There was a time when 1080p was considered to be the sweetest spot for gaming, especially on a laptop. That may still be the case, but recently, there has been an upward trend of 4K gaming laptops and since more and more games are coming with 4K resolution support, it has become the popular choice among gamers. Even though 1080p laptops are ideal for any games you want to play, 4K laptops are brighter and more colorful.
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Considering you have landed right on this page to look for the best gaming laptops in 2023, you have hit the right spot. In this post, I have rated and reviewed the 5 best 4K gaming laptops that are extremely powerful and can run any games you throw at them.
Not only for gaming but you can also use them for video editing, photo editing, or any kind of task that involves the use of heavy software.
Best 4K Gaming Laptops to Buy in 2023
While 4K gaming laptops are capable enough to handle any herculean tasks you throw at them, there are also some limitations that you must consider before buying one. The first thing to note here is that such laptops have a poor battery life so you can’t expect to game for long on these laptops without keeping them plugged in. They are also insanely expensive (depends on other specifications too) and not everyone can afford them.
Before we move on to the detailed discussion of each and every laptop listed here, the below table will give you a quick overview of the same.
Best 4K Gaming Laptops to Buy in 2023 | Processor | RAM | Graphics Card | Buy Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSI Stealth GS77 | Intel Core i9-12900H | 64GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 | Intel Core i9-12900HK | 32GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
Razer Blade 17 | Intel Core i9-12900H | 32GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
Alienware x17 R1 | Intel Core i7-11800H | 32GB DDR4 | RTX 3080 | |
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 | Intel Core i9-10980HK | 32GB DDR4 | RTX 3070 |
Best 4K Gaming Laptops to Buy in 2023 | Processor | RAM | Graphics Card | Buy Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSI Stealth GS77 | Intel Core i9-12900H | 64GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 | Intel Core i9-12900HK | 32GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
Razer Blade 17 | Intel Core i9-12900H | 32GB DDR5 | RTX 3080 Ti | |
Alienware x17 R1 | Intel Core i7-11800H | 32GB DDR4 | RTX 3080 | |
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 | Intel Core i9-10980HK | 32GB DDR4 | RTX 3070 |
1. MSI Stealth GS77
The MSI Stealth GS77 is a solid option for those who are looking for an extremely powerful workstation that can run both games and software at its best. Whether you want to play games at their highest settings or run some of the heaviest software out there, this laptop can handle everything pretty easily.
Talking about specifications, the MSI Stealth GS77 is a portable laptop with an impeccable design and solid build quality, weighing around 2.8 kg. It has a 17.3” 4K (3840×2160) UHD 120Hz IPS display. Packed with the latest Intel Core i9-12900H processor, it is supported by 64GB DDR5 RAM and 16TB of PCIe SSD (2 x 8TB). To let you unleash the power of this beast, the laptop is equipped with a powerful 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti graphics card.
Other than that, the laptop sports a full HD web camera, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Windows 11 Pro, RGB keyboard, 2.5GbE LAN, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one Thunderbolt 4 port, one HDMI 2.1 port, one SD card reader, one headphone/mic combo jack, fingerprint scanner, two speakers, and four woofers. In terms of battery, it has a four-cell 99 WHr battery, which comes with a 240W charger.
What We Like
The MSI Stealth GS77 is an absolute beast and a solid recommendation for gaming enthusiasts. It delivers exceptional 4K gaming performance, all thanks to the i9-12900H and RTX 3080 Ti, and has one of the best storage options to offer. You get plenty of USB ports and also a fingerprint scanner to unlock your laptop. It runs on the latest Windows 11 Pro and sports a crystal clear 4K IPS display.
What We Don’t Like
While this gaming laptop has a lot to offer, what might hurt you is its price. The MSI Stealth GS77 is insanely expensive and might cost you a fortune to afford. Another factor, which is quite common in gaming laptops, is its poor battery life. You need to keep it always plugged in while gaming.
Summary
If you can ignore its price and adjust to its poor battery life, I don’t think there is any reason not to consider this laptop while looking for the best 4K gaming laptops. The MSI Stealth GS77 is a great option for extreme gamers who don’t want to miss out on their gaming while moving. That said, you won’t regret buying the MSI Stealth GS77.
