The games industry is a fun and exciting field to work in, but you'll need powerful hardware to bring creative visions to life. Whether you're a solo indie developer or part of a larger studio, the best computer for game development can make all the difference in your productivity and the quality of your work.
The best computer for game development needs to balance raw processing power, graphics capabilities, memory, storage, and portability. In this article, we'll explore the top laptops that cater specifically to these needs.
We've drawn on our vast experience testing and reviewing laptops to compile the list below. We consider factors such as CPU performance for compiling code and running game engines, GPU power for rendering and testing graphics, ample RAM for multitasking, and fast storage for loading large project files, along with display quality and colour accuracy.
This powerful and versatile laptop is a great choice for game developers, thanks to its powerful internals, including a dedicated NPU. This means it will have no problem handling demanding tasks such as game development and rendering. Read more below
Best budget
2. Acer TUF Gaming F15
This great value gaming laptop offers impressive performance for its price. It's not got the power of some of the other laptops on this list but it does have 12 Gen Intel processors and a 1400p screen. Read more below
Want a nice big screen for your game development work? The Dell Precision 7780 comes with a nice big 17.3-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, as well as being a powerful, high-performance laptop overall. Read more below
A Chromebook isn't going to allow you to play advanced games, but there's no reason why you can't code on one, and the Spin 514 is a sturdy, surprisingly capable and versatile laptop for the price. Read more below
With the new M3 processors now supporting ray tracing and mesh shaders, MacBooks are starting to make more sense for game development beyond just iOS games, which they can run natively. And the design, display and battery are just excellent. Read more below
Need a ton of raw power? Acer Predator Helios 18 is a great choice, providing desktop-level performance. Intel’s Core i9-13900HX processor and NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 provide fast performance, while the GPU is perfect for rendering large 3D projects. Read more below
This powerful and versatile laptop is a great choice for game developers, thanks to its powerful internals; namely, an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, and up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The laptop also comes with a dedicated NPU that can help to improve performance and battery life. This means it will have no problem handling demanding tasks such as game development and rendering.
The 16-inch OLED touchscreen is another standout feature, offering 4K resolution (3840x2400) and exceptional colour accuracy with 100% coverage of the P3 colour gamut. This makes it ideal for colour-critical work in graphic design, video editing, and 3D modeling.
Connectivity is impressive, too. ASUS has packed the ProArt P16 with an array of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and an SD Express 7.0 card reader, catering to various connectivity needs. And the inclusion of the ASUS Dial, integrated into the touchpad, provides a handy customizable input method for creative software.
On the downside, it's not the slimmest or lightest option at 1.85kg, and the touchscreen has a tendency to smudge. Battery life has seen improvements over previous models, though it still trails behind some competitors.
CPU: Up to 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H Processor 2.3 GHz
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
RAM: Up to 16GB
Screen: Up to 15.6-in WQHD (2560 x 1440) 16:9, anti-glare display, DCI-P3:100, 165Hz
Storage: Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
+
Good value for gaming specs
+
Decent battery life for a gaming laptop
+
Good colour accuracy
Reasons to avoid
-
Not the best screen quality
-
Sound quality not amazing
If you're looking for the best gaming laptop for game development that doesn't cost the Earth, we'd recommend considering the Asus TUG Gaming F15. When we reviewed it, we found this great value gaming laptop to offer impressive performance for its price, making it an option if you need to test more demanding games.
It's been updated with 12th Gen Intel processors, and the 1440p screen boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and 100 per cent coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. It's by no means the most powerful gaming laptop out there, but these specs (and the battery life) are fantastic for the price. Read our full Asus TUF Gaming F15 review for more details.
Want a nice big screen for your game development work? The Dell Precision 7780 has a nice big 17.3-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, as well as being a powerful, high-performance laptop overall. It boasts a strong Intel i7 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3500 GPU, along with numerous connectivity options and robust build quality. Our reviewer found its performance in benchmarks was particularly impressive, showcasing its capabilities for demanding tasks.
