By Robin Owens 4 days ago, Hardware
The best high performance laptops on the market.
While most users buy laptops for browsing the web and other regular tasks, some people need the best laptop for Photoshop, gaming, video editing, creating music or animations. Such models come with advanced sets of specs, which makes them perfect for complex tasks.
If you are looking for the best laptop for photo editing on a budget, a device to watch HD content, work on design projects or play recent games, read on to learn more about the most reliable models on the market.
When compiling this list, I was paying attention to powerful laptops that come at different prices so you will easily find an option for your budget. Here, you will find portable Chromebooks, great gaming laptops and budget devices. Whether you are looking for an affordable model with decent specs or want to purchase a high-end laptop, on this list, you will find the best high-performance devices in 2024.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H | GPU: GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 5.1 pound
⊕ Value for money
⊕ Amazing Full HD performance
⊕ A soundless, easy-to-use keyboard
⊕ Remarkable battery capacity
⊖ Fans are too noisy during gaming
⊖ No macro keys
⊖ Uninspiring design
The Asus TUF Gaming A15 is a nice laptop for budget-conscious gamers. It features a Full HD screen and plenty of storage. The only downside of this affordable model is its unimpressive design. Some users also don’t like its noisy fans. However, since the most powerful laptops with better designs and cooling systems cost a few hundred dollars more, it’s easy to disregard these shortcomings.
The laptop is fitted with the 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU, which is enough for the most recent games and video-editing tasks. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 accounts for an immersive gaming experience, however, it’s impossible to upgrade the Asus TUF A15 FA506 with a better GPU.
CPU: Intel Core i9-9980HK | GPU: GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 5.51 pound
⊕ Remarkable performance
⊕ Dual-screen
⊕ High-speed SSD
⊕ A great cooling system
⊖ No SD card support
⊖ Weighs too much
The ZenBook Pro Duo from Asus is quite different from other big laptops as it comes with 2 screens. Besides a 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch display, it features an additional 14-inch-wide display above the keyboard, which makes it a great solution for digital artists and designers who need to maximize screen real estate.
To make this powerful laptop even more impressive, Asus equipped it with an Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics. While it can hardly be considered as an affordable option at the price of $2,499, you will appreciate its top-notch specs. I have tested an upgraded model that costs $2,999.
CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 17-inch | Weight: 6.1 pound
⊕ A slim profile and stylish design
⊕ Upgraded cooling system
⊕ Wi-Fi 6 support
⊕ Convenient touchpad
⊖ No 4K panel
The Razer Blade Pro 17 can easily beat the RTX 2080 Max-Q when it comes to performance. Since similar models cost at least $2,500, I believe that this is the best high performance laptop that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It is a great option for anyone who wants to find a device with a great design, powerful performance and impressive specs. If you compare it to the Blade Pro laptop released in 2016, its footprint is smaller.
Besides, it lacks some features the earlier model had. The Razer Blade Pro 17 is marketed for gamers, which is why it lacks some options that can be found in devices for designers and content creators. If you value great build quality and the newest components that make this laptop suitable for HD gaming at a high frame rate, you will enjoy using this device.
CPU: Intel Core i7-10510U | GPU: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 13-inch | Weight: 2.5 pound
⊕ Stylish blue aluminum design
⊕ Great sound quality
⊕ IPS panel
⊕ Matte screen
⊖ No Thunderbolt 3
⊖ No 4K support
When testing the Asus ZenBook 13, I was fairly impressed with its stunning design featuring a blue aluminum finish. While the portable Dell XPS 13 or the Razer Blade Stealth 13 that comes with a powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU are still better choices when it comes to gaming, the UX334 costs only $1,149.99, which makes it a decent option to consider.
This fastest processing laptop is still pretty similar to the earlier ZenBook UX333, but the newest model is fitted with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, has more RAM and storage. Besides, it features an amazing touchpad that can be used as a secondary display. The touchpad is pretty similar to the Touch Bar and can be used for creating shortcuts. If you need to travel a lot, take a closer look at this option as it’s great for solving various business-related tasks on the go.
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 13-inch | Weight: 2.65 pound
⊕ Amazing IPS panel
⊕ Keyboard backlighting
⊕ An impressive choice of ports
⊖ No USB Type-C power adapter
⊖ Too heavy
The Acer Spin 5 SP513-52N is the best high performance laptop for those who want to buy a convertible model. It’s fitted with a 13.3-inch screen and a 4-core ULV CPU that makes it suitable for office use and casual tasks. A speedy SSD ensures that you can access all your files quickly.
However, the laptop has some shortcomings, such as a dim display and a noisy cooling system that fails to keep the temperature low. If you are ready to disregard these minor disadvantages, you will enjoy using the Acer Spin 5 as it is a reliable and compact laptop.
CPU: Intel Core i7-10875H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX1660Ti | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 17-inch | Weight: 10.78 pound
⊕ Impressive CPU performance
⊕ Speedy GPU
⊕ 4K display with saturated colors
⊖ Difficult-to-use AI software
⊖ A hefty price
The Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR will be appreciated by those who want to purchase a laptop with a decent screen and an amazing CPU. While it has some shortcomings, you can easily disregard them. It might seem pretty expensive for some users, but the device is well worth its price.
The Gigabyte Aero 17 is similar to the Razer Blade Studio Edition and MacBook Pro when it comes to performance. While its design takes after the previous version, the manufacturer upgraded its hardware. Besides the new CPU, this 17-inch model features a new GPU as well.
