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Signup + An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletterIt's a question I'm asked every time I tell someone I review gaming laptops for a living; are they worth it? Does that extra degree of portability maintain its value when up against more powerful, upgradeable gaming PC towers? My career so far has been spent finding the best gaming laptops for all kinds of use-cases, so of course I think they're worth it. But that might change in 2026.
Intel's Panther Lake laptops aren't going to wipe Razer, Asus, Lenovo, and MSI's top flagships off the shelves. They might not even trouble the mid-range. But for the everyday player who just wants to be able to play their favorite games at the end of a workday without investing in a second device? Things are starting to look far more interesting this year.
With Panther Lake, AMD's upcoming Gorgon Point, and rumors of Nvidia's N1X swirling, 2026 looks to be the year of the system-on-chip gaming laptop. And that means it doesn't need to be a gaming laptop at all.
After all, these demos are happening on workhorse business machines that traditionally cost far less than the best Alienware laptops or the best Razer laptops. At launch, it's likely these SoC machines are still going to cost a pretty penny - as all new tech tends to. As time goes on, Intel and AMD outfit cheaper machines with their fancy integrated graphics, and the tech underneath grows more efficient, things could change for this entry-level market. 2026 is the first year I've had a serious pause for thought when considering the value of a traditional, dedicated GPU-slogging gaming laptop.
The demand is there. Alienware itself is launching a new ultra-slimline gaming laptop this year, after generations of chunky monsters took over from the super premium X-range. Machines like the Razer Blade 14 and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 have been slimming their waistlines with every new iteration. Gaming laptops that keep their portability without sacrificing current-gen gaming chops are growing in popularity, and the tech (whether that be the more efficient RTX 50-Series or new SoC systems) is supporting it.
DealAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 | $2,399.99 $1,899.99 at Best BuySave $500 - Best Buy has $500 off this RTX 5070 Ti spec of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 as part of its current Presidents Day sales. That's excellent news for anyone looking to push past the RTX 5070 cap on the more expensive Razer Blade 14.
View DealThe big guns have nothing to worry about
It's not going to be the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W or the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 that worries about the introduction of svelte SoC integrated graphics. These RTX 5090-toting powerhouses will laugh in the face of David. Instead, it's the MSI Katana or Lenovo LOQ that should be thinking about its pricing and positioning.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Chunky, budget-friendly gaming laptops that prioritize squeezing the latest RTX 50-class or 60-class into as cheap a chassis as possible are the ones on the back foot. When the Lenovo IdeaPad can perform at the same level with a brighter screen, slimmer chassis, and slicker design, things are going to get interesting.
A while to wait yet
These cheaper rigs aren't going to be wiped out overnight. It's going to be a slow burn - one likely slowed further by shortages in the market. In 2026, an Intel, AMD, or Nvidia SoC laptop is likely going to cost more than a comparable 'traditional' gaming laptop. That's just the way these things work.
But I expect the scales will tip at some point. Whether that's in two years, four years, or six years (or whether some other global shortage extends that wait time), there will come a day when we're using integrated graphics without a second thought. It won't be to run the heaviest games and their top settings, it might not even be to get the most reliable experience, but it will be possible and - dare I say it in this spec and benchmark-filled warzone - enjoyable.
Where does that leave gaming laptops? For the foreseeable future, these dedicated rigs are still going to be worth it. Once entry-level value tips in the favor of integrated options, though, dedicated GPUs might only make sense for the most discerning of PC players among us.
Or it could all fall flat on its face. It's 2026, after all.
- See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy
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I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops, but if you're after a new form factor check out the best gaming PCs and best gaming handhelds on the market.
Today's best gaming laptop deals
HP Omen Max 16
$1,999 $1,799ViewSee all prices
Asus TUF A15 FA507
$699.99ViewSee all prices
Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10
$1,314.99 $1,059.99ViewSee all prices
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)
$1,799.99ViewSee all prices
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) $2,699.99ViewSee all prices
MSI Raider A18 HX A9W $5,099 $4,499ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Tabitha BakerSocial Links NavigationManaging Editor - HardwareManaging Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
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