If you're looking for something a lot more powerful that can play your indie and triple-A games alike, then nothing beats a good gaming laptop. In this day and age, playing video games on the go is so easy to do. Even our smartphones and tablets are now powerful enough to play very impressive and entertaining video games.
Gaming laptops aren't just all about RGB lighting. There are many internal and external components that you have to consider to make sure that you're making a smart purchase. In order to help you, we made this buying guide, checked by IT specialist JC Rogelio, featuring the factors that you have to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. We've also gathered our Top 10 gaming laptops that you can buy online.
Quick List - Top Gaming Laptops
Acer
Perfect Entry-Level Gaming Laptop
Lenovo
Well-Rounded Laptop That Has No Compromises
Predator
Affordable Gateway to Ray Tracing
ROG
The One That Blurs the Line Between a Gaming Laptop and an Ultrabook
JC Rogelio is first and foremost a fan of upgrading and modifying computers. Due to his passion, he earned a degree in Information Technology from a university specializing in the field. He is tech-savvy and likes to research computer trends. He was a former employee of a Fortune 500 company in the Philippines and now has over 3 years of experience in the IT/Engineering field in Dubai.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The graphics processing unit, or GPU, is probably one of the most important components of a good gaming laptop. It is responsible for processing all the visual and graphical aspects of your game. All laptops have GPUs, but what separates a gaming laptop from a non-gaming one is their use of discrete GPUs.
Nvidia is one of the main manufacturers of discrete GPUs for gaming laptops. For lower-end gaming laptops, you can go with Nvidia GTX 10 or 1600 series. But as your budget increases, you can opt for the higher-end RTX 20 and 30 series that features Ray Tracing Technology.
The CPU, or central processing unit, is the brain of the computer. It handles all things non-graphics related that the computer does, such as your computer's operating system, your browser, and other productivity applications. CPUs with 4 cores should be the bare minimum installed in a modern gaming laptop. Both Intel and AMD offer gaming CPUs that are typically incorporated in gaming laptops.
Intel’s Core i5, i7, or i9 series are the usual choices for a gaming laptop. Keep in mind that the CPU's model is not everything, as Intel's i5 and i7 have already been around for years.
If you can, go for the 10th or 11th generation Intel processors, as they offer better performance and more updated features as compared to the lower generation Intel CPUs.
Intel's rival, AMD, has been on a tear these past few years, though. Their Ryzen 4000 and 5000 series of CPU's have proven to be very good options for gaming laptops, as they usually deliver excellent performances for their price. They usually run cooler and are more efficient than their Intel counterparts, as well.
Gaming can be quite intensive on RAM usage. And if you like keeping other applications open in the background while gaming, then it could easily chew through your RAM space.
That's why it is recommended to get a machine with at least 8 GB of RAM if you're on a budget. If you're willing to pay extra, other high-end devices could come with 16 GB.
Some laptops also have RAM expansion slots. These types of gaming laptops are better since they provide you with an option to add more RAM capacity in the future.
Generally, the type of storage that you use will have close to a negligible effect on in-game performance. What it does affect is how fast your game loads. Gaming aside, the speed of your storage also affects your boot-up times and file transfer speeds.
Some budget gaming laptops might have hard drives as their main storage. Hard drives are very affordable and may usually come in 500GB or 1TB capacities. However, they are very slow. If your laptop comes with only a hard drive, prepare to endure painfully slow boot-up and load times.
Solid state drives, or SSD's, are the newer forms of storage devices. They are significantly faster than the older hard drives. SSD's are more expensive than hard drives and are usually available in smaller capacities such as 250 GB.
Take our suggestion: get both of them to have the best setup. Go for gaming laptops that have a small-capacity SSD along with a large hard drive. In that way, you get to experience the faster boot-up time of an SSD, while being able to save your less-played games and other files on your larger hard drive.
