If you want to experience the latest Formula One game at its full potential, owning the best F1 23 gaming laptop is the way to go. Not only will it provide the flexibility to take the sim racing action on the go, but it will also allow you to customise the game beyond what is possible on a console, thanks to the thriving F1 modding community.
But to ensure that the game and any additional content run smoothly and efficiently, you'll need one of the best gaming laptops on the market. Although F1 games are not as demanding graphically as AAA titles such as Call of Duty, a standard laptop simply won't cut it. That's where our list of top picks can help you find the right laptop to upgrade your setup for racing.
Each laptop we've selected, ranging from the inexpensive Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 to the premium Razer Blade 18, features specifications that meet or exceed the minimum system requirements for typical F1 games. This means you can expect at least an Intel Core i3-2130 or AMD FX4300 processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or AMD RX 470 graphics card, technology that's usually reserved for gaming laptops rather than everyday devices.
So, whether you're on a budget or seeking a high-end option, our guide has got you covered with an amazing selection of gaming laptops. Let's get into it...
Best laptops for F1 23
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 - best overall choice
- Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 - a budget-friendly alternative
- Chillblast Defiant - an excellent mid-range contender
- Razer Blade 18 - a podium of a gaming laptop
- ASUS Strix Scar 17 - top-tier 17-inch model
1. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15
Best F1 23 gaming laptop overall
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is a top contender among the best laptops on the market, not only for sim racing games such as F1 23, but also for gaming in general due to its impressive specs and competitive price.
It boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor that exceeds the usual recommended requirements for an F1 title, plus you get a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and a generous 16 GB of DDR5 RAM. This combination allows for fast loading times and smooth gameplay, even while playing at 1440p.
However, what really makes the Zephyrus stand out is its unique ASUS features. One such feature is the MUX Switch, which allows the dedicated GPU to bypass the CPU and send frames directly to the display. This can help reduce latency and increase the framerate by an average of 9% (according to ASUS), which means this laptop keeps up with the fast-paced action of Formula One no trouble.
Additionally, at only 0.78 inches thick and weighing in at 4.2 lbs, it's incredibly lightweight and compact, making it an excellent choice if you want to take F1 23 on the road. As a result, we'd say the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is an outstanding gaming laptop that's worth checking out if you're in the market for a high-quality device.
- Read More: Best wheels for F1 23
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Best budget F1 23 gaming laptop
Why settle for a run-of-the-mill laptop when you could have a high-end gaming device for the same price? Enter the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, one of the best budget gaming laptops we've come across.
With a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 6600H processor and its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, this laptop can deliver unparalleled performance for less. What's more, it boasts an impressive 120Hz refresh rate, which will no doubt come in handy for tracks like Monaco where the margins of error are next to none, so stutter-free gameplay is a must.
Interestingly, it features upgraded thermals to keep the device cool during long gaming sessions, plus you get 8 GB of DDR5 RAM to boost the bandwidth and system power efficiency, helping games like F1 23 run quickly and effectively.
Ultimately, you'd struggle to find a laptop better equipped to take on F1 23 under $1000, in our opinion, than this excellent Lenovo device. If you don't want to break the bank on a new device, it's definitely a strong contender, especially as you can often find it on sale too.
- Read More: Best monitors for F1 23
3. Chillblast Defiant
Best mid-range F1 23 gaming laptop
If you're looking to invest a little more though, then we'd suggest considering the Chillblast Defiant. Chillblast describes it as the ultimate gaming machine that combines exceptional performance and power efficiency through the use of NVIDIA's Turing architecture.
What's more, it's powered by an Intel Core i7-12700H fourteen-core processor, giving it a strong starting point for performance. This is paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, allowing the laptop to keep up with some of the most graphically intense video games on the market.
Coming to the screen, the 16-inch, 165Hz, QHD display can showcase games like F1 23 in exceptional quality with minimal delay or stuttering. As a result, you won't need to turn to some of the best gaming monitors on the market to keep up with the F1 action. Everything you need to play the game smoothly is right in front of you.
In addition to its impressive performance, the Defiant also features a lightning-fast M.2 PCIe Solid State Drive boasting a generous 2 TB worth of storage. This is more than enough to keep F1 23, along with all your other favourite video games downloaded, thus making it an excellent choice for this year's title.
- Read More: Best racing seats for F1 23
4. Razer Blade 18
Best gaming laptop for F1 23 at max. settings
When it comes to performance, few laptops on the market can compare to the Razer Blade 18, a laptop that rivals some of the finest gaming PCs on the market. So, if you're after something to play F1 23 at its full potential, make sure you check out this particular device.
Firstly, it brings NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics to the table, which are capable of keeping up with pretty much any video game out there right now. Moreover, it's been designed with the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture and features the AI-powered DLSS 3 to provide lifelike graphics with full ray tracing for an immersive gaming experience.
It also comes with an Intel Core i9-13950HX processor and a stunning 18-inch, QHD+ display. Adding to this is its ultra-thin bezel delivering an 80% screen-to-body ratio and its lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate teamed with a 3ms response time for ultra-smooth and seamless racing.
