7 Best Laptops For Playing Fortnite in 2023

So you’ve spent endless hours playing Fortnite, but you feel like your old computer is dragging you down with the constant frame drops and stutters. Or perhaps you’re just a newbie looking to embark on new adventures on the Island. In either case, it’s time to start looking for a reliable machine that can run the game smoothly.   

But how do you choose the best laptop for Fortnite? With so many options available, making the right choice can get difficult. That’s where we step in. 

We made this article to help our readers find the right gaming laptop suitable for their needs, budgets, and preferences. Not only that, but we’ll also cover the most important aspects you need to be careful about when researching and buying your next gaming companion. 

So join us as we unveil our favorite picks that will help you make a name for yourself in the epic world of Fortnite.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

Fortnite is not the most graphically demanding game, so even entry-level gaming laptops should run it without issues. However, understanding the required specs is super-important to ensure you get your money’s worth when purchasing a new gaming device. 

So for all newbies reading this article, here’s a list of our minimum and recommended system requirements for Fortnite. Choosing a laptop with the minimum specs will get you a decent performance if you don’t mind lowering the graphics settings.

But if you’re aiming for exquisite gameplay while reaching well above 100FPS, opt for a laptop featuring at least our recommended specs or higher.  As a bonus, our recommended specs are great if you are also looking for a good laptop for League of Legends or an excellent Minecraft laptop.

You may notice that our specs table looks a little different than the one on the official site of Epic Games (Fortnite’s publisher). That’s because our goal is to give you a better idea of what a good gaming laptop these days should pack instead of recommending something that could result in a disappointing gaming experience.

Top 7 Laptops for Playing Fortnite

Without further ado, here is our list of the top laptops that can run Fortnite.

1. Great Option from MSI: MSI Thin

MSI Thin

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$845.00

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If you want a great, yet affordable laptop just under $1000 for Fortnite Battle Royale, look no further than MSI Thin. This cracked machine is all peppered up and ready to rumble.

For a pretty reasonable price tag, MSI’s bad boy packs a 12th Gen. Intel Core i7 and an astounding RTX 4050, of the latest NVIDIA GPU series. Add to that 16GB RAM, and you’ve got lag-free gameplay and a powerful ally to rule the Island.

All the dope Fortnite visuals come to life thanks to a 15.6” hi-res panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. So not only will you enjoy crisp colors on a large, contrasty panel, but the crucial thing is also there: you can react fast and shoot down the enemies in a millisecond.

MSI Thin doesn’t only rule the online arenas. At 4 lbs of weight and easily pulling 7 hours of juice, this is one of the most portable laptops on the list. It’s a rare thing among the gaming laptops, and one of the reasons I appreciate Thin.

If the design is important to you, you may want to skip this beast. Personally, I don’t mind the somewhat outdated chassis, but we all have our priorities.

Another thing to consider is a slightly flat keyboard. I’m particular about those, but it might not bother you as much.

Overall, though, for this price, MSI Thin is practically a steal. With this Fortnite laptop, you’ll be dubbing on a loop — and do many more things with ease.

2. Best For Students: ASUS TUF Gaming F15

ASUS TUF Gaming F15

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 7 Hours

$849.99

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So maybe you’d like a cheaper laptop than MSI that’s great for college life (and a little more modern). If that’s the case, ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is one laptop for Fortnite — and students — that works amazing.

With a 12th Gen. i5 and an RTX 3050, this beast is not as strong as MSI Thin, but don’t let that fool you. RTX 3050 is a super-capable GPU and the most common choice for mid-range gaming laptops. Combined with a powerful CPU and 16GB RAM, these internals fly through modern games and any schoolwork software.

The GG don’t end there — TUF also sports a fast, hi-res 15.6” display that’s elevated above the bottom, so you can focus completely on gameplay.

As for design, TUF looks very sleek and modern. Polished chassis is enhanced by yellow-lit keyboard, which I quite like.

And the whole thing is super easy to carry around: with 7 hours of juice and 4.85 lbs of weight, this is a very portable machine you can take to classes.

Granted, the laptop does get hot every now and then, but it’s nothing a good cooling pad won’t solve.

While the keyboard is compact and tactile, the trackpad does feel a little spongy. Still, you’ll probably use a mouse anyway.

To sum up, TUF Gaming F15 is a great laptop for Fortnite and students that will surely stay relevant for a number of years, and bring you many exciting rounds of online adventures.

3. Most Portable Option: ASUS ROG Zephyrus

ASUS ROG Zephyrus

• CPU: 2.8GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
• Battery: Up to 7 Hours

$1,049.00

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If you don’t want to Harry Potter yourself to sitting with a charger every few hours, ASUS ROG Zephyrus is a Fortnite laptop that will have you zapping in and out of cafes, offices and whatnot — while still working like a charm.

This gorgeous laptop easily lasts around 7 hours on a single charge, comparable to MSI Thin and TUF F15 above.

And where this machine really shines is the weight: at 3.8 lbs, this is one of the lightest gaming laptops on the market, period.

