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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is one of the most demanding PC games, and it’s Windows-only, so you need a gaming laptop with plenty of video memory. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (RTX 5080) is the best: its 16GB of video memory beats Microsoft’s “ideal” 12GB, at full 175 W power. For less, the Legion Pro 5i with an RTX 5070 Ti hits the 12GB ideal exactly. Plan on 32GB of system memory, Microsoft’s recommended amount.
Check the Legion Pro 7i (RTX 5080) on Amazon →
How we put this together: this guide is based on Microsoft’s official system requirements, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level, and we don’t publish frame-rate figures. See how we choose products.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 system requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended | Ideal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics | GTX 970 / RX 5700 | RTX 2080 / RX 5700 XT | RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XT |
| Video memory | 4GB | 8GB | 12GB |
| System memory | 16GB | 32GB | 64GB |
| Processor | Ryzen 5 2600X / Core i7-6800K | Ryzen 7 2700X / Core i7-10700K | Ryzen 9 7900X / Core i7-14700K |
| Storage | 50GB | 50GB | 50GB |
Source: Microsoft Flight Simulator. All tiers list Windows 10 with the latest update. Microsoft lists the game for PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, not Mac, so a MacBook or a Chromebook won’t run it.
Two things to note about laptops. Laptop graphics chips are usually slower than desktop cards with similar names, and the gap grows when a laptop limits the chip’s power, so check the wattage: our laptop GPU power database lists it for 200+ configurations. And many gaming laptops ship with 16GB of memory, half Microsoft’s recommendation, so look for 32GB or a laptop you can upgrade.
Best laptops for Flight Simulator compared
| Laptop | Best for | Graphics (power) | Video memory | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 | Best overall | RTX 5080 (175 W) | 16GB | Check price |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070 Ti) | Best value | RTX 5070 Ti (140 W) | 12GB | Check price |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | Matte screen | RTX 5080 (175 W) or 5070 Ti (140 W) | 16GB / 12GB | Check price |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070) | Lowest price for the recommended tier | RTX 5070 (115 W) | 8GB | Check price |
The best laptops for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
1. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (RTX 5080): best overall
The RTX 5080 laptop GPU has 16GB of video memory (NVIDIA), more than the 12GB Microsoft lists as ideal, and the Legion Pro 7i runs it at the full 175 W next to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX. Notebookcheck rates it 88% and calls the Gen 10 the most refined model in the series, praising a 240 Hz OLED that also supports DisplayHDR 1000 and G-Sync (Notebookcheck). Good to know: it’s a heavy desk machine with a 400 W power brick, which suits a flight sim setup with a joystick and throttle anyway. An RTX 5090 version, with 24GB, costs considerably more.
Check the Legion Pro 7i on Amazon →
2. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070 Ti): best value
An RTX 5070 Ti’s 12GB of video memory matches Microsoft’s ideal tier, and Lenovo runs it at the full 140 W in the Legion Pro 5i, with a 16-inch 2.5K OLED screen. In Notebookcheck’s testing of this chassis, the RTX 5070 Ti was up to 25% faster in games than the RTX 5070. More options are in our best RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 laptops guide.
Check the Legion Pro 5i (RTX 5070 Ti) on Amazon →
3. ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025): best with a matte screen
If you’d rather not deal with OLED reflections, the Strix G16 has a matte 240 Hz IPS screen without PWM flicker and runs both its graphics options at full power: up to 175 W for the RTX 5080 and 140 W for the RTX 5070 Ti, according to ASUS’s power list. Notebookcheck rates the RTX 5080 version 87%, finding the Legion Pro 7i slightly faster with a better screen, but the Strix about €300 cheaper in a comparable configuration (Notebookcheck). Good to know: the case is all plastic.
Check the ROG Strix G16 on Amazon →
4. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070): cheapest way to the recommended tier
The RTX 5070 version has 8GB of video memory, Microsoft’s recommended amount, at a full 115 W. Notebookcheck calls it “a very capable, high-quality gaming laptop at a relatively moderate price,” quieter and cooler than the 5070 Ti version (Notebookcheck). Good to know: 8GB is the recommended tier, not the ideal one, so expect to turn some settings down. See our best RTX 5070 laptops.
Check the Legion Pro 5i (RTX 5070) on Amazon →
Tips for flight sim laptops
- Prioritise video memory and power, then system memory. 12GB of video memory and 32GB of RAM put you at Microsoft’s ideal and recommended levels.
- Count your USB ports. A yoke or joystick, throttle and rudder pedals each take one; a powered USB hub helps.
- Use an external monitor if you can. A bigger screen makes the cockpit far easier to read.
- Keep it plugged in. Gaming laptops only reach full graphics power on mains power.
For the hub, Lemorele’s TC111 has seven USB 3.0 ports, each with its own on/off switch, and comes with its own power adapter, so your yoke, throttle and pedals aren’t all drawing power from the laptop. We found no independent lab tests of it, so this is based on the maker’s specs.
Check the Lemorele TC111 powered hub at Lemorele →
Our verdict
For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 with an RTX 5080 is the best laptop, with 16GB of video memory at full power. The Legion Pro 5i with an RTX 5070 Ti hits Microsoft’s 12GB ideal for less, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is the matte-screen alternative, and the RTX 5070 Legion Pro 5i is the cheapest way to Microsoft’s recommended tier. Whichever you choose, get 32GB of memory.
Frequently asked questions
What laptop do I need for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Microsoft recommends an RTX 2080-class graphics card with 8GB of video memory, 32GB of RAM and a Ryzen 7 2700X or Core i7-10700K. Its ideal tier asks for an RTX 4080-class card with 12GB of video memory and 64GB of RAM.
Can a laptop run Flight Simulator 2024?
Yes, a gaming laptop with a strong RTX graphics chip can. Look for 12GB or more of video memory (RTX 5070 Ti or above), 32GB of RAM, and a laptop that runs its graphics at full power.
Can you play Microsoft Flight Simulator on a Mac?
No. Microsoft lists Flight Simulator 2024 for PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, not Mac.
How much RAM do I need for Flight Simulator 2024?
Microsoft lists 16GB as the minimum, 32GB as recommended and 64GB as ideal. Many gaming laptops come with 16GB, so check for 32GB or upgradeable memory.
Is an RTX 5070 enough for Flight Simulator 2024?
It meets Microsoft’s recommended tier with 8GB of video memory, but not the 12GB ideal. An RTX 5070 Ti (12GB) or RTX 5080 (16GB) gives more headroom.
