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Be ready with iTech Gaming for your next battle & choose your next Console For your gaming center at home, or a gaming laptop for go-anywhere excitement. Either way the right gaming accessories can mean the difference between a happy good win, and a “hard luck” to losers.

Now, if you already have a gaming desktop, then adding a Larger monitor with high resolution and refresh rates, a keyboard and a Gaming mouse is a great start to see & feel the world around you.

Best Laptop for The Sims 4 (2026): Mac and Windows Picks for Every Budget

A person playing a video game on a laptop

The Sims 4 isn’t demanding, so you don’t need an expensive gaming laptop. For most Simmers, the MacBook Air (M5) is the best choice: The Sims 4 runs natively on Apple silicon Macs, and the Air is silent, light and lasts all day. If you play with lots of mods, custom content and expansion packs, or want to play other games too, a budget gaming laptop like the Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050) has far more headroom. Skip Chromebooks: EA lists requirements for PC and Mac only.

Check the MacBook Air (M5) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on EA’s official system requirements, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or recently reported sale prices. See how we choose products.

The Sims 4 system requirements

WindowsMinimumRecommended
ProcessorIntel Core i3-3220 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200Intel Core i5 (4 cores) or AMD Ryzen 5
Memory4GB8GB
Graphics128MB, e.g. Intel GMA X4500 or better1GB video memory: NVIDIA GTX 650, AMD Radeon HD 7750 or better
Storage25GB free50GB free, plus space for custom content and saves
Bar chart of the maximum GPU power of the RTX 5050 in 44 laptop configurations: 16 run it at the full 115 W, the lowest at 45 W
Same GPU, different power: 16 of the 44 RTX 5050 laptop configurations in our laptop GPU power database run it at the full 115 W, and the lowest are rated at 45 W. Check the wattage before you buy.

Source: EA. On Mac, EA’s recommended spec is macOS 10.15 or later, a 4-core processor, 8GB of memory and 50GB of free space, with Metal graphics support required. EA’s Mac list still names Intel chips, but EA’s April 18, 2023 update added native support for Apple silicon Macs, so the game no longer needs Rosetta 2 on M-series chips (Sims Community).

These are modest requirements, but they describe the base game. Every expansion, game and stuff pack adds to the download, and big custom content and mod folders slow loading and need more memory, so aim above the recommended spec if you collect packs.

Best laptops for The Sims 4 compared

LaptopBest forKey specsBuy
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)Most SimmersM5, 16GB, 512GB, up to 18 hr video, silentCheck price
Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050)Mods, custom content, other gamesCore i5-13450HX, RTX 5050 8GB, 16GB, 512GB, 144HzCheck price
Acer Aspire Go 15Cheapest Windows optionRyzen 7 7730U, 16GB, 512GB, integrated graphicsCheck price

The best laptops for The Sims 4 in 2026

1. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): best for most Simmers

The Sims 4 runs natively on Apple silicon, and the M5 MacBook Air is far beyond EA’s Mac requirements, with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD as standard. It’s also the most pleasant laptop to play on the sofa: it weighs 2.7 lb, has no fan so it’s silent, and Apple rates it for up to 18 hours of video streaming. Students get education pricing (Apple). Good to know: with no fan, it can slow down in very long sessions, and a lot of games besides The Sims aren’t on Mac. More on our MacBook Air M5 page.

Check the MacBook Air (M5) on Amazon →

2. Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050): best for mods, CC and other games

If your Mods folder is huge or you want to play other PC games too, a budget gaming laptop gives you a real graphics card and room to grow. The RTX 5050 version of the LOQ 15 usually comes with an Intel Core i5-13450HX, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD and a 15.6-inch 144Hz screen. It’s often discounted on Lenovo’s site (Tom’s Guide). Good to know: gaming laptops are heavy and their batteries don’t last long unplugged. More in our cheapest gaming laptops guide.

Check the LOQ 15 (RTX 5050) on Amazon →

3. Acer Aspire Go 15: cheapest Windows option

On a tight budget, the Aspire Go 15 gives you an 8-core Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD, comfortably above EA’s recommended processor, memory and storage. Good to know: it uses integrated Radeon graphics rather than the dedicated graphics card EA recommends, so expect to lower settings in busy lots and with heavy custom content. At about 1.8 kg (3.9 lb), it’s also on the heavy side.