You might think that such low weight warrants weak internals, and you couldn’t be more wrong. Packing a newer Ryzen 7 CPU and an RTX 3060, this machine is a beast, the Optimus Prime of the lightweight gamers. Zephyrus slices through gaming requirements of AAA titles like a legit ninja.

Personally, I love the 14” display that’s very color-accurate — another rarity among gaming machines. But not everyone will be happy with this size.

The chassis is one of the most beautiful white bodies I saw, with a mesh-like design on top lid. 

ASUS did make some compromises though — and in Zephyrus’ case, it’s the heat that comes on during intense gaming sessions. So get a cooling pad and enjoy the ride.

If you don’t mind a smaller screen, ROG Zephyrus is a super-smart investment and a powerful laptop for Fortnite, and so much more.

4. Best for Fortnite & Programming: HP Victus

HP Victus

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

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Suppose you’re a programmer who enjoys gaming on the side, and wants a Fortnite laptop (more common than you’d think). HP Victus is an unlikely choice, but let me elaborate why it might be a great one.

Victus comes with a 12th Gen. i7 and a strong RTX 3050, which is an awesome combo for both Fortnite and coding.

But this particular model also packs whopping 32GB RAM — so if your POI is Figma, multitasking, or you just want to take advantage of Unreal Engine for Fortnite — you’re golden.

Moreover, HP Victus has one of the most compact full-size keyboards I’ve seen. The keys feels very comfy and tactile, and the spacious trackpad only adds to the great impression.

If you’re taking your laptop to the office, I think that you’ll be pleased with Victus’ non-imposing, polished, elegant design.

The display clocks in at 144Hz which is great for Fortnite, since high refresh rate lets you maneuver and spot enemies quickly. The panel’s also elevated for a great FOV.

There is some screen wobble which gets triggered if you bump on the desk, for example. It’s not alarming, but occasionally it gets a little annoying.

When it comes to portability, this is a typical 15.6” gaming laptop, at 5 hours of battery life and 5 lbs. It’s not the worst, but I’d bring a charger.

In my opinion, the internals, beautiful design, and great display make Victus a wonderful laptop for Fortnite and programming.

5. Best For Fortnite with Epic Quality: Sager NP7881D

Sager NP7881D

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-13900HX
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$1,579.00

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Normally, I’d say Sager is an OP for Fortnite, but this machine is for super-serious players who want the best. Crazy-good specs, gorgeous display, and loads of RAM make this beast a reigning champ of performance.

Packing the latest-and-greatest 13th Gen. i9 HX processor and RTX 4060, this Clevo laptop smokes all the other machines in terms of performance. Lag-free, fast, and efficient? You bet.

Like Victus above, Sager also comes with 32GB RAM, so if you’re also streaming your gameplay, editing videos, or playing much more demanding AAA titles, the laptop will deliver.

Plus, you also get a bright, colorful 17.3” display to enjoy all the jungle scenes and the Island’s treasures.

I also like Sager’s design — the green-lit keyboard is distinctly gamer, but it fits wonderfully into an otherwise polished black chassis.

All the power comes at a cost — so Sager can get hot if you do intensive tasks. I’d wholeheartedly recommend a cooling pad.

Furthermore, all these specs also mean more weight. Sager may be most powerful on the list, but at 6.8 lbs it’s also quite heavy. If you need something more portable, I’d look into MSI Thin or ROG Zephyrus instead.

But if you want a shortcut to powerful performance, Sager is one Fortnite laptop that is GOAT and will work wonders in all the tasks you do.

6. Great 17″ Laptop: Acer Nitro 5

Acer Nitro 5

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 5 Hours

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Playing Fortnite on a large screen just hits different. If, above all else, you want to enjoy the gorgeous Island visuals — or a virtual concert — then Acer Nitro 5 is one laptop for Fortnite you should consider.

Nitro 5 sports a beautiful 17.3” IPS display with a high refresh rate and crispy, vivid colors. In addition to that, it’s also elevated which makes the whole gaming experience that much better.

With a 12th Gen. i5 and an RTX 3050, Nitro 5 is a true mid-range gaming laptop with strong performance. Playing Fortnite is effortless, stutter-free — and it looks great.

Acer decided to switch up Nitro’s design, so instead of the signature red backlight, the keyboard now has RGB multizone. I actually quite like it, especially since they also made the Nitro look much more polished. I’m also a fan of the very thin screen profile.

If you want to further boost gaming performance, I’d recommend upgrading the existing 8GB RAM to at least 16GB. Luckily, you can.

Portability-wise, Nitro is ok-ish. 5 hours of juice is pretty common among the gaming laptops on this list, since powerful specs eat up battery quickly. However, the laptop is on the heavier side, at 6.6 lbs, so do consider that if you move a lot.

Still, for a 17-inch machine and at this price, Nitro 5 brings a lot of value for the moolah; it’s a very popular laptop for Fortnite and AAA titles, and for a good reason.

Watch our Acer Nitro 5 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

7. Cheapest Gaming Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

• CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600H
• RAM: 8GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$658.00

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Lenovo’s budget machines under $700 have been very popular in the last few years, and the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no different. This laptop has everything you need for Fortnite and more demanding titles — and won’t cost a fortune.

