Overwatch was one of the coolest games released in 2016 by Blizzard Entertainment. Since its launch, more characters, game modes and maps have been released and that also meant more computing power and space to deal with them. Those with laptops with the minimum system requirement soon ran into trouble. The developers may still release additional characters. If you are yet to play the game, you should pay attention to this when buying your laptop.
The best laptops for Overwatch should be able to handle any future updates without a hitch. Luckily, there are tons of laptops out there that that meet the minimum Overwatch requirements. However, not all of them offer a smooth gaming experience. The huge number of products on the market can get even a professional confused—especially those that are open-minded to exploring new things. We spent hundreds of hours to bring you the best laptops for Overwatch.
Overwatch Laptop Requirements
Overwatch is a multiplayer team-based game where you have to choose from over 30 heroes. The players work together to keep payloads safe within a limited time as they move it from one location to another. The minimum system requirements that can play the game are as follows;
- Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 30GB Free Space
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4400, ATI Radeon HD 4850, or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
- Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit)
- Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 (HD)
Review of the Best Laptops for Overwatch
Overwatch laptop requirement is pretty low when you compare it to other games in its category. The feeling is always different when you play games on the most basic settings compared to what you get when you max out the settings. However, the latter is only possible if your laptop is powerful enough. Choosing one of the laptops below will allow you to enjoy your game at max setting without unduly losing performance.
Acer Predator Helios – Best overall
One of the most bought laptops by Overwatch gamers is Acer Predator Helios—and there is a reason for that. It runs on the 9th generation Intel Core i7 with 6 cores and a speed of up to 4.5 GHz. This pairs with a 16GB RAM to give you a smooth gaming and multitasking experience. You can count on your fingers the number of laptops that can boast of anything close.
You will also get one of the most powerful GPUs, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with 6GB dedicated VRAM. Asides the smooth gameplay, Predator Helios offer impeccable clarity. Thanks to the GPU and the Full HD Widescreen LED-backlit IPS display with 144Hz refresh rate—but it doesn’t end there. You will also get 512GB SSD. However, it has an open slot so that you can easily upgrade when you are running low on memory.
To ensure your laptop stays cool during a marathon gaming session, Acer throws in 4th generation All-Metal AeroBlade 3D fan. There is even a special tool called PredatorSense that help you to control and customize your gaming experience and the RGB backlit keyboard is just as cool. Acer Predator Helios has its own problems like its bulky look and large weight of 5.29 pounds. It is not also budget-friendly. However, if you need the best laptop for Overwatch, here it is!
Pros
- High processor speed and screen refresh rate
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Open slot for storage upgrade
- Super cooling with Metal AeroBlade 3D fan
- Game experience customization with PredatorSense
Cons
- Large weight will limit flexible use
- Pricey
- Bulky and unattractive bezels
HP Omen 15 – Best sound
We can never rule out the importance of a powerful sound to the overall gaming experience. In Overwatch, you get a lot of voice commands from your team which you have to pay attention to. HP Omen’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen allows you to feel every pulse-pounding moment—but there is more to this gaming machine than just the sound. It runs on the 8th generation Intel Core i5 with a speed of up to 4.0 GHz and 4 cores. This pairs with 12GB RAM to give you impeccable clarity.
Like every good gaming laptop should, it two accessible slots for upgrading the memory. In terms of display, this laptop comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB dedicated memory. Also, the Full HD IPS bright view micro-edge screen has a refresh rate of 144Hz. The red backlit keyboard and illumined WASD keys keeps you at the top of your controls.
Also, HP Omen 15 offers a combo of 128 SSD and 1TB HDD. This again combines the power of space and performance. With this laptop you will get up to 10 hours of battery life. The major setback with this laptop is the 5.40 pounds weight. Also, it is not entirely budget-friendly. It kind or makes up for this with 26-key rollover anti-ghosting feature and a fan with larger blades for better heat dissipation.
Pros
- Immersive Audio by Bang & Olufsen
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Dual storage
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- High processor speed and screen refresh rate
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Large weight may limit use
Dell G7 17 – Best large screen
The size of your screen can make a huge difference when in the heat of the action. When it comes to 17” laptops, only a few can rival Dell G7. It runs on the 9th generation Intel Core i7 with 6 cores and 16GB RAM which gives it a superfast performance. Another feature that should catch your attention is the inclusion of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti—you obviously know the rest of the story.