With all the internal specs that you have to look for in gaming laptops, sometimes the display could easily be overlooked. You will most probably be looking at your laptop's screen for hours on end, which is why it's important that you consider the display very carefully.
The display sizes of gaming laptops usually range from 14 to 18 inches. Most gaming laptops in the market have a 15.6"screen size though there are also options with 16" and 17" display sizes. It's up to you whether you'd like a bigger screen. But remember, gaming laptops with bigger screens will always be bulkier and heavier.
In terms of screen resolution, a 1080p display will give you the best price, performance, and clarity ratio, or otherwise known as Full HD. If you want better clarity, you can go for higher resolutions like a 4K display.
Just be aware that 4K displays are expensive and demanding to your GPU. You’d have to lower your graphical settings just to run games smoothly at such a high resolution.
The most common refresh rate among all laptops is at 60Hz. However, if you want a smoother gaming experience, opt for displays with higher refresh rates such as 120 or 144Hz.
If you play games wherein every frame is important, such as competitive Esports titles, then go for high refresh rate displays that will help you crush your opponents.
While gaming laptops are technically considered laptops, they traditionally do very poorly in portability. They are usually quite heavy, making them very hard to bring around. Not to mention, they won't usually last long unplugged due to their power-hungry components. Their chassis also have to be quite thick to accommodate and protect its components.
Fortunately, more and more manufacturers are developing thinner and lighter gaming laptops. These gaming laptops make use of more efficient CPUs that allow for slimmer designs and longer battery lives. Go for these types of gaming laptops if you plan on gaming while on-the-go.
Many gaming laptops also feature a backlit keyboard. Some even have user-adjustable RGB lighting for their keyboards. This means that you get to change the color of your keyboard's backlight. These not only make your keyboard look pretty, but they also make typing in the dark easier.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Asus TUF Dash F15|FX516PR-HN080T | ![]() | Bang for the Buck Gaming Monster | |
2 | Acer Nitro 5|AN515-57-53SB | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Perfect Entry-Level Gaming Laptop |
3 | Lenovo Legion 5|R7-5800H | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Well-Rounded Laptop That Has No Compromises |
4 | Predator Helios 300|PH315-54-55A4 | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Affordable Gateway to Ray Tracing |
5 | ROG Zephyrus M16|GU603HM-K8037TS | ![]() | Currently unavailable | The One That Blurs the Line Between a Gaming Laptop and an Ultrabook |
6 | HP Victus|16-D0280TX | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Immersive Yourself in the Game With Breathtaking Display |
7 | HP Omen 16-B0143TX | ![]() | A Flexible Laptop With All the Right Features | |
8 | Asus Tuf Gaming A15|FA506IC-HN010W | ![]() | Currently unavailable | A Tough Gaming Laptop That's Built to Last |
9 | MSI Gaming Pro GF63 Thin|10SCXR-1098 | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Gaming Laptop With a Subdued Look |
10 | Maibenben Maibook|P748 | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Big Screen for a Not So Big Price |
If you want the laptop that will give you one of the best gaming performances right now, then this might be it. The TUF Dash features the new GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, one of the fastest laptop GPUs around! When coupled with its 4 core i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD, its GPU will definitely breeze through all the games you throw at it.
This laptop boasts a very high 17 hours of straight video playback through its 15.6" Full HD 144 Hz display. Amazingly, Asus managed to cram all this technology into a thin 19.9 mm military-grade chassis that weighs just 2 kg. All of these features make the TUF Dash a laptop that punches way above its price.
If you're on a budget, then definitely look out for the Nitro 5 by Acer. The laptop combines an Intel Core i5-11400H with a very capable GTX 3050 Ti GPU, which is enough to run most modern games at around 60 FPS. It also comes with 8 GB RAM that is expandable up to 32 GB.
The 15.6" Full HD IPS screen makes sure that you get accurate colors regardless of which angle you view the monitor from. Its 144 Hz refresh rate makes sure you're always one step ahead of your enemies.
