Do you need to test software such as a gaming application on a system it was not designed for? Worry not, an emulator will make that possible, but you need a laptop that can support this software.
Usually, an emulator allows the host system to utilize the peripheral devices or run software made for the guest system. There are plenty of laptops you can use to run an emulator but finding the one that suits you best can be challenging since each device comes with its pros and cons.
Here is a summary of the best laptops for emulators that you can consider:
- MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062– Editor’s choice
- Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop– Best value
- ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop– Best budget
Best Laptops For Emulators Evaluated
Let’s take a detailed look at the best laptops for emulators.
1. MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Screen Size: 15. 6 Inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
This powerful laptop is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H and is equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics to support graphical functions. While it is on the high-end side, meaning it is expensive, rest assured you will get value for your money. It offers unmatched productivity and gaming power.
The MSI GL65 also has tremendous storage space (1TB SSD), enough to keep huge and small files, including gaming data. Furthermore, it is fitted with 16 GB of RAM with the option to upgrade and a beautiful 15.6-inch full-HD display with an impressive 144 Hz refresh rate.
The display is also vivid and bright. When it comes to aesthetics, this premium laptop passes the test. The chassis is made of plastic but feels sturdy, while the bottom part feels like it is made of metal. It is also equipped with plenty of connectivity ports, including an HDMI 2.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Value for money
- Upgradable and easy to use
- Great for gaming
Cons
- Loud fans
- heavy
2. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7- 10750H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Gamers can rely on this laptop since it is powerful and equipped with impressive features to handle any type of game. You can also use it to run any emulator, whether to play the latest releases or the classics. This well-rounded laptop has a 10th Gen Intel Core i7- 10750H processor with a 2.6 GHz basic speed but can go up to 5 GHz.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is also highly capable, while the 16 GB RAM facilitates running heavy-duty applications without lag. You can keep your files and data on the massive 512 GB of storage and view everything you do on the full HD 15.6 inch display with anti-glare.
Furthermore, the keyboard is backlit and has many connectivity ports. Unfortunately, it is bulky.
Pros
- Excellent performance and display
- Good battery life
- Quality, durable build
- Multi-touch gesture
Cons
- Heavy
3. ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Processor: Ryzen 5 3550H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
This ASUS laptop is an excellent choice for people looking for an affordable emulator laptop. Besides being pocket-friendly, it is also portable and powerful. The ASUS TUF FX505DT runs using Ryzen 5 3550H, which provides good service regarding execution, ability, and power.
The CPU has a 2.1 GHz basic speed, which can increase to 3.7 GHz. Moreover, you can multitask on this laptop without issues thanks to its 8 GB DDR4 of RAM, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 provides great performance for multimedia and gaming.
This laptop is also aesthetically appealing, has a backlit RGB keyboard, and dual fans that have anti-dust technology, but unfortunately, they are loud. Its display is 15.6 inches, ISP, and full HD. Additionally, it is fitted with multiple ports like an HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and a power jack.
Pros
- Powerful and portable
- Decent display
- Integrated NumPad
- Easy serviceability
Cons
- Loud fans
4. Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Processor: Intel Core i7- 10750H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
This gaming laptop is made of a unibody frame made of CNC aluminum. The Razer Blade 15 is thin, compact, remarkably durable, and weighs 4.70 pounds.
Beyond the aluminum-made exterior, this premium laptop packs some impressive features starting with the 10th Gen Intel Core i7- 10750H processor that is super powerful and fast. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics give cinematic-quality rendering to even the most visually concentrated games.
In terms of display, you get to enjoy 15.6 inches thin bezel full HD display. Also, multitask seamlessly because of the 16 GB of RAM and store all your files in the 512 GB SSD. The best part is you can expand both the storage and memory and customize the keyboard’s backlight color.
Pros
- Powerful laptop
- Minimalistic design
- Excellent display
- 300 Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Costly
Buyer’s Guide
When selecting the best laptop for emulators, you must look at the hardware components. Ensure the machine you get has a decent CPU and graphics card. Furthermore, you need a sizeable screen size to enjoy gaming on a big full HD display.
Below are the minimum specifications you should look for:
- Processor: Intel or AMD, preferably Core i7 or i5 or Ryzen 7 or 5
- Graphics: AMD or NVIDIA
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Ports: make sure the laptop has a good collection of ports, including USB and HDMI ports
- Keyboard: comfortable, customizable keyboard
Final Remarks
With emulators, you can run old games on a laptop that would otherwise not support them. Additionally, they ensure old software is preserved. The laptops evaluated above allow you to run various emulators, including those for classic game consoles like Sega Genesis, SNES, and NES.