To find the best gaming laptop for school, you’ll need to determine the features that are right for you and your remote computing setup. We recommend that you favor laptops with high-grade processors and GPUs that excel with both graphically intensive games and curriculum-related applications. Make sure to also consider the form factor, as a light and thin laptop will be better for portability and transport. When buying a gaming laptop for school, always look for a powerful processor, a gorgeous display, and plenty of RAM and storage space.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Asus ROG Zephyrus S is the best gaming laptop for school on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about the best gaming laptops on the market.
Top 10 Best Gaming Laptop for School
#1 Asus ROG Zephyrus S Gaming Laptop for School
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best laptop for work and gaming, thanks to a robust feature set that includes a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an Intel Core i7-9750h Hexa-Core processor.
- Powerful NVIDIA graphics card
- 16GB of DDR4 ram
- Upgraded 12v fans and anti-dust tunnels
- 3ms response time
- Battery life on lower end
The Asus ROG Zephyrus S is a fantastic gaming laptop in addition to offering a feature set that is appropriate for school and work, thanks to a powerful Intel Core i7-9750h Hexa-Core processor, the renowned NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, and 16GB of DDR RAM. This is a light and thin laptop, weighing around four pounds, so it is great for carrying to and from school. We also loved the pair of upgraded 12-volt cooling fans and related anti-dust tunnels.
Though the refresh rate is a reliable 144Hz, the response time here is 3ms, which could be slightly low for some of the more advanced modern games out there. Additionally, the battery takes a hit due to the advanced specs on offer, as it lasts just a couple of hours while playing games at their higher settings. Asus is one of the best gaming laptop brands so you really can’t go wrong here. Or, you could check out the best gaming laptop for the money.
#2 Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop for School
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Powerful and light gaming laptop with a 9th generation Intel Core processor, a powerful NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, and a speedy 512GB solid-state drive.
- Good amount of solid-state storage
- NVIDIA GeForce graphics card
- 9th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Speakers on the weaker side
- Not user upgradeable
The Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop successfully answers the question of “are gaming laptops good for everyday use” as this computer features an advanced feature set that excels for gaming, school, and work. The 9th generation Intel Core i5 processor is speedy and efficient, helping to keep this laptop at around four pounds of weight. We also loved the large and speedy 512GB solid-state drive that ships standard with this model.
Though there is a pair of integrated stereo speakers here, they are on the weaker side, so you may want to use a headphones jack or connect to an external audio source. Also, all upgrades must be performed by a qualified technician, as this is not a user-upgradable laptop. You can also consider getting one of the best wireless speakers to go with your purchase.
#3 Gigabyte AERO 15 Gaming Laptop for School
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Award: BEST PORTABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best-in-class gaming laptop with an extraordinarily light form factor, as it weighs just a couple of pounds, with robust specs that include 16GB of RAM and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics card.
- Gorgeous anti-glare display
- 16GB of Samsung-manufactured RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with MAX-Q
- On the pricier side
- 60Hz refresh rate
The Gigabyte AERO 15 is a high-quality gaming laptop that happens to be incredibly light, weighing just a couple of pounds, making it shine as a computer for both school and at-home gaming applications. The specs here are on point, with an Intel Core i7-9750h processor, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. We also appreciated that the 15.6-inch display is designed to resist glare, adding further efficiency to daytime use.
This is a pricier-than-average laptop, however, thanks to squeezing in those beefy specs in such a light and thin package. Additionally, the only slightly downgraded spec here is the refresh rate, which comes in at a decent, though not exceptional, 60Hz. It’s a nice option if you’re looking for the best thin and light gaming laptop.
#4 Alienware 15 R3 AW15R3 Gaming Laptop for School
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Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality laptop with a beefy feature set that includes the iconic NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an anti-glare display that makes it perfect for daytime use (such as at school.)
- Anti-glare display great for daytime use
- 16GB of DDR4 RAM and upgradable to 32GB
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB of GDDR5 RAM
- On heavier side, at 8lb
- 128GB SSD, though does also come with 1TB HDD
The Alienware 15 R3 AW15R3 is of exceptional quality for both gaming and school-related applications, thanks to shipping with the renowned NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor. This laptop also comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM pre-installed and can easily be upgraded to 32GB. We loved the anti-glare technology embedded in the display, making this a great choice for daytime use on a school campus or a worksite.