However, the device isn't without its drawbacks. We weren't crazy about the poor placement of the trackpad, which is oddly positioned off-center. At 3.05 kg, it's quite heavy and not ideal for portability. And the display lacks 4K resolution, which might disappoint some. Additionally, the battery life is underwhelming, lasting only about 3 hours during creative work.
Despite these issues, our reviewer gave this an 4.5/5 rating, praising its power and performance for tasks such as 3D visualisation, video editing and graphic design. Its powerful CPU and GPU are crucial for game development and testing, and the large display provides ample screen space for coding and design work.
Screen: 35.6 cm (14") Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Touchscreen
Storage: 128GB Flash memory
Reasons to buy
+
Fast and reliable performance
+
14-inch FHD touchscreen
+
2-in-1 design
Reasons to avoid
-
Keyboard can feel laggy
You might not normally think of a Chromebook as being a good laptop for game development. And no, they don't have the power to handle very advanced gaming themselves, but you can code on them. If you're looking for an affordable option and don't need to test high-performance games, then a Chromebook can make sense. They offer long battery life and might even save you from getting distracted while working since they can do fewer other things.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is a well-built, fairly capable machine that runs Chrome OS, and it's also a lot more affordable than a Windows laptop or a MacBook. It's rare to get a 14-inch touchscreen of this quality for under $500 / 500, and while the Ryzen 5 build is the top end of that price point it represents excellent quality if you're after a solid 2-in-1. As ever with ChromeOS its apps are limited to the Google Play Store, so do some research and ensure you're happy with the spread of options. Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 514 review for the full lowdown.
While Apple Mac computers aren't known for gaming, Apple's iPhone and iPad systems have huge libraries of mobile games, and making a hit iOS (the operating system iPhones use) game can earn you a lot of money. If you want to design iOS games, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is a brilliant option. It's incredibly powerful, allowing you to compile code in seconds, and it can run emulations of various iPhone models to allow you to see how your game plays on Apple's smartphones. It's powered by the capable new M3 Pro chip from Apple. It can run iOS games natively, so you can play your game (and check out the competition) without needing an iPhone.
We also reckon it still has just about the best display you can currently get on a laptop (along with its larger sibling). This is thanks to the stunning miniLED technology that offers astounding image quality. We've placed the 14-incher here because we like its portability, but if you prefer a larger laptop for game development, then see our 16-inch MacBook Pro (M3) review.
Need a ton of raw power? Acer Predator Helios 18 is a great choice for game development, providing desktop-level performance in a portable (albeit heavy) form factor. Powered by Intel’s Core i9-13900HX processor and NVIDIA’s RTX 4090, you'll get fast performance, while the GPU is perfect for rendering large 3D projects.
It comes with a massive 18-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 250Hz refresh rate. In practice our reviewer found this delivered crystal-clear visuals and smooth motion during gaming. On the downside, it’s not the most portable option, weighing in at over 3kg, and battery life is also a trade-off,
The Asus Zenbook Duo OLED is a great choice if you fancy using a 2-in-1 laptop, which can be used as a traditional laptop or as a tablet. While it doesn't feature a dedicated graphics card (which are very rare in 2-in-1 devices), it is packed with powerful components.
When used in tablet mode, you can test out how your game will work with touchscreen devices, while also making it more comfortable for reading reams of text, or for watching movies when you want to wind down. The Asus Zenbook Duo OLED has two OLED touchscreens
We looked for the compromises, but couldn't find any, so gave this 5/5 stars in our Asus Zenbook Duo OLED review.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: This is a fantastic laptop with oodles of power. We think it might even be the best laptop release of this year. It has a bright OLED screen, and an AI boost perfect for game development. We gave it 5/5 stars in our Asus Zenbook 14 OLED review.
Dell Precision 5470: This laptop's compact design, excellent battery life and incredible power make it arguably one of the best mobile workstations around. The top-quality build, super power and incredible battery life, all packed into such a slim 14-inch design, makes it a great option for game development. Read our 4.5-star review for more details.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 16: This fantastic all-around laptop for creatives combines a dedicated GPU alongside a more than capable 13th Gen Intel CPU, providing plenty of processing power. The battery life leaves a little to be desired, but the OLED display provides excellent colour accuracy and vibrancy. Read our 4.5-star review for more details.
