Owning the best Forza gaming laptop is essential if you want to experience the franchise at its fullest potential. A laptop not only offers flexibility to take your racing action on the go, but it can also allow you to explore the amazing locations each of the Forza title's are set in at the highest quality possible.
However, choosing the right device can be tough, especially with so many options available. Luckily, that's where we come in. We've put together a guide featuring some of the best gaming laptops to help you upgrade your setup for the franchise's current crop of racing titles, and future-proof it for upcoming games such as Forza Motorsport.
That said, there are a lot of factors to bare in mind if you want to ensure your laptop is up to Forza standards for years to come. For instance, you're probably going to want to opt for at least an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor to give you enough power to run future titles, and a dedicated graphics card is a must given the game is no slouch in the graphics department.
Fortunately, every laptop we've picked out, from the premium Gigabyte AERO 16 to the budget-friendly Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, exceeds the current minimum requirements for Forza titles, so there's no need to fear here. So strap yourself in as we run through some of the best Forza gaming laptops on the market. Let's get into it...
Best Forza gaming laptop
1. MSI Katana 15
Best Forza gaming laptop
At the top of our list for the best Forza gaming laptop is the MSI Katana 15. This laptop strikes a balance between cost, performance, and aesthetics, making it a great all-round option for racing. While there are cheaper laptops that can run the Forza series well, and more expensive ones that may offer better performance, we'd argue the Katana 15 offers the best of both worlds.
The laptop boasts a full HD 15.6-inch screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring games like Forza Horizon 5 look sharp and run smoothly. Also, this version is powered by a 12th gen Intel Core i7-12650H processor, features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and comes with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, thus giving you everything you need to run the current crop of Forza titles quickly, smoothly, and in immense detail.
Read More: Best monitors for Forza Horizon 5
Additionally, the MSI Katana 15 features a beautiful, RGB-laden keyboard that is both stylish and easy to use. Moreover, the laptop comes with a 1TB SSD, providing ample storage space to download the entire Forza series.
All in all, we feel this Katana 15 laptop is an excellent all-rounder that can take your Forza experience to the next level, particularly if it's coupled with one of the best racing wheels around.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Best budget Forza gaming laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is an exceptional budget-friendly gaming laptop that can handle almost any game while also serving as a reliable productivity machine with its powerful AMD Ryzen 5 6600H processor and GeForce RTX 3050, which exceed the recommended specifications for the latest Forza games, including Forza Horizon 5.
Featuring a 15.6" display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz, you can pretty much guarantee all the cars and fast-paced racing action will look great and run smoothly. Of course, there are better displays and refresh rates out there, however, you won't find many laptops that can compete with the IdeaPad 3 considering its price.
Read More: Best wheels for Forza Horizon 5
This particular version's 512GB of SSD storage isn't enough to download the entire Forza series. However, if you need an inexpensive laptop that can store and run the latest title with ease, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is definitely a strong contender.
3. Gigabyte AERO 16
Best 4K gaming laptop for Forza
The Gigabyte AERO 16 is a stellar premium option to consider, evident not only in its specifications but also in its stunning design. Its silver case and light keyboard, along with uniquely designed symbols on the trackpad, make it stand out from the competition.
Display-wise, it comes with a UHD+ OLED screen that gives an exceptional picture that you'd struggle to better using a monitor. This level of quality doesn't come cheap, but if you prioritise graphics above everything else, then it may be worth the investment.
Read More: Best wheels for Forza Motorsport
That said, there's plenty of power under the hood to match the detail. The Intel i7-13700H processor and an RTX 4070 mean it can still deliver a serious punch. Its refresh rate may not be quite as competitive, but given its 4K resolution, it's a small price to pay.
It's also worth touching on the fact the AERO 16 is equipped with an efficient fan system that reduces the risk of overheating, thus giving you ample time to explore the various tracks Forza has to offer. Therefore, there's definitely a lot to like about this Gigabyte laptop for Forza, which is why it's earned an entry in our list.
4. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best NVIDIA gaming laptop for Forza
One of Forza Horizon 5's latest updates means the game now supports NVIDIA's DLSS3, a machine learning-based technology that offers a substantial boost in game performance. Given the fact future Forza games should support DLSS3 as well, we'd say this ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, equipped with an NVIDIA 4060 graphics card, is a perfect match for this technology both now and later down the line.
There may be better graphics cards out there, but this particular device also features an AMD Ryzen 7 processor that helps make it powerful as well as great value for money.
Read More: Best headsets for Forza Horizon 5
In terms of the screen, it features a QHD+ IPS display that can exhibit the full range of colours throughout all the Forza landscapes. Teamed with the 165Hz refresh rate as well, you'll find all your wheel-to-wheel action takes place without delay.
So, taking all its incredible specs into account, we'd highly recommend checking out this ROG Zephyrus G14 if it's an NVIDIA-based gaming laptop you're after.
5. Gigabyte AORUS 17
Best 17-inch gaming laptop for Forza
The Gigabyte AORUS 17 is a powerful gaming laptop with a massive 17-inch screen, which is ideal if you want to play Forza on a high-quality display without the need for a top gaming monitor. The QHD resolution and 240Hz refresh rate provide a seriously good base for ultra-smooth, detailed gameplay.
Moreover, the laptop is equipped with an RTX 4070 and an Intel i7-13700H, processor making it capable of running the latest game in the series, Horizon 5, at the highest settings possible. The combination should also future-proof the laptop for upcoming Forza titles as well.
Read More: Best controllers for Forza Horizon 5
It's also worth pointing out that this laptop features 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, which means you'll be able to load up your favourite Forza titles in a matter of no time, and it comes with a huge 1 TB hard drive to store a wide range of racing games on, or your favourite AAA titles if you want a change.
It is quite expensive, but the AORUS 17's impressive specs and gorgeous screen make it a great investment, in our opinion, especially for Forza enthusiasts.
Frequently asked questions about Forza gaming laptops
Choosing the right laptop to run Forza games can be a daunting task and may leave you with a lot of questions. But don't worry, we have answered some of the most frequently asked queries below to help you make an informed decision.
What features should you look for when choosing a gaming laptop for Forza?
When choosing a gaming laptop for Forza, there are several features you should consider, primarily storage. Forza is a large game, so you will need plenty of space available to download the game. We'd recommend at least a 512GB SSD or a combination of an SSD and a hard drive.
Once you know you can download the game, it's worth considering the graphics card. You're going to need a dedicated graphics card to run the exceptional graphics smoothly, so we'd suggest looking for laptops with at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560 depending on which Forza game you're playing.
The processor is another important factor to consider, as is RAM. Forza can use a lot of memory, so look for laptops with at least 8GB of RAM, but ideally 16GB or more, and a powerful Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor to match.
Forza is also home to some visually stunning games, so a good display is a must. Look for laptops with at least a 1080p resolution, a high refresh rate, and good colour accuracy if you want to experience the graphics in the best quality possible.
Finally, it's worth considering the cooling system. Gaming laptops can generate a lot of heat, so good cooling is important to prevent overheating and performance throttling.
How much should you spend on a laptop for Forza?
The amount you should spend on a laptop for Forza depends on your personal budget and gaming needs. The latest Forza titles are demanding games, so to play them on high settings with smooth performance, you'll need a laptop with powerful hardware, which can come at a higher cost.
Generally, you can find gaming laptops for Forza at a range of prices, with budget options starting at around $500 in most cases, to high-end models that can cost near to and over $2000. If you're a casual gamer or don't plan to play the game on high settings, a mid-range laptop with a decent GPU and CPU should suffice.
On the other hand, if you're a serious gamer and want the best possible experience with Forza, you may want to invest in a high-end gaming laptop with top-of-the-line components, such as an RTX 40 series GPU and an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processor. Ultimately, though, the amount you should spend on a laptop for Forza depends on your budget, gaming needs, and desired level of performance.
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