As an avid fan of the beloved Legend of Zelda series, I understand the anticipation and excitement surrounding the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In this guide, I'll help you navigate the quest to find the best laptop for experiencing this thrilling installment at its fullest potential. With countless hours spent comparing specs and reviews, I've narrowed down the top laptops that cater to the unique requirements of this game, ensuring an immersive and unforgettable adventure.
Playing Tears of the Kingdom demands not just any laptop, but one that can handle the game's stunning graphics, expansive open-world, and intricate puzzles. It's crucial to select a laptop that offers a balance of processing power, GPU capabilities, and display quality to truly appreciate the game's artistry and dynamic gameplay. As a long-time participant in the Zelda subreddit and follower of popular Twitch streamers, I'm well-versed in the finer details that make a laptop truly exceptional for this gaming experience.
When reviewing an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, I've considered various factors such as hardware requirements, user-generated and professional reviews, and price ranges to ensure an optimal experience tailored to Tears of the Kingdom. With the help of this guide, you'll be equipped to embark on the journey of a lifetime, joining Link on his latest adventure in search of the best laptop for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Power up your gameplay with the right processor
If you're looking for a laptop that can run The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there are plenty of options available. In this guide, we'll help you decide on the right processor for your needs.
Gaming laptop processor market overview
Apple's M1, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max system-on-chip modules offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. AMD has captured 20% of the laptop CPU market, while Intel's 13th-generation Core processors have already been released. Ryzen models are best if you need a good battery life in a PC laptop.
How does the game engine affect the CPU choice?
There are no particular requirements for a processor since the game is not particularly demanding. However, it's still a good idea to get a mid-range CPU if you're looking for a good gaming laptop under KEY_POINTS,000. The CPU is not as important in this game as it is in others; instead, prioritize getting a GPU with plenty of CUDA cores if you're looking for a gaming laptop that can handle demanding games such as Fortnite or PUBG.
How many cores are needed for gaming?
For gaming purposes, you generally don't need more than four cores. The extra cores can help with multitasking and running background applications, but they won't improve game performance significantly.
Does a high-end CPU make sense in a gaming laptop?
A high-end CPU can offer slightly better performance in some cases, but it's not necessary for gaming. It's better to prioritize getting a good GPU instead.
List of recommended processors and their expected performance levels
Based on my experience with laptops, not benchmarks, here are my recommendations:
- Minimum: i3-1115G4
- Recommended: i5-1135G7
- High-end: i7-11370H
I use Cinebench R23 and PassMark to compare different processors since these are more relevant than 3DMark for gaming laptops. If you're looking for a budget gaming laptop, don't expect high-end components such as an Nvidia RTX graphics card. Instead, focus on getting a fast processor and plenty of RAM (8 GB+).
Unleash the Power of the Triforce with These Graphics Cards
As you may know, Nvidia is currently leading the laptop GPU market, with the RTX 30 series being the most prevalent graphics cards found in laptops. However, the power gap between desktop and laptop GPUs has been widening in recent years, with desktop GPUs becoming more power-hungry.
When it comes to gaming on a laptop, having a dedicated GPU is not necessary for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but it can make the experience smoother and more enjoyable if you're playing at higher resolutions or with anti-aliasing enabled.
The latest Nvidia and AMD GPUs are quite similar in terms of performance, but I will be focusing on Nvidia's offerings as they are more popular with gamers. When comparing graphics cards for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, synthetic benchmarks are an excellent way to compare the performance of different GPU models. However, it's essential to keep in mind that these benchmarks don't account for the differences between Nvidia's Optimus and Nvidia's Optimus (which is used by default).
If you're looking for a high-end gaming experience on a laptop, an external GPU might be a better option than relying on the laptop's built-in graphics chip. This can be done by purchasing an eGPU setup and using it with a laptop that has enough PCIe lanes available, such as the Razer Blade.
Here are our recommended graphics cards for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, by price bracket:
| Price Bracket | Recommended GPU |
|---|---|
| Minimum | GeForce GTX 1650 |
| Recommended | GeForce RTX 3050 |
| High-end | GeForce RTX 2060 |
Keep in mind that these recommendations are based on performance benchmarks and are just guidelines. Ultimately, the choice of graphics card will depend on your budget and personal preferences.
Unleash the Power of the Triforce: RAM Recommendations for Tears of the Kingdom
When it comes to gaming laptops, RAM is a critical component that can have a significant impact on your gaming experience. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a demanding game, especially if you're playing in 4K and using high-quality settings. If that's the case, you'll need at least 16 GB of RAM to ensure smooth performance. However, even if you're not playing in 4K, having a minimum of 8 GB of RAM is essential for smooth gameplay.
RAM speed is no longer a priority for gaming laptops. While it used to be important for some games, these days it's not worth investing in as a primary concern. Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM, while high-end laptops come with 32 GB or more.
If you're looking for an upgradeable laptop, check if it has an M.2 slot available (it should have one). This slot allows you to add more RAM if needed.
While DDR5 is the latest RAM technology, it's still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology. Most laptops still use DDR4 RAM, which is still a solid choice for gaming.
When it comes to RAM timing (CL), it doesn't make a significant difference in gaming performance, so don't worry about it too much.
Here's what you can expect to pay for various amounts of RAM:
| RAM Amount | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 8 GB | $700-$900 |
| 16 GB | $1000-$1500 |
| 32 GB | $2000-$3000 |
In summary, if you're looking to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop, aim for a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, but 16 GB is recommended for the best experience. Don't worry too much about RAM speed or timing, and keep in mind that DDR4 is still the norm. When shopping for laptops, expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $3000 depending on the amount of RAM you want.
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Q: What laptop specs are required for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
The minimum system requirements for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop are an i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
Can you play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop?
