Best Laptop For Game Development
When you are developing a game you need a strong and powerful laptop that can cope with the inevitable masses of software that you will be using. Getting a laptop that is not powerful enough can be disastrous. Don’t believe us?
Imagine you have just made an exciting development in your project when the whole laptop gives you the black or blue screen of death because it has been overpowered. You log back on, hours later, to find you have lost it all. A game developer’s worst nightmare!
However, trying to find a good gaming development laptop in the current market is like trying to find a needle in the haystack. Not because there is not much choice, but because there is so much choice. That’s where we come in.
In this article, we are going to be showing you five of the best laptops for gaming development that we could find.
OUR TOP PICK
First up we have the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop. We had to choose this as our best overall because of the sheer quality of it.
It is a gaming laptop first and foremost but that should not put you off. After all, if it is built for gaming then game development will be a doddle.
It is fast, powerful, has plenty of storage, and fantastic graphics. This is thanks to the high-quality latest generation GPU and 6 core Intel i7 processors.
Whether you are 3D rendering, writing code, or researching for your game (or all three at once), this laptop will not slow down under pressure.
Pros
- Intel i7 6 core processor to speed up response times and to be able to handle anything you need it to
- RTX 2060 GPU - newest generation dedicated graphics processor to ensure it will be high tech enough for 3D rendering and ensure the best graphics quality yet
- 1080 x 1920 screen resolution giving you excellent quality graphics and the ability to work on intricate details with ease
- 16GB of RAM to deal with heavy loads and intense software needed to develop and run games - this will ensure your laptop doesn’t crash or slow down
- 5.07 lbs making the laptop a lightweight but powerful computer that you can transport with ease
- SSD storage to ensure you have plenty of space for all of your software
Cons
- Battery life - 6 hours of battery life from a full charge is not ideal for those looking to use the laptop whilst traveling
EDITORS CHOICE
MSI is really making waves in the laptop world and is becoming a well-established brand among gamers. The GL65 Leopard is made with gaming in mind.
Using a gaming laptop for games development translates well as you know it is already built to cope with heavy loads and high speeds.
The Intel i7 processors ensure that it is powerful enough to cope with numerous pieces of software at the same time.
The dedicated GPU is top-of-the-range as it is Nvidia’s RTX 2070. Graphics have never looked so good, and all gamers know how important that is!
Pros
- 6 core Intel i7 processors to ensure that your laptop does not overheat and crash even with multiple windows open
- 16GB of RAM for faster performance and response times (no more waiting for what feels like hours for CAD to load!)
- Fantastic display thanks to the 1080x1920 resolution which works with the dedicated GPU to deliver top-quality graphics
- 512 GB of SSD storage to ensure you have ample room for all your software, plus any games you want to play (purely for work inspiration, of course, and not for fun *wink-wink*...)
Cons
- The battery life leaves a lot to be desired and does not last more than 6 hours, lessening over time
BEST VALUE
If the display is the most important factor for you then you will appreciate the Razer Blade. This powerful laptop has a 4K display, giving you the best quality screen resolution possible.
As well as the best display yet, this laptop also provides all the power you could need for your game development.
The Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU delivers cinematic quality graphics every single time, whether you are 3|D rendering, writing code, gaming or even just surfing the web.
You get ultimate levels of performance and the most vivid visuals possible in this lightweight and powerful laptop that really packs a punch. Any game developer or gamer will be blown away by this model.
Pros
- 4K screen resolution for the best graphics display yet to allow you to see tiny details with no trouble
- HDR 400 ‘True Black’ technology to ensure that you can see deep blacks and vibrant colors with ease
- Compact design for easy portability
- 6 core i7 processors for speed and power that can handle heavy loads
Cons
- Whilst this laptop is compact, it still has a decent weight to it, coming in at just over 8lbs making it more difficult to transport
RUNNER UP
If you are looking for the best bang for a low buck, then this is the laptop for you. This laptop is excellent value for money considering it has a 4K screen and impressive power.
Game developers will appreciate the Intel Core i7 processor due to its power and ability to cope with heavy loads and multiple pieces of software.
It has 32 GB of RAM for speed and power, as well as 1TB of SSD storage to store your work, as well as any games and software you need for inspiration (and pleasure!). This little laptop can do it all, and at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Nvidia RTX 2060 GPU for impressive graphics quality
- 6 core processors to work fast even with heavy loads and multiple windows running
- Lots of storage space to work with
- True Color display to ensure all colors can be seen, even on dark games
Cons
- The battery life lets this laptop down, lasting just 4.5 hours after a few months of use
RUNNER UP
If you need a laptop that you can take on the go then the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo is the one for you. Small does not mean weak, and this laptop proves that.
Whilst being slim and lightweight, this laptop packs in punch in terms of power. Any busy games developer needs this in their life.
This laptop has a dual screen which games developers will appreciate - more screen space is always a good thing.
It has 32GB of RAM and an impressive 8 core processor, proving that speed is a given with this device.
As if that wasn’t enough, it also has a 4K display and top-quality GPU to make all your graphics dreams come true.
Pros
- Just over 5lbs making it lightweight and portable
- 8 core processors for speed like no other
- 32 GB of RAM to ensure it can handle heavy loads without crashing
- 4K screen resolution for the best graphics possible
Cons
- The dual screen is very temperamental and not as responsive as the main display
Best Laptop For Game Development Buying Guide
RAM
You need to ensure that your laptop’s RAM will be powerful enough to handle heavy loads and lots of software. We recommend that you aim for a laptop that has 32 GB of RAM, if possible. This will future-proof it and will be the best option for the long term.