CPU: Intel Core i7 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 4.97 pound
⊕ Great keyboard
⊕ A wide choice of ports
⊕ Runs action-packed games
⊖ Poor battery capacity
⊖ 1080p display
⊖ Inconvenient right-aligned touchpad
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a decent laptop that costs $1,449. It can efficiently cope with any task thanks to its powerful specs. Featuring a 14-inch screen, good CPU and Nvidia’s Max-Q GPU, it can run even recent games. Besides, it has a thin profile and a well-thought-out design, which makes it one of the most portable gaming laptops on the market.
CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H | GPU: GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 8.28 pound
⊕ A 6-core CPU
⊕ A stylish design
⊕ 4K 144Hz display
⊖ SSD is divided into small partitions
⊖ Overly expensive
⊖ Poor-quality speakers
If you are looking for a speedy laptop with a unique design that can be used for creating 2D and 3D animations, then the P65 Creator from MSI is what you need. Being an upgraded version of the GS65 Stealth Thin marketed for gamers, this laptop is fitted with an amazing display and SSD. I tested the version that costs $2,099 and delivers powerful performance on par with the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro or Dell XPS 15.
It’s perfectly suitable for animators and designers who are looking for a reliable device for complex tasks. However, this high power laptop is still pretty similar to the MSI’s GS65 Stealth Thin and the WS65 workstation equipped with the Nvidia GeForce GPU instead of the more powerful Quadro graphics.
CPU: Core i7 1065G7 | GPU: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1000GB | Display: 17-inch | Weight: 2.9 pound
⊕ Lightweight for a 17-inch model
⊕ Great battery life
⊕ Thunderbolt 3
⊕ Stunning performance
⊖ No discrete GPU
⊖ Slow SATA 3 SSD
Unlike other 17-inch devices, the LG Gram 17 doesn’t weigh much, has impressive battery capacity and comes with a high-quality display. However, this laptop might seem overly expensive and has a pretty basic design. Besides, there are some issues with its touchpad and keyboard.
Despite some minor shortcomings, it’s one of the lightest models that I have ever seen. Another advantage is that it can last for long hours without being plugged in. If you can overlook its boring design and poor build quality, then it’s a decent option to consider.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ASUS TUF Gaming
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Razer Blade Pro
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → |
If you travel a lot, you definitely need a laptop with long battery life.. A high performance laptop needs to be fitted with a good battery to allow you to play your favorite games or solve work-related tasks for extended hours. The newest models are more energy-efficient, which makes them more suitable for avid travelers. The devices that I have included in this list have a battery life of 5 hours or more. Keep in mind, that the actual battery life might be different from the estimated one. Besides, your laptop might last longer without being plugged in if you use it for less energy-consuming tasks.
Manufacturers often test their devices in special environments. However, you might use your laptop differently. This is why a device with an estimated battery life of 10 hours might last less if you watch HD videos from streaming platforms or play action-packed games. For this reason, I made sure to test all these devices personally to determine their actual battery capacity.
If you need to buy the best performance laptop, you can easily find a model that can beat its counterparts when it comes to compactness, design or powerful performance. However, laptops under 700 dollars and cheaper feature only basic specs. Despite that, you can still purchase a portable device with an HD display and a speedy hard drive that costs up to $600.
If you value portability, pay attention to ultrabooks as they have thin profiles, boast speedy SSDs and screen resolutions of more than 1080p. Another advantage is that they have impressive battery capacity and feature remarkable specs. Their prices range between $700 and $2,000. Such a device can easily become your go-to laptop for graphic design.
This option is perfect for those who want to buy a portable laptop that can be used as a tablet. While it might be difficult to find the Surface Book 2, there are plenty of 2-in-1 models on the market. Some of them come with easy-to-detach hinges, while others can be rotated 360 degrees. Such laptops run on Windows 10 or Chrome OS and come with high-quality touchscreens.
If you want to find a laptop that can run even the most recent games, you can pick any option from this list, as all of them deliver desktop-like performance. Prices on such devices usually range from $800 to $3,000. Gaming laptops are fitted with AMD’s Ryzen CPUs. Even if you don’t have loads of cash laying around, you can still pick an affordable option.
Such laptops can be used as the lightest tablets, which is why they are called hybrids. They are mostly Windows-based and feature high-quality touchscreens. Some models come with kickstands and keyboard covers for better convenience. If you are a designer, you can also buy a model with a stylus. Hybrid laptops come in different price brackets, so you can easily find a model for your budget.
Over recent years, manufacturers released many high powered laptops that deliver desktop-like performance. As you can see after reading this list, there are plenty of options with advanced specs that can be used for the most complex tasks. Nowadays, laptops are used for gaming and can run the most taxing software. If you haven’t tried using such a device, I recommend you find a model that suits your needs and comes with a decent set of specs. All the options that I have listed, come with NVIDIA graphics cards, Intel Core i7 CPUs and speedy SSDs. Whichever model you choose, you can be sure that your laptop will efficiently cope with any task.
Yes, it will. If you handle your device carefully, it will serve you even longer. In most cases, it’s the battery that fails first, but you can always find a replacement for it or just keep your device plugged in.
While manufacturers are trying to make laptops more durable, these devices still have too many components that can be damaged easily, such as a display, hard drive, etc. Laptops are usually fitted with thin panels, so they can’t withstand shock-impact well. Besides, laptops have some moveable parts, such as a disk reader, that can break down.
Yes, laptops are built for regular use, so they will handle daily tasks easily. If you are engaged in creative activities, you can upgrade your laptop with the best graphics card for video editing and enjoy smooth operation. I use my laptop every day, and I haven’t noticed any issues with its performance yet.
While mobile devices are becoming more popular, laptops are still more suitable for solving work-related tasks. It’s quite difficult to work on documents on a tablet, especially if it doesn’t have an external keyboard and a mouse.
