Gaming laptops are laptops that are designed to run high-end PC games smoothly and efficiently. They have powerful hardware and features that can handle the graphics, the sound, and the gameplay of the games.
However, gaming laptops are not only for gamers. They are also great for students who need a laptop that can perform well for their academic and personal needs.
Understanding the Student Gamer
Before diving into specific models, let’s consider the unique needs of a student gamer:
- Budget: Price is paramount. Students often juggle academic expenses and living costs, so value for money is crucial.
- Portability: Lugging a hulking beast around campus isn’t ideal. Lightweight and slim designs are key.
- Battery Life: Long battery life for those late-night study sessions and dorm LAN parties is essential.
- Performance: Don’t sacrifice gameplay! Finding a laptop that handles the latest titles without melting down is vital.
- Versatility: It’s not all epic raids and side quests. The laptop should handle everyday tasks like research, writing, and presentations like a champ.
Pros
Gaming laptops can offer students many benefits, such as:
- Speed: Gaming laptops have fast processors, memory, and storage that can make the laptop run faster and smoother. This can help students with their tasks, such as browsing the web, writing papers, or doing research.
- Versatility: Gaming laptops have versatile features, such as high-resolution screens, backlit keyboards, and multiple ports that can enhance the laptop’s functionality. This can help students with their activities, such as watching videos, playing music, or connecting to external devices.
- Durability: Gaming laptops have sturdy and durable designs that can withstand wear and tear. This can help students with their mobility, as they can carry the laptop around without worrying about damage.
Cons
However, gaming laptops are not perfect. They also have some drawbacks, such as:
- Cost: Gaming laptops are more expensive than regular laptops, as they have high-end hardware and features that make them pricier. This can be a challenge for students who have a limited budget or need to save money for other expenses.
- Weight: Gaming laptops are heavier and bulkier than regular laptops, as they have larger and thicker frames that accommodate the hardware and features. This can be a hassle for students who have to travel or commute with the laptop frequently or for long distances.
- Battery: Gaming laptops have shorter battery life than regular laptops, as they have powerful components that consume more energy and generate more heat. This can be a problem for students who need to use the laptop for long hours or in places where there is no power outlet.
Therefore, students who want to buy a gaming laptop should consider the pros and cons carefully and choose the one that suits their needs and preferences best.
Best Gaming Laptops for Students in 2024
To help them with their decision, here are some of the best gaming laptops for students in 2023, based on their specifications, reviews, and prices:
| Feature | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | Acer Predator Helios 300 | Dell G5 15 | HP Omen 15 | Lenovo Legion 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 14″ Full HD (120Hz) | 15.6″ Full HD (144Hz) | 15.6″ Full HD (120Hz) | 15.6″ Full HD (144Hz) | 15.6″ Full HD (120Hz) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS | Intel Core i7-10750H | Intel Core i7-10870H | Intel Core i7-10750H | AMD Ryzen 7 4800H |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Keyboard | Backlit | Backlit | Backlit | Backlit | Backlit |
| Webcam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 76Wh | 59Wh | 68Wh | 70Wh | 60Wh |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs | 5.5 lbs | 5.2 lbs | 5.4 lbs | 5.4 lbs |
| Thickness | 0.7 in | 0.9 in | 0.9 in | 0.9 in | 1 in |
| Price | $1500 | $1200 | $1300 | $1600 | $1000 |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the best gaming laptops for students who want a balance between performance and portability. It has a 14-inch full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint scanner, and a 76Wh battery. It weighs only 3.5 pounds and measures only 0.7 inches thick, making it one of the lightest and thinnest gaming laptops on the market. It costs around $1500.
Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the best gaming laptops for students who want a high-performance and affordable laptop. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a webcam, and a 59Wh battery. It weighs 5.5 pounds and measures 0.9 inches thick, making it a bit heavy and bulky, but still manageable. It costs around $1200.
Dell G5 15
The Dell G5 15 is one of the best gaming laptops for students who want a versatile and reliable laptop. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i7-10870H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a webcam, and a 68Wh battery. It weighs 5.2 pounds and measures 0.9 inches thick, making it a bit heavy and bulky, but still manageable. It costs around $1300.
HP Omen 15
The HP Omen 15 is one of the best gaming laptops for students who want a stylish and powerful laptop. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a webcam, and a 70Wh battery. It weighs 5.4 pounds and measures 0.9 inches thick, making it a bit heavy and bulky, but still manageable. It costs around $1600.
Lenovo Legion 5
The Lenovo Legion 5 is one of the best gaming laptops for students who want a durable and budget-friendly laptop. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It also has a backlit keyboard, a webcam, and a 60Wh battery. It weighs 5.4 pounds and measures 1 inch thick, making it a bit heavy and bulky, but still manageable. It costs around $1000.
Final Thoughts!
Gaming laptops are great for students who need a laptop that can perform well for their academic and personal needs. Gaming laptops can offer students many benefits, such as speed, versatility, and durability. However, gaming laptops also have some drawbacks, such as cost, weight, and battery.
Therefore, students who want to buy a gaming laptop should consider the pros and cons carefully and choose the one that suits their needs and preferences best. Some of the best gaming laptops for students in 2024 are the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, the Acer Predator Helios 300, the Dell G5 15, the HP Omen 15, and the Lenovo Legion 5.
These laptops have powerful hardware and features that can provide students with an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
FAQs – Best Gaming Laptops for Students
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (Gen 8) strikes a great balance between power, portability, and price. It offers current-gen specs (Intel Core i7-13700H, RTX 4060), a fast 165Hz display, and decent battery life, making it suitable for both gaming and schoolwork.
The Dell G15 is a solid option under $1,000. It packs a 120Hz display, Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics, and adequate storage/RAM for most games and everyday tasks. While not the most powerful, it delivers good value for budget-conscious gamers.
The Razer Blade 14 (2023) is a sleek and powerful option for those who prioritize portability. It boasts a sophisticated design, high-performance specs (Intel Core i7-13800H, RTX 4070), and a smooth 165Hz QHD display. However, its premium price tag makes it suitable for more serious gamers.
The Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED is a strong contender. It features a vibrant OLED display, a Ryzen 7 processor, GTX 3050 graphics, and enough RAM/storage for both work and leisure. While not a dedicated gaming laptop, it can handle many popular titles at medium/high settings.