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You probably know by now that gaming requires a powerful laptop. In fact, many brands manufacture laptops for gaming specifically – but which one to get?
There are base specs a good gaming laptop must have. The good news is that if a laptop can run heavier games, you won’t have to worry about programming — it will easily run the apps.
Below you will find a list of must-have specs for gaming laptops, followed by our selection of the best laptops for gaming and programming.
Table of Contents
- Laptops for Gaming and Programming System Requirements at a Glance
- Top 7 Laptops for Gaming and Programming
- 1. Premium Device for Heavy Performance Users: Alienware X17
- 2. Balance Between Performance & Cost: MSI GE76 Raider
- 3. Best Mid-Range Option: Acer Predator Helios 300
- 4. Energy Efficient Device that Lasts Entire Day: Apple MacBook Air M2
- 5. Ideal Workstation that lets You Dabble with Games: No products found.
- 6. Inexpensive Gaming Device: MSI GF63 Thin
- 7. The Most Popular Budget Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
- How We Selected the Best Laptops for Gaming and Programming
- FAQs about Gaming and Programming Laptops
- Verdict
Laptops for Gaming and Programming System Requirements at a Glance
A disclaimer: No single set of specifications would be ideal for everyone. But some specs are important for a broad range of users.
That said, laptops for gaming and programming should at least meet the minimum requirements to run popular AAA games at 60 fps, along with ample storage and processing power for programming software.
Check out this table for the minimum gaming laptop specs, but also the recommended requirements for coding and gaming laptops:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core 10th Generation | Intel Core 11th Generation |
| RAM | 8GB+ | 16GB+ |
| Storage | 256GB SSD+ | 512GB SSD+ |
| Display | 15.6-inch FHD | 15.6-inch FHD |
| GPU | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| Battery | Up to 3 hours | Up to 6 hours |
Top 7 Laptops for Gaming and Programming
This section lists some of the best laptops for gaming and programming that we have found after a detailed laptop market screening and testing. Each laptop is meant for a different audience – we wanted the list to have something for everyone.
1. Premium Device for Heavy Performance Users: Alienware X17
- CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i9-12900H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
So you want a proper laptop beast for gaming and programming — Alienware X17 it is. Alienware has cut no corners in design and delivers a modern machine that stands out in the market.
X17 is one of the rare gaming laptops where the build is both sturdy AND compact. The chassis is made from premium materials like magnesium, copper, and steel.
The laptop comes with Intel’s 12th Gen i9, a top-tier chip powerful enough to run demanding programming applications and the latest AAA games. There are multiple GPU options available, but NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti is among the best for most users.
With 16GB of RAM, you will see smooth transitions between different programming applications. Plus, you know all those tabs you open every day? Well, let’s just say I think you’ll appreciate the RAM and the speed it brings.
The viewer experience is awesome thanks to the 17.3-inch screen with a high screen-to-body ratio. A refresh rate of a whopping 480Hz pretty much covers any game imaginable, from shooters to eSports.
Are there any downsides? Because of the configuration and sturdy build, this laptop is somewhat heavier than most gaming laptops. 6.54 lbs isn’t crazy if you’re gaming/programming at home, but it can get challenging if you’re carrying it around all day.
In a nutshell, the Alienware X17 is a premium laptop for programmers and gamers alike. If you can spare the budget, this machine will meet – and probably exceed – all your gaming and coding expectations.
- What We Like
- Modern and contemporary design
- Powerful processor and GPU
- Efficient cooling
- Gorgeous display
- Ample RAM and SSD
- Comfy keyboard
- What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
- Heavy
2. Balance Between Performance & Cost: MSI GE76 Raider
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
MSI GE76 hits the sweet spot between performance and price. So, if you want an awesome gaming and programming laptop for a reasonable price, check it out.
GE76 employs Intel’s 12th Gen i7 processor that will do video processing, photo editing, or run IDEs without interruptions.
MSI has also packed RTX 3060 (a popular GPU amongst gamers) in this model. You can easily run AAA titles at high settings and enjoy the visuals.
How do I know? Well, the IPS panel looks gorgeous at 17.3”. Plus, the refresh rate sits at 144Hz — lower than Alienware X17, sure, but still awesome for car chasing and shooter games.
For a device as powerful as MSI GE76, an efficient cooling system is non-negotiable. Fortunately, the laptop includes MSI’s patented ‘Cooler Boost Technology’ that ensures efficient dissipation of heat to keep the device cool.
The cherry on top? The laptop design is plain and simple yet elegant enough for most users. You’d only realize this is a gaming laptop once you saw the RGB strip at the bottom — which I personally very much like.
Like Alienware, Raider is on the heavier side, at 6.4 lbs. And the fans can get a little loud when in high-performance mode.
Still, the features make GE76 a hard-to-ignore device, especially if you take into account that this model comes with 32GB RAM. It’s an awesome laptop for programmers and gamers alike.
