Finding a laptop that can juggle both gaming and schoolwork isn’t as tricky as it used to be.These days, you don’t have to choose between a machine that can handle your homework and one that can keep up with your favorite games.Whether you’re diving into an essay, editing video for a project or hopping into a round of or after class, there are plenty of laptops that strike the right balance between performance, portability and price.The key is knowing what to look for.
A solid gaming and schoolwork laptop should have enough processing power for multitasking, a GPU that can handle modern games (even if you're not cranking settings to ultra) and decent battery life to get you through a day of classes or study sessions.Some are sleek and lightweight enough to slip into a backpack while others double as full-on gaming rigs when you’re home and plugged in.We’ve tested a range of laptops to help you find one that fits your student schedule and your Steam library.Quick OverviewBest laptop for gaming and school overallASUS ROG Zephyrus G14$2,000 at Best BuyBest high-end laptop for gaming and schoolRazer Blade 14$2,610 at AmazonBest budget laptop for gaming and schoolDell G15More options$800 at Dell$1,220 at AmazonBest no-limit gaming laptop for schoolworkAlienware m16 r2$1,399 at DellBest big screen laptop for gaming and schoolAsus ROG Strix G18$1,899 at AmazonBest laptops for gaming and school in 2025Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetBest laptop for gaming and school overallASUS ROG Zephyrus G14Display size: 14-inch OLED | Display resolution: 2560 x 1440 (QHD) | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 3.31 pounds | Max battery life: 10 hours Read our full ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 review The Zephyrus G14 has been our go-to laptop recommendation for gaming performance for years, but it’s better than ever this year thanks to a refined unibody aluminum case, a gorgeous OLED screen and a weight reduction to just 3.3 pounds.
It feels curiously light for a machine with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics.While the new Zephyrus G14 loses the RTX 4080 option from the previous model, that’s not a big problem.You’ll be better off with a lighter and more attractive model that doesn’t cost a ton.
$2,000 at Best BuyWill Lipman Photography for EngadgetBest high-end laptop for gaming and schoolRazer Blade 14Display size: 14 inches | Display resolution: QHD+ | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 or 4070 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | Weight: 7.98 pounds | Max battery life: Up to 7 hours Read our full Razer Blade 14 review Razer’s flagship Blade laptops have been the closest PC analog to Apple’s MacBook Pro since their debut, and the latest Blade 14 doesn’t change that one bit.It features the company’s signature build quality with a rock-solid aluminum case, but now it sports AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and your choice of NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 and 4070.The new LCD with a 240Hz refresh rate will also let you play just about everything at eye-bleeding speeds (or, at the very least, it’ll give you a helpful accuracy bump while sniping in ).
While we would have liked to see an OLED screen like what’s on the Zephyrus G14, the Blade 14 remains a tremendous gaming notebook.Just be ready to pay a premium for its fantastic hardware.$2,610 at AmazonWill Lipman Photography for EngadgetBest budget laptop for gaming and schoolDell G15Display size: 15.6 inches | Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | CPU: Intel Core i5-13450HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 512GB SSD | Weight: 6.19 pounds | Max battery life: 6.5 hours While Alienware has established itself as a solid premium brand, Dell's cheaper G-series notebooks are worth a look for anyone that needs a budget-friendly machine.
In particular, the G15 continues the trend of delivering very capable hardware – including Intel’s latest 13th-gen CPUs, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs and NVIDIA’s RTX 30- and 40-series GPUs – for under $1,000.Sure, the case is mostly plastic, and the laptop’s screen doesn't offer all of the latest niceties (at least there’s finally a 165Hz option!).But for the price it's hard to find anything more powerful.
$800 at DellExplore More Buying Options$1,220 at AmazonDellBest no-limit gaming laptop for schoolworkAlienware m16 r2Display size: 16 inches | Display resolution: QHD+ | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 185H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 5.75 pounds | Max battery life: 90 Whr After just one year on the market, Dell went back to the drawing board with its latest Alienware m16 and redesigned it from the ground up.The result is the m16 R2, a lighter and more affordable gaming notebook that can still pack a punch in with its RTX 4070 GPU.At 5.75 pounds, it’s a chunky beast, but it’s still 20 percent lighter than the previous 7.28-pound model.