The high-end feature set here does increase this laptop’s weight, however, as it clocks in at around eight pounds, which could impact portability. Also, the 128GB solid-state drive is relatively small, though it does also come with a TB HDD. Pair this with one of the best laptop backpacks and you’ll be ready for school!
#5 Razer Blade Stealth 13 Laptop for School
Award: BEST UPGRADABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts a design that is easily upgradable, with a slot for an extra SSD and full integration with Razer Core x External GPU enclosures, in addition to being manufactured with hearty and durable components.
- Durable anodized metal frame
- 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD
- Weighs just 3lb
- On the pricier side
- 13” display is small
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is built from the ground up to be as future proof as possible, with Thunderbolt 3 integration, a slot for an extra solid-state drive, and compatibility with Razer Core x External GPU enclosures. This is also a highly durable laptop, as the exterior is made entirely from CNC anodized aluminum alloy, in addition to coming in with a light and thin form factor, weighing around three pounds. An Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics round out the advanced feature set.
Squeezing the advanced components into such a thin and light frame does increase the price, however, as this is one of the more expensive gaming laptops available for purchase. Additionally, the 13.3-inch display is certainly smaller than many rival gaming laptops. You might also be interested in our best VR ready laptops for even more future-forward features.
#6 Asus ROG Strix Scar III Gaming Laptop for School
Award: BEST STORAGE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Ships with a speedy and massive 1TB SSD, with a gorgeous display that offers a 240Hz refresh rate, 16GB of RAM, and the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750h processor.
- Bluetooth 5.0 capable
- FHD display with 240Hz refresh rate
- Intel Core i7-9750h processor
- 13” display is small
- Extremely expensive
The Asus ROG Strix Scar III ships with a massive and efficient 1TB solid-state drive, which is enough storage for numerous advanced gaming applications, movies, and personal documents. We also appreciated that this laptop is Bluetooth 5.0 capable, which could come in handy for transmitting wirelessly, and that it features a gorgeous FHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate. The rest of the advanced specs include an Intel Core i7 CPU processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card.
Though the integration with Bluetooth 5.0 is certainly handy and the Intel Core i7 CPU is powerful, this laptop does not integrate with the modern Wi-Fi 6 standard, so take that into consideration. Also, this is an extremely expensive laptop, likely due to the advanced specifications, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for the best gaming laptop for Fortnite.
#7 HIDevolution ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop for School
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Award: BEST PROCESSOR
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features the incredibly powerful AMD 4th Generation Ryzen 9 octa-core and 16-thread processor, which can be overclocked to 4.3 GHz, and the fantastic NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card.
- Proprietary tech regulates system temperature
- 1TB PCIe SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card
- 14” display size somewhat small
- Battery life fluctuates wildly
The HIDevolution ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 ships standard with the powerful and reliable AMD 4th Generation Ryzen 9 octa-core and 16-thread processor, which can be overclocked to 4.3 GHz. It also comes with the renowned NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card, 16GB of speedy RAM, and 1TB PCIe solid-state drive. This laptop also ships with embedded technology that helps regulate system temperature via proprietary protections surrounding the CPU and GPU.
This laptop ships with a relatively small display, at 14-inches wide, which does make it easier to stow in a backpack but cuts down on immersion while gaming. Additionally, the battery life fluctuates wildly depending on what you are using the laptop to do, as surfing the web will get you a lot of continuous use while gaming with max settings engaged will only last a couple of hours. Still, we like this choice for anyone in the market for one of the best laptops for WOW.
#8 MSI GF63 Gaming Laptop for School
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Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best gaming laptop under $1000 with a suite of advanced specs that include an Intel Core processor, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050T graphics card, and a speedy 512GB solid-state drive.
- FHD display with slim bezels
- 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050T
- 8GB of RAM, though upgradable to 64GB
- Somewhat heavy, nearly 8lb
The MSI GF63 is the best affordable gaming laptop, thanks to offering a suite of robust features while coming in at a relatively lower-than-average price. This laptop ships with an Intel Core processor, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050T graphics card, and a speedy 512GB solid-state drive. We also loved the Full HD display that includes ultra-slim bezels, for the purpose of immersion while gaming.
Though the 512GB SSD is stellar, this MSI laptop does come with just 8GB of DDR4 RAM, though this RAM can be upgraded to 64GB. Also, this is a relatively heavy laptop, coming in at nearly eight pounds, so take that into consideration before making a purchase, especially if you’ll be hauling it to and from school. The best laptop bags can probably help you out in that department, however.
