If you’re looking to replace your desktop with a laptop it’s likely because you are either trying to conserve space or you want to add portability to your PC.

Either way, you look there are a few key differences between desktops and laptops that we’ll need to address to make sure you’re still getting the power and upgradability that you get with a desktop.

Something you’ll want to avoid is replacing your ~20-inch desktop screen with a tiny 11.6-inch notebook so we’ll set 15.6 inches as a minimum in terms of screen size. 

Most modern desktops come with at least half a terabyte of storage and gigabytes of RAM. If you make the switch to a laptop and don’t have those extra gigabytes you will notice it and cloud storage payments can make the running costs of the laptop stack up.

If you’re switching to get that extra portability you won’t want something too bulky or cumbersome but you also don’t want to sacrifice the power of a desktop, so a happy middle ground is the perfect place to be. 

If you’re moving away from a gaming PC, mid to high tier gaming performance is where you should be aiming, this is definitely possible with modern laptops. A problem with any gaming unit is heat displacement.

In a desktop tower, you have plenty of space for extra fans and adequate airflow. This is something you won’t find in laptops because of their small form factor so an effective and innovative cooling system is a must.

The only issue with laptops is their lack of upgradability therefore we might need to find some creative ways to get around this limitation.

It’s always a good idea to make sure you’re getting the top specs from the start so you don’t need to change your laptop every couple of years. On the note of longevity, a powerful battery can be handy but as you’re used to being tethered to a desk,  charging while using the laptop shouldn’t be a problem.

In a rush?

Have you already sold your desktop and need to get back onto a PC quickly?

Not to worry, we’ve got our top pick right here and just a few reasons why this is our favorite. 

Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop 2020

This is the best all-around laptop that leaves nothing out. You could jump off the highest spec desktop straight onto this and not notice the difference.

  • 10th gen Intel i7 Processor and NVIDIA 2080 Super.
  • 17.3 inch 300Hz FHD Screen.
  • Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for daisy chaining extra screens.
  • Only 0.8 thick at its thickest when closed.

Best Desktop Replacement Laptops – Reviews




1. Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop 2020

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Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop 2020: Intel Core i7-10875H 8-Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Max-Q, 17.3″ FHD 300Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB, Thunderbolt 3, SD Card Reader

  • New 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H Processor: Turbo Boost of 5. 1GHz and up to 64GB RAM for powerful gaming and work performance
  • Experience phenomenal performance with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 Series Super Graphics, featuring ray tracing technology that delivers a cinematic-quality rendering
  • Game on with a thin bezel 300Hz FHD Display that provides silky-smooth performance and maximized screen size
  • Custom Vapor Chamber Cooling System: Dual heat exchangers and custom fans to maximize heat dissipation and airflow
  • Advanced Connectivity: Featuring USB 3. 2 Gen 2, 2. 5Gb Ethernet, UHS-III SD Card Reader, Wi-Fi 6 (802. 11ax), Windows Hello, and Thunderbolt 3

2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 15″ Touch-Screen – AMD Ryzen 7 Surface Edition – 16GB Memory – 512GB Solid State Drive – Platinum (VFL-00001)

  • Clean, elegant design — thin and light, at just 3. 4 pounds, Surface Laptop 3 15” is easy to carry.
  • Complement your style with rich color and premium finishes.
  • Improved speed and performance to do what you want, with the latest processors – Surface Laptop 3 with AMD Ryzen 7 Microsoft Surface Edition processor is the fastest in the 15” class.
  • More ways to connect, with USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging.
  • All-day power on the go, with up to 11. 5 hours of battery life, plus standby time when you’re away.

3. Eluktronics MAX-17 Covert Gamer Notebook PC

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4. HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop

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HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop, 15.6″ 4K UHD Touchscreen, Intel Core i7-8565U Processor up to 4.6GHz, 16GB DDR4 RAM. 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, HDMI, Backlit Keyboard, Wireless-AC, Bluetooth, Windows 10 Home

  • 15.6″ Ultra HD 4K Micro-edge IPS (3840 x 2160) Display
  • 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U 1.80GHz Quad-Core Processor (8MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 4.60GHz), NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB
  • 16GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD allows to fast bootup and data transfer
  • 2 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.1, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Combination Audio Jack, 1 x Micro SD Card Reader
  • Built-in HD Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone, Bang & Olufsen Audio, HP Audio Boost 2.0 with Four Speakers, Backlit Keyboard, Wireless-AC, Bluetooth, Windows 10 Home 64-bit, 4.78 Pounds

5. ASUS ZenBook 15 Laptop

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ASUS UX534FTC-AS77 ZenBook 15 Laptop, 15.6” UHD 4K NanoEdge Display, Intel Core i7-10510U, GeForce GTX 1650, 16GB, 512GB PCIe SSD, ScreenPad 2.0, Amazon Alexa Compatible, Windows 10, Icicle Silver

  • 15.6 inch wide-view 4K UHD 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with 92% screen to body ratio
  • Innovative ScreenPad: 5.65-inch interactive touchscreen trackpad that adapts to your needs for smarter control and multitasking
  • Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U Quad Core Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q discrete graphics
  • Fast storage and memory featuring 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD and 16GB RAM
  • Works with Amazon Alexa Voice Service that helps you with tasks, entertainment, general information, and more.