What you may not know is that if you take a look at all the seven extensions that Blizzard entertainment has released so far, starting with The Burning Crusade (2007) to Battle for Azeroth (2018), you’ll notice that their graphics game has been steadily improving.
This means that for the best gaming experience, you need a laptop that is tough enough to allow you to enjoy the game. This becomes especially important with the next expansion, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, set to release this month.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the best laptops for World of Warcraft so that you can enjoy the game with no lag or other interruptions. But before that, let’s take a look at the official system requirements as per Blizzard Entertainment.
Official System Requirements for World of Warcraft
Minimum Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows® 7 64-bit
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-760, AMD FX™-8100 or better
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560 2GB, AMD™ Radeon™ HD 7850 2GB or
- Intel® HD Graphics 530 (45W TDP with 8 GB System RAM)
Memory: 4 GB RAM (8GB in case of integrated graphics) - Storage: 70GB available space 7200 RPM HDD
- Inputs: Keyboard & mouse
- Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution
Minimum requirements are the lowest specifications in which a game is playable. This means that even if you buy a laptop that meets all the minimum requirements mentioned above, the quality of your gaming experience will be poor at best.
If you wish to play World of Warcraft without hitching and buffering, you’ll need to purchase a laptop that meets the recommended specifications given out by Blizzard Entertainment.
Let’s take a look at what they are.
Recommended Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows® 10 64-bit
- Processor:Intel® Core™ i7-4770, AMD FX™-8310 or better
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 4GB, AMD™ Radeon™ R9 280 or better
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 70GB available space SSD
- Inputs: Keyboard & mouse
- Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution
Best Laptops for World of Warcraft
1. ASUS ROG Strix G15 – Top Pick
Specs:
The two most important things to consider before buying any gaming laptop is the kind processor and graphics card it comes with. This becomes even more important when you are buying a laptop with the specific purpose of playing a ‘heavy’ game like ‘World of Warcraft’.
Which is why the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is our top pick when it comes to buying the best laptop for World of Warcraft. The laptop comes with an RTX 2060 graphics card, one of the best in the market.
This powerful graphics card will produce high-quality images, making your gaming experience as realistic as possible. The ray tracing feature of the RTX 2060 adds to its authenticity by creating life-like shadows, light rays, etc, making sure that you remain lost in the game.
Further adding to its power-packed performance is the 10th Gen i7-10750H processor. Combined with the 16GB RAM, this bad boy can take on any application you throw at it, let alone gaming.
Thus, the well-built CPU-GPU combination makes this laptop perfect for a long gaming session without facing lags or buffering. In fact, speed will not be a matter of concern at all.
Another feature in the ASUS ROG Strix G15 that is worth mentioning is its refresh rate of 240Hz, which is way higher than the usual 144Hz.
The response time of 3ms will make your movements almost seem as though it is happening in real time. This means that no matter how many twists and turns you make in the game, this laptop will be able to hold its own.
The screen pad that is featured in this laptop ensures that you can easily multi-task while playing World of Warcraft’. No longer do you have to go through the hassle of shuttling between multiple tabs.
If you are a serious gamer, you would end up using your laptop for long periods of time. And this is when the ASUS ROG Strix G15’s state-of-the-art cooling system comes into play.
The OG Intelligent Cooling thermal system makes sure that your laptop does not over-heat even during an extra-long gaming session. After all, we all know how addictive World of Warcraft can be.
If you are looking to play World of Warcraft on a laptop, chances are portability is very important to you. So you’ll be happy to know that even with a 15.6” screen, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 is sleek and light, making it extremely portable.
Pros:
- Comes with a powerful GPU unit
- State-of-the-art cooling system
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Excellent cooling system
Cons:
- Low battery life
- On the expensive side
2. MSI GL65 Leopard
Specs:
When it comes to gaming, what’s better than an RTX 2060 graphics card, right?
