Best laptops for Counter-Strike 2
Modern laptops are highly portable without compromising on power and performance. Check our recommendations If you’re looking for a new laptop for Counter-Strike 2.
Laptops have come a long way, packing enough punch to run Counter-Strike 2 like a dream. Throw in CS2’s surprisingly reasonable hardware needs, and suddenly, you’ve got the perfect recipe for the on-the-go gaming session.
That said, there are a few things that you need to consider before picking up a laptop to play CS2. First things first, you need to zero in on the processor. While AMD and Nvidia bring muscle, we recommend Nvidia as your CS2 weapon. It’s not just about picking sides; it’s about Nvidia Reflex.
This game-changer slashes input lag, giving you razor-sharp reactions and a crucial edge in those nail-biting clutch moments. AMD options like FSR are no slouch, but for serious CS2 contenders, Nvidia Reflex is the secret sauce.
Next up, while graphics are important, pay attention to the refresh rate. A smooth, tear-free experience is paramount; a higher refresh rate keeps the action butter-crisp. Luckily, there’s a laptop out there for every budget and skill level, and we’ve curated the ultimate list of CS2-slaying beasts below.
So, grab your headphones, strap on your backpack, and prepare to dominate the server from anywhere. The mobile CS2 revolution is here; these laptops are your ticket to the top.
1. Razer Blade 14
Dexerto Key specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS (8 core, 16 thread, up to 5.2GHz)
- RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600MHz
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6, 140W)
- Display: 14-inch 16:10 Mini LED (QHD 240Hz)
- Battery: 68.1 Whr (230W power adapter)
- Storage: 2x 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 2x USB 4 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 3.5mm combo jack
- Features: Anodized Aluminum unibody chassis, vapor chamber cooling, glass trackpad.
- Price: $2,699.99
The smallest of the trio of laptops Razer puts out every year, the Razer Blade 14 packs some serious power. It comes equipped with a laptop-grade RTX 4070, offering unmatched performance in at this tier. While considerably more expensive than a lot of the competition on the market, the Razer Blade 14 is a prime candidate for those wanting a laptop that lasts them a while.
Counter-Strike 2 is going to be Valve’s main esports title – outside of Dota 2 – for at least the next decade, if Global Offensive is anything to go by. With the hardware onboard the Razer Blade 14 is effectively future-proofed, thanks to the inclusion of its powerful CPU and GPU, you should be playing Counter-Strike 2 well into the 2030s.
Along with the 4070 onboard, you’re getting killer specs with DDR5 RAM and an excellent AMD 7000 processor. It’s far more efficient in terms of power draw than previous generations, but we’d still recommend investing in a meaty power bank or keeping the charger close if you intend to play Counter-Strike 2 away from the desk.
The panel included will also help you hit those super high refresh rates that top-level esports require of you.
2. MSI GF Series
DexertoA swing away from the elaborate and expensive, the MSI GF Series laptops are great budget options for those without the cash to drop on our top recommendations. Usually found in plenty of deals with a sub-$1000 price tag, you can save a hefty amount of money and still have a capable gaming laptop to get in your rounds of Counter-Strike 2.
The specs won’t blow anyone away, but tests coming out of the CS2 beta seem to indicate that this hardware level will still get you those esports-ready refresh rates. Even the laptop’s panel itself will hit 144Hz, more than enough for those hitting the higher ranks for the first time.
Rather than recommending just a singular laptop, take the time to consider your budget with the MSI GF series. The last generation (12th-gen Intel and RT 30-series) might seem a little out of date at this point, but if you intend to only play esports-level games, the older hardware will still pack a punch.
However, if you’re considering playing more than just CS2 or Valorant, and want the assistance of DLSS 3, we’d take a look at any of the laptops with an RTX 40-series GPU inside too.
3. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D
Dexerto Key specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D (16 core, 32 thread, up to 5.4GHz, 128MB L3 cache)
- RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (16GB GDDR6, 175W)
- Display: 17-inch 16:9 LCD (WQHD 240Hz)
- Battery: 68.1 Whr (230W power adapter)
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 3.5mm combo jack, LAN port
- Weight: 3.0KG
- Features: Liquid metal vapor chamber cooling, 225W max power draw, Dolby Atmos speakers
- Price: £3,799.99
A tricky one to recommend, as it’s currently quite hard to get in the US. However, with some patience, it should start shipping soon in the States.
The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is for those who want nothing but the best. We’re talking about the fastest laptop chip currently available on the market, paired with one of the better laptop GPUs around. Between having access to the full suite of Nvidia tools to assist with your Counter-Strike 2 games, the Scar 17 X3D comes with a 240Hz panel inside.
That X3D isn’t just a branding thing either, as the AMD 3D V-Cache offers even more power for gaming purposes over its non-3D variants. While the regular chip is still far and away one of the better laptop CPUs around at the moment, if you can snag the X3D version, you’ll be getting the best price-performance ratio.
This is one of those ‘desktop replacement’ laptops, and probably won’t last long off its charge. However, those truly invested in gaming and need something to rage quit into after a bad round of Counter-Strike 2, will find this to be a worthy investment.
4. Asus ROG Zephyrus (2023)
ASUSKey specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940 HS or AMD 7735HS
- GPU: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- Panel: 14-inches, 2560 x 1600, 165Hz
- Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
- RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
It is one of our favorite laptops that sees a continual refresh year after year. The ROG Zephyrus from Asus is a perfect blend of powerful components and a great price tag.
The latest edition comes equipped with an RTX 4060, which we’ve determined elsewhere that the desktop and laptop versions are perfectly viable. Especially in a low-resource game like Counter-Strike 2.
On top of this, the 2023 version comes with the excellently efficient AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS, which should let you squeak out some rounds of CS2 before the battery runs out.
This will be ideal for those who want to game on the go or those who don’t have a large setup. If you’re a setup nomad, the 165Hz screen will be more than enough as you do battle with randoms on the ranked ladders. For those who want to make the move to an even higher frame rate, the lack of HDMI 2.1 might be an issue, but grabbing a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter will fix that right up.
5. Acer Predator Helios 16
Key specs
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
- CPU: Intel i9-13900HX
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Display: 16″ WQXGA 240Hz LCD
- Storage: 1x 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- IO: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x microSD card slot
- Price: $2,299.99
One of our latest laptops that have graced our review section, the Acer Predator Helios 16 is an extremely powerful and perfect accompaniment for any non-desktop PC player. Got peripherals you love, but hate the fact that your laptop causes a spaghetti dinner to be made with the wires? The Helios 16 features a jut out the back with two Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C ports and an HDMI 2.1 port for easy cable management.
Once you’ve turned off all the various customizations and flourishes that Acer thinks are cool, the Helios 16 is a fantastic laptop for high-end esports and those just starting. The RTX 4080 and 13900HX onboard are a combo not to be messed with, as it’ll dominate just about any game currently available – least of all Counter-Strike 2.
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