Gaming Laptops for Esports: How to Choose the Right One

Are you an e-sports enthusiast looking to take your gaming experience to another level? If yes, you are in the right place! With thousands of options available on the market, choosing the right gaming laptop can be a daunting task for anyone. 

In this article, we have listed the top 5 gaming laptops for e-sports in 2023, all while considering factors such as refresh rate, response time, and screen size. Whether you are a professional esports player or a casual gamer, this guide will help you make an informed decision. 

ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023)(GU604VY-NM001W)

• Intel® Core™ i9 Processor 
• 16-inch screen size, 2560 x 1600 
• 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD 
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GDDR6 16GB GPU 
• Windows 11 Home 

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is a true gaming beast, designed specifically for esports enthusiasts. With its Intel Core i9 processor and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, it delivers exceptional performance, ensuring smooth gameplay even in demanding esports titles. 

As compared to last year’s model, the GU604VY-NM001W is bigger yet relatively thin. The build is extremely sturdy and can easily take on the extra wear and tear that comes with heavy laptop use. 

Another important feature is the triple-fan cooling system. The 2023 version of the M16 comes with an extra fan and some rubber foam to make the air flow more streamlined and efficient. Even though the M16 (2023) is 0.3 pounds heavier than the M16 (2012), the added convenience of the advanced cooling system is worth it. 

The 16" WQXGA display with a high refresh rate of 240 Hz provides a visually immersive experience, allowing you to react quickly and stay ahead of the competition. That means you can easily see every little detail in the game. 

The laptop is equipped with the STRONGEST GRAPHICS CARD i.e., the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, which delivers stunning visuals and supports advanced features like ray tracing. 

With a massive 2TB M.2 SSD, you'll have ample storage for your games and files, giving you the competitive edge, you need in esports. You can save, edit, and retrieve files easily without any extra hassle or system interruption. 

All in all, the Zephyrus M16 (2023) is an exceptional device in terms of power, efficiency, and speed. These features make this an ideal choice for e-sports and fast-paced gaming. Whether you are a fan of first-person shooting or racing, the M16 can handle it all! 

MSI Katana 17 (B12UCXK-025UK)

• Intel Core i7 12th Gen. Processor 
• 13-inch screen size, 1920 x 1080
• 8 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GDDR6 4GB GPU
• Windows 11 Home Plus
• FHD 144Hz IPS Screen
• RGB Backlit Keyboard
• USB3, HDMI, Bluetooth, HD Webcam 

The MSI Katana 17 is a reliable gaming laptop that excels in esports performance. Powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and featuring 8 GB of DDR5 RAM, it offers smooth multitasking and efficient gameplay. 

The 17.3" FHD display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz ensures fluid visuals, allowing you to react swiftly in fast-paced esports games. The integrated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 graphics card with 4 GB of GDDR6 VRAM delivers impressive graphics performance, enhancing your gaming experience. 

With a spacious 1TB SSD, you'll have plenty of storage for your game library and recordings, making it an excellent choice for esports enthusiasts. 

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (82K200YDUK)

• AMD Ryzen 5 Processor 
• 6 in. screen size, 1920 x 1080 
• 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD 
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU 
• Windows 11 Home 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that doesn't compromise on esports performance. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor and featuring 8 GB of RAM, it offers smooth gameplay and multitasking capabilities. 

The 15.6" FHD IPS display with a high refresh rate of 165 Hz ensures smooth visuals and reduced motion blur, allowing you to stay focused during intense esports matches. Equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, it delivers excellent graphics performance, enabling you to enjoy your favourite esports titles with stunning visuals and fluid gameplay. 

The RGB backlit keyboard adds a touch of style to your gaming setup, and the included Trust Primo 16 carry bag provides convenience and portability. 

ASUS ROG Flow X16 (2023)(GV601)

• Intel® Core™ i9 Processor
• 16-inch screen size, 2560 x 1600
• 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GDDR6 8GB GPU
• Windows 11 Home 

The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is another amazing pick for e-sports enthusiasts. Its Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB M.2 SSD provide powerful performance, ensuring seamless multitasking and fast loading times. 

The 16" WQXGA touchscreen display with a refresh rate of 240 Hz offers a responsive and immersive gaming experience. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card with 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM delivers exceptional graphics performance, enabling you to enjoy eSports games with incredible visual fidelity. 

Its convertible design adds versatility, allowing you to use it as a tablet for casual gaming or a laptop for competitive esports matches. 

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (G533ZW-LN148W)

• Intel® Core™ i9 Processor 
• 16-inch screen size, 2560 x 1440
• 16 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
• Windows 11 Home 

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is one of the best gaming laptops for eSports and fast-paced games. With its Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB SSD, it provides exceptional speed and storage capacity for esports enthusiasts. 

The 15.6" wide quad HD display offers detailed visuals, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card ensures smooth and immersive gameplay. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, you'll have fast and reliable connectivity, minimising lag and ensuring a competitive edge in online matches. 

Its sleek design and powerful components make it an ideal choice for eSports. 