If 32GB is not possible, we highly recommend that you get at least 16GB of RAM to ensure it will deal with what you need it to.
CPU
It is vital that you ensure that the Core Processing Unit is powerful enough for your needs. This means that you will need at least a quad-core processor that should be as new as possible. Technology changes so quickly and you really should be looking for the latest and best specifications from your gaming development laptop.
This is to ensure that your laptop will not have a meltdown when you have multiple windows and tabs open, and will still run quickly and efficiently. Gaming development requires fast responses from a laptop, and so you will want to ensure that it does not slow down the moment you open the second piece of software.
If you are interested in a laptop with an Intel processor chipset then you need to ensure that you get a laptop with i7 or i9 processors at a minimum. If the AMD CPUs are more your style then ensure that you find a laptop that is Ryzen 7 series at a minimum.
Clock speed should also be considered in relation to the CPU. Ideally, you will want something that is at least 1.6 GHz base clock speed.
GPU
Game development involves lots of graphics. You will likely be creating and working with 3D models, designing intricate scenes and backgrounds, and having to do it all in real-time motion. For this reason, it is well worth investing in a laptop that has great GPU abilities.
At the very least your laptop will need an integrated GPU. This means that the GPU works in tandem with the CPU. A dedicated GPU would be even more beneficial for you and would improve your game development experience vastly.
You should ensure that it has at least 2GB of VRAM (video random access memory). However, for the best gaming development experience possible you may want to consider getting a GPU that has 6GB or even 8GB of VRAM.
In terms of types of GPU, there are typically two brand names that stand out for the purposes of gaming.
These are Nvidia and AMD. You should aim for the newest generation GPU from each, but if you can only get the previous generation (5000 for AMD and 2000 for Nvidia) then that will still be suitable.
Screen resolution and display
Arguably, the screen is one of the most important factors that need to be considered when it comes to laptops for gaming development.
Certainly, they are important when you are actually gaming, and so you will want a screen that can replicate what the game will look like on the laptops of your gaming audience. For this reason, you should choose a laptop that has a resolution of 1080p. This is 2K.
Of course, the ultimate goal would be to have a laptop that has 4K resolution, and if your budget allows for it then we can assure you that you will not regret it.
It gives the clearest definition yet and allows for the most detailed displays to be shown with ease - very important when developing intricate parts of the game.
Battery
In terms of battery life, you should look for a laptop that has the ability to give you at least 8 hours of power. This is the bare minimum that you will need because of how much gaming software will require to power it.
Battery life of 10 hours or more is ideal and would be even better than 8 hours. Gaming developers often need to take their laptops with them on the go, and would not want to be hindered by a dead laptop when they are on a long commute.
Storage
In terms of storage, your choices are between SSD and HDD. You should definitely consider SSD storage for your game development laptop. Oftentimes, HDD just will not cut it and will not offer nearly enough storage space for your needs.
It is best to err on the side of caution and buy a laptop with SSD (solid-state drive), just to make sure that it will facilitate your data quickly, as well as being less noisy in comparison to HDD which can be noisy and far slower.
Weight
Consider what you want to do with your laptop. Will it be traveling with you on commutes? Perhaps you are a games development student and you need to take your laptop to campus for tutorials and classes. In which case you should look for a laptop that will be as lightweight as possible.
The good news is that, as time moves on and technological advances are made, computers can be made more powerful, in an even smaller space. This should mean that it will be relatively easy to find a powerful gaming development laptop that will not feel as though you are carrying a building around all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM do I need for 3D rendering?
Ideally, you will need 32 GB of RAM for 3D rendering to ensure that it is powerful enough to render the images quickly and without issue.
If you are just starting out then you may find that 16 GB is enough for you, but bear in mind that you may outgrow it quickly. Any lower than 16GB of RAM will not be enough for 3D rendering.
Is a MacBook Pro good for game development?
No, it is not likely that a MacBook Pro will be good for game development as it is just not powerful enough to do things such as 3D rendering, run lots of powerful software, and will not meet all of the specifications you need.
Is a gaming laptop good for game development?
Yes! A gaming laptop is an ideal choice for any game developer as it has been designed with the hardcore specifications needed in mind.
You will have enough RAM and storage as well as an excellent GPU and CPU. Just ensure you get the top-of-the-range model so you get the most high-tech laptop you can.
Which processor is best for game development?
If you are looking for an Intel processor then you need an i7 or i9. The ninth or tenth generation is best.
If AMD is more your thing then you need at least a Ryzen 7 or more to ensure the best performance and speed.
What graphics card do game developers use?
The two most popular graphics cards used by game developers are AMD and Nvidia. For each of them, we recommend choosing the newest generation.
These are the 3000 Generation for Nvidia and 6000 Generation for AMD. The latest release for Nvidia is the 3800 and 3800 super. For AMD it is the RX 6900 XT.
Final verdict
All in all, our top pick just has to be the Acer Predator Helios 360 gaming laptop. After all, the main issue that most gaming developers are looking to solve is the fact that their old laptop is too slow and cannot handle the power needed for aspects of games development such as 3D rendering and intense software.
The Acer Predator Helios 360 does it all and does it with ease, art that. Of course, each of the laptops that we have included on our list will solve your problems, as each of them has excellent RAM, top-of-the-range GPU, and the best quality in terms of power.
Whatever laptop you decide to invest in we are sure that you will be satisfied with the results. Gaming and the development of your own game will be a breeze.
Never again will you get the black or blue screen of death, or hear your laptop fan working overtime because it cannot cope with having more than one piece of software running. These laptops can do it all!