And this is exactly what MSI GL65 Leopard brings to the table. Since graphics performance can make or break your World of Warcraft experience, it is always better to go for a laptop with a very good graphics card.
The 2GB dedicated VRAM adds to the performance, making sure that you can run multiple programs in the background without it pulling down the speed of your laptop.
The Intel Core i7-10750H processor is powerful enough to allow the GPU to reach its full potential. This means that you can expect crystal clear graphics while gaming.
Additionally, it will carry out your inputs with lightning-fast precision so you can say goodbye to any kind of lagging. This becomes especially important in a game like World of Warcraft which is highly dependent on physical simulations.
Compared to the ASUS ROG Strix G15, MSI GL65 Leopard comes with a lower refresh rate of 144Hz but it will not affect your gaming in anyway. With the MSI GL65 Leopard, you’ll get to play not only World of Warcraft, but all your favourite games in your favourite setting, without having to deal with any screen tearing.
Twin fans and seven heat pipes make up an efficient cooling system, allowing you to indulge in hour-long gaming sessions without worrying about the laptop overheating. The only concern is the noise level which is on the higher side, probably because of the taxing RTX 2070.
While browsing or streaming, you can expect a 33.5 dB(A) noise level and when it comes to gaming, it can go up to 51 dB(A). If you are enabling the Turbo Fan mode, you can expect a little more noise.
This, however, shouldn’t be a problem unless you are an extremely sensitive gamer. But then again, most gamers use earphones anyway. So if the MSI GL65 Leopard meets all your other requirements, the noise level should not be a major concern.
Pros:
- Powerful graphics card with dedicated VRAM
- Efficient cooling system
- 144 Hz refresh rate means lesser blurring
- Thin bezels for an immersive display
- Per-Key RGB with Anti-Ghost key
Cons:
- Fan noise is too loud
3. Acer Nitro 5 – Budget Pick
Specs:
A powerful processor, a trustworthy graphics card and a high-quality display – the Acer Nitro5 has all the essential ingredients for you to indulge in an intense gaming sesion.
The Intel Core i5, combined with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card and a 1080p resolution screen with 144Hz refresh rate delivers everything it promises – and more. Not only World of Warcraft, this power-packed laptop is capable of handling any demanding game.
The 8GB RAM meets the minimal requirements, ensuring that your World of Warcraft gaming experience is good. You can play the game without worrying about choppy images and poor performances.
The 256GB SSD is again way more than the recommended specs, so you no longer have to wait for hours waiting for your game to load. If you have previously experienced hitching, especially in open-world games, you’ll know how annoying that is. With a 256GB SSD, you’ll experience nothing but smooth movements.
One feature that we often overlook while purchasing a laptop is its keyboard. And if you are purchasing the laptop with the intention of playing World of Warcraft, this becomes even more important.
The Acer Nitro5 comes with a fast and responsive keyboard that makes gaming so much easier. No more missed or accidental presses for you.
And the best part? You don’t need to spend money you don’t have in order to make the Acer Nitro5 your own.
If you are a serious gamer, you’ll be happy to know that this laptop comes with WiFi 6 connectivity. This means that even if you have multiple devices working at the same time, your data speed will not suffer.
Slow game downloading and streaming will become a thing of the past. What’s more, you can even expect 75% less latency as compared to an ordinary data connection.
The compact and lightweight built makes this laptop extremely portable. So if you are someone who enjoys gaming on the go, this laptop is definitely worth consideration. What’s more, it can last up to 8 hours on a full charge. Considering how most gaming laptops have a short battery life, this is a pretty good deal.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Performance packed laptop with good specs
- Efficient keyboard, fast and responsive
- Good battery life
Cons:
- Low storage space
- Cannot handle graphic-intensive games
4. Acer Predator Helios 300
Specs:
Another powerful laptop that you can use to play World of Warcraft is the Accer Predator Helios. The latest Intel Core i7-9750H makes it a very performance oriented laptop, perfect for your gaming sessions.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, while it’s not anything to write home about, is enough for you to comfortably play World of Warcraft without compromising on the image clarity. In fact, you can play even the most graphics-demanding games with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.