Overwatch gamers will enjoy the customizable RGB backlit keyboards. This gives you total control of your game irrespective of the lighting quality of your environment. Dell G7 has dual speakers and a Nahimic Sound Center for intuitive audio and voice control as well as in-game visual sound tracking. This is not a feature you run across all the time.
You won’t be running out of memory anytime soon, thanks to the 512GB SSD storage. If you intend moving to online games anytimes soon, you have the backing of Killer Wireless 1550 2×2 AC and Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet Controller to back you up. On the downside, this laptop has a massive 7.28 pounds weight and the price is just as expensive. Unless you are a dedicated home gamer, the weight may be a source of problem.
Pros
- Large 17” screen
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
- Nahimic Sound Center for audio and voice control
- Killer Wireless and Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
- Customizable RGB keyboard light
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Pricey for budget gamers
Acer Aspire 5 Slim – Best cheap laptop for overwatch
A low budget is nobody’s friend—especially gamers. One of the best budget-friendly laptops that will give you a fair chance of playing Overwatch without many difficulties is Acer Aspire 5 Slim. It comes with the 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor with a speed of up to 4.2 GHz. This is powerful enough to surmount all the challenges posed by most games. The graphics card here is Intel UHD Graphics 620 with 8GB dedicated memory.
The 15.6” Full HD IPS screen allows you to soar to new heights with crisp visuals. This stunning visuals is accompanied by a sound quality that is just as stunning. Acer TrueHarmoney brings deeper bass and more volume using innovative speaker design. When it comes storage, you have 256GB SSD at your disposal. If you think it’s too small, you can always upgrade with ease.
Other features that would further impress you with this brilliant laptop backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader. It makes use of the 802.11ax-based Wi-Fi which should come handy for those who play online games too. The battery can last up to 9 hours which is super great too. Acer Aspire 5 Slim still weighs a whole lot at 5.74 pounds. However, that is nothing compared to the thrill of being able to play Overwatch.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Acer TrueHarmoney offer more bass and volume
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
- Biometric security
Cons
- Large weight may limit use
- Storage space is potentially insufficient
Asus VivoBook S5 – Best cheap laptop for overwatch
If you are a sucker for bezels and displays, Asus VivoBook S5 is practically unrivaled in this area. It has thin and attractive bezels that give you a wider viewing angle. The screen offers a Full HD color-rich display. Asus Splendid visual optimization technology that comes with this product features four display modes. Further enhancing your viewing experience is the Asus Tru2Life Video technology which optimizes sharpness and contrast of every pixel in every frame.
The stunning display is accompanied by an immersive audio experience, thanks to the Asus SonicMaster. This is a combination of hardware, software, and audio tuning designed with the goal of delivering the best audio experience. Other striking features of Asus VivoBook S5 include a backlit keyboard that makes typing in low-light settings possible and a fingerprint sensor for biometric security.
Asus VivoBook S5 runs on the 8th generation Intel Core i5 with a speed of up to 4.0 GHz. this pairs with 8GB RAM for flexible multitasking experience. The 256GB storage space seems average. Also, it is slightly heavy at 3.70 pounds. However, when you want a cheap laptop for overwatch, it is easy to fall for this one.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Thin bezels and color-rich display
- Asus Tru2Life Video technology
- Asus SonicMaster audio technology
- Biometric security
Cons
- Storage space is potentially insufficient
- Slightly heavy which can affect use
MSI GV62 – Best high-end under $1000
Most high-end laptops cross the $1000 mark. However, there are still a few exceptions an MSI GV62 is one of them. The first thing that will hit you is the Full HD eDP IPS level display. The clarity of this display will literarily blow your mind. The next talking point would be the inclusion of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti with 4GB dedicated video memory—but that is not all just yet.
MSI GV62 runs on the powerful 8th generation Intel Core i5 with a speed of up to 4.0 GHz. Inasmuch as the RAM is 8GB, it can be expanded up to 32GB. The best performing laptops have great cooling systems and this one is not an exception. It comes with 2 fans, 2 exhausts, and 6 copper heat pipes for maximum heat dissipation. With these you are certain that your laptop will continue to perform optimally during a marathon gaming session.
The sound is a stunner too. MSI GV62 makes use of Nahimic 3 Digital 7.1 Audio Enhancer to deliver immersive sound. There is also the Dragon Center Management App where you can optimize your laptop settings for the best gaming experience. That said, this laptop is still not budget-friendly. The 256GB storage is potentially insufficient and its 8.58 pounds weight is simply outrageous. Nevertheless, it is still one of the best gaming laptop for Overwatch.
