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Game development is a hardware-intensive process, which means you’ll need a well-performing laptop to bring your imagination to life. With so many options on the market, we know how frustrating it can be to choose the right one.
But performance is not everything, as there are other important aspects to keep in mind as well.
In this article, we’ll help you pick your next game development laptop that can run software like Unreal Engine, Visual Studio, Blender, AutoCAD, and Unity Development tools, without lags or stutters.
We’ll also answer some of the main questions that are usually puzzling beginner game developers.
So let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
It is very important to understand that game development apps don’t always have the same system requirements. Though general gaming and programming laptops can help, sometimes they’re not enough.
So before choosing your laptop, it is a good idea to check out the system requirements on the websites of the software you plan to use.
However, as a general guideline, here is a quick overview of the minimum and recommended specifications for your next game development laptop.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5- with quad-core or higher | Intel Core i7 (or i9) or AMD Ryzen 7 (or 9) with 6-8 cores |
| RAM | 8GB but preferably 16GB | 16GB but preferably 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD or more |
| Display | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | 17-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) or better |
| GPU | 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series or higher | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX |
| Battery | Up to 3 hours | Up to 5 hours |
Best Laptops for Game Development and Design in 2023
All set for now? Then let’s look at the top picks for game development and design.
1.Best Overall: ASUS ROG Strix G16
- CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-13980HX
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
- GPU: 12GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
- Battery: Up to 4 hours
Game engines are among the most demanding tools, so if you play hard with them, you’re gonna need a powerful laptop for game development. That’s where the latest ROG Strix G16 comes in — with awesome performance, great display, and long battery life.
Packing a 13th Gen. i9 and GeForce RTX 4070, Strix will easily handle complex rendering and AI computations. Both of these come from the latest Intel and NVIDIA lineups, so their power is (currently) unparalleled.
The base model has 16GB RAM, which is ok to start with, but I’d upgrade it to 32GB RAM asap.
Plus, the 16” display is awesome for gaming and work, at a 16:10 ratio and with a high refresh rate. It’s super easy on the eyes — and if you also want remarkable color accuracy, check out the 240Hz version that is DCI-P3 approved.
Surprisingly, this gaming beast comes with great battery life. 7-9 hours of juice is pretty impressive for a gaming laptop.
ROG Strix is a gamer through and through. I love the RGB strips and keyboard, but if you’re someone who wants a more understated design, maybe take a look at the Sager below.
At 5.5 lbs, this is a relatively heavy laptop. It doesn’t look as bulky as Predator Helios, though.
Still, you get the best of the best in terms of specs. ROG Strix G16 is a laptop for game development and design that will surely serve you for a long time.
- What We Like
- Latest gen. CPU
- Latest gen. GPU
- Large, high-quality display
- Good battery life
- 1TB SSD
- Comfy keyboard with numpad/trackpad
- What We Don’t Like
- Relatively heavy
- Gamer design might not be for everyone
2.Best 17-inch Model: Sager NP8875D
- CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-13980HX
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch QHD (2560 x 1440)
- GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
- Battery: Up to 3 hours
Sager is a Clevo laptop that looks like it should cost a lot more. Amazing specs, high color accuracy, and professional design make it one of the top picks for game development and design.
Not only do you get a 13th Gen. i9 and an RTX 4060 — but those are paired with 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD (jaw drop). For a price that’s way less than, for example, a MacBook Pro.
Needless to say, these specs work amazingly well with CPU- and GPU-intensive software like 3D modeling and game engines. So what’s the catch?
Clevo laptops are known to pack serious horsepower, but they can get pretty hot and loud from time to time. Usually, a good cooling pad helps — or alternatively, you could lift the laptop and add a 6-8” fan.
In terms of looks, this is one of the cleanest gaming laptops I’ve seen. It just feels like it belongs in a developer office and won’t cause too much-unwanted attention.
If you’re a designer, I’m pretty sure you’d love to know that the 17” display is super color-accurate, which is rare in gaming laptops.
The keyboard feels nice to type on, with a clear backlight and a spacious trackpad.