You still get a customizable 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard and plenty of ports for easy connectivity. The only compromise for this laptop would be the limited storage when you buy its base model. Luckily, the seller offers to add an extra 1 TB hard drive for a small cost.
The Lenovo Legion 5 might be the most balanced gaming laptop around. Its pairing of an 8 core Ryzen 7 4800H and GTX 1660 Ti make it capable of handling everything, from productivity applications to gaming. Also, with hardware features such as RGB backlights, a number pad, and 10 different ports, it has all the important features packaged in one powerful computer.
Additionally, Lenovo's Legion 5 shows accurate image quality with its 15.6" Full HD screen with 100% sRGB and 1920 x 1080 IPS display. It's high refresh rate of 165 hz and 3ms response times allow you to capitalize on every single mistake your opponents make.
Thanks to its Legion Coldfront 2.0, you won't have to worry about thermal throttling or overheating. Plus, with its Q Control 3.0, you can choose between 3 thermal modes: Quiet, Balanced, and Performance for the optimal gaming experience. Running out of battery is no problem either, as this laptop tops up from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes!
This gaming laptop by Predator is probably one of the most affordable ones that feature an RTX 3050! Not only do you get solid framerates out of it, but you also get the option of enabling Ray Tracing for prettier in-game lighting and shadows.
With a powerful processor and stunning display, you can now enjoy lag-free gaming and jaw-dropping graphics in every game. It provides solid performance with its i5-11400H CPU and 8 GB of RAM. With its 512 GB SSD, you get to experience snappy boot times every time you play.
Expandability is not an issue with this unit, as you can expand the RAM to 32 GB and the storage to 2 TB of SSD. In case you run into any issues, you can always avail of its warranty which is valid for 2 years!
Ultrabooks are great. They look sleek and are very portable. The Zephyrus M16 by Asus may be one of the few real gaming ultrabooks out there. Only released this year, the M16 boasts Intel's latest i9-11900 CPU and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX™ 3070 GPU. With these features, you are definitely getting your money's worth when you purchase this slim yet powerful gaming laptop.
The M16 has a Full HD 165 Hz IPS screen and a 16-inch display, which is a screen size that was previously unheard of in gaming laptops. It also has 100% sRGB and is Pantone validated, making this machine a great laptop not only for gaming but also when it comes to photo or video editing.
Overall, if you're looking for a gaming laptop that can also function as an ultrabook, then Asus' ROG Zephyrus M16 is your best bet. It has a speedy display, sharp resolution, up-to-date processors, and other cool features such as two-way AI noise cancellation and a stealth-type keyboard.
If the display is important to you, then you might want to consider HP's Victus 16 as your next gaming laptop. It has a whopping 16.1-inch Full HD screen featuring ultra-thin bezels and a sharp 1920 x 1080 video resolution. Additionally, it has 100% sRGB for vivid display, and it even has anti-glare and low blue light technology to protect your eyes from hours of gaming!
The Victus 16's RAM is 16 GB, far superior to most gaming laptops in the market given its price point. The only downside to this laptop is that it is a bit on the heavy side, even if the body is made mostly of plastic. While this might be a turn-off for the portable gamer, this laptop is still great for those who like vivid displays for a more immersive gaming experience.
Large storage capacity, improved compatibility, and immersive display are only some of the features that make the HP Omen a high-end laptop. With its 512 GB hard drive, 9 available ports, and a 16.1" screen, this gaming laptop has all these features packaged in one sleek gaming machine.
Worried about device overheating? HP Omen's Tempest Cooling Technology can keep your gaming laptop cool even through hours of intense gaming with three-sided venting and five-way airflow. The reported battery life of this laptop is 6 hours and 45 minutes, but this, of course, will still depend on the kind of game you're playing.