Check the Aspire Go 15 on Amazon →

Tips for Simmers buying a laptop

  • Get at least 512GB of storage. EA recommends 50GB for the base game, and packs, custom content and saves add to that.
  • 16GB of memory helps if you use lots of custom content and mods, even though EA recommends 8GB.
  • Mac or Windows? Both run The Sims 4. A Windows gaming laptop has more graphics power and plays many more PC games; a Mac is quieter and lasts longer on battery.
  • Chromebooks won’t run it, because EA lists requirements for PC and Mac only.

Our verdict

For most Simmers, the MacBook Air (M5) is the best laptop: The Sims 4 runs natively on it, and it’s light, silent and long-lasting. If you play heavily modded saves or want other PC games, a budget RTX 5050 gaming laptop like the Lenovo LOQ 15 is the better buy, and the Acer Aspire Go 15 is the cheapest Windows option for lighter play.

Frequently asked questions

What laptop do I need for The Sims 4?

Not much: EA recommends a 4-core Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB of memory, a graphics card with 1GB of video memory and 50GB of free storage on Windows. With lots of packs and custom content, aim for 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage.

Can a MacBook Air run The Sims 4?

Yes. The Sims 4 has a native version for Apple silicon Macs, and the MacBook Air M5 is far above EA’s Mac requirements.

Can a Chromebook run The Sims 4?

No. EA lists system requirements for Windows PCs and Macs only.

Do I need a gaming laptop for The Sims 4?

No, but it helps with large custom content and mod collections and lets you play other PC games. A budget RTX 5050 laptop like the Lenovo LOQ 15 has plenty of headroom.

How much storage does The Sims 4 need?

EA recommends at least 50GB of free space plus extra for custom content and saved games. Expansion packs add more, so 512GB is a sensible minimum for the whole laptop.

Related guides

Best Laptop for The Sims 4 (2026): Mac and Windows Picks for Every Budget Read More »

Best Laptop for Streaming (2026): RTX Picks for Twitch and YouTube

Person sitting on a gaming chair while playing a video game

The best laptop for streaming on Twitch or YouTube is an NVIDIA RTX gaming laptop, because its built-in NVENC encoder handles the stream so your game keeps running smoothly. For streaming new games at high settings, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i with an RTX 5070 Ti is the sweet spot, with an Ethernet port for a stable connection. On a budget, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5060) has the same latest-generation encoder for much less. Add a USB microphone: it matters more to viewers than an extra few frames.

Check the Legion Pro 5i (RTX 5070 Ti) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on NVIDIA’s and OBS’s documentation, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.

What makes a laptop good for streaming

  • A hardware encoder. NVIDIA describes NVENC as “a physical section of our GPUs that is dedicated to encoding only,” so the game and other programs keep running normally, unlike encoding on the CPU with x264, which can cause stutter. NVIDIA recommends NVENC H.264 for Twitch and NVENC AV1 for YouTube on RTX 40 and 50 series cards, and says AV1 on RTX 50 series is about 43% more efficient than H.264 (NVIDIA).
  • A strong graphics card for the game itself. Streaming and playing on one laptop means the game gets the rest of the GPU, so buy for the games you play.
  • Ethernet. A wired connection is steadier than Wi-Fi for a long live stream. NVIDIA suggests setting your bitrate to about 75% of your available upload speed.
  • Good audio and video. Laptop webcams and microphones are basic, so most streamers add a USB mic and webcam. On RTX laptops, the free NVIDIA Broadcast app can remove background noise and blur or replace your background (NVIDIA).

OBS Studio, the popular free streaming app, supports Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 and newer, and Linux (OBS).

Best laptops for streaming compared

LaptopBest forGraphics (power)Key extrasBuy
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070 Ti)Best for most streamersRTX 5070 Ti (140 W)2.5K OLED, Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4Check price
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (RTX 5080)Demanding games at high settingsRTX 5080 (175 W)240Hz OLEDCheck price
Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10 (RTX 5060)Best on a budgetRTX 5060Ryzen 7 250, 16GBCheck price
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro)Mac streamers and creatorsApple M5 ProHDMI, SD slot, long batteryCheck price
Bar chart of the maximum GPU power of the RTX 5070 Ti in 27 laptop configurations: 17 run it at the full 140 W, the lowest at 115 W
Same GPU, different power: 17 of the 27 RTX 5070 Ti laptop configurations in our laptop GPU power database run it at the full 140 W, and the lowest are rated at 115 W. Check the wattage before you buy.