Realistically, the Blade 18 is almost overkill for a game like F1 23. However, if you are looking to play this year's game, and a range of other amazing racing titles at max. settings, then this Razer device could be your answer.
- Read More: Best controllers for F1 23
5. ASUS Strix Scar 17
Best 17-inch F1 23 gaming laptop
We're rounding things off with the 17.3-inch ASUS Strix Scar 17, a great choice if you want a larger screen to play F1 23 on. That said, it doesn't just earn an entry through its screen size alone. Its impressive specs sheet means it's up there as one of the best gaming laptops around.
There's a lot to like about this device. It features a cutting-edge 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, a turbo mode, and rapid charging, making it a real powerhouse for on-the-go racing. Then, to help everything run seamlessly and quickly, it houses 32 GB of DDR5 RAM - more than enough for an F1 title.
It also features some pretty stellar graphics. You get ASUS' ROG Nebula HDR and an ultra-fast QHD display, projected across a 16:9 aspect ratio. With an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card and 240Hz refresh rate as well, it's capable of some serious power efficiency, precision, and speed alongside stunning visuals.
Overall, the Strix Scar 17 is a force to be reckoned with in the world of gaming laptops. With a 17.3-inch screen and more than enough power under the hood, you can't go wrong with this ASUS device.
- Read More: Best racing wheel stands for F1 23
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Selecting the best laptop to run a game such as F1 23 can be challenging, and may even lead to several questions. Fear not, as we've addressed some of the most commonly asked queries below.
What the are minimum system requirements for F1 23?
The system requirements for F1 23 are as follows:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (Version 21H1 or higher)
- Processor: AMD FX 4300 | For VR: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X / Intel Core i3-2130 | For VR: Intel Core i5-9600k
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: AMD RX 470 | For Ray Tracing: Radeon RX 6700 XT | For VR: AMD RX 590 | Driver 23.2.1 / NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti | For Ray Tracing: GeForce RTX 2060 | For VR: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti | Driver 522.25
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 80 GB available
To play the game at the highest settings though, we'd recommend a laptop that's closer to the recommended specs, which means you'll need an Intel Core i5 9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X processor or above, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti or AMD RX 590 graphics card.
How much should you spend on a gaming laptop for F1 23?
The cost of a gaming laptop for F1 23 will depend on various factors such as the laptop's specifications, brand, and where you buy it.
As touched on above, you'll want a laptop that has a good graphics card, a powerful processor, and sufficient RAM to handle the game's demands. To meet the minimum system requirements, you'll most likely need to spend $500+ if you're buying new at retail.
However, to play the game at the recommended or highest settings possible, you'll probably need to spend over $1000 to pick up something powerful enough to meet these requirements.
Choosing how much to spend though will all come down to personal preference as to how much you're willing to invest. Our advice would be to make sure you're purchasing something that you can afford, and remember you can always upgrade your laptop later down the line.
What is the average battery life of a gaming laptop when playing F1 23?
The average battery life of a gaming laptop when playing F1 23 will vary depending on various factors such as the laptop's battery capacity, power management settings, screen brightness, in-game graphics settings, and the intensity of the gameplay.
In general, gaming laptops tend to consume a significant amount of power when playing graphically intense and demanding titles. As a result, the battery life during gaming sessions is typically limited compared to regular laptop usage.
On average, you can expect a gaming laptop to provide a good few hours of charge though, although make sure you keep an eye out when it's running low as you don't want your laptop dying mid-race.
To optimise battery life while playing games, your best bet is to connect the laptop to a power source whenever possible. This ensures maximum performance without killing the battery. Additionally, adjusting power management settings, lowering screen brightness, and disabling unnecessary background applications can help extend battery life during gaming sessions.
What refresh rate is best for playing F1 on a gaming laptop?
For the best gaming experience in F1 on a gaming laptop, a display refresh rate of 144Hz or higher is roughly around where you should be looking. A higher refresh rate allows for smoother and more fluid gameplay, especially in fast-paced racing games like F1, where quick reactions and precise timing are crucial.
A higher refresh rate can also reduce motion blur and provide a more immersive and responsive gaming experience. However, keep in mind that achieving higher refresh rates may also require a more powerful GPU to maintain consistently high frame rates in the game, thus requiring a more substantial investment in some cases. Bear that in mind when trying to figure out your budget for your setup.
How important is cooling and thermal management in gaming laptops for F1 23?
Cooling and thermal management are extremely important in gaming laptops, especially when playing demanding games like F1 23. This is because they, unsurprisingly, minimise overheating of components as a game like F1 can push your CPU and GPU to their limits, thus generating serious amounts of heat. If the laptop's cooling system is inadequate, it can overheat, causing performance throttling and potential long-term damage.
Effective cooling also ensures that the laptop can maintain high performance over extended gaming sessions and across its lifespan. Without proper cooling, the laptop may start to throttle the CPU and GPU, as mentioned, leading to a drop in frame rate and a less enjoyable gaming experience before eventually wearing out completely.
Another reason why thermal management is important is because it helps reduce fan noise. Laptops with superior cooling systems can dissipate heat efficiently, reducing the need for the fans to run at high speeds, creating a distracting, loud noise in the process which may or may not throw you off your game.