Battery life could have been a little better — though 2-5 hours does seem standard for a gaming laptop.
But still, it’s hard to negate the performance-to-price ratio. If you can manage the heat, this laptop will give a lot of bang for the buck.
- What We Like
- Large, gorgeous display
- Latest gen. GPU and CPU
- Ample RAM
- Loads of storage
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- What We Don’t Like
- Low battery life
- Can run loud and hot
3.Best with MacOS: MacBook Pro 14
- CPU: 3.2GHz Apple M2 Pro 10-core
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14.2-inch XDR mini-LED (3024 x 1964)
- GPU: M2 Pro 16-core
- Battery: Up to 18 hours
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without a MacBook option for game development. MacBook Pro 14 brings a lot to the table — including great CPU performance, an amazing display, and awesome portability.
The newest Apple M2 chips fly through rendering tasks and 3D modeling. Coupled with a 16-core GPU, you can forget about lags and stutter while creating intricate worlds and characters. If you’re into super heavy physics simulations and lighting/shadows work, they’ll do well, although I would also look into M2 Max, depending on the scope of work.
A signature Retina display looks gorgeous, with deep blacks and great brightness levels (1600 nits peak brightness). The 14” screen may or may not be enough for you — but to me, it feels like a great choice.
Why, exactly? Because the screen is super high-quality, and it doesn’t hinder battery life or portability.
This means that you get a whopping 15-16 hours of juice and a mere 3.5 lbs of weight.
The main concern for Pro 14 is how suitable it is for gaming. It’s not that it lacks the power — it’s just that some games aren’t as compatible.
But, with one of the best keyboards on the market and ridiculously good performance, MacBook Pro is one of the easiest choices you’ll make for game development and design — and enjoy it.
- What We Like
- M2 chip
- Awesome Retina display
- Spacious, comfy keyboard
- Super long battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Great selection of ports
- What We Don’t Like
- Not the best for gaming
- Small screen
4.Best with RTX 3060: Acer Predator Helios 300
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- Battery: Up to 6 hours
Acer Predator Helios 300 is a solid mid-range laptop for game development. The machine has respectable performance, a pretty good display, and a great cooling system.
The 12th Gen. i7 and RTX 3060 are pretty sweet specs for this price point. Of course, they won’t run as fast as Strix’s or Sager’s combos, but they’ll still do great work.
So, to boost your workflow speed further, I’d consider upgrading the RAM to 32GB.
Predator is also much loved because of the cooling system. Lots of high-end laptops struggle with heat and loud fans, but Predator purrs like the kitten and keeps the temperature at bay.
The display clocks at a 165Hz refresh rate, which is awesome for gaming. It’s a crisp, vivid FHD panel that’s large enough to see details and still fit into a backpack. 300 nits look bright enough for office/indoor work, but if you’re used to more, maybe check out MacBooks or LG Gram instead.
However, because of the specs, Predator is a bit on the bulkier side — remember, this is a gaming laptop, after all.
But, still, it’s been a proven and popular laptop among gamers and game developers alike for years now, so it’s definitely worth considering.
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 CPU/GPU combo
- Large, bright display
- Reasonable price
- Efficient cooling system
- Sleek design
- What We Don’t Like
- Middling battery life
- Heavy and bulky
5.Most Value for Money: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600H
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Battery: Up to 6 hours
Lenovo tends to challenge over and over again the performance-to-price ratio, and the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no different. If you want to save some bucks but still get a good laptop for game development, you might want to check it out.
The Ryzen 5/RTX 3050 combo isn’t the most powerful one on this list, but it can still run Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya, etc., reasonably well. Only if you’re working with super complex worlds and physics simulations, would I go for a Ryzen 7 or 9 instead.
Luckily, the laptop already has 32GB RAM, so that will help a lot with game design and development.
Lenovo’s keyboards aren’t as flashy as some others, but don’t let that fool you. The keys feel great, and I place them right next to the MacBooks’ in terms of comfort.