The best laptops for streaming in 2026

1. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 (RTX 5070 Ti): best for most streamers

The RTX 5070 Ti runs at the full 140 W in the Legion Pro 5i, with 12GB of video memory and NVIDIA’s latest NVENC encoder, alongside a 16-inch 2.5K OLED screen. Ports include Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI, so you can wire up a stable connection, a capture card or a second monitor for your chat and OBS. In Notebookcheck’s testing of this chassis, the 5070 Ti was up to 25% faster in games than the RTX 5070. See our best RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 laptops. Good to know: at about 2.3 kg it’s a desk laptop.

Check the Legion Pro 5i (RTX 5070 Ti) on Amazon →

For that second screen, a portable monitor travels with the laptop: UPERFECT’s GR16CQ is a 16-inch 2560×1600 display at 240Hz that weighs 1.6 lb and connects over USB-C or mini HDMI. We found no independent lab tests of it, so this is based on the maker’s specs.

Check the UPERFECT GR16CQ (16-inch, 240Hz) at UPERFECT →

2. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (RTX 5080): for demanding games

If you stream the newest games at high settings, the extra power helps the game keep its frame rate while you broadcast. The Legion Pro 7i runs its RTX 5080 (16GB) at the full 175 W next to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, with a 240 Hz OLED screen; Notebookcheck rates it 88% (Notebookcheck). Good to know: it needs a 400 W power brick, so it’s firmly a desk machine.

Check the Legion Pro 7i on Amazon →

3. Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10 (RTX 5060): best on a budget

Budget RTX 50 series laptops have the same generation of NVENC encoder as the expensive ones, so stream quality doesn’t drop with the price; what you give up is game performance. The LOQ 15 Gen 10 with an RTX 5060, a Ryzen 7 250 and 16GB of DDR5 is our top pick in the gaming laptops under $1,200 guide, and it’s a good fit for streaming esports titles like Valorant or Fortnite. Good to know: turn game settings down a notch while streaming newer games.

Check the LOQ 15 (RTX 5060) on Amazon →

4. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro): for Mac streamers and creators

If you stream creative work, podcasts or “just chatting” rather than PC games, a MacBook Pro is quiet, has a bright XDR display, HDMI and an SD card slot, and lasts far longer on battery than a gaming laptop. OBS Studio runs on macOS 13 and newer. Good to know: far fewer games run on Mac, and NVIDIA Broadcast is Windows and RTX only. Our MacBook guide compares the models.

Check the MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro) on Amazon →

OBS settings to start with on an RTX laptop

  • Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC H.264 for Twitch; NVENC AV1 for YouTube.
  • Rate control: CBR.
  • Preset: P6: Slower (Better Quality).
  • Keyframe interval: 2.
  • Bitrate: about 75% of your upload speed.

These are NVIDIA’s recommendations from its broadcasting guide; adjust from there for your connection and game.

Our verdict

For streaming games, buy an NVIDIA RTX laptop so the NVENC encoder can handle the stream. The Legion Pro 5i with an RTX 5070 Ti is the best balance of power, ports and price; the Legion Pro 7i with an RTX 5080 is for demanding games at high settings; and the LOQ 15 with an RTX 5060 streams just as cleanly for less. If you stream creative work on a Mac, the MacBook Pro M5 Pro is the quiet option. Whatever you buy, put money aside for a USB microphone.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best laptop for streaming?

An NVIDIA RTX gaming laptop, such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i with an RTX 5070 Ti. Its NVENC encoder handles the stream separately from the game, and it has Ethernet for a stable connection.

Can you stream on a gaming laptop?

Yes. RTX gaming laptops include NVIDIA’s NVENC encoder, a dedicated part of the GPU that encodes the stream so your game and other apps keep running normally.

What OBS settings should I use on an RTX laptop?

NVIDIA recommends NVENC H.264 for Twitch or NVENC AV1 for YouTube, CBR rate control, the P6 preset, a keyframe interval of 2, and a bitrate of about 75% of your upload speed.

Do I need an expensive laptop to stream?

No. Budget RTX 50 series laptops like the LOQ 15 with an RTX 5060 have the same generation of NVENC encoder as pricier models. You need more graphics power only to play demanding games at high settings while streaming.

Can you stream from a MacBook?