And for some, the weight will be worth it to live with the m16 R2’s gorgeous 16-inch 240Hz LCD panel.$1,399 at DellAsus ROGBest big screen laptop for gaming and schoolAsus ROG Strix G18Display size: 18 inches | Display resolution: QHD+ | CPU: Intel Core i7-13650HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 2TB SSD | Weight: 11.9 pounds Sometimes, a 16-inch or even 17-inch screen won’t cut it.For the most demanding gamer and media editor, there’s the ROG Strix G18, an 18-inch beast sporting Intel’s latest 14th-gen CPU and NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series family (which of course includes the top-end RTX 4080).
The Strix G18 screams “gaming laptop” more so than anything else in this guide, but it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants a big-screen machine at a relatively affordable price.$1,899 at AmazonBest laptop for gaming and schoolwork FAQsAre gaming laptops good for school?As we’ve mentioned, gaming laptops are especially helpful if you're doing any demanding work.Their big promise is powerful graphics performance, which isn't just limited to PC gaming.
Video editing and 3D rendering programs can also tap into their GPUs to handle laborious tasks.While you can find decent GPUs on some productivity machines, like Dell's XPS 15, you can sometimes find better deals on gaming laptops.My general advice for any new workhorse: Pay attention to the specs; get at least 16GB of RAM and the largest solid state drive you can find (ideally 1TB or more).
Those components are both typically hard to upgrade down the line, so it’s worth investing what you can up front to get the most out of your PC gaming experience long term.Also, don’t forget the basics like a webcam, which will likely be necessary for the schoolwork portion of your activities.The one big downside to choosing a gaming notebook is portability.For the most part, we'd recommend 15-inch models to get the best balance of size and price.
Those typically weigh in around 4.5 pounds, which is significantly more than a three-pound ultraportable.Today's gaming notebooks are still far lighter than older models, though, so at least you won't be lugging around a 10-pound brick.If you’re looking for something lighter, there are plenty of 14-inch options these days.
And if you're not into LED lights and other gamer-centric bling, keep an eye out for more understated models that still feature essentials like a webcam (or make sure you know how to turn those lights off).Do gaming laptops last longer than standard laptops?Not necessarily — it really depends on how you define "last longer." In terms of raw performance, gaming laptops tend to pack more powerful components than standard laptops, which means they can stay relevant for longer when it comes to handling demanding software or modern games.That makes them a solid choice if you need a system that won’t feel outdated in a couple of years, especially for students or creators who also game in their downtime.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementBut there’s a trade-off.All that power generates heat, and gaming laptops often run hotter and put more strain on internal components than typical ultraportables.
If they’re not properly cooled or regularly maintained (think dust buildup and thermal paste), that wear and tear can shorten their lifespan.They’re also usually bulkier and have shorter battery life, which can impact long-term usability depending on your daily needs.Gaming laptops can last longer performance-wise, but only if you take good care of them.If your needs are light — browsing, writing papers and streaming — a standard laptop may actually last longer simply because it’s under less stress day-to-day.What is the role of GPU in a computer for gaming and school?The GPU plays a big role in how your laptop handles visuals — and it’s especially important if you’re using your computer for both gaming and school.For gaming, the GPU is essential.
It’s responsible for rendering graphics, textures, lighting and all the visual effects that make your favorite titles look smooth and realistic.A more powerful GPU means better frame rates, higher resolutions and the ability to play modern games without lag or stuttering.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementFor schoolwork, the GPU matters too — but its importance depends on what you're doing.If your school tasks mostly involve writing papers, browsing the web or using productivity tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Office, you don’t need a high-end GPU.
But if you’re working with graphic design, video editing, 3D modeling or anything else that’s visually demanding, a good GPU can speed things up significantly and improve your workflow.