Pros
- Superb 4K UHD IPS display
- 64GB DDR5 RAM
- 16 TB PCIe SSD
- Powerful 16GB RTX 3080 Ti graphics card
- Plenty of USB ports
- Fingerprint scanner
Cons
- Insanely expensive
- Poor battery life
2. GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5
For creative professionals, who are also part-time gamers, the GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that can handle both tasks pretty well. So if you have been looking for a laptop that can not only run modern games but also has a superb display, you have hit the right option.
The GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 is a solid laptop with a premium price tag and weighs around 2.6 kg. It has a 17.3” 4K (3840×2160) UHD 120Hz IPS HDR display. Packed with the latest Intel Core i9-12900HK processor, it is supported by 32GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB M.2 NMe SSD. To let you unleash the power of this beast, the laptop is equipped with a powerful 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti graphics card.
Apart from that, the laptop sports an HD web camera, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Windows 11 Pro, a backlit keyboard, 2.5GbE LAN, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, one headphone/mic combo jack, two speakers. In terms of battery, it has a Li-Polymer 99 WHr battery, which comes with a 230W charger.
What We Like
The laptop is packed with a powerful Intel i9-12900HK processor, which is supported by the RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. Its 32GB RAM is more than enough to run anything smoothly. Lastly, it has plenty of USB ports and comes with a 230W powerful charger.
What We Don’t Like
The GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 can run pretty hot under strain so if that bothers you, you might have to take other options. Also, it is quite expensive and does not include an SD card slot.
Summary
Overall, the GIGABYTE AERO 17 YE5 is a solid piece of choice for gaming enthusiasts. Apart from being equipped with powerful hardware that is useful for running AAA titles, it has a bright and crisp display which works as an added advantage for creative professionals. So if you are the one who does both, then this laptop might be your best bet.
Pros
- 4K UHD IPS display
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 2TB PCIe SSD
- Powerful 16GB RTX 3080 Ti graphics card
- Plenty of USB ports
Cons
- Quite expensive
- No SD card slot
- Poor battery life
3. Razer Blade 17
Another 4K gaming laptop you can consider buying is the Razer Blade 17. It is an excellent gaming laptop with powerful hardware, combined with faster memory and ample storage. Not to mention the fact that it has a solid and sturdy build.
Starting with specifications, the Razer Blade 17 comes with a 17.3” 4K (3840×2160) 144Hz IPS display and weighs around 2.75 kg. Packed with the latest Intel Core i9-12900H processor, it is supported by 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe SSD. To run any kind of heavy software or play AAA titles, the laptop is equipped with a powerful 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti graphics card.
The laptop also sports a full HD web camera, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Windows 11 Home, RGB keyboard, 2.5GbE LAN, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports one HDMI 2.1 port, one SD card reader, one RJ45, one headphone/mic combo jack, and eight speakers. In terms of battery, it has a Li-ion 82 WHr battery, which comes with a 280W charger.
What We Like
The Razer Blade 17 has a sturdy build quality and a crisp and clear 4K IPS display. It has the latest Intel Core i9-12900H processor, which is paired with a powerful 16GB RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. Running on Windows 11 Home, the laptop has plenty of USB ports for wider connectivity and two Thunderbolt 4 ports in extra.
What We Don’t Like
Just like the above-mentioned laptops, this one too falls short in battery life. So make sure you have plugged in when you are playing games or running other heavy tasks. Being a premium laptop, its price lies in the upper range which can be a problem for budget gamers.
Summary
That said, the Razer Blade 17 is a big and sturdy laptop with a stunning display and powerful hardware to run AAA titles. It has a great selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 ports, that can be an added advantage for gamers. Though it is quite pricey and lacks a decent battery life, it is still one of the best 4K gaming laptops you can find on the market.
Pros
- 4K UHD IPS display
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD
- Powerful 16GB RTX 3080 Ti graphics card
- Plenty of USB ports
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Poor battery life
4. Alienware x17 R1
One of the popular gaming brands, Alienware from Dell, has some of the cracking gaming laptops under its belt. One such laptop is the Alienware x17 R1, a 4K gaming laptop with many features to offer, packed in a slim-yet-solid body.
The Alienware x17 R1 has a 17.3” 4K (3840×2160) UHD 360Hz IPS display and weighs around 3.2 kg. Packed with an Intel Core i7-11800H processor, it is supported by 32GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD. The laptop is also equipped with a powerful 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics card.
