The ROG Zephyrus M16 combines gaming horsepower with modern, high-quality perks. The Asus G15 was a powerful model, but the M16 added an extra-wide 16:10 screen, webcam, and support for Thunderbolt. The matte black design also helps it compete with the likes of Razer on style.

This second iteration has shed one of the few weaknesses of the first—being limited to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card. The M16 can now be equipped with a faster option, up to an RTX 3080 Ti. The top-tier gaming performance is made all the more glorious by one of the best laptop keyboards around and a strong selection of display options.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i9-12900H processor, Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, 16-GB RAM, 1-TB SSD, 16-inch QHD+ display with a 165-Hz refresh rate

Acer's Nitro 5 has been a terrific budget option for a few years now, and it's no different in 2022. The design is nothing to write home about, but it won't offend either. The display also isn't the brightest, but at Full HD 144-Hz, it's a strong combo for shooter fans and AAA players alike. The keyboard is remarkably good given the low price, with a lot of travel and pleasant feedback.

A big appeal of this laptop is what you can get for a reasonable price at the lower end, but you can spec this up to 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Core i7 chip, and RTX 3070 Ti GPU if you'd like. This is a laptop for the budget-conscious who want to do PC gaming on-the-go and not empty their wallet.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5 12500H processor, Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, 16-GB RAM, 512-GB SSD, 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144-Hz refresh rate

This compact gaming laptop from Asus burst on the scene a couple of years ago as a stunning value proposition. Now the ROG Zephyrus G14 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) offers less value for the money, but the full package remains hugely appealing. It has a fantastic keyboard, a crisp display, and a webcam—a welcome new addition!

The flagship model’s bright white look is eye-catching for a gaming laptop. A pivot to an all-AMD focus for this year’s model has also allowed Asus to beef up this laptop's gaming capabilities, which were previously capped at an RTX 3060. The new Radeon RX 6800S delivers performance between an RTX 3070 and 3080, with the RX 6700S between an RTX 3060 and 3070. Battery life has taken a hit, but this remains a portable gaming delight.

Specs to look for: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, AMD Radeon RX 6700S graphics card, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, 14-inch QHD+ display with a 120-Hz refresh rate

The Dell XPS 15 is a great laptop for those who want to do a bit of everything. Gaming is likely not your priority if you’re buying this machine, but you still want it to be capable—and it is. Admittedly, being able to do everything comes at a high price, so you’ll be paying a premium for an XPS 15.

This professional-looking device can reach 30 fps on its UHD display at low settings for more aesthetically minded titles, like Borderlands 3 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. To max out this 60-Hz panel, you’ll have to dip down to a QHD resolution. For frame-hungry players, Apex Legends will hit 60 fps on very high graphics options. This is all via our test model configuration of a Core i7-12700H, RTX 3050Ti, and 16-GB RAM.

There's also a great keyboard—plenty of travel and a satisfying click—and a large trackpad. The big 16:10 3.5K OLED display is glorious, with deep blacks and popping color. Port selection isn’t half bad—with 3x Thunderbolt 4, a headphone jack, and SD card reader. The speakers are an interesting proposition with immense detail—even at high volumes—and a broad soundstage. However, the bass is good but not as booming and impactful as rival MacBook Pro devices. 

Specs to look for: Intel Core i7-12700H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 16-GB RAM, 1-TB SSD, 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED display with a 60-Hz refresh rate

The Razer Blade 15 was long the default pick for a gaming laptop for those who wanted top-tier power with some stylish looks. The field is more competitive now but it is still a strong option. If you want a Windows gaming machine with MacBook vibes, it’s the closest you’ll get. The performance doesn’t disappoint, with our RTX 3070 Ti test model hitting 60 fps at ultra settings in Borderlands 3 and maxing out the 240-Hz panel at FHD low settings.

Unfortunately, you have to shell out for one of the higher-priced models to take advantage of one of Razer’s new OLED panels, like the one I tested. As such, I’d recommend the lower-priced RTX 3060 model that still gets you the same resolution and refresh rate at a price that is a better value proposition—if still quite high.

The keyboard isn’t as satisfying as the Asus ROG Zephyrus machines, having a feel closer to a slimmer productivity device but with a good amount of extra travel and a smidge of nice feedback. A big clicky trackpad and broad port selection round out this excellent laptop.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i7-12800H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, 16-GB RAM, 1-TB SSD, 15.6-Inch QHD display with a 240-Hz refresh rate

A gaming laptop is like an enchanted sword. It can do all the usual sword things—chop, slice, cleave—but an enchanted sword can do a lot more, like talk or glow or deal extra damage to orcs. When it comes to raw power, a gaming laptop is almost always going to have the upper hand over a regular laptop. The key distinction is easy to spot: Gaming laptops all have discrete graphics cards. This is what gives your gaming laptop its extra oomph.

All laptops have graphics chipsets, usually just built into the processor so they can handle light gaming (think Hearthstone or Gwent). But a discrete graphics card (also called a graphics processing unit, or GPU) is a unit solely dedicated to rendering the visuals in your games. It's an essential component in any gaming laptop, and it's usually why they tend to be a bit pricey. Enchantments don't come cheap, after all.

In 2022, gamers in the market for a laptop should try to get a machine with 16 GB RAM, if they can afford it. While 8 GB of RAM is still workable for those who play low-demand games or have little desire for fancy graphics, 16 GB RAM is a safe bet for most. Consider the step up to 32 GB RAM if you're an avid gamer. 

Outside of RAM, you'll have to decide whether you want the very best processors and graphics cards around, with Intel now on its 12th-Generation gaming CPUs and AMD Ryzen with the 6000 series. Nvidia has a wide range of 30-series GPUs as well—with the entry-level mobile RTX 3050 Ti having recently made its way to shelves—all the way up to a 3080 Ti. And that's before you think about your display needs, from 4K resolution options to high-refresh-rate picks.

For additional help with all the different specifications on offer, check out our guide to buying the right laptop for you.