TOP PICK 
Model
BLW's Score
-
-
90
88
-
MSRP
$269.00
$999.00
$1,499.81
$2,144.99
Price not available
More Information
Processor
2.48 GHz ryzen_3_2300u
1 GHz core_i5
Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6 GHz
Intel Core i7-8750H (6 core)
1.9 GHz core_i7
RAM
4 GB DDR4
32 GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
32 GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128 GB flash_memory_solid_state
1 TB SSD
256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
1TB SSD
256 GB SSD
Display
14" (1366 x 768)
15.6" (1920x1080)
17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
17.3" FHD 144 Hz (1920 x 1080)
14" (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
AMD Radeon Vega 3
Intel Integrated UHD 620
NVIDIA GeForce 970M GTX
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
Intel UHD 620 Graphics
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10
Weight
3.2 pounds
3.75 pounds
4.6 pounds
5.95 pounds
6 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
-
6 hours
5 hours
-
TOP PICK
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
$269.00
More Information
Processor
2.48 GHz ryzen_3_2300u
RAM
4 GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128 GB flash_memory_solid_state
Display
14" (1366 x 768)
Graphics
AMD Radeon Vega 3
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.2 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
$999.00
More Information
Processor
1 GHz core_i5
RAM
32 GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1 TB SSD
Display
15.6" (1920x1080)
Graphics
Intel Integrated UHD 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
3.75 pounds
Battery Life
-
Model
BLW's Score
90
MSRP
$1,499.81
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2.6 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Display
17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 970M GTX
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
4.6 pounds
Battery Life
6 hours
Model
BLW's Score
88
MSRP
$2,144.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-8750H (6 core)
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB SSD
Display
17.3" FHD 144 Hz (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
5.95 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
BLW's Score
-
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
1.9 GHz core_i7
RAM
32 GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256 GB SSD
Display
14" (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel UHD 620 Graphics
OS
Windows 10
Weight
6 pounds
Battery Life
-
Note: Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
Since you're here on our page of best high-performance laptops, I'm assuming you're looking for a machine to run some big programs and games.
Well, the timing is perfect for a new laptop since all manufacturers have released (or will soon release) their 2021 models and so this is a great time to be researching the available models.
I know we have already created guides for best laptops under $1000 and gaming laptops under $1500, but this specific guide will list the most of the high performance laptops regardless of their price, size, specifications and brand.
These premium laptops are highly built to perform and to be honest; we have only considered performance here and nothing else like price, design, weight and portability.
Here you will find Laptops from $1000 to $4000, and in the end, you can decide which one will suit you better. When it comes to high-performance laptops, you compromise nothing at all, and from top to bottom it will be loaded with the latest hardware and best quality material.
What to choose between High-Performance Laptop and Desktop?
If I am going, being honest here, nothing beats the performance of desktop PCs, but that's not an option for many people since it doesn't offer any portability. So it's totally up to you and what exactly you'll be doing with your PC.
If you're going to stay at one place and work, then we highly suggest that you go with a desktop PC. However, in case you will be carrying around your machine then you'll want a laptop.
Anyways, gamers can also buy these types of machines since all they need performance. We have created this guide for all the power users like gamers, video editors, animators, music producers and business users.
These are highly reliable laptops from top manufacturers, and they include all the standard features and functions. In case you need a laptop for entertainment purposes then we recommend you look at our guide of best multimedia laptops.
Our Top Picks for Best High-Performance Laptops of 2021
1. HP 14in High-Performance Laptop
Specs:
This HP laptop is incredible and has performance abilities that go over and above your standard computing needs. It is very lightweight and portable and has lots of connectivity options which makes it ideal for work.
You can participate in light gaming on this laptop without it lagging, and you can easily purchase more storage if you feel like there isn’t enough on the computer already to fit your needs.
It is compatible with Windows 10, and it starts off in S mode and can easily be transferred to Windows Home if you find the Home layout easier for you. Due to how easy it is to operate and its high comfort levels, this HP laptop is a great starter laptop for teenagers and children.