Buying Guide for Gaming Laptops for E-Sports

When it comes to gaming laptops for e-sports, choosing the right one can greatly enhance your gaming experience. There are several key features to consider when making your decision. 

In this buying guide, we will walk you through the important factors to help you find the best gaming laptop for your needs. 

Display

The display is a crucial aspect of any gaming laptop. Consider the following features: 

• Resolution: Higher resolutions, such as 1440p or 4K, provide a clearer image, but they may increase the cost. Consider the hardware requirements to power games at these resolutions. 
• Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate, such as 120 Hz or 144 Hz, makes the action on screen smoother and easier to follow. 
• Screen Size: Laptop form factors vary, with 13, 15, and 17-inch screens being the most common. Thinner bezels allow for larger screens in smaller form factors. 
• OLED: Some gaming laptops offer OLED screens that provide deeper black levels and more contrast than traditional LED-lit displays. 

Additionally, consider the option of connecting a laptop to an external monitor for a higher resolution or refresh rate when at home. 

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the "brain" of your laptop and influences gaming performance. Consider the following CPU features before you buy gaming laptop.  

• Clock Speed: A higher clock speed means faster processing, but other factors come into play. 
• Core Count: More cores allow for better multitasking and improved performance.
• CPU Options: Choose a CPU that aligns with your usage needs. Consider higher core counts and clock speeds for optimal gaming and streaming performance. 

Ensure your chosen CPU meets the recommended specifications of the games you plan to play, especially if you're interested in streaming or recording gameplay. 

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

The GPU is responsible for rendering graphics and plays a crucial role in gaming performance. Consider the following GPU features: 

• Frame Rate and Resolution: Ensure your GPU can handle consistent frame rates and the resolution of your screen or external display.
• Display Refresh Rate: Match your GPU's capability with the refresh rate of your display for smooth gameplay.
• Ray Tracing: If you plan to use hardware-intensive rendering techniques like ray tracing, check benchmarks for performance impact. 

A capable CPU and GPU are essential for gaming at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. Another important factor is the GPU and monitor capability. For instance, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, then the monitor should be G-Sync compatible. Otherwise, you are just spending money on gaming features that are totally useless for your gameplay. 

You can do some research and enter your GPU and monitor specs on the internet to get information about their compatibility. You can also call customer service at Laptop Outlet to get compatible gaming equipment. 

Memory and storage

Memory (RAM) and storage greatly impact your laptop's performance. Consider the following: 

• RAM: The amount of RAM you need depends on your usage. For gaming and multitasking, at least 8 GB of RAM is recommended, while at least 32 GB of RAM is recommended for e-sports. 
• Storage: Solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster and more reliable than traditional hard disc drives (HDDs). Consider NVMe SSDs for faster read and write speeds. 

In e-sports, speed matters more than anything else. That’s why it’s recommended to get as much storage as possible. This will help reduce latency, system slowdowns, and many other challenges. For instance, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) comes with a 2TB SSD, so system slowdown is now a problem of the past! 

Design

You may be wondering, "Why is design important when selecting a laptop for e-sports? Well, we are not talking about appearance or style, but reliability and airflow matter a lot. 

For instance, if you spend thousands of bucks on a gaming laptop, you’d expect it to have a sturdy build that can last for a significant amount of time. 

That’s why considering the design aspects that suit your preferences and requirements is very important. Following are some design points that you must check before buying a gaming laptop: 

• Build Quality: Look for durable materials like aluminium casing. The great thing about aluminium is that it’s both lightweight and durable. So, you can take your laptop on the go without worrying about long-term damage. 
• Bezels: Thin bezels provide a larger screen in a smaller form factor. Thin bezels also look much more modern and stylish. You can enjoy more immersive gameplay with a sleek design.
• Weight: Consider the trade-off between portability and powerful hardware.
• Aesthetics: Premium laptops may offer attractive design features like RGB lighting. You can also get per-key RGB or other attractive features on your laptop.
• Luxury Extras: Some high-end laptops offer multiple screens, ultrawide aspect ratios, overclockable designs, and upgradeable hardware. 

Ports and inputs

Every gamer wants to have the luxury of using their gaming laptop as a fully-fledged gaming station. This is where ports and inputs come into action. 

It is important to buy gaming laptop that has the following ports: 

• Display Ports: HDMI and DisplayPort for connecting external monitors. 
• Thunderbolt™ 3: A versatile connection for high-speed data transfer and external displays 
• USB Ports: Check the type and number of USB ports for connecting peripherals. 
• Audio Ports: Look for a 3.5mm headphone, as that’s the configuration of most modern peripherals and headphones. With a headphone jack this size, you can easily connect the headphones of your choice. 

Final Remarks

Gaming laptops have become increasingly popular due to their portability, performance, and versatility. When choosing a gaming laptop, it is crucial to consider factors such as the processor, RAM, storage, display, audio ports, and graphics. These components play a significant role in determining the overall gaming experience. 

Some of the best gaming laptops for e-sports include the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023), MSI Katana 17, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, ASUS ROG Flow X16, and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15. If you are interested in buying a gaming laptop at the best prices, then don’t forget to check out Laptop Outlet.