Yes. OBS Studio supports macOS 13 and newer, and a MacBook Pro works well for creative, podcast and chat streams. It’s a weaker choice for streaming PC games, since far fewer run on Mac.

Related guides

Best Laptop for Streaming (2026): RTX Picks for Twitch and YouTube Read More »

Best OLED Gaming Laptops (2026): 4 Picks, With GPU Wattage and Burn-In Explained

Laptop screen glowing with vivid colors in a dark room

The best OLED gaming laptop is the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10: a 15.1-inch 2.5K 165Hz OLED with a full-power 115 W RTX 5070, rated 87% by Notebookcheck. It’s priced as a premium model, though, so wait for a sale if you can. For less, the 2026 Legion 5 Gen 11 has a similar 165Hz OLED with an RTX 5060, and the cheapest way into an OLED gaming laptop is the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 (RTX 5050) at a much lower price. If you want the smallest, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) puts a 3K OLED in a 14-inch body.

Check the IdeaPad Pro 5 (RTX 5050) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ specifications, published reviews (linked below) and retailer listings checked on October 19, 2026. It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices change often. See how we choose products.

OLED gaming laptops compared

An OLED screen is only half of a gaming laptop. The other half is how much power the maker lets the graphics chip draw, which varies a lot between models with the same chip. This table puts both side by side, using the makers’ own figures (more in our laptop GPU power database).

LaptopOLED screenGraphics (max power)Buy
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 1015.1″ 2560×1600, 165Hz, glossyRTX 5070, 115 WCheck price
Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 11 (2026)15.3″ 2560×1600, 165Hz, glossyRTX 5060, 115 W (Intel model)Check price
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 (2025)16″ 2880×1800, 120Hz, DisplayHDR True Black 1000RTX 5050, 105 WCheck price
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)14″ 2880×1800, 120Hz, anti-reflectionRTX 5060, up to 100 WCheck price

Two things stand out. The cheapest OLED here, the IdeaPad Pro 5, isn’t sold as a gaming laptop, yet Lenovo rates its RTX 5050 at 105 W, more than many budget gaming laptops allow. And the 14-inch Zephyrus G14 costs more than the 15-inch Legion 5 Gen 11 while running the same RTX 5060 at lower power: you pay for the smaller, lighter body.

OLED vs IPS for gaming: what you gain and what you give up

  • You gain contrast. OLED pixels switch off completely, so blacks are truly black, which makes dark games and HDR look much better. The IdeaPad Pro 5’s panel, for example, is certified DisplayHDR True Black 1000 (Lenovo PSREF).
  • You gain sharper motion. OLED pixels change much faster than IPS pixels, so fast movement shows less blur at the same refresh rate.
  • You often give up refresh rate. Many OLED laptop panels run at 120Hz or 165Hz, while IPS gaming laptops commonly offer 165–240Hz. For competitive shooters, a fast IPS screen can be the better buy.
  • Flicker. Some OLED laptops dim with PWM (rapid flicker). Notebookcheck lists “PWM flickering” as a con of the Legion 5i Gen 10 (Notebookcheck); most people don’t notice, but if you’re sensitive to flicker, keep the brightness high.
  • Reflections. Most OLED laptop screens are glossy. Only the Zephyrus G14 here has an anti-reflection coating.
  • Burn-in. A static, high-contrast image shown for very long periods can leave a permanent ghost. ASUS calls it rare and says it “tends to occur only in extreme use cases”; its laptops shift pixels slightly and run a pixel-refresh screensaver after 30 minutes idle, and it recommends auto-hiding the Windows taskbar (ASUS). The same habits help on any OLED laptop.

The best OLED gaming laptops in 2026

1. Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10: best OLED gaming laptop

Notebookcheck rated the RTX 5070 version “good” (87%), calling the 2.5K 165Hz OLED “excellent, bright” and finding gaming performance close to the bigger, pricier Legion Pro 5 16. The RTX 5070 runs at the full 115 W, and the 15.1-inch body weighs about 1.9 kg (Notebookcheck). The listing we link pairs it with an Intel Core i7-14700HX, 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. Good to know: the fans are loud while gaming, GPU performance drops by about 30% on battery, and Notebookcheck measured just under five hours of web browsing. It’s one to buy on sale; it’s also in our best RTX 5070 laptops.