2. 2020 HP FHD 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop Computer
Specs:
This laptop boots up in less than 10 seconds. Anyone who is familiar with laptop start-up times will know that this is super fast.
If you need a business laptop, then this could be the one for you. It has lots of storage space, it is reliable, and it can multitask various complicated tasks at once. It doesn’t come with Microsoft Office, but most laptops don’t these days. Just note that you will need to purchase Office separately.
You will also like this laptop if you are a gamer as it can handle graphic content. The excess memory space is always welcome, so don’t worry if you don’t think that you will need all of the available memory space.
3. Alienware AW17R3-4175SLV
Specs:
The Alienware AW17R3-4175SLV doesn't needs an introduction, and almost everyone who is looking for an expensive and high-performance laptop knows what this beast is capable of. Unlike older models, this one is extremely slim and has been built solidly.
Its 17-inch full HD display boasts a Truelife screen that's highly appreciated by gamers and multimedia users. If you want a laptop that will be able to function as a tablet, book, mobile PC and a gaming laptop, then this is what we recommend.
According to a recent survey in the US, it's a companion of many scientists and engineers, and when asked about the thing they can't live without, it was their Alienware PC.
This new model from Alienware is lighter and one of the most compact 17-inch gaming laptops we've seen for gaming. If you're serious about the performance, then this model is a Lamborghini of laptops.
You might find some negative reviews about it, but that are mostly from people who have no idea how technology and upgrading works. A simple software upgrade from device manager can find all of its issues with Windows 10.
It features a usual Alienware design and can be considered as one of the best performing laptops of the year. All in all, it's the best gaming laptop in this list and features an excellent display and battery life.
4. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Specs:
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus doesn't come with just latest specifications but also with a whole new design. It boasts an incredibly sporty look while packing very powerful hardware like 8th generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB SSD. The 17.3" FHD 144 Hz display is driven by an NVIDIA RTX 2080 GPU.
It comes with an RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting function and all the latest ports including Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1. The laptop is also relatively small because of the ultra-thin display bezels. It's also quite thin at 0.74 inch thickness. Both of these traits are a bonus for portability. However, with the large display it may not fit well in some laptop backpacks.
It comes with pre-installed Windows 10 Pro which has some nice security features that could be valuable if you are using this laptop in a public or group setting. It's a good choice for users who need to use demanding programs and games.
Its design itself pays for it and everything else can be considered as a bonus. Overall, it comes with VR ready and G-SYNC features that can be helpful for a lot of people.
5. Dell Latitude 3510 High-Performance Business Laptop
Specs:
The Dell Latitude 3510 laptop is a wonderful business laptop. It is very fast, has lots of memory space, and reliable performance, which is everything you need in a work laptop.
I particularly liked the built-in camera as it comes in handy for Zoom meetings when you work remotely. The backlit keyboard also gives it a super elegant and professional feel.
Having an anti-glare screen improves the comfort levels of the laptop drastically. If you need to use your laptop for a few hours every day, then using one with an anti-glare screen is recommended.
6. Lenovo 15.6" High-Performance Laptop
Specs:
The Lenovo laptop’s appearance is very impressive. Its brushed metal shell reduces the appearance of fingerprints and damage. Its clean and sleek design looks appropriate for work as well as for home use.
I feel like the hardware here is rather cheap, but if you look at the price of this laptop compared to some of the other high-performance ones featured in this review, the price is a lot lower. The hardware is suitable for stock trading, watching youtube videos, surfing the web, and other similar tasks.
The screen size and quality are great, especially if you want to keep your laptop stationary at a desk rather than use it during traveling. The quality of the screen is mediocre, but if you don’t plan on using it for gaming, the screen should be good enough for you.
7. ASUS ROG GL552VW-DH74
Specs:
Unlike MSI and Alienware, ASUS ROG laptops are especially made for gamers by keeping their budget in mind. If we talk about the ASUS ROG GL552VW-DH74, its speakers are pretty loud and the audio quality is highly appreciated.
When it comes to design, it's pretty robust and sturdy laptop. With over 5 hours of battery life, you can easily enjoy games like Dota 2, Sims 4 and World of Warcraft.