- What We Like
- Sleek design
- Powerful processor and GPU
- Great RAM
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Efficient cooling
- Amazing ports selection
- What We Don’t Like
- On the heavier side
- Loud fans in high-performance mode
3. Best Mid-Range Option: Acer Predator Helios 300
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-11800H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 6GB NVidia GeForce RTX 3060
- Battery: Up to 6 hours
Helios 300 is a great gaming and programming laptop that offers premium performance and sleek design. It packs all the right components for demanding programming software and games.
Intel’s 11th Gen i7 lays a strong foundation for super-fast and reliable performance. It gets support from RTX 3060, which efficiently renders complex graphics. This is the same GPU as in the more expensive MSI GE76, so pretty capable of handling AAA titles.
The laptop comes with a 144Hz display and 15.6” which will ensure lots of fun and crisp visuals. The display isn’t the most suitable for 4K res, but the panel shines at 1080p and 1440p.
Acer also added 512GB of fast SSD storage which should be enough for most users. But even when it runs out, you can plug the external drive into one of four 3.0 USB ports. Thanks to these ports, other accessories like controllers also deliver latency-free and reliable performance.
Still, be prepared for a bulkier laptop that can overheat at times.
Overall, if you don’t mind the chunky design and don’t intend to push the laptop to its limits, Acer Predator Helios 300 gives a lot of value for both gaming and programming.
Gaming with style > Read our Acer Predator Helios 300 Review or Watch it on YouTube
This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.
- What We Like
- Strong GPU/CPU combo
- High-quality display
- Fast SSD
- Solid battery life
- Reasonable price
- What We Don’t Like
- Possible overheating
- Bulkier design
4. Energy Efficient Device that Lasts Entire Day: Apple MacBook Air M2
- CPU: 8-Core Apple M2 Chip
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (2560 x 1664)
- GPU: Integrated Apple 8-core
- Battery: Up to 18 hours
Apple MacBook Air M2 brings in portability, optimized macOS and now an already well-known and praised M2 chip.
The M2 chip makes MacBook Air a power-efficient machine, way ahead of its Intel counterparts. The device can last up to 18 hours, far more than most laptops in this price bracket.
Whether you’re programming or compiling, MacBook Air will not disappoint.
Thanks to the fantastic Super Retina display, you get an immersive experience. It’s brighter than its predecessor (M1), scoring 500 nits.
The base model comes with 8GB RAM, which is enough for most coding work. In fact, it’s not fair to compare the MacBook Air’s memory with a Windows-based machine’s memory. Since MacBooks’ hardware is optimized with its CPU and GPU, the 8GB RAM can handle a lot more than most other 16GB laptops.
I’m a big fan of the keyboard and trackpad as well. We have found from using this product that, they are both one of the best on the market.
You’ll be able to play most light- to medium-duty games, but not AAA games. So if AAA games are important to you, then go for a Windows-based device.
Now, in regard to the port selection. You only get 2 USB-C ports so you may need a dongle. Also, only 1 screen can be attached to this laptop.Overall the latest MacBook Air M2 is worth considering for programming and light gaming. Most coders like it because it’s durable, snappy and comfortable to work on.
Most Battery life out there > Watch our M1 vs M2 MacBook Air Review
This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.
- What We Like
- Great performance
- Durable device
- Long battery life
- Immersive display
- Operating system is optimized with hardware
- What We Don’t Like
- Only 2 USB-C ports
5. Ideal Workstation that lets You Dabble with Games: No products found.
- CPU: 3.2GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 2GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Battery: Up to 8 hours
ASUS TUF caters to users who are looking for a complete workstation but also dabble with games.
It comes with a balanced set of hardware that offers premium performance on programming applications. This laptop can also run most modern games on moderate graphics with pretty decent frame rates.
The design of the TUF certainly steals the show with its wide aspect and high screen-to-body ratio.
Furthermore, the speakers are pretty decent and offer deep bass and richer audio. The combination of brilliant display and quality speakers makes consuming media on it more fun.
Plus, it’s pretty good in the portability department. 4.85 lbs are lighter than most gaming laptops out there.
The trackpad could have been better, so I’d definitely recommend getting a mouse.
And TUF A15 can sometimes get too hot, depending on how much you push it in terms of gaming.
Besides these, the laptop features do feature 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which makes it particularly useful for multitasking, and large coding projects.
At this price point, TUF smokes the likes of Nitro 5, Lenovo Legion, and IdeaPad Gaming models.
Overall, if you don’t want to overspend, TUF Gaming A15 is easily one of the top picks for gaming and programming.
- What We Like
- Solid CPU/GPU
- Great display
- High-quality audio
- Ample RAM and SSD
- Affordable
- Relatively low weight
- What We Don’t Like
- Can overheat
- Not the best trackpad
6. Inexpensive Gaming Device: MSI GF63 Thin
- CPU: 2.7GHz Intel Core i5-11400H
- RAM: GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Battery: Up to 7 hours
GF63 is the least expensive device to make it to our list and ideal if you’re running short on money.
Although it is a budget device, MSI has built it smartly. They saved costs on components that you can upgrade later on while maintaining the performance of the parts that make it a powerful machine.