Check the Legion 5i Gen 10 on Amazon →

2. Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 11 (2026): the newer, cheaper Legion OLED

The 2026 Legion 5 keeps a 2.5K 165Hz OLED, now 15.3 inches, with up to a full-power RTX 5060; Lenovo’s spec sheet for the Intel model (15IAX11) rates the RTX 5060 at 115 W and also lists a 12GB RTX 5070 (Lenovo PSREF). The RTX 5060 is a step below the Gen 10’s RTX 5070, but still plenty for 1080p and lighter 1440p gaming. Many listings are the AMD Legion 5a version with a Ryzen 7 250, often bundled with extras by third-party sellers. Read more in our Legion 5 Gen 11 vs Gen 10 guide.

See Legion 5 Gen 11 listings on Amazon →

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 (2025): cheapest OLED for gaming

This isn’t a gaming laptop on paper, but it plays like a budget one. Lenovo’s spec sheet lists an RTX 5050 with 8GB of video memory at 105 W, a 16-inch 2.8K OLED at 120Hz with 500 nits typical and 1,100 nits peak brightness, an 84Wh battery and a weight of 1.79 kg for the graphics models (Lenovo PSREF). The version we recommend has a Ryzen AI 7 350, 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. Good to know: at 15.95 mm thick it’s slimmer than a typical gaming laptop, so it suits a laptop that also has to do schoolwork or office work; the 120Hz screen and RTX 5050 mean medium settings in the newest games.

Check the IdeaPad Pro 5 (RTX 5050) on Amazon →

4. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025): smallest OLED gaming laptop

The G14 fits a 14-inch 3K (2880×1800) OLED at 120Hz with an anti-reflection coating, G-Sync and a MUX switch into a compact body (ASUS). ASUS rates the RTX 5060 version at up to 100 W (ASUS ROG), below the 115 W of the Legions. Good to know: check the seller and configuration before you buy. See our Zephyrus G14 price guide and smallest gaming laptops.

See Zephyrus G14 (2025) listings on Amazon →

Our verdict

If you want the best OLED gaming laptop, buy the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 on sale; at full price it’s hard to justify. The 2026 Legion 5 Gen 11 gives you a similar OLED for less with an RTX 5060, the IdeaPad Pro 5 is the cheapest OLED that can game, and the Zephyrus G14 is the one for a small bag. If you mostly play fast competitive shooters, a 240Hz IPS laptop is the better buy.

Frequently asked questions

Is OLED good for a gaming laptop?

Yes, for most players. OLED gives true blacks, strong HDR and sharp motion. The trade-offs are lower refresh rates on many panels (120–165Hz), glossy reflections, PWM flicker on some models and a small risk of burn-in from static images.

What is the best OLED gaming laptop?

The Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10, with a 2.5K 165Hz OLED and a full-power 115 W RTX 5070, rated 87% by Notebookcheck. It’s priced as a premium model, so it’s best bought on sale.

What is the cheapest OLED gaming laptop?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 (2025) with an RTX 5050 at 105 W and a 16-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED is the budget pick.

Do OLED gaming laptops get burn-in?

It’s possible but rare with normal use. Burn-in comes from static, high-contrast images shown for very long periods. Pixel-shift and pixel-refresh features, auto-hiding the taskbar and varying what’s on screen reduce the risk.

OLED or IPS for competitive gaming?

For fast shooters, refresh rate matters most, and IPS gaming laptops more often reach 240Hz for less money. OLED is the better choice for single-player, HDR and dark games.

Related guides

Best OLED Gaming Laptops (2026): 4 Picks, With GPU Wattage and Burn-In Explained Read More »

RTX 5060 Laptop vs RTX 4070 Laptop (2026): Tied on Benchmarks, So Buy on Price

Black and red laptop keyboard

The laptop RTX 5060 and RTX 4070 are tied in raw performance: in Notebookcheck’s 3DMark Time Spy Graphics averages, the RTX 5060 Laptop scores 11,637 and the RTX 4070 Laptop 11,609. Both have 8GB of video memory. The RTX 5060 has faster GDDR7 memory and supports DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, which RTX 40 cards don’t, and RTX 5060 laptops are cheaper new. So buy the RTX 5060, unless you find an RTX 4070 laptop clearly cheaper than a full-power RTX 5060 one. Either way, check the wattage: it changes performance more than the model number.