Plus, if you don’t want a gaming laptop that looks like it’s about to spew aliens, Lenovo’s your jam. The understated design with a few RGB lights in the back is both effective and pretty.
While the overall cooling system is good, it does feel like IdeaPad Gaming gets hot every now and then. Still, this is nothing a good cooling pad won’t solve — and the temperatures are nowhere near some other gaming laptops.
I’d say — if you’re a mid-level game developer and don’t want to overspend, Lenovo might just be your thing. It’s a surprisingly good laptop that reveals its true colors in action.
- What We Like
- Strong CPU
- Ample RAM and SSD
- Comfy keyboard and spacious trackpad
- Refined design
- Good connectivity
- What We Don’t Like
- Mid-tier GPU
- Can get hot
6.Best Budget Option: 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
Maybe you’re just starting out and need a budget laptop for game development. Acer Nitro 5 to the rescue — this widely popular machine has the specs to support you.
Nitro 5 packs a 12th Gen. i5 and an RTX 3050 — which are pretty surprising, considering the price. These specs fit the bill for young professionals about to get their toes dipped into the world of game engines.
The base model comes with 8GB RAM, and that’s ok for basic development tasks, but I’d upgrade them straightaway to at least 16GB. It’s cheap, easy, and will boost your machine’s performance.
Nitro’s display looks and feels precise and fluid, thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate, which is higher than in some other more expensive laptops — Lenovo’s Gaming 3, for example.
The build is pretty sturdy and, although clearly gamer-ish, it can still pass in an office environment.
However, if you’re commuting, don’t forget to bring a charger, since the battery runs up after about 8 hours max. For game development, this will be lower, probably at around 4- or 6-hour mark.
If you’re just starting out, Nitro 5 brings a lot of value for money and solid power. It’s a good laptop to get you started with game development.
- What We Like
- Affordable price
- Good overall performance
- Comfy keyboard
- Dual-fan cooling
- Solid display
- What We Don’t Like
- 8GB RAM
- Middling battery life
7.Best for Students: HP Victus Gaming
- CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
Victus Gaming is the newer lineup of HP laptops, with a pretty good CPU, elegant design and a more than reasonable price. The machine is great for game development students who also want a relatively portable laptop.
The CPU can cope quite well with game engines. Add to that 16GB RAM, and you’ve got a solid setup for simulations and audio processing.
However, the main limitation will be the GPU in this case. A GTX 1650 is a dedicated graphics card, but I wouldn’t use it for heavy 3D modeling and rendering.
If your studies require those, check out maybe the slightly more expensive IdeaPad Gaming 3. If you’re focused on CPU-intensive tasks, Victus will do great.
The laptop feels quite elegant and great to the touch. It’s one of the rare gaming laptops with a very refined design.
A compact keyboard is great to type on — like with most HP laptops — and you get a spacious trackpad.
At 4.9 lbs, this is one of the lighter gaming laptops, which is great, since I imagine you’ll be taking it to the campus every day.
Overall, Victus Gaming is a strong laptop for game development students who work mostly on CPU-intensive tasks. And surely the one that can follow them into their first professional years.
- What We Like
- Strong CPU
- Ample RAM
- Spacious and comfy keyboard
- Gorgeous display
- Affordable price
- Elegant design
- What We Don’t Like
- Lower-end GPU
- Fragile hinge
Buying Guide How to Choose the Best Laptops For Game Development
The best laptop for game development isn’t the priciest or most advanced one, but the one that suits your needs and budget. Assess your situation using the factors below to see what kind of user you are and what laptop you’ll need.
RAM
Software like Unreal Engine, Unity, and Visual Studio are always hungry for more RAM, and the situation becomes worse when you have to use them simultaneously.
If you are a student or a beginner, then your projects are likely not large enough to require 32GB or more to compile. In that case, you can go for a laptop with 16GB RAM. However, the same can’t be said for professional game devs, as complex simulations may require 32GB or even 64GB RAM.
CPU
A powerful CPU means smooth performance when running heavy-duty game development software.