Yes, you can play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop, as long as it meets the minimum system requirements.
What is the best laptop for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
The best laptop for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom would be one with at least an i7-11370H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. We recommend the MSI Summit E13 or the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro for this purpose.
Can you run The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a budget laptop?
Yes, you can run The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a budget laptop that meets the minimum system requirements. We recommend the ASUS Zenbook or the GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 for budget-friendly options.
What graphics card do I need to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
To play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you need at least a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. For a better gaming experience, we recommend a GeForce RTX 3050 or a GeForce RTX 2060.
How much RAM do I need to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop?
The minimum amount of RAM required to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is 8GB. However, for a smoother experience, we recommend at least 16GB of RAM.
Which processor is best for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
For the best performance when playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we recommend at least an i7-11370H processor. However, the minimum requirement for playing the game is an i3-1115G4 processor.
Is a 4K display necessary for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop?
No, a 4K display is not necessary for playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a laptop. However, it can enhance your gaming experience if your laptop can support it.
Can I play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on an Ultrabook?
It is possible to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on an Ultrabook as long as it meets the minimum system requirements. However, an Ultrabook may not provide the best gaming experience as they are not typically designed for gaming.
Will a gaming laptop improve my experience of playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, a gaming laptop will improve your experience of playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as it is designed specifically for gaming purposes. A gaming laptop with a better graphics card, processor, and more RAM will provide a smoother gaming experience with higher graphical fidelity. We recommend the ASUS ROG Strix Scar or the Dell XPS 17 9720 for high-end gaming laptops.
6 Best Laptops for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
1.ASUS Zenbook
ASUS Zenbook offers power and portability, but with some design flaws.- Powerful Ryzen CPU
- Long battery life
- Compact and lightweight design
- Sleek and premium feel
- Soldered RAM
- Limited ports
- Annoying fan behavior
- Hot air blowing into the screen
Summary
The ASUS Zenbook 14 UM425QA is a compact and lightweight laptop with a powerful Ryzen CPU and long battery life. However, its soldered RAM and limited ports may deter some users, while the fan behavior can be annoying, and the hot air blowing into the screen can be a deal-breaker.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Strong entry-level gaming
- Solid productivity performance
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
2.MSI Summit E13
MSI Summit E13: Striking design with solid performance and battery life.- Large battery, respectable runtimes
- Great CPU and GPU performance
- Bright display with high contrast
- PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD support
- Slow display response times, noticeable ghosting
- Servicing requires breaking a factory seal sticker
- Slightly larger and heavier than XPS 13 2-in-1
- High core temperatures when under load
Summary
The MSI Summit E13 is a stunning laptop with excellent battery life and impressive CPU/GPU performance. However, its display response times are slow, and servicing the laptop requires breaking a factory seal sticker.
Reviews
Alternatives
Dell G15
- High CPU and GPU performance
- Space for two NVMe SSDs
- Dark display with poor contrast and PWM flickering
- No frame to install a second SSD
3.ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74: A powerful gaming laptop with a 300 Hz IPS panel and high TGP target.- Faster than most other GeForce RTX 3060 laptops
- 300 Hz IPS panel w full sRGB coverage
- 2x SODIMM, 2x M.2 PCIe4 x4
- MUX switch
- Chassis base and lid exhibit some flexing
- No per-key RGB lighting
- Shorter WLAN runtimes
Summary
With a 140W TGP GeForce RTX 3060 and 12th gen Alder Lake-H CPU, the ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74 is a powerful gaming laptop that outperforms others of similar size. Its 300 Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage and MUX switch make it a great choice for gamers.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- High system performance with Core i7 12700H CPU and GeForce RTX 3070 Ti laptop GPU.
- Responsive 165 Hz panel with QHD resolution.
4.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro: A Powerful Gaming and Performance Laptop with Good Value- Very bright display with a good color reproduction
- Good cooling performance and battery life with hybrid mode activated
- Easy to open and many replaceable modules
- Good build quality and many connections
- Slow Western Digital SSD limits size of local game library
- Battery life severely limited without hybrid mode
- USB connections on the sides placed in the center
- RGB illumination with poor color display
Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro laptop comes with a Ryzen 7 and RTX 3070, making it a powerful gaming laptop with good battery life and cooling performance. It has a bright display and many replaceable modules, but it has a slow SSD and limited battery life without hybrid mode.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15
- High performance CPU and GPU
- Good workmanship and sophisticated design
- Skimpy connectivity
- Coil whine in certain situations
5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar packs a punch, but gets hot under pressure.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise emissions under load
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 with improved WQHD 240 Hz panel, Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900H and a 150 W Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a dedicated MUX switch, provides excellent gaming performance. However, the laptop suffers from high heat and noise emissions, heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads, and limited display angle.
Reviews
Alternatives
$3,470HP Omen 17
- QHD display with 165 Hz for an immersive gaming experience
- Advanced Optimus technology for enhanced graphics performance
- High noise level may be distracting during intense gaming sessions
- The clattery case is not as sturdy as other high-end gaming laptops
6.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720: A high-performance laptop with a stunning display but slightly weak cooling and reduced graphics performance.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
The Dell XPS 17 9720 is a top-performing laptop that boasts of a breathtaking 4K display with AdobeRGB and high-quality case. It is also equipped with Thunderbolt 4 & PCIe 4.0 and has excellent speakers. However, its cooling is slightly weak, and its graphics performance is reduced compared to the predecessor.
Reviews
Alternatives
$7,880HP OMEN 17t-cm200
- First-class processor (i9-13900HX)
- Excellent graphics card (RTX 4090)
Table of the Best Laptops for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
| MSI Summit E13 | $1,140 |
| ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74 | $1,300 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,600 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