See RTX 5060 gaming laptops on Amazon →

How we put this together: this comparison is based on Notebookcheck’s GPU benchmark averages and specifications, NVIDIA’s DLSS documentation, our laptop GPU power database and retailer listings checked on October 19, 2026. It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices change often. See how we choose products.

RTX 5060 Laptop vs RTX 4070 Laptop: benchmarks

Benchmark (Notebookcheck average)RTX 5060 LaptopRTX 4070 LaptopDifference
3DMark Time Spy Graphics11,63711,609Tie
3DMark Steel Nomad2,5822,538Tie (within 2%)

Sources: Notebookcheck’s benchmark pages for the RTX 5060 Laptop and the RTX 4070 Laptop, as of October 14, 2026. These are averages across many laptops at different power limits; the RTX 4070’s range is wider (Time Spy Graphics from 5,012 to 13,391) because it shipped in laptops from 35 W to 115 W.

Specs compared

SpecRTX 5060 LaptopRTX 4070 Laptop
ArchitectureBlackwell (2025)Ada Lovelace (2023)
CUDA cores3,3284,608
Video memory8GB GDDR7, 128-bit, 384 GB/s8GB GDDR6, 128-bit, 256 GB/s
Power range (TGP)45–100 W, up to 115 W with Dynamic Boost35–115 W
DLSS frame generationDLSS 4 Multi Frame GenerationSingle frame generation

Sources: Notebookcheck’s spec listings above; NVIDIA’s DLSS page for frame generation support. The RTX 4070 has about 38% more CUDA cores, but the RTX 5060 has 50% more memory bandwidth and a newer design, and the benchmark averages end up level. In games that support it, Multi Frame Generation can raise displayed frame rates further on the RTX 5060, though generated frames don’t lower input lag.

Wattage matters more than the model number

Both GPUs ship at very different power limits. Our GPU power database lists 64 RTX 5060 laptop configurations, from 55 W (MSI Cyborg 15 and 17 B2RW) to 115 W (Lenovo LOQ 15, Legion 5 and others). A 55 W RTX 5060 is not “as fast as an RTX 4070”; a 115 W one is. The same goes for RTX 4070 laptops, which can run it anywhere from 35 W to 115 W. Before buying either, check the maximum GPU power in the maker’s specifications or look it up in our database.

Current laptops with each GPU

LaptopGPU
Acer Nitro V 17 (ANV17-41)RTX 5060, 95 W
Lenovo LOQ 15 (15AHP11, 2026)RTX 5060, 115 W
MSI Stealth 16 Studio (A13VG)RTX 4070
MSI Katana A15 AIRTX 4070

New RTX 4070 laptops are mostly older 2023–2024 models, and they often cost more than newer RTX 5060 laptops. Clearance deals like the Stealth 16 Studio can be worth it, but compare them with the full-power RTX 5060 laptops above before you buy. For current picks, see the best gaming laptops under $1,200.

Check the Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5060, 115 W) on Amazon →

Which should you buy?

  • Most people: a full-power RTX 5060 laptop (100–115 W). Same performance as an RTX 4070, Multi Frame Generation, and usually a lower price.
  • An RTX 4070 laptop on clearance: fine if it costs clearly less than a 115 W RTX 5060 laptop and runs the RTX 4070 at 100 W or more.
  • Skip: low-power RTX 5060 laptops (55–75 W) priced like full-power ones.

Frequently asked questions

Is the RTX 5060 laptop better than the RTX 4070 laptop?

They perform about the same: Notebookcheck’s 3DMark Time Spy Graphics averages are 11,637 for the RTX 5060 Laptop and 11,609 for the RTX 4070 Laptop. The RTX 5060 adds faster GDDR7 memory and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, and its laptops are usually cheaper new.

Do the RTX 5060 and RTX 4070 laptop GPUs have the same VRAM?

Yes, both have 8GB on a 128-bit bus. The RTX 5060 uses GDDR7 with 384 GB/s of bandwidth; the RTX 4070 uses GDDR6 with 256 GB/s.

Does the RTX 4070 laptop support DLSS 4?

RTX 40 laptops support DLSS Super Resolution and DLSS Frame Generation, but NVIDIA lists Multi Frame Generation for RTX 50 GPUs only, such as the RTX 5060.

How much power does the RTX 5060 laptop GPU use?

It depends on the laptop. Our GPU power database lists RTX 5060 laptops from 55 W to 115 W maximum GPU power. Full-power models run at 100 to 115 W.