#9 ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop for School
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST DURABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Incredibly durable laptop, thanks to a MIL-STD-810 military standard construction and a pair of premium cooling fans, with ultra-thin bezels along the display for increased immersion.
- NanoEdge thin-bezel display
- Backlit RGB keyboard rated for 20-million keystrokes
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- Cannot integrate fully with Wi-Fi 6
- 256GB SSD on smaller side
The ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop is exceptionally durable and long-lasting, thanks to a MIL-STD-810 military standard construction and a pair of premium dust-resistant cooling fans. The backlit RBG keyboard is also durably constructed and has been rated to last for over 20-million keystrokes. The specs here are impressive, featuring the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card and a quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 r5-3550h processor.
This laptop cannot integrate fully with the newly instated Wi-Fi 6 standard, so take that into consideration if you need the fastest possible Wi-Fi speeds while at school or at home. Additionally, the 256GB solid-state drive is on the smaller side, so you may want to insert some additional storage. For younger gamers, however, it’s a good option if you want the best laptop for Roblox.
#10 Acer Swift 3 Gaming Laptop for School
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly laptop with some jaw-dropping features, including a lithium battery that can operate for 11 hours before needing a recharge and a capable AMD Ryzen 7 octa-core processor.
- Up to 11 hours of use per charge
- AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core processor
- 512GB SSD
- 8GB of ram on lower end
- 14” display on smaller side
The Acer Swift 3 is a cheap gaming laptop with a robust feature set in line with more expensive competitors, as it includes a speedy 512GB solid-state drive and the popular AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core processor. We also loved that it ships standard with an ultra-powerful lithium-ion battery, which can operate for up to eleven hours without needing to hit the power outlet, and that it integrates nicely with modern Wi-Fi 6 standards.
This laptop ships with just 8GB of RAM, which is on the lower end, though it can be upgraded by the user. Also, the display is vivid but on the smaller side, at 14-inches wide, so take that into consideration before making a purchase.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we thoroughly researched a multitude of top laptops to ensure that they excelled with both graphically intensive gaming applications and the types of apps and software one would encounter while at school. To that end, we liked laptops with powerful processors, often manufactured by Intel, and fantastic NVIDIA graphics cards.
The form factor was also a primary concern, as these laptops are intended to be taken to and from school. With that in mind, we chose computers that were on the lighter and thinner side, so as to be easily stuffed in a backpack or carry bag for transport. We also liked laptops with plenty of storage space, for the purposes of storing personal documents, school curriculum, and modern computer games.
Battery life was important as we went about our research. We made sure that each laptop we selected for the above list could last a good while without needing a recharge, though this metric decreased significantly while running games at their highest settings. Finally, we liked laptops with plenty of ports, connectivity options, and those made from long-lasting and durable components. Paired with one of the best gaming chairs, and you are ready to go!
Gaming Laptop for School Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Gaming Specs In order to have the best experience possible while playing advanced games or doing schoolwork, you’ll need to make sure the laptop you purchase includes high-grade specs. While the minimum requirements for some computer games are not outrageous, you will still want to avoid stutter and lag, particularly while playing online. Look for laptops with high-grade processors, often made by Intel, plenty of RAM, and those with large solid-state drives. These solid-state drives are generally more stable and much faster than their HDD counterparts. Advanced graphics cards, typically made by NVIDIA, should also be a prime consideration. Displays, such as HD IPS variants, are also important.
- Portability These laptops are intended for both school and home use, so you are going to want to make sure that they aren’t too large and heavy, as that would significantly impede portability. Look for laptops with powerful features that still come in at a respectable weight, somewhere around three or four pounds. You will also want to choose a laptop that is on the slimmer side, for squeezing into tight spaces while not in use.
- Ports and Connectivity Options You want your gaming laptop to be as useful as possible. With that in mind, you are going to want to make sure that the laptop you choose to play on features plenty of connectivity options, including easy integration with modern WiFi and Bluetooth standards, including the newly adopted Wi-Fi 6 standard and Bluetooth 5.0 standard. You will also want to make sure there are plenty of usable ports available, including USB 3.0, HDMI, and Thunderbolt.Gaming laptops for school offer an advanced combination of specifications and portability, offering light and thin form factors and powerful processors and graphics cards. These laptops can easily run advanced game titles and handle homework assignments while remaining light enough to be stowed away in a backpack without too much frustration. The only downside is that as the specs increase and the weight decreases, the price tends to significantly increase over regular laptops.
