Modern 17-inch laptops can easily become desktop replacements due to the sheer hardware power packed in their chassis. If you’re looking for uncompromised performance in a premium display real estate, then getting a 17 incher should be a no-brainer. Here are the best 17-inch gaming laptops that make AAA titles churn out their glorious pixels on a premium screen:
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | GPU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alienware 17 R5 | 9.74 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1070 | |
| ASUS ROG G703GI | 10.35 lbs | 2 TB | GTX 1080 | |
| HP Omen 17 | 10.73 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1080 | |
| MSI GT75VR Titan Pro | 9.92 lbs | 1 TB | GTX 1080 |
1. Alienware 17 R5
Dell’s Alienware line will always be included in gaming laptop lists because they deliver serious hardware power inside the coolest gaming chassis.
The Alienware 17 stands at only 9.7 lbs and features the new hinge-forward design. The side and accent lighting add to the premium look and feel that’s inherent in all Alienware machines. Dell offers several configurations for their 17 inch behemoth- you can opt for the i9-8950 Intel processor with 32 GB of DDR4 memory and a 512 GB of PCIe SSD and 1 TB HDD combo, or the i7-8750H Intel processor, 16 GB of DD4 memory and a 256 GB of SSD and a 1 TB HDD combo. On the graphics card department, the i7 core variant has the GeForce GTX 1070 GPU while the i9 core variant has the GeForce GTX 1080 GPU.
You’ll be able to run anything on this machine. You can also multitask to your heart’s content and get serious work done whenever you’re not playing. Open up your game of choice, record yourself playing and upload to your preferred streaming platform all at once while having several browser tabs open and watching YouTube videos in 1080 resolution. The bright, 17.3-inch display has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 that shows the latest games in all their high-res glory. The wide viewing angle is a much-needed feature because you’ll be staring at the screen for hours and will shift into different sitting positions during extended gaming sessions.
There’s also an improvement over the webcam via the Tobii eye-tracking IR sensor that gives users several interesting ways to interact with games and the Windows OS. All the ports and connectivity options such as the USB-C and USB 3.0, HDMI out, Thunderbolt 3, ethernet and mini-Display are laid out on the back and left side. There’s a proprietary port for Dell’s native Graphics Amplifier Box you can use if you have compatible hardware.
Rounding out the specs is the customizable RGB lighting and the responsive keyboard. You can program macro commands for one-click actions in most games. The built-in speakers are loud and punchy enough to fill a small room with immersive sounds.
Pros
- Alienware design is always top-notch
- Upgradeable memory and storage
- Both CPU and GPU can be overclocked
- 13 customizable lighting zones
- Decent battery life
Cons
- A bit heavy and cumbersome
- Tobii eye-tracking is included on all variants
2. ASUS ROG G703GI
The ROG (Republic of Gamers) line holds the distinction of being the first to offer an ultra-responsive, full HD IPS display and 144 Hz refresh rate to gamers. The result? You’ll be treated to a truly unique visual experience that’s free of lag, tearing, ghosting and frame rate stutters, and at Ultra settings, to boot!
GPU is handled by a GeForce GTX 1080 with 8 GB of GDD5X video memory. Combined with the NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, screen response time is reduced to a barely-noticeable 3 milliseconds and virtually zero motion blur. Like most premium gaming laptops, the ROG features gamer-centric aesthetics and design in the form of an ROG logo that lights up when you turn the machine on and a backlit keyboard that can display a number of different lighting configurations. ASUS has made their keyboard similar to that of a mechanical type, with each press having plenty of travel and giving users a pleasant tactile experience.
Here’s what’s under the hood- an overclocked 8th gen i9 Intel core processor, 32 GB of DD4 RAM and a combo of 512 GB SSD and 1 TB of storage space. The 17-inch bulky shell also has the usual array of connectivity options, including ethernet, SD card reader, HDMI, mini-display, three USB 3.0s, and a USB C Thunderbolt port. The WiFi is the latest 802.11 ac to ensure that there are no bottlenecks while you focus on winning.
The ROG G703GI is a monstrous machine that weighs in at 10.4 lbs. It also has 2 power ports for 2 power supplies (one for charging), which may prove to be overly inconvenient for some, but that’s the price to pay for massive hardware power. For what it offers though, the tradeoff in carrying 2 power bricks to experience ultra-fast gaming performance is well worth it.