Related guides

RTX 5060 Laptop vs RTX 4070 Laptop (2026): Tied on Benchmarks, So Buy on Price Read More »

Best Laptop for Minecraft (2026): Java, Bedrock and Shaders After Mojang’s New Requirements

A glowing lamp between two pixelated ore blocks on a table

The best laptop for Minecraft is a budget RTX gaming laptop such as the Acer Nitro V 17: 16GB of memory and an RTX 5060 with 8GB of video memory clear Mojang’s new recommended specs for Java Edition, with room for shaders. If you want a Mac, the MacBook Air (M5) runs Java Edition well above the minimum. For younger kids who only play Bedrock, a Chromebook like the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15 is the cheapest option.

If weight matters more than gaming power, see the lightest 17-inch laptops.

Check the Acer Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on Mojang’s official system requirements, manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list or recently reported sale prices and change often. See how we choose products.

Minecraft’s new system requirements (July 2026)

On July 21, 2026, Mojang raised the requirements for Minecraft: Java Edition, as the game moves from OpenGL to Vulkan. The game will still launch on older hardware for now, but Mojang says performance “is no longer guaranteed” below the new minimum and that older devices “may struggle or fail to launch Java Edition in the future,” naming older graphics cards, some older integrated graphics and older Intel-based Macs (Minecraft.net). If you’re buying a laptop now, aim for the recommended specs.

Java EditionMinimum (1080p, 30 FPS, Fast)Recommended (1080p, 60 FPS, Fancy)
Memory8GB with a graphics card, or 12GB with integrated graphics16GB
ProcessorIntel Core i3-10100, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, Snapdragon X or Apple M1 (4 cores)Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Apple M2 Pro
GraphicsVulkan 1.3, 2GB video memory: GTX 950, RX 460, Arc A310, Apple M1 or Snapdragon XRTX 2060, RX 5600 XT, Arc A580 or Apple M2 Pro; 6GB video memory
SystemWindows 10 64-bit, Windows on Arm, macOS 12+ or LinuxWindows 11 64-bit, macOS 14+ or Linux

Source: Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC. Bedrock Edition on Windows asks for much less: 4GB of memory minimum and 8GB recommended, with modest integrated graphics. The PC version includes both editions.

Java or Bedrock? Java Edition runs on Windows, Mac and Linux and is the one for mods and most shader packs. Bedrock runs on Windows, consoles, phones and supported Chromebooks, with cross-play between them. If your child plays with friends on a Switch or phone, Bedrock is what they’ll use; if they want mods, it’s Java.

Best laptops for Minecraft compared

LaptopBest forJava EditionKey specsBuy
Acer Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060)Best overall, shaders and modsAbove recommended memory and video memoryRyzen 5 240, RTX 5060 8GB (95 W), 16GB, 17.3″ 165HzCheck price
Acer Nitro V 15 (RTX 5050)Fastest screen for the moneyAbove recommended memory and video memoryCore i7-13620H (US), RTX 5050 8GB, 16GB, 165HzCheck price
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)Families who want a MacAbove minimum (M1 or newer)Apple M5, 16GB, no fanCheck price
Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15Cheapest, Bedrock onlyNo (Bedrock via Play Store)Core i3-N355, 8GBCheck price

The best laptops for Minecraft in 2026

1. Acer Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060): best overall

A budget gaming laptop is the safest Minecraft buy after Mojang’s update. The Acer Nitro V 17 (ANV17-41) pairs an RTX 5060 with 8GB of video memory, running at up to 95 W, with an AMD Ryzen 5 240, 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD and a 17.3-inch 1080p screen. That clears Mojang’s recommended memory (16GB) and video memory (6GB), leaves headroom for shader packs, and also handles Fortnite, Roblox and newer games. Good to know: RTX 5050 laptops cost less on sale, and Tom’s Guide spotted the Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5050) under $800 on Lenovo’s site (Tom’s Guide), but sellers vary, so check who’s selling it.

Good to know: gaming laptops are heavy and their batteries don’t last long away from a socket. Many listings are third-party bundles with “upgraded” memory at a markup, so compare with the standard 16GB / 512GB version. For heavier shaders, the RTX 5060 models in our gaming laptops under $1,200 guide are about 20 percent faster.