So look for a laptop that packs some of the later generations (12th or 13th gen) Intel Core i7 (or i9 if your budget allows) or an AMD Ryzen equivalent. However, if that is above your budget and you’re not working on the latest Assassin’s Creed project, an i5 processor is good enough for simple 2D and mobile games.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
For 2D projects on Game Maker 2.0, a simple Integrated Graphics card would do. But it’s always better to have more than needed, and that’s why we recommend choosing, at the very least, a GTX 1650 GPU.
Using Integrated Graphics for 3D game development is out of the question. It’s a common belief among game devs that you can never have too much GPU power for anything related to developing 3D models. To render objects and textures smoothly and to use advanced features like light tracing or auto shadows, having at least a 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 is practically a necessity.
Pro tip: We all know Ray Tracing is BIG, and in the next few years, it’s going to be the default way of adding shadows and motion blurs. So if you want your laptop to stay relevant, it’s best to dish out a few extra dollars and get a machine with a powerful GPU that can handle the hefty workload.
Display and Screen Resolution
Your laptop’s screen can significantly affect the project you are working on – but how?
The simple answer is color accuracy. The resolution or the screen size of your laptop depends on your preferences, but make sure to choose a computer that has a color-accurate display to avoid any mismatch in your end project.
Storage
If your laptop uses HDD-based storage, it’s not suitable to be a game development laptop. HDDs bottleneck the laptop’s performance while rendering and compiling, causing serious heating issues.
Aim for an SSD-based device with high reading and writing speeds instead. The size, again, depends on your needs and preference, but as a general rule of thumb, you should go for at least 512GB SSD storage.
Weight
If you purchase a laptop considering the specifications that we’ve discussed, you’ll probably land with either a high-end gaming laptop or a workstation. Either way, be ready for some shoulder workouts because of their sheer weight.
Yet if you are a college student and need to travel a long way to get to your campus, you might want to be picky with your choices here. The standard weight for these machines goes from 5 lbs all the way to 10 lbs. However, there are some laptops for gaming and school that are lighter.
FAQs about Laptops for Game Development
Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about game development laptops.
What laptops do game developers use?
Game developers use gaming laptops or workstations to design games. The main idea behind a good game development laptop is to have a powerful combination of CPU, GPU, and RAM to execute highly resource-demanding tasks.
How much RAM do you need for game development?
It pretty much depends on the complexity of the project, but generally, having more RAM means better performance and smoother workflow.
So, for simpler game development projects, you should at least have a computer with 8GB RAM. However, we recommend going for 16GB RAM for a smoother video game design experience. On the other hand, 32GB RAM is the sweet spot for professionals.
How much RAM do I need for Unreal Engine 5?
With 8GB RAM, you can run Unreal Engine 5 smoothly. However, if you’re working on mid to large-size projects, you should go for 16GB.
Is MacBook good for game dev?
The MacBook is a great game development laptop for designing iOS games. It’s got the power, speed, and efficiency that game engines need. All MacBooks are incredible at 2D game development, but for 3D, the MacBook Pro is the best. Just note that choosing a Mac wouldn’t be the most practical approach if you want to develop Windows games.
Which processor is best for game development?
If it fits your budget, the 13th Gen. Intel Core i9 CPUs are the best processors for game development. It is the CPU that the latest generations of elite gaming laptops are packing. But it is important to understand that, in many cases, these machines are overkill and cost a fortune.
Verdict
What’s the best game development and design laptop? The short answer is: it depends on your specific needs and preferences.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Those include a good CPU/GPU combo, a quality display, enough RAM, and overall build quality.
Let’s simplify a little:
For college students who are just getting started with software like Unity or Unreal Engine, a budget gaming laptop with a mid-range i5 processor and a GPU equivalent to the NVIDIA GTX 1650, like HP Victus Gaming, can easily glide through the workload.
But for professional developers who don’t mind spending more on a laptop that doesn’t cut corners, we recommend checking out the ASUS ROG Strix G16 as one of the best in its class.
So, which laptops did you like? Hit us up in the comments below.