Combine this with the 16 GB DDR4 RAM and the 512 GB SSD and you’ve got yourself a machine that delivers what it needs to play World of Warcraft.
The only thing that should concern you about this laptop is that at 5 pounds, it is not the lightest laptop on the block. This naturally reduces its portability factor. So if you are someone who moves around a lot, you might want to sit this one out.
However, considering that it is a 15.6-inch laptop, you may want to overlook its bulky nature. Especially considering that it comes with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen IPS Display. This is a very useful feature when it comes to World of Warcraft as it gives you a wider view of the screen.
Interestingly, the keyboard has a Predator button which opens up the Predator app. With this app, you can control the temperature of your CPU and GPU, along with the fan speeds.
So if you feel that your laptop is overheating at any point while playing World of Warcraft, you can simply go to the Predator app and increase the fan speed. Apart from this, the app can be used to customize the RGB keyboard as well.
Pros:
- Performance-oriented laptop with the latest specs
- The Full-HD Widescreen display complements gaming experience
- Comes with a customizable the RGB keyboard
- Get full control over fan speeds, GPU performance, etc.
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
5. Dell G3 15
Specs:
A classic laptop with a refined look, Dell G3 15 is perfect for those who wish to multi-task. In other words, if you take this laptop to work, you will not stick out like a sore thumb.
However, don’t be deceived by it’s sophisticated look. Dell G3 15 is a gaming laptop through and through.
The latest Intel Core i7-10750H 10th Gen is aimed at gamers who wish to experience a fast and hassle-free gaming experience. Combine this with the Nvidia Geforce RTX 2060 and 144Hz refresh rate and you are in for a treat. With this configuration, even if you wish to play World of Warcraft at a high-graphics setting, the Dell G3 15 will not break a sweat.
Additionally, this laptop comes with a 512GB SSD. While SK Hynix is not the fastest model available, it is definitely good enough for an elaborate World of Warcraft marathon. Rest assured, you will not be spending precious time waiting for the game to load.
The RGB keyboard is compact and to-the-point, with a good response rate. However, give it some time to get used to the smaller-than-usual Enter key. The arrow keys are also narrower than what we are used to.
However, there is plenty of empty space around them so you need not worry about hitting the wrong keys in the middle of a heated gaming session. And in case you are someone who likes gaming under dim lights, the backlight will make sure that the keyboard is visible.
When it comes to cooling, however, Dell G3 15 could have done better. It has a tendency to overheat, especially on the underside. Though this in no way limits your movements or the laptop’s accessibility.
Another weak link in the speaker system. While the volume is good enough, it sorely lacks deep frequencies. So don’t count on the sound system while playing World of Warcraft. Instead, invest in a good headset.
Pros:
- Classic, refined look
- Comes with the latest Intel Core i7-10750H 10th Gen
- RGB keyboard with a good response rate
Cons:
- Tends to over heat
6. Dell XPS 13 7390 – Most Compact
Specs:
One of the most portable laptops you’ll ever come across, the Dell XPS 13 7390 comes across as extremely compact and lightweight. With this laptop, you can game anywhere, anytime, be it on the metro or in the middle of a house party.
The 4K Ultra HD display doesn’t hurt either, especially if you are a gaming enthusiast. And the best part? Its 80.7% screen-to-body ratio and Infinity Edge display makes it the perfect laptop for a long-drawn session of World of Warcraft.
The one thing we aren’t too happy with is the 60Hz refresh rate. Even though it could definitely do better, you’ll be able to play World of Warcraft without any hitches.
So if you are willing to overlook this one thing, the rest of the laptop will have you gushing all over it in no time. Especially when you notice that the Dell XPS 13 7390 comes loaded with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U.