Check the Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060) on Amazon →

2. Acer Nitro V 15 (RTX 5050): best screen for the money

In the US, Acer’s RTX 5050 Nitro V 15 (ANV15-52-778V) comes with an Intel Core i7-13620H, 16GB of memory (up to 32GB), a 512GB SSD and a 1080p 165Hz screen (Acer). The 165Hz panel is the fastest among the budget picks, which suits high frame rates in Minecraft and esports games. Good to know: Acer runs the RTX 5050 at up to 75 W here, below some rivals, and Acer sells Nitro V 15 versions with older RTX 2050 and RTX 3050 graphics, so check that the listing says RTX 5050. More in our cheapest gaming laptops guide.

Check the Nitro V 15 (RTX 5050) on Amazon →

3. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5): best Mac for Minecraft

Java Edition runs natively on Apple silicon, and Mojang’s minimum asks for an Apple M1 or newer, so the M5 MacBook Air clears it, with 16GB of memory as standard. It’s also a light, silent laptop for school, rated for up to 18 hours of video streaming (Apple). Good to know: Mojang’s recommended Apple chip is the M2 Pro, so with heavy shader packs a gaming laptop will run smoother, and the Air has no fan, so it slows down in long sessions. See our MacBook Air M5 page.

Check the MacBook Air (M5) on Amazon →

4. Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15: cheapest, for Bedrock

Minecraft’s Bedrock-based version is available for Chromebooks through the Google Play Store. It needs ChromeOS 114 or later and at least an Intel Celeron N4100 or Core i3-4150-class processor, with 8GB of memory recommended (Minecraft.net). The Chromebook Plus i 15 has an Intel Core i3-N355 and 8GB of memory, plus a 15.3-inch screen for schoolwork (Notebookcheck). Good to know: Chromebooks can’t run Java Edition or mods, and not every Chromebook is supported, so check that Minecraft installs from the Play Store on the exact model. More picks in our best laptops for kids.

Check the Chromebook Plus i 15 on Amazon →

Laptops to think twice about

  • 8GB laptops with only integrated graphics: Mojang’s new Java minimum asks for 12GB when the graphics are integrated. Many cheap Windows laptops and some Macs with 8GB fall short for Java Edition, even if Bedrock runs fine.
  • Older Intel Macs: Mojang specifically names them among the devices that may fall below the new minimum.
  • Very old gaming laptops: the graphics chip needs Vulkan 1.3 support and at least 2GB of video memory.

Our verdict

For Minecraft: Java Edition with mods and shaders, buy a budget RTX gaming laptop like the Acer Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060), or an RTX 5050 model when one is on sale; it clears Mojang’s new recommended memory and video memory. The MacBook Air (M5) is the pick for a family that wants a Mac, and a supported Chromebook like the Chromebook Plus i 15 is the cheapest way to play Bedrock. Whatever you buy, check it against Mojang’s July 2026 requirements, which rule out many older and 8GB laptops for Java.

Frequently asked questions

What laptop do I need for Minecraft?

For Java Edition, Mojang now recommends 16GB of memory and a graphics card like an RTX 2060 with 6GB of video memory; the minimum is 8GB with a graphics card or 12GB with integrated graphics, and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU. Bedrock on Windows needs only 4GB of memory.

What is the best cheap laptop for Minecraft?

For Java Edition, a budget RTX gaming laptop such as the Acer Nitro V 17 (RTX 5060, $1,199.99 list), or an RTX 5050 model on sale. For Bedrock only, a supported Chromebook such as the Lenovo Chromebook Plus i 15, $435 on October 16.

Can a Chromebook run Minecraft?

Yes, the Bedrock-based version from the Google Play Store on supported models with ChromeOS 114 or later. Chromebooks can’t run Java Edition or Java mods, so check your exact model before buying.

Can a MacBook run Minecraft?

Yes, Java Edition runs on Macs. Mojang’s minimum is an Apple M1 or newer and its recommended chip is the M2 Pro, so a MacBook Air M5 clears the minimum. Older Intel Macs may fall below the new requirements.

Did Minecraft’s system requirements change?

Yes. On July 21, 2026, Mojang raised the Java Edition minimum and recommended specs as it moves to Vulkan. Older hardware may still launch the game, but performance isn’t guaranteed and it may stop working in future.

Related guides

Best Laptop for Minecraft (2026): Java, Bedrock and Shaders After Mojang’s New Requirements Read More »

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