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So, you’re going away for college soon and need a good laptop that will last at least several years. Or perhaps your old laptop works just fine with basic schoolwork but cannot take the heat of gaming anymore.
If that is the case, then you probably find yourself in the bittersweet joy of purchasing a new gaming laptop. However, with so many options on the market, we know how overwhelming it can get to choose the right one.
In this article, we put together a list keeping high school and college/university students in mind. The good news is that if you have a good gaming laptop your machine won’t have any issues with basic school-related tasks.
So let’s look at the suggested requirements and our recommendations.
Table of Contents
- Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
- Top 7 Laptops for Gaming and School in 2023
- FAQs about Laptops For Gaming and School
- Why do students prefer future-proof laptops?
- Which is the best processor that can manage gaming and school requirements with comparable ease?
- Should you consider spending on the RTX 40-series GPUs for the given segment?
- What is the most underrated feature for school-going students and even teachers to rely on?
- How much storage space is preferred by gamers and students provided they would be juggling the laptop between the concerned activities?
- Verdict
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
Laptops with the minimum specs are still handy enough for entry-level, moderately-demanding titles like Fortnite, GTA V, and Apex Legends while providing enough power for school-level productivity. And recommended specifications are more for modern AAA games and for future-proofing your purchase so you could still use your machine even after school.
Be sure to check the games you most often play and select a laptop based on those system requirements as well. We have written a comprehensive guide on How to Choose the Right Specs for Your Gaming Laptop, in case you wish to go into more detail.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 10th Gen Intel Core i5/or AMD Ryzen 5 | 12th Gen Intel Core i7/or AMD Ryzen 7 or higher |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB or higher |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD or higher |
| Display | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) or better |
| GPU | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| Battery | Up to 4 hours | Up to 8 hours |
Top 7 Laptops for Gaming and School in 2023
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
If you want a top laptop for school and gaming, ROG Strix G16 might be your jam. Powerful specs, eye-catching design, and a gorgeous display make this laptop worth every buck.
Strix packs a 13th Gen. i9 processor and an RTX 4070, which is among the most powerful pairings on the market right now. The combo can easily run the newest AAA titles, but also the more demanding college software, like CAD and video editing tools.
Plus, if you’re a true gamer, you want your laptop to be noticed. G16’s chassis bursts into RGB lights like fireworks on spring break — and I have to say I like it. You’ve got a full-RGB keyboard, RGB strip bar, and also a signature ASUS numpad-on-the-trackpad.
The display is crisp, and clear, with a 165Hz refresh rate, which comes in handy if you’re into WoW raids or Counter Strike shooting bonanza. And let’s not forget that ASUS finally added a webcam.
On the portability side, the weight is pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming laptop at 5.5 lbs. The battery, on the other hand, comes in at 7.5 hours in Battery mode, which is a pleasant surprise.
Overall, Strix G16 brings a lot of excellence to the table. It’s easily among the best gaming and school laptops at the moment.
- What We Like
- Latest gen. CPU
- Latest GPU
- High-quality display
- Sleek design
- Strong battery life
- 1TB SSD
- What We Don’t Like
- Overheating under duress
2. Best Performance: MSI Pulse GL66
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12700H
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
So, maybe you don’t wanna cash out insane amounts of money but still want an awesome performance. Check out MSI Pulse — it’s one of those gaming/school laptops that is smartly designed and performs really well.
How well? A 12th Gen. i7 and an RTX 3070 are still very much relevant in the gaming arenas and will fly through the hoops to deliver those coveted fps.
And I really like that MSI opted for 32GB RAM — more so than Strix’s 16GB, mind you. In other words, if you’re an architecture, multimedia, or engineering student, these will work really well.
The display is good enough — it comes with a high refresh rate, and a nice body-to-screen ratio, but the color accuracy could have been better. If you’re a photo/video editor, however, luckily the Pulse supports connection to a 4K monitor.
MSI Pulse is a clean gamer, so the design is really good if you want some gaming vibes without being the talk of the classroom. And with an efficient cooling system, it’s safe to even take to the library.
To sum up, a Pulse laptop will surely justify the investment, and do a lot of gaming and schoolwork just right.
- What We Like
- Strong CPU/GPU
- Clean design
- Ample RAM
- Efficient cooling
- High refresh rate
- Reasonable price
- What We Don’t Like
- Low color accuracy
- Middling battery life
3. Best with RTX 3050 Ti: ASUS TUF Gaming
- CPU: 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 6800H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Battery: Up to 11 hours
RTX 3050 Ti seems to be the sweet GPU spot these days in terms of performance and price. TUF Gaming A15 sure capitalizes on this and brings a capable, affordable, and sleek laptop for gaming and school.