FAQs
How much RAM do I need for game development?
The more the better when it comes to RAM. You might get away with 32GB, but 64GB will comfortably see you through your game’s development – it’s also the recommended RAM for the popular Unreal Engine 5 game engine.
Are MacBooks good for game development?
Yes and no. The power of the M1-M3 chips mean that MacBooks are a viable option in terms of performance. However, the software support is still a little weak. Add to that the fact that much of the PC gaming market exists within the pro-Windows Steam ecosystem, and you may find yourself jumping through one too many hoops when using a MacBook for game development.
Ultimately, though, it depends which operating system you prefer to work with. If you're used to a Mac, there's no overwhelming reason to switch to a Windows or Chromebook machine. See our guide to the best MacBook for programming for more options.
Is it better to use laptops or PCs for game development?
Overall, PCs are far superior to laptops when it comes to developing games. However, there are some significant benefits to using a laptop. Most obviously, their portability is great for anyone who's regularly on the move, whether that involves travelling or just moving around your home and neighbourhood. If you’re developing Triple-A games, you may struggle to render and test your game, but less demanding titles will generally be fine on a laptop.
How to choose the best laptop for game development
Depending on what kind of game you’re developing, choosing the best laptop for game development can vary from person to person. If you’re working on a power-hungry and demanding 3D game, laptops with older processors won’t get the job done – you’ll need something newer and with a dedicated graphics card to ensure you can run and properly test your game.
Otherwise, you might be able to get away with a less powerful machine for something like an indie game and focus your attention on other qualities that suit your lifestyle and workflow, like battery life and portability.
It’s also worth considering if you actually need to play or test the game on your laptop of choice. If your main focus is programming, then you might only need something as lightweight and simple as a Chromebook, which is exactly why we've included one in our list of the best laptops for game development above. If you do want to test your games in all their glory, you'll want something with more processing power, a gorgeous screen and a speedy refresh rate.
Creative Bloq's team of hardware experts bring with them many years of experience using, testing and benchmarking laptops with a focus on running creative applications. All the laptops in this guide have been tested either by using software used by game developers or benchmarked to ensure the CPU and GPU are capable of the most intensive game-dev tasks you can think of. We run different benchmark tests on each device depending on its intended use by its maker, but the laptops we've included in this guide have all been run through the following:
• Cinebench R23/2024 - this assesses the performance of a computer's CPU and GPU using real-world 3D rendering tasks
• Geekbench 5/6 - this tests the CPU's processing power, both by using a single core for a single task at a time as well as all the CPU's core to see its ability to multitask
• Handbrake - we use this free and open-source transcoder for digital video files to render a short 4K animated film, using the same file for all our tests
• 3DMark - this assesses a computer's ability to run graphic rendering tasks, which is necessary for architects
• PCMark 10 - this test assesses a computer’s ability to run all everyday tasks from web browsing to digital content creation, testing app launch speeds, 3D rendering and even battery life
But perhaps more importantly than technical benchmarking, we evaluate machines in real-world situations, pushing them to the limit with multiple applications running to see how they perform in real project-like conditions. Power, speed, flexibility, and what a computer looks and feels like to use are all criteria in our reviewing process.
We do much more than simply unpack a test unit, run some benchmarks and then pack it up again; we have lived and worked with all of the above computers, running them in real-life scenarios and completed projects relevant to the subject of this guide, otherwise we wouldn't recommend these models to you. For more details, see our article on How we test.
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Matt has been a technology journalist for over 15 years, writing for publications such as T3, MacFormat and Creative Bloq. He's a managing editor of TechRadar, Creative Bloq's sister site, where he can be found writing about and reviewing laptops, computers, monitors and more. He often writes for Creative Bloq, helping creatives find their perfect laptop or PC.