IdeaPad Gaming packs great specs for the asking price: a newer Ryzen 5 and an RTX 3050 are a respectable choice that will zig-zag through Fortnite like some of the much more expensive beasts.

The sheer power translates beautifully onto a 15.6” FHD, crisp, gorgeous display with 120Hz refresh rate. While most other laptops on this list sport 144Hz, you’d hardly notice the difference — but your pocket would.

I’m also a fan of Lenovo’s design. Most of their laptop lines — IdeaPads, Legion, Yoga — look effortlessly elegant and eye-catching at the same time. IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no different, and you’ll surely enjoy it.

Plus, Lenovo keyboards are some of the best on the market. They’re super comfy and perfect for long gaming sessions.

At 5 hours of battery life and 5 lbs of weight, I’d say Lenovo is reasonably portable, although make sure to bring a charger if you’re out all day.

The bigger concern is the RAM. 8GB of super-fast DDR5 RAM is more than enough for the optimized Fortnite, but if you’re also using Unreal Engine, or do a lot of multitasking, I’d upgrade to 16GB.

For this price, you get a very capable, smart-looking laptop for Fortnite that you will use for many years to come.

Buying Guide for Laptops for Playing Fortnite in 2023

Before we jump into the laptop reviews, there are a few important things to discuss. As you probably realized from our specs sheet above, you don’t need the most powerful gaming machine money can buy. However, you still need to be careful about choosing the right option for you. 

1. Graphics Performance Should Be Your First Priority 

For a smooth gaming experience, having a well-performing graphics card is the most crucial piece of the puzzle. That being said, stay away from laptops with integrated graphics cards. 

Currently, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs offer the best gaming experience, but they are also the most expensive. If you can’t afford those, there is nothing to worry about. However, the previous generation of RTX 30-series GPUs are still capable enough to run Fortnite at 100+ FPS. 

2. Get a Powerful CPU 

Having a capable CPU with high clock speeds and multiple core counts can massively improve gaming performance, and that includes moderately demanding games like Fortnite. So for the best possible gaming experience, we recommend going for later generations of Intel Core i7 processors or an AMD Ryzen equivalent. 

If you don’t mind lowering the settings, going for the more affordable Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors is still a solid option.

3. Get Enough RAM and Storage 

Yes, we’re still talking about performance, but for a good reason. For basic daily computing and running Fortnite at medium-to-low settings, 8GB RAM would be enough. But if you want to play the game at the highest presets and ensure your computer performs smoothly for several years, 16GB RAM is the best option nowadays.

As for the storage, how much you really need is totally up to you. Obviously, having more space is useful for keeping large files and installing many games. On that note, we’d say going for a 512GB SSD is a good starting point, and if you wind up needing more, you can always upgrade or get an external storage. 

4. Pick a High-Quality Display 

For smooth gameplay with battle royale and other fast paced games, look for displays with higher refresh rates of 120Hz or more. A higher refresh rate means the display can generate more frames per second, resulting in smoother motions and limited screen tearing, which is just the thing you need for competitive edge over your opponents. 

Size and resolution are also important, and there is a ton of variety to choose from, but they should be more of a personal preference. 

5. Choose a Properly Cooled Laptop 

Overheating and performance throttling are not uncommon with gaming laptops, especially while running games at high settings. So when choosing a new gaming machine, look for something with an efficient cooling mechanism. 

In some situations, even the best laptops may struggle to maintain an optimal temperature, and that’s just a sad reality we have to accept for now. However, getting an external cooling pad is an easy and affordable fix that can resolve overheating issues.  

6. Set Your Budget 

Finally, before checking out any recommendations, it’s very important to set a budget so you know what realistically to expect from a new gaming laptop. 

The good news is, you don’t need an elite gaming machine to enjoy Fortnite. That’s why our list features options from cheap but capable gaming laptops to mid-range gaming machines that provide exceptional performance with many games. 

If you feel like our recommended options are a bit above your price range, there are some phenomenal budget-friendly gaming laptops for just under $800.

FAQs about Laptops for Playing Fortnite

Verdict

Hopefully, our article helped you clear some doubts about how to choose your next gaming machine for Fortnite. We compiled our list with due diligence and research keeping in mind various important aspects. 

The good thing about Fortnite is that even budget gaming laptops can run it at medium to high settings. But of course, if you’re looking for professional-level performance at the highest presets, you’ll need a laptop featuring the latest generations of CPUs and graphics cards. 

Still can’t decide? Here is a short overview: 

• If you want to experience the game at full blast, the Sager NP7881D is one of the very best.
• As a more affordable option with solid performance capabilities, we cannot think of anything better than the MSI Thin.
• For exceptional battery life and portability from a laptop that doesn’t compromise much performance, check out the ASUS ROG Zephyrus. 

Finally, if you’re curious to learn more about laptops and how to choose the right one for your budget and needs, our comprehensive laptop buying guide might help. 

For any additional questions we might have left unanswered, hit us up in the comment section below — or share which laptop you’ll be using in the upcoming Fortnite episodes.