Under the hood, a 3050 Ti is paired with a Ryzen 7 from the 6000 series, which is a great CPU for both gaming and school-related tasks. Granted, you’ll still have to sacrifice a few fps compared to 13th Gen. i9s, but you can play AAA titles at high settings.
The display on TUF comes close to some of the more expensive laptops, like the MSI Pulse. It’s an anti-glare, high-refresh panel, although for some reason still works with a 16:9 ratio. I’d expect ASUS to switch to 16:10 pretty soon.
Unlike most gaming laptops, TUF works well in the portability department. 4.85 lbs isn’t a lot to carry, and the battery lasts longer than most.
And the whole machine looks elegant, so it doesn’t really matter if you’re taking it to a conference, classroom, or simply bashing the enemies in a dorm room.
So if you’re thinking about a reasonably-priced laptop for gaming and school, you should definitely consider the TUF A15.
- What We Like
- Strong CPU/GPU
- Affordable
- Hi-res panel
- Relatively lightweight
- Elegant design
- Long battery life
- What We Don’t Like
- Low color accuracy
- Flimsy
4. Best Portability: Acer Swift X
- CPU: 2.4GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Battery: Up to 12 hours
Acer Swift X might not be the first thing that pops up when thinking about gaming and school laptops — but this bad boy performs quite well and is among the lightest laptops on the list.
Equipped with the same GPU as the ASUS TUF above and just a little weaker CPU, Swift X can still pull some nice settings with demanding titles. With 16GB RAM, it’s also suitable for the majority of schoolwork, except maybe a high-end photo and video editing.
However, the display sports a much better color accuracy than most laptops on this list. So, if you’re also into editing or CAD work, I’d immediately get more RAM (it’s non-upgradable) to make the most of this machine.
At 3.3 lbs of weight, this laptop is super-easy to pack and carry around campus.
The keyboard might be a bit shallow for some people and take some time to get used to. I generally prefer more tactile feedback but to each its own.
Still, with loads of ports and an HD webcam, as well as solid internals, Acer Swift X is a strong choice for any student looking for a gaming laptop.
- What We Like
- Lightweight
- Solid performance
- Good color accuracy
- Affordable
- HD webcam
- Sturdy build
- What We Don’t Like
- Loud fans
- Non-upgradable RAM
5. Best Value for Money: Lenovo Legion 5
- CPU: 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Battery: Up to 6 hours
The Lenovo Legion 5 is one of the most versatile gaming laptops. It brings great performance and a handful of features for a reasonable price.
A dedicated GPU and Ryzen 7 processor are a dream team for running many modern games at 60fps. Paired with 16GB RAM, you should have no trouble playing Witcher 3 or GTA V, and of course, doing everyday schoolwork.
The FHD 17.3” IPS display is crystal clear and rich in colors. It runs at a 144Hz refresh rate and works great with fast-motion games because the image quality remains sharp and you can act quickly.
I personally love the backlit keyboard. I used to do all my assignments late at night, and having a backlighting feature is always super-useful.
Legion 5 also has a numeric pad, which is rare for budget laptops. But it will come in handy for fast typing numbers into spreadsheets.
The main issue with Legion 5 is portability. The laptop weighs 5.41 lbs, so it might be challenging to carry it to classes. Still, for a gaming laptop, this isn’t unreasonable, especially considering the hardware.
Lenovo took much consideration for its audience when creating Legion 5. I believe many youngsters will enjoy using it for school and entertainment.
Watch our YouTube Review of the Lenovo Legion 5
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
- Powerful CPU
- Dedicated GPU
- High-speed 512GB SSD
- IPS Display with 144Hz
- Backlit keyboard
- Affordable price
- What We Don’t Like
- On the heavier side
6.Best Budget Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming
- CPU: 2.9GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600U
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
Lenovo is known for reliable budget laptops, and their IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no different. It’s a great laptop for both school and gaming, with lots to offer.
To start with, IdeaPad Gaming packs an AMD Ryzen from 6000 series and a solid, dedicated GPU. At this price range, it’s a pretty sweet deal, capable of running AAA titles at mid-settings, and a really good combo for students who are casual gamers.