Pros
- Full HD eDP IPS level display
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti
- Expandable RAM
- Efficient cooling system
- Nahimic 3 Digital 7.1 Audio Enhancer
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Storage space is potentially insufficient
- Pricey
Asus ROG Strix Scar Edition – Best RGB full keyboard
Customizable RGB keyboards can further make it easy for you to set your controls to stand out. This helps a lot during intense gameplay. ROG Strix Scar Edition makes use of the Asus Aura customizable 4-zone RGB keyboard—and it’s really glorious to watch. This 17.3” laptop offers Full HD Wideview display with a 120Hz screen refresh rate. This is about twice what you will get with regular laptops.
It runs on the 8th generation Intel Core i7 with 6 cores and a speed of up to 3.9 GHz. This pairs with 16GB RAM to ensure fluid gaming and multitasking experience. The GPU is just as powerful. It makes use of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB dedicated memory. Simply put, you can max out all your settings on Overwatch and blaze as long as you like.
ROG Strix Scar Edition makes use of stereo speakers with Smart Amp technology which delivers up to 200% louder sound. In terms of storage, you will get a combo of 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD. Its exclusive design forces dust and debris away while the dual 12V fans delivers up to 42.5% more airflow. Like the MSI, it is under $1,000 and a big lighter at 6.72 pounds.
Pros
- Asus Aura customizable 4-zone RGB keyboard
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Better cooling with dual 12V fans
- Smart Amp technology with 200% more sound
- Dual SSD and HDD storage
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Pricey
Asus FX503VM – Best gaming laptop for overwatch
Arguably one of the best gaming laptops for Overwatch, the Asus FX503VM ticks the boxes in the areas that matter the most. It runs on the 7th generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 3.8 GHz. the graphics processor is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with dedicated 3GB RAM. The combination of this hardware and 16GB creates a balanced performance that gives you the luxury of playing Overwatch at maximum settings.
Like most high-end laptops, Asus FX503VM combines the power of 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD allowing you to have the best of both worlds. The red-backlit keyboard has anti-ghosting technology. Therefore, in addition to making it possible for you to rock your game in environments with poor lighting, every command you hit must be executed. The display is Full HD—and you shouldn’t accept anything less anyways.
Online gamers will also benefit from its 802.11ac 2×2 dual antenna Wi-Fi which is about 6x faster than the traditional bgn. Inasmuch as the specs are endearing, this laptop is not for those on a low budget. Also, you have to pay attention to its 5.7 pounds weight. Another thing we found unattractive was the bezels. Ignore these and you’ll make yourself a strong contender for your opponents.
Pros
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- Dual SSD and HDD storage
- Red-backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology
- Faster Wi-Fi connection
Cons
- Pricey
- Weight may be a problem
- Bezels are large and unattractive
Dell Inspiron i7 – Best cooling mechanism
The best laptops for Overwatch may still run into performance issues if they don’t have an efficient cooling system. Dell Inspiron i7 makes use of revolutionary thermal cooling which can handle the highest-performance processors and graphics. It has dual cooling fans, three exhausts, and large vents with 240 thermal fins. All of these work synchronously to keep your system’s performance at optimum during a marathon gaming session.
It runs on the 6th generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 3.5 GHz. It comes with 4GB RAM which is actually the minimum for Overwatch but you can expand this to 16GB. The GPU is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M which is far more than the minimum requirement of the game. It makes use of dual 8GB SSD and 1TB HDD storage but we felt it would have been better if it the SSD had the bigger space.
The combination of Full HD anti-glare IPS wide angle display and superior sound with Waves MaxxAudio Pro completes your gaming experience. With the built-in subwoofer, you will hear every salient detail. This laptop is expensive and weighs 5.67 pounds which can be a huge let down. If you ignore the weight, you will also get up to 7.5 hours of battery life.
Pros
- Extensive cooling architecture
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
- Dual SSD and HDD storage
- Waves MaxxAudio Pro
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
- Large weight can limit use
- SSD storage has disappointing capacity
Gigabyte Aero – Best high-end laptop
There are few high-end laptops but Gigabyte Aero is simply unique for a number of reasons. One striking feature that caught our attention was that it has 2 years global warranty. That is something you don’t see every day. In terms of performance, it packs a lot. It runs on the 8th generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 4.1 GHz. This pairs with 16GB RAM to deliver incredible speed.