If you aren’t convinced yet, you will be when you see the 16GB RAM allow you to switch between multiple screens seamlessly. From a YouTube video to World of Warcraft and then to a Google Docs file, you can jump from one tab to the other without any lag. So if you are a fan of multi-tasking, this laptop will do you proud.
Another feature worth mentioning is the 1TB SSD this laptop comes with. Needless to say, you can expect lightning-fast loading and booting. Not to mention that hitching will become a thing of the past.
Despite the laptop being travel-friendly in size and built, the battery life raises some concerns. Even though we have learnt not to expect much when it comes to the battery life of gaming laptops, the Dell XPS 13 7390 nevertheless lowers the bar considerably.
A mere hour and a half is too less, even for gaming laptops. Dell’s Power Manager is the only saving grace as you get to decide when and how the device uses power. So while gaming, you can always adjust the settings.
Interestingly, this laptop is eco-friendly with 25% of its materials sourced from ocean waste. The other 75% consists of recycled plastic. With this laptop, you can game guilt-free!
Pros:
- Compact and light laptop
- 80.7% screen-to-body ratio
- Power-packed performace with the latest i7-10710U processor
- 1TB SSD ensures super fast game load speeds
- Ample storage space for all your profiles and updates
Cons:
- The 60Hz refresh rate could have been better
- Low battery life
7. ASUS TUF A15
Specs:
While this laptop might not be my first choice, it does manage to hold its own when it comes to the best budget-friendly laptops for World of Warcraft.
ASUS TUF A15 comes with a 15.6-inch full HD panel complemented by a 144Hz refresh rate so most of your gaming concerns are taken care of. While the refresh rate is enough for a comfortable session of World of Warcraft, the response rate, at 18 to 20ms, could have been better.
This means that it somewhat nullifies the advantages of paying for a 144Hz refresh rate and you should expect a small amount of ghosting while playing intense games (read World of Warcraft).
The CPU – Ryzen 7 4800H – is undoubtedly a powerful CPU. However, you will not be able to utilize it to its fullest potential as the mediocre GPU limits its performance.
However, while you cannot expect the best on the performance front, it is definitely enough for you to indulge in a World of Warcraft marathon without facing too many problems.
You will not find any other problems with the ASUS TUF A15. The speakers are good, especially compared to other gaming laptops.
The cooling system works fine and will not scald your palms or thighs, even though the SSD is (inexplicably) placed right under a heat pipe. Same goes for the fan, which will not disturb you even while operating at high speed.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly gaming laptop
- Ultra powerful CPU
- Reasonably loud speakers with good sound depth
Cons:
- Weak graphics card – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Response rate could have been better
Best Laptop for World of Warcraft: FAQs
Q1: What is a good laptop for World of Warcraft?
Laptops that meet the recommended requirements like ASUS ROG Strix G15, Dell XPS 13 7390, Acer Predator Helios and MSI GL65 Leopard are some of the best laptops for playing World of Warcraft.
Q2: What specs do you need for WoW?
As per the official website, these are the recommended requirements for World of Warcraft:
- Operating System: Windows® 10 64-bit
- Processor:Intel® Core™ i7-4770, AMD FX™-8310 or better
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 4GB, AMD™ Radeon™ R9 280 or better
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 70GB available space SSD
- Inputs: Keyboard & mouse
- Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum display resolution
Q3: How much RAM does WoW use?
World of Warcraft requires a minimum of 4GB RAM for you to be able to run the game. However, if you are looking for a smooth and hassle-free experience, your laptop should have at least 8 GB of RAM.
Q4: Which processor do I need to play World of Warcraft?
You will require at least an Intel® Core™ i5-760 or AMD FX™-8100 or better to play World of Warcraft. However, for a smooth experience, it is recommended that you invest in a laptop with Intel® Core™ i7-4770, AMD FX™-8310, or better.