The TUF Gaming A15 by Asus might be one of the toughest gaming laptops. It has undergone rigorous military tests to prove that it can withstand drops, shakes, heat, cold, and humidity. This laptop also features a 90Wh battery, which takes an average of more than 5 hours before the battery drains.
It won't let you down with its specifications either. Featuring an 8 core Ryzen 7 4800H CPU, a GeForce RTX 3050, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD, you will always be able to count on it through thick or thin. In case you find the RAM to be insufficient, you always have the option to expand it up to 32 GB!
Its RGB backlit keyboard is very durable, with each key being able to withstand up to 20 million key presses! If you're looking for a gaming laptop that won't let you down, then this might be the one.
The aesthetics of some gaming laptops could easily get too overbearing for some. This MSI Gaming Pro laptop addresses just that. It features a subdued, laid-back look that makes it perfectly acceptable to bring to your business meetings. Its 21.7 mm thickness and brushed aluminum aesthetic further give it a professional look.
It's all about fun internally, as the laptop houses an i5-10300H, GTX 1650 Max Q, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB SSD. Its display is a 15.6" Full HD IPS panel that reaches 144 Hz. Since its Max Q GPU is not that powerful, just be ready to lower your graphical settings to make the most out of your high refresh rate screen.
If you find the screen of most gaming laptops too small, then consider the Maibook. It features a large 17.3" Full HD 144 hz ADS screen that gives very wide viewing angles and crisp images. Images are bright too with its capability to produce up to 300 nits of brightness.
Games are snappy with its Ryzen 7 4800H CPU and RTX 2060 GPU. Multitasking is no problem too with its 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. You also get to customize its keyboard using any of the 30 built-in color effects. If you don't mind buying a laptop from a relatively smaller brand, then this would be a great buy for you!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
An advantage of buying a gaming laptop is that you can use it for a myriad of purposes other than gaming. For instance, if you're a streamer or a video editor, you can definitely benefit from the powerful specs of your gaming laptop, such as its spacious hard drive, powerful processor, and increased RAM.
A spacious hard drive is essential in video editing as it allows you to store hours of footage without running out of storage space. Meanwhile, a gaming laptop with a powerful processor can run your editing software smoothly and process videos at a much faster rate. Finally, an increased or expandable RAM can come in handy, especially when editing 4K content on your gaming laptop.
When you're really into a game, it's easy to spend hours playing without really noticing it. However, playing for hours usually leads to your gaming laptop overheating which may severely decrease its performance. Overheating can also reduce battery life and may even render it unusable if the problem is not addressed right away.
As it is a common issue among gamers, brands have come up with cooling technologies to address it. They have also taken this issue into consideration in designing newer models by adding more vents, fans, and other components that help prevent overheating. Anyway, as long as your laptop has a decent cooling mechanism and you take good care of it, you have nothing to worry about.
Most gaming laptops in the market can be deemed expensive considering that it's almost impossible to find even an entry-level one with decent specs priced below ₱50,000. The reason for this is that gaming laptops, compared to regular laptops, require more advanced technology. Games, especially heavy ones, require powerful processors and high-res screens to appear and run smoothly.
Also, gaming laptops are expensive because they are marketed to be an alternative to a desktop and it's costly to design a portable machine that has the same functions as a PC. As newer technology emerges and the global chip shortage carries on, it is likely that gaming laptop prices will not drop anytime soon and may even continue to soar in the coming years.
Gaming laptops are perfectly viable as desktop replacements. But if you plan on taking them with you on your trips, then you're gonna need some accessories and peripherals. Check out our top picks for laptop sleeves, laptop backpacks, and wireless mice!
Author: Adriel Coseip
Re-editor: Katrina Balingit
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Asus|TUF Dash F15|FX516PR-HN080T
No. 2: Acer|Nitro 5|AN515-57-53SB
No. 3: Lenovo|Legion 5|R7-5800H
No. 4: Predator|Helios 300|PH315-54-55A4
No. 5: ROG|Zephyrus M16|GU603HM-K8037TS
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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