP Victus, therefore, stands out as it brings thepowerful RTX 4070 GPUfor a high frame rate gameplay that will look absolutely flawless on its 144Hz IPS display, which is also anti-glare and has very thin bezels. The screen boasts an unusual 16.1" size, but it should provide a slightly more immersive experience compared to the standard 15.6" laptops.
The laptop uses the Intel Core i7 13700H as its processor, which uses the Hybrid architecture to provide 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, resulting in a total of 14 threads and 20 cores. The clock speeds of this processor are impressive too, with the performance cores reaching as high as 5.0GHz, thanks to the maximum turbo power that doesn’t restrict it in its performance. Nonetheless, this also comes out to be a CON when the battery life is considered. It comes with a 70Wh battery that won’t be sufficient to keep it on for several hours when on full load, particularly on gaming loads where both the CPU and GPU are in full action.
HP Envy Laptop WQXGA
The HP Envy WQXGA is a killer productivity laptop that features a massive memory size of 64GB. Also, with its 4TB fast storage, users will have plenty of space for their work files and large gaming titles. With the power of the Core i9 13900H CPU and RTX 4060, it is surely going to be a killer machine at executing the programs quickly while not remaining behind in gaming either.
This is a purely productivity-based laptop with a Core i9 13900H CPU and an insane capacity of system RAM. Typically, most gaming or work-oriented laptops come with 16 or 32GB of RAM, which is adequate for most loads. However, with 64GB DDR5 RAM, the HP Envy WQXGA will be a beast in crunching numbers. For users who are into 3D modeling, graphic design, and multimedia editing, this is the laptop they should be opting for.
In their spare time, they can try their hands at modern titles powered by the RTX 4060 GPU, which won’t make them compromise on the graphical settings. Moreover, the storage capacity is impressive with dual fast SSDs each carrying 2TB of storage space. Thelaptop looks like a work-oriented one with a thin build, but inside it resides powerful hardware to achieve any operation.
When it comes to the absolute best gaming performance, it’s hard to surpass the colossus Nvidia RTX 4090. With 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and an MGP of 175W, the Legion Pro 7i is a formidable gaming juggernaut. Although it has a cut-down version of the desktop-size GPU and costs similar to a custom RTX 4090 PC, other closely specced laptops are well into the mid $3000 range.
Lenovo decided to fit Intel’s Core i9-14900HX into their enthusiast-grade laptop, providing ample horsepower for even the most intensive tasks. The 24 cores, 32 threads processor is the greatest Intel has to offer with the P-cores hitting up to 5.80 GHz boost clocks, creating a monstrous CPU-GPU combination. Multitasking is a breeze for the laptop thanks to its 32 GB DDR5 RAM clocked at 5600MHz while a 2 TB Gen4 SSD handles data storage.
The 16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS display compliments the laptop as it will not bottleneck the GPU and the buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate is a welcome feature for those dabbling in e-sports. The laptop is decked with the best in connectivity, with Wi-Fi 6E, Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.3, which are standard for such a high-tech portable device. The 99.9Wh battery supports rapid charging of up to 30% in 10 minutes and 100% in 80 minutes when using the provided 330W charger.
The Zephyrus G14 from Asus is their ultra-premium compact laptop packed with the latest-gen specs. Powering this computer is an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, their high-efficiency mobile chip. An 8GB RTX 4070 running at a max 1655MHz with an MGP of 90W finds itself in a tight 14" laptop chassis, making it impressive for its size.
Laptops are designed to be used on the go and can be easily carried around but gaming laptops don’t follow these guidelines. Asus’s Zephyrus lineup of capable and compact laptops disregards the rule book as the 2024 G14 features an RTX 4070 and a Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with a 14" OLED display, making it one of the best ultraportable gaming laptops.
The 8 cores and 16 threads processor complements the 8GB RTX 4070, which is enough power to storm through productivity workflows and high-resolution gaming without being noticeable when in a backpack. Making it a multitasking champ is its 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, while the terabyte of Gen 4 storage ensures blazing-fast data transfers.
The immersive OLED ROG Nebula Display further enhances the experience, a rare find among laptops, thus giving it an edge over its rivals. The 73WHrs battery will get you through your tasks without needing to be plugged into a power outlet all the time, although it’s recommended while gaming. The aluminum alloy chassis provides a premium feel to the device, which weighs just 3.32 lbs while being 0.63" thick. The ROG Zephyrus G14 has been crafted keeping those in mind who aren’t fond of lugging around a traditionally bulky gaming laptop but also don’t want to sacrifice performance for mobility.
How to Choose the Best Laptops for Gaming and Work
Understanding the intricacies of selecting a dual-purpose laptop can ensure that gamers and professionals alike can find a device that meets their needs. Check out these key considerations for a choice that checks all the boxes for performance, endurance, and resilience.
Performance
A top-notch CPU paired with a formidable GPU that won’t falter under the pressure of the latest games or heavy-duty work tasks is essential. Seek out specs that promise smooth gameplay and swift multitasking capabilities to ensure a seamless switch between work and play.
Battery Life
Endurance is crucial, as a laptop for gaming and work must keep pace with its user’s lifestyle. Aim for a model that guarantees ample battery life, giving freedom from the tether of a power outlet whether users are crunching numbers or crushing foes.
Build Quality
The rigors of daily use demand a laptop that’s built to last. Opt for a chassis that champions durability, paired with a keyboard and trackpad that remains comfortable and responsive over countless hours of gaming and work.
Display
While VA and TN panels are cheaper and more common, IPS will provide the best viewing angles and better color accuracy. It’s recommended to aim for a panel that covers different color spaces with a wide range of colors.
FAQ
Q: Can gaming laptops be used for working from home?
Certainly, gaming laptops often have powerful specs that can easily handle work-related tasks, though they may be overpowered for typical office work.
Q: How important is battery life for a home office laptop?
Battery life is vital. It ensures you can work uninterrupted throughout the day without staying plugged in, offering flexibility in work locations.
Q: Are built-in webcams important for remote work laptops?
With the rise of video conferencing, a built-in webcam is essential for virtual meetings, making it a critical feature for remote work laptops.