The laptop includes Intel’s 11th Gen i5 processor, which is pretty good in this price range. A dedicated GPU, GTX1650, is also available to efficiently render the graphics.
The combination delivers solid performance while coding and gaming, though it’s not meant for super-heavy tasks.
MSI has used a rather conservative RAM and storage to cut cost. 8GB RAM could do decent multitasking, but 256GB storage falls short if you want a lot of AAA titles on the machine. However, you can upgrade both RAM and SSD — and I’d definitely do this at some point.
Still, compared to similar budget laptops — like Lenovo IdeaPad 3 or Acer Aspire — MSI takes the win.
And, with 4.1 lbs, it’s one of the most portable laptops on this list.
Overall, MSI GF63 is a pretty good laptop for programming students who also like to game on the side. The price makes it that much more appealing.
- What We Like
- Affordable
- Decent processor and dedicated GPU
- Sturdy build
- Lightweight
- Good battery life
- Upgradable RAM and storage
- What We Don’t Like
- RAM could be higher
- Low SSD storage
7. The Most Popular Budget Laptop: Acer Nitro 5
- CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
Acer Nitro 5 has been one of the most popular choices for gaming, and rightfully so. It’s affordable, powerful — and also great for programming.
This bad boy packs a 12th Gen. i5, which is higher than MSI GF63, and an RTX 3050. So power-wise, there’s no problem in running AAA titles at medium settings.
And Acer did a pretty good job on the 15.6” hi-res display. The thin-bezel beauty with a 144Hz refresh rate is easy on the eyes and hard on the enemies trying to take you out.
The main concern is the RAM. 8GB is ok-ish, but if you work on a lot of projects and frequently find yourself closing too many tabs, I’d upgrade to at least 16GB.
When it comes to keyboard, I like the signature red fury on this thing. Based on our firsthand experience, it’s super comfortable for typing, and looks cool.
In terms of portability, 5.5 lbs and 3-4 hours of battery life is pretty standard for gaming laptops. Maybe not the best for students or the office, though.
However, you get a lot of value for the price. Nitro 5 is one of those gaming and programming laptops that should be considered either way.
Cheap Gaming Option > Read our Acer Nitro 5 Review or Watch on YouTube
This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.
- What We Like
- Great value for money
- Strong CPU/GPU
- High-quality IPS panel
- Comfy keyboard
- Solid portability
- Upgradable
- What We Don’t Like
- RAM could be higher
- Flimsy lid
How We Selected the Best Laptops for Gaming and Programming
Programming applications are not as demanding as high-end games. Laptops that can run modern games with smooth graphics should present no problem to programmers.
So, to compile our list, we searched for the required specifications of popular games, including God Of War, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption, Dying Light 2, PUBG, COD, Overwatch, GTA V, and many others.
We then looked for laptops that had the required processing power, GPU, and storage to run most of them.
The shortlisted devices were screened for the price, connectivity options, battery, display, and cooling system.
Only those devices that met the criteria of having FHD screens with fast refresh rates, the latest port technologies, and efficient cooling systems made it to the list. We have tried to include devices ranging from inexpensive to premium so that everyone can have a lean, mean gaming-and-coding machine for themselves.
FAQs about Gaming and Programming Laptops
What is the optimal processor for programming?
For programming, your processor should be at least equivalent to Core i5-10400F (or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G) or above. However, the processor requirements for programming might change depending on the nature of the task. So for game development, Intel i5-12600 (6 cores) should be enough, but for VMware, you’d need a processor with at least 8 cores to run several VMs.
How much does SSD contribute to the speed of gaming and programming laptops?
The SSDs don’t provide higher frame rates or a better gaming experience, but they help load heavier games (and other applications) faster. So, if you don’t want to wait for a heavy game or software to load, an SSD would be better for you.
It’s the same case with programming. That’s because SSDs have higher data transfer speeds compared to conventional hard drives.
Are gaming laptops good for programming?
Yes, they are. If your laptop can play the latest AAA games without any lag, you can rest assured it will not trouble you while programming.
Games, especially the latest AAA titles, require powerful machines for a smooth, lag-free experience.
On the other hand, programming doesn’t require a lot regarding processing power, GPU, or even storage.
What other things should I look for besides the general laptop specs?
Besides CPU, GPU, and storage, you should consider a laptop’s design (weight and materials), durability (build quality), and connectivity (number and types of ports). More often than not, you need to compromise on one feature for the other.
For example, you might want to compromise on storage or portability for a cheaper model. So, it all comes down to your needs and desired features.
Verdict
We hope the compilation has helped you pick the ideal device or narrow down the options. If not we have a whole section about the best laptops from each brand.
If you still haven’t decided, allow us to help:
- Alienware X17 is the most premium device you can pick if there are no budget limits.
- If you’re hunting for awesome battery life, Apple’s MacBook Air M2 is the best on the list.
- But if you’re trying to balance performance and cost, consider the MSI GE76 Raider
