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We have witnessed the introduction of some exceptional laptops in 2025, equipped with AI-powered processors that enhance battery life without compromising performance and cutting-edge display technology that is gradually becoming more affordable. In the realm of gaming laptops, there are new 50-series GPUs showcasing remarkable power, alongside still-competent 40-series GPUs available at discounted prices.
Best overall: Razer Blade 16
The 2025 Razer Blade 16 has garnered significant praise, being recognized as the standout gaming laptop of the year thus far. Featuring an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU, 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, and 1TB of SSD storage, this laptop starts at a steep price of $2,399. Opting for upgrades including double the RAM and storage, an upgraded CPU, and an RTX 5090 GPU raises the price to $4,499. Despite the high cost, the Blade 16 has been acclaimed for its performance and design, with PCMag hailing it as a powerhouse that delivers exceptional results in both productivity and gaming tasks. Furthermore, the laptop’s battery life has been impressive, lasting over 10 hours on a video rundown test with the highest configuration.
Best price-to-performance ratio: Acer Predator Helios 16
For those seeking a gaming laptop that offers great value, the Acer Predator Helios 16 stands out as an excellent choice. Equipped with an Intel Core i9 14900HX processor, an RTX 4080 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage, this laptop provides powerful performance at a reasonable price. The newer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI model, priced at $1,549, features upgraded components such as an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and an RTX 5060 GPU, while also sporting a high-quality OLED display. This configuration offers a more subtle design compared to its predecessor, making it suitable for professional environments. Additionally, with an AI-powered processor, improved battery life is anticipated compared to previous models.
Best timeless design: HP Omen 17
Technically, our HP Omen 17 review unit launched in 2024, but the latest 2025 model looks just as sleek, with a minimalist chassis that’ll have you guessing whether it’s a gaming laptop or not. The 2025 HP Omen 17 keeps the same beautiful, matte black chassis with a simple Omen logo on the top lid, while upgrading the internals to keep up with modern AAA games.
Like our review unit, this 2025 Omen 17 configuration comes with 1TB of SSD storage and 32GB of RAM, perfect for those who love to have multiple apps open in the background while gaming or for tab-hoarding research enthusiasts. It also shares the same sharp 17.3-inch, 2560 x 1440-pixel display with a buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate we loved on the 2024 model.
The HP Omen 17 proved to be an incredible performer, whether tackling basic productivity tasks or fighting terminids in Helldivers 2 at high settings — and that configuration only had an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor and an RTX 4070 graphics card.
This updated 2025 model features an even more powerful AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 CPU and one of Nvidia’s new RTX 5070 GPUs, first announced at CES 2025. Despite more powerful internals, it’s only $200 pricier than the 2024 HP Omen 17 at full price.
In short, the HP Omen 17 is our top pick for anyone wanting a powerful gaming laptop that can double as an inconspicuous laptop for school or work. You can certainly play around with customized RGB lighting if you want, or keep things plain and simple.
HP Omen 17