Pros
- The best IPS-level display in a gaming laptop
- High-end gaming components
- Mechanical-like tactile keyboard
- The brushed aluminum casing looks and feels awesome
Cons
- Maybe too expensive for some
- Short battery life
- 2 power ports
3. HP Omen 17
Sometimes, in order to break out of the competition, you’ll have to do something out of the ordinary, like coming up with a bold design and crazy specs. The Omen 17 from HP does all of that, and more!
The Omen 17 is packed with future-proof hardware for the serious gamer. Computing is handled by an i7-7700HQ Intel processor, 16 GB of RAM, the fastest SSD and a Geforce GTX 1070, which demolishes anything in its path. The machine is rated at 10.7 lbs and includes a bright, responsive display and great speakers. You’ll be able to power the Omen 17 up in under a minute and start playing AAA titles or blast your opponents to kingdom come in multiplayer games.
The matte IPS display churns out graphics at a lightning-fast 120 Hz and is compatible with the Nvidia G-Sync software, which means you won’t experience ugly tearing, stutters, and lags while playing your favorite games. The matte finish may not work very well outdoors as it the glare interferes with what you can see on the screen. In terms of the connectivity department, you get the dedicated mic and headphone jacks, a mini display, HDMI, a display port 1.2, two type-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, three USB 3.1 gen 1 type A and a USB 3.1 type C port.
The Omen 17’s keyboard is arena-ready and features chiclet-style keys with an eye for better gaming input precision. You get a full set of dedicated numpad keys for when you need to program some macros on the side. One worthy feature is that the WASD keys are highlighted in orange and that there’s a special lighting mode that only works for these 4 keys. Setting up macros is a snap, thanks to the included Omen Command Center software. You can also customize the zones and backlighting to your heart’s content here. A single maintenance opening allows for easy installation and upgrading of hardware.
Pros
- Unique, avant-garde design
- Quick transfer and network speed
- Easily upgradeable hardware
- Affordable price tag
- 4K display with G-Sync
Cons
- Huge footprint
- Lots of glare
4. MSI GT75VR Titan Pro
MSI created the GT75VR with a kitchen sink approach, which ultimately bodes well for those who want a high-end gaming laptop for the best experience. Packing the latest 8th gen Intel core processor, rapid SSD storage and a Geforce GTX 1080 graphics card, you’ll be able to run all the games you want and crank the settings up to Ultra. The display stands on top of the competition, churning out a crisp HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 that evokes vivid details.
The Titan Pro has powerful speakers that complement your gaming experience. The Dynaudio Hi-Fi, built-in subwoofer, and Nahimic 2 software produces 360-degree virtual surround sound which can be further amplified if you buy the right headphones. It also has the usual array of modern ports, including a security lock slot, a 3 in 1 card reader and 2 USB 3.0 ports on the right side and three USB 3.0 ports, a headphone and mic jack and an S/PDIF on the left. On the back, you’ll find a mini display port, a gigabit ethernet, and a Thunderbolt 3 port.
As if that wasn’t enough, MSI has made sure that gamers are given the full mechanical keyboard experience. The GT75VR Titan Pro comes with a rapid mechanical RGB keyboard that’s rated to be 25% faster than the others. Customization in terms of keyboard illumination is handled by the SteelSeries Engine 3 app included in the machine. You’ll find an excuse to keep on chatting with your teammates or to do actual office or homework due to the incredible tactile feel the keyboards produce. It’s arguably the best keyboard among 17-inch gaming laptops, and that’s saying a lot!
Immersive audio, HD display, and powerful innards. What more can you ask for?
Pros
- Vibrant display via the G-Sync technology
- Amazing keyboard experience
- Doesn’t heat up when gaming
- Hi-Fi audio
Cons
- Top of the line means a hefty price tag
- Packs a heavy footprint
Final Words
17-inch laptops for gaming are great for those who want desktop-caliber performance and high-end gaming on a luxurious screen. The only thing you’ll have to sacrifice is a bit of mobility, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker considering you’ll be able to play all the latest and greatest in Ultra settings!
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