When it comes to visuals, the graphics card is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max Q with 8GB dedicated memory. It supports NVIDIA Optimus technology. The screen has extremely thin bezels by the top and sides. It offers Full HD display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. The colors are accurate, thanks to the collaboration between Aero 15 and X-Rite Pantone. Unlike other laptops, the webcam is located below the screen rather than above.
In terms of memory, you will get 512GB SSD which is many times faster than HDD. Gigabyte Aero is less bulky in appearance than other high-end models and also slightly lighter at 4.41 pounds. You will also get up to 10 hours of battery life. If you have the money to spend and desire to take the gaming world by storm, this should definitely be on your priority list.
Pros
- 2-year global warranty
- Comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max Q
- Thin and attractive bezels
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Cons
- Storage space is pretty average
- Pricey
- Slightly heavy
Buying Guide for the Best Laptops for Overwatch
Besides the laptops on our list, there are many more gaming laptops that can run Overwatch. However, if you are going to do your own research, there are key areas we would love you to pay keen attention to. Take a look at the features that matter the most and see how they can impact your gaming experience.
Processor
No doubt, the most important feature when you talk about gaming is the processor. If the processor cannot handle the heat, every other feature becomes useless. The manufacturers of Overwatch recommends a minimum of Intel Core i3 but having Core i5 or higher is a smart choice. You can’t tell what future updates would look like but you just have to be ready for them.
RAM
Overwatch is a fast-paced game and the slightest freeze due to memory exhaustion can be costly. The recommended RAM size is 4GB but it is likely that you have other programs running in the background that will take part of that space. To be on a safe side, we recommend 8GB or higher. What feels more at home for us in this case is 16GB.
Screen Size and Resolution
For gamers, the larger the size of the screen, the better. A good gaming laptop should be at least 15”. When it comes to resolution, you need Full HD with good contrast to be able to spot hidden objects in your surroundings.
Graphics Card
When you look at the minimum set by the manufacturers of Overwatch, you will discover that they are pretty entry-level. However, if you want to rock your games at the highest graphics settings, you need something more. We suggest MD Radeon HD 7950, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, or higher.
Storage Space
Games can be addictive. It is easy to go from just Overwatch to scouting for other games within a few weeks after your initiation into the gaming world. Most high-end games are storage space demanding. To ensure you don’t run out of space after the installation of a few games, we recommend at least 256GB SSD or higher.
Weight
It is true that most gaming laptops are heavy because of the thicker hardware components. However, a weight above 5 pounds is simply outrageous and would be really difficult to carry around. Unless you are strictly an indoor gaming person, this is one factor that you need to pay close attention to.
Price
Gaming laptops can be budget-demanding. However, through our extensive experience in reviewing laptops, we discovered that there are great gaming laptops for gamers between $600 and $900. If you are looking beyond Overwatch, consider getting one of the laptops in this price range and you would be proud you did.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What laptops can run Overwatch?
All the above-listed laptops can run Overwatch easily without any lagging. Also, any laptop that meets the minimum requirement for the game would be able to run it.
- Can a gaming laptop run Overwatch?
Every certified gaming laptop should be able to run Overwatch with ease considering the fact that the requirements are pretty basic.
- What Specs do you need for Overwatch?
We have listed the minimum requirements for Overwatch at the beginning of this article. Kindly scroll up to see them. Nevertheless, you need either Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650.
- What is the cheapest gaming laptop?
The cheapest gaming laptop on our list is Asus VivoBook S5. It costs less than $500 but it certainly is a good fit for Overwatch.
- Is Overwatch hard to run?
Most new laptops will easily meet Overwatch laptop requirements. Once the minimum requirements are met, it only takes a few minutes to install and run the game.
- Can Overwatch run on Intel HD Graphics 620?
It is possible to run Overwatch on Intel HD Graphics 620 but you also need to consider other factors like the size of your RAM and the processor. We can’t rule out the possibility of freezing and lags though.
Conclusion
Overwatch is one game that every gamer need to play at least once—but we can bet that you will want to go more than once. We cannot claim that this is an exhaustive list of the laptops that can run Overwatch. The reason is simply because the game is not CPU intensive when compared to other high-end games. The decision to select the best from each budget category was intentional to make sure everyone finds their comfort level. One thing we must say here is that if you are thinking beyond Overwatch and hope to play other titles, you need to choose wisely—and we know you will.