The best gaming laptop we’ve tested is the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024). This large 18-inch model delivers a fantastic gaming experience with high, consistent frame rates. It’s available with fast Intel 14th Gen CPUs and discrete NVIDIA GPUs, up to a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 4090, respectively. Display options include a 480Hz FHD+ and a 165Hz QHD+ panel, so you can choose whether you want smoother motion and better responsiveness or a sharper image. Both displays have a fast response time and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. Online gamers will be happy to hear it has Wi-Fi 7 and an Ethernet port to ensure a fast, reliable internet connection. Of course, the main downside is portability, as it’s a bulky, heavy laptop that’s more of a desktop replacement than a device for on-the-go use. It’s also quite expensive. The upside is that the memory and storage drive are user-replaceable, so you can get a cheaper configuration to start and upgrade later, which might be cheaper.
Also worth mentioning is the Dell Alienware m16 R2 (2024), a smaller, cheaper 16-inch model. It’s very similar to its larger sibling design-wise; however, due to its smaller chassis, its configuration options are more limited, with the GPU topping out at an RTX 4070. It also uses Intel Meteor Lake CPUs, which are more power-efficient than the m18 R2’s 14th Gen HX CPUs and a tad slower. It still delivers a great gaming experience; just know that you can’t turn up the graphics as much as on the m18 R2’s RTX 4080 or 4090 models. There’s a single display option: a 240Hz QHD+ IPS display. Thankfully, it has a fast response time and VRR support.