It's very uniquely designed machine that comes in a grey metallic color and black on the inside. Its graphics segment is covered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M GPU and it also comes with GameFirst 3 technology.
While its Intel Core i7 6700HQ processor and GPU are enough to handle most of the latest titles, it also packs 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of HDD. It's surely one of the best high-performance laptops and from build quality to its design; it has everything that's perfect.
It features a full keyboard with almost all the latest as well as classic keys. If you compare ASUS ROG laptops, they are very different from Alienware and MSI machines, and it features a design that can be used by anyone and not only by gamers.
Moreover, thanks to its full HD matte IPS display that will deliver the experience like never before. Hence, we have added this PC in our guide of best high-performance laptops.
8. Lenovo Y7000
Specs:
If you're looking for best performing laptop under $800 then the Lenovo Y700 is your only choice. It's one of the most popular budget gaming laptops and is portable enough to carry around easily.
It's known for its performance and powerful hardware that's required by gamers. Being such a budget PC, it boasts pretty solid functions and advanced 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor.
That said it also includes 16 GB RAM and combination storage with a 128 GB SSD and 1 TB hard dive. In case you'd like to have a touchscreen display then Lenovo has made a variant for you as well.
Its 15-inch full HD display is pixel rich and has perfect brightness and sharpness for gamers. It's able to run most of the latest as well as classic titles with ease.
For gamers, we highly recommend a non-touch variant, but in case you want the touch display then we recommend using a screen guard with matte finishing.
It boasts a perfect size keyboard with enough space between keys and I personally enjoyed it while playing Counter Strike GO. Overall, for such price and computing power, it's a dream come true for most of the gamers.
9. ASUS ZENBOOK UX501VW-DS71T
Specs:
When it comes to reliable laptops, ASUS is the first name that comes to my mind. The ASUS ZENBOOK Pro stands out to be among the best performing laptops that are available under $2500.
It features an ultra-HD 4k display with 3840 x 2160 resolution, and that too is a touchscreen. Its fanless design is highly efficient with all high-end hardware like Intel i7 processor, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU and 16 GB DDR4 RAM.
A unique feature of this laptop is the ScreenBar. This is basically a second 4K touch screen that can be used as an advanced control surface using either touch or the included digital stylus.
It has enough power to run all the applications available with ease. Its Celestial Blue body is very solid unlike cheap plastic bodies, and it doesn't flex or move while opening.
However, we personally feel that there was absolutely no need for touchscreen on this as you don't really want your fingerprints on the display. When it comes to SSD, Samsung is the most reliable provider, and it includes one from them.
That said, it's a silent and boots up within few seconds. Its keyboard is elegant, and it feels smooth even while traveling on rough roads. As already described, it packs a GPU from NVIDIA, and it will easily handle all your 4k full HD games and videos.
This ZenBook Pro models has a unique combination of features not found in competing laptops. If you are looking for a high-end device with all the options, this is a great laptop to consider.
10. 2021 HP High-Performance Laptop
Specs:
12 GB RAM is more than enough for the average user. It is perfect for gamers and programmers that need laptops with great multitasking abilities.
The quad-core processor is very speedy and will help you complete tasks with minimal to no lagging. The price point is also extremely reasonable for a laptop with four cores and such high RAM.
The HD camera and built-in microphone is clear and professional. You can happily use the camera and microphone facilities to connect via Skype or for business platforms. The sound system does not disappoint when it comes to viewing movies and other entertaining content on your laptop either!
Conclusion
With latest technology and advancement, it's totally possible that high-performance laptops can match the speed of desktops and I believe you have already found the suitable machine for yourself.
Those days are gone when laptops were considered as a big no for gaming and high-end programs. If you haven't tried any high-end laptop until now, I would say this is the perfect timing as plenty of new technology is included in each of high-performance laptops and that too for a decent price.
All the above-listed machines include a GPU from NVIDIA, Intel Core i7 processor, and SSD. So feel free to buy any of them without any hesitation and in the end enjoy whatever you do on your high-end laptop.