Other than that, the laptop sports an HD web camera, built-in Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Windows 10 Home, RGB keyboard, 2.5GbE LAN, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one Thunderbolt 4 port, one HDMI 2.1 port, one SD card reader, one headphone/mic combo jack, and four-way speakers. In terms of battery, it has a six-cell 87 WHr battery, which comes with an ExpressCharge Boost.
What We Like
With a solid aesthetic and a slim body, the Alienware x17 R1 offers a great gaming package. It has a crisp 4K 360Hz IPS display, Core i7-11800H processor, 16GB RTX 3080 graphics card, 32GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB PCIe SSD. It has plenty of USB ports, including a Thunderbolt 4 port.
What We Don’t Like
Though it has all the important features you will need in a laptop, some basic complaints which you might have about this laptop are not enough USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, no Wi-Fi 6E (only 6), and poor battery life.
Summary
Summing up, the Alienware x1 R1 is a solid recommendation for gaming enthusiasts who are attracted towards slim-yet-powerful laptops. However, you must also consider that this laptop has just one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port and offers only Wi-Fi 6 (not 6E). If you are comfortable with these missing features, you can definitely buy this laptop.
Pros
- 4K UHD IPS display
- 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD
- Powerful 16GB RTX 3080 graphics card
- Plenty of USB ports
- One Thunderbolt 4 port
Cons
- Expensive
- Only one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port
- Poor battery life
5. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15
A smaller version of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is yet another 4K gaming laptop with dual displays embedded on the laptop. People who are creative professionals and also play games can place their bets on this laptop. Its superb 4K display and stylish design make it the best 2-in-1 laptop.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 has a 15.6” 4K (3840×2160) UHD 60Hz IPS touchscreen display and a 14” 4K IPS secondary display. The laptop weighs around 2.34 kg and is packed with an Intel Core i9-10980HK processor, it is supported by a 32GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD. Apart from that, the laptop is equipped with a powerful 8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics card.
Other important features of this laptop include an HD web camera, built-in Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Windows 10 Home, RGB keyboard, 2.5GbE LAN, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, two Thunderbolt 4 port, one HDMI 2.1 port, one headphone/mic combo jack, two speakers, and four woofers. In terms of battery, it has an eight-cell 92 WHr battery, which comes with a 240W charger.
What We Like
If you have ever considered buying a laptop with a touchscreen display, you will definitely like this laptop. Its main display can be configured through touch without using the keyboard. It comes with the latest i9-10980K and a powerful RTX 3070 graphics card. Its crisp and clear 4K display works wonders for creative professionals whose work involves experimenting with colors.
What We Don’t Like
It is a bit disappointing that a laptop of this price doesn’t have an SD card reader. Also, the secondary display consumes too much space which cramps the keyboard and touchpad making it difficult to work.
Summary
Lastly, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 is a great laptop with some impressive features under its belt. If you don’t mind the absence of an SD card reader and are comfortable with less space for typing, you are good to go with this laptop.
Pros
- 4K UHD IPS touchscreen display
- Dual display is quite useful
- 32GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD
- Powerful 8GB RTX 3070 graphics card
- One Thunderbolt 4 port
Cons
- Pricey
- No SD card slot
- Cramped keyboard and touchpad
- Poor battery life
Conclusion
Best 4K Gaming Laptop to Buy in 2023: MSI Stealth GS77
After carefully considering and analyzing all the above-mentioned laptops, my recommendation for the best 4K gaming laptop in 2023 is the MSI Stealth GS77. While there is no doubt that this laptop is insanely expensive, we can’t deny the fact that it has a lot of impressive features to offer. If you are an extreme gamer who can comfortably afford this gaming laptop, then I would seriously recommend you go for this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are 4K gaming laptops good for gaming?
Yes, 4K gaming laptops, though expensive, can give you a far better gaming experience as compared to other 1080p gaming laptops. As 4K panels can produce more vibrant colors with a perfect blend of contrast and brightness, it takes on the experience to a whole new different level.
2. Which is the best 4K gaming laptop?
Currently, the best 4K gaming laptop you can find on the market is the MSI Stealth GS77.
3. Is a 4K gaming laptop overkill?
It depends on your preferences. If you are looking to play AAA titles that demand powerful hardware to run, a 4K gaming laptop can take that place quite easily. However, if you are just looking to buy a laptop for surfing or basic stuff, the 4K gaming laptop might be overkill.
4. Is a 4K gaming laptop worth buying in 2023?
Yes, a 4K gaming laptop is worth buying in 2023 and will remain as long as 8K gaming laptops aren’t there to take its place.
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