Anyone who ever owned a Lenovo knows that these laptops are sturdy. In addition to that, IdeaPad Gaming also comes in a sleek, professional-looking design, which I happen to quite like.
The display clocks in at 120Hz which does well with most games. However, I do wish it was a little brighter.
IdeaPad Gaming is lighter than Legion 5, but 5.1 lbs can still be a nuisance if you strut a lot. Just something to keep in mind.
Still, with strong specs and pretty good battery life, IdeaPad Gaming 3 more than justifies the price. It’s a laptop that will do pretty good work in both gaming and college arenas.
- What We Like
- Affordable
- Dedicated GPU
- Sleek and sturdy
- High refresh rate
- Good battery life
- What We Don’t Like
- Display could be brighter
- 8GB RAM
7. Cheapest Laptop for Gaming and School: Acer Nitro 5
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-11800H
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Battery: Up to 8 Hours
Acer Nitro 5 has been a go-to choice for many gamers on a budget. Don’t let its price tag fool you — it’s an excellent laptop for gaming and school.
Only slightly cheaper than Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming, Acer Nitro 5 still packs a more powerful GPU, which translates into smoother gameplay.
As far as the CPU goes, the 11th Gen. i7 can still do a lot, but I wouldn’t use it for super heavy tasks.
8GB RAM is sufficient for most everyday and school tasks — just make sure to upgrade it (you can!) to unlock the full gaming capabilities.
When you look at Nitro 5, it’s pretty clear you’re dealing with a gamer. Personally, I love the red-RGB keys, but if you’re in a more conservative academic environment, you might go for something more inconspicuous, like the Acer Swift X or the Lenovo IdeaPad.
At 4.8 lbs and 7-8 hours of battery, Nitro 5 is pretty portable as well.
The display could have been better. The colors are ok-ish, but they do lean towards blander hues.
Nitro 5 has been known to overheat under heavy workloads, so make sure to get a cooling pad.
But for the price you pay, you get a great companion laptop for studies and occasional gaming during breaks.
- What We Like
- Strong GPU
- Gamer design
- Relatively lightweight
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Great battery life
- Good value for money
- What We Don’t Like
- Bland colors
- Can overheat
FAQs about Laptops For Gaming and School
Why do students prefer future-proof laptops?
Future-proof notebooks, especially the ones with 12th Gen. Intel Core processors are mostly preferred by students because of the longevity and reliability of the machine. As a rule of thumb, they consider laptops with at least a 12th Gen. processor, 16GB RAM, and an RTX-tagged GPU that can even manage some of the more demanding games.
Which is the best processor that can manage gaming and school requirements with comparable ease?
Consider the latest generations of Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processors as the best-in-line chipsets for your all-inclusive processing requirements. Both series of processors are designed as high-end performance CPUs capable of fast clock speeds which makes them suitable for running heavy-duty software as well as video games.
Should you consider spending on the RTX 40-series GPUs for the given segment?
We wouldn’t recommend overspending if you aren’t into professional gaming as the previous gen. RTX 30-series GPUs are expected to suffice for mid-level gamers, school students, and part-time professionals. However, the only way RTX 40-series graphics cards can be justified for the given laptop segment is if you are seeking a future-proof option.
What is the most underrated feature for school-going students and even teachers to rely on?
Regardless of an expansive specs sheet and beefed-up processing hardware, your laptop must feature a reliable webcam with integrated studio-grade microphones. This underrated yet important feature allows students to attend online classes and lectures, and get their academic work done well.
How much storage space is preferred by gamers and students provided they would be juggling the laptop between the concerned activities?
As a rule of thumb, you should opt for a minimum of 512GB SSD storage if you are interested in moderate gaming, extensive schoolwork, and selective media consumption. However, we would mostly recommend dual storage modules (a combo of an SSD and an HDD drive) with a separate boot drive to strike the perfect balance between cost and capacity.
Verdict
Selecting the perfect laptop for gaming and school can get extremely difficult if you aren’t aware of your preferences, gaming tendencies, and academic workload. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly sift through the mentioned choices as each laptop covers a certain segment and comes forth with a few exclusives.
- In case you are looking for extreme performance and the best possible gaming experience, we would recommend purchasing the Asus ROG Strix G16 as one of the best gaming laptops money can buy.
- However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option without compromising much on performance, then check out the MSI Pulse GL 66.
- Last but not least, for budget seekers, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the best cheap gaming laptops available.
Did you find the perfect gaming laptop for you? Let us know in the comment section below.
