If you’re like most Dota 2 players, you want to get the most out of this popular, action-packed MOBA game. That means you need a laptop that’s up for the job.
Truth be told, there are tons of products that claim to be the best gaming laptop for Dota 2. But all of these choices make it that much harder to find the right one.
Luckily, we’re here to help with this complete guide. We teach you not only how to find the best laptop for Dota 2 but also reveal our top 9 best laptops for Dota 2. With our buying guide and reviews, you’ll be gaming lag-free in no time.
Table of Contents
The 9 Best Laptops for Dota 2
Our buyer’s guide tells you everything you should look for when finding the best laptop for Dota 2.
However, we know there’s a lot to keep in mind. It’s hard to think about CPU, RAM, and other boring specs when all you want to do is play.
As fellow gamers, we understand the struggle. That’s why we want to help you get straight to gaming!
Check out complete reviews for the best gaming laptops for Dota 2. Thanks to our top recommendations, you’ll be in the next game in no time.
#1: Acer Predator Helios 300
We’re starting off strong with the Acer Predator Helios 300. It’s the most expensive product on our list, but we can guarantee it’s one of the best laptops for Dota 2.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms overdrive response time, which work together to create the ultimate gaming experience. Gone are the days of buffering and blur that interrupt your display.
Another thing we love about this best laptop for Dota 2 is that it comes with a full range of ports. Instead of deciding which of your peripherals to connect, you can connect them all! On the days you want to go without headphones, you’ll still get access to crisp audio thanks to the 360° surround sound system.
Summary: The Acer Predator Helios 300 might be expensive, but it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about upping your Dota 2 game. Check it out on Amazon today!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents blurry images and buffering | Outside case smudges easily |
| Connect multiple peripherals at once | |
| Clear, crisp audio from the speakers |
#2: HP Pavilion 16
Next up is the HP Pavilion. It has all of the features that make it one of the best laptops for Dota 2, but we’d like to focus on its storage.
The 512GB SSD is more than enough to handle a Dota 2 download and ensure optimal game performance while leaving plenty of room for other applications. You’ll also appreciate the Intel-exclusive Optane storage. With 32GB of Intel Optane, users get the speed of SDD and the performance of HDD. It’s the best of both worlds!
Summary: If you want the best laptop for Dota 2 without going over your budget, the HP Pavilion is for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of storage for Dota 2 and other applications | Battery life isn’t as long as advertised |
| Backlit keyboard features integrated numeric pad | |
| Solid WiFi and Bluetooth connections |
#3: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
If money is tight, we recommend the 2020 Lenovo IdeaPad 3. The 15-6-inch screen size is a comfortable fit for most gamers and offers full-HD, anti-glare images. The quality will leave you surprised by how affordable this product is.
The only drawback is the battery life. In most applications, the 2020 Lenovo IdeaPad 3 can’t go past 4 hours without a charger. But at this price, we’ll happily tether ourselves to the wall.
Summary: Do yourself and your wallet a favor by checking out the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full-HD, anti-glare images | Subpar battery life |
| Affordable | |
| Operates quietly |
#4: Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 runs a little loud, but one can expect that when you consider how hard it works. It uses a powerful processor and GPU to deliver high-performance and even higher-quality graphics. Acer laptops are great for gaming!
Best of all, the Acer Nitro 5 is light as a feather! Coming in at just under 3 pounds, you can easily carry it around with you. Did someone say coffee shop Dota 2 gaming sessions?
Summary: If you want something compact yet powerful, you can’t go wrong with the Acer Nitro 5.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast performance | Runs a little loud |
| High-quality graphics | |
| Light as a feather |
#5: Asus TUF Gaming F17
There’s a lot of debate about what size the best laptop for Dota 2 should be. Some say that a smaller size makes it easier to game on the go. Others want a bigger screen to get better images and prevent eye strain.
If you’re in the latter camp, the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 might be the perfect match. A 17.3-inch display helps fully immerse you in the world of Dota 2.
Yet another feature we love about this product is its MIL-STD-810H military standard construction. Even the clumsiest gamers don’t have to worry about damage as it can withstand everyday drops and bumps.
Summary: The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is just as ready for battle as you are. Check it out on Amazon today.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large screen size | One of the heavier products on the market |
| Durable construction | |
| Lots of I/O ports |
#6: MSI GF65
Like the HP Pavilion we discussed earlier, the MSI GF65 comes with plenty of storage. You get 512GB of SSD, meaning you don’t have to worry about having enough space. Even better is that it features PCIe NVMe SSD. The PCIe NVMe component works to improve the already-efficient SDD and deliver unmatched performance. The fast load time is perfect when loading into the game.
While the processor and graphics card tend to run hot, the six heat pipes work to maximize airflow. As a result, your machine will stay cool, ensuring you don’t worry about damage as you play.
Summary: As long as you aren’t looking for something glamorous, the MSI GF65 will serve you well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ultra-efficient SDD storage | Unassuming design |
| Six heat pipes maximize airflow | |
| Super thin cover |
#7: Lenovo Legion Y540
The generous RAM of the Lenovo Legion Y540 means that you can multitask without sacrificing performance. Switch between Dota 2 and other applications such as Discord or YouTube to get the most out of your gaming experience.
Yet another practical feature of this best laptop for Dota 2 is its flexible configuration. With tons of personalization options, you can use your laptop and game exactly how you want to. Another advantage of the Lenovo Legion Y540 is one of the Lenovo laptops that last the longest.
Some reviews note that the outside is tricky to clean as it has a bunch of grooves. But other than that, the Lenovo Legion Y540 is a solid pick.
Summary: The Lenovo Legion Y540 is a higher-priced model, but it’s worth every penny. Check it out on Amazon today!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible configuration options | Tricky to clean |
| Offers smooth multitasking | |
| Fast bootup and data transfers |
#8: Asus Rog Strix GL531
The Asus Strix GL531 is a solid gaming laptop, that can handle any multiplayer online battle arena such as Dota 2. Its 60Hz high-refresh display delivers some of the crispest images we’ve ever laid our eyes on. You’ll also love the immersive 79.6% screen-to-body ratio that makes you feel like you’re truly immersed in Dota 2 teamfights.
If we’re still talking numbers, the 17% increased airflow is worth mentioning. The blades are 33% thinner than conventional designs, which help keep your laptop as cool as possible.
Summary: For an amazing gaming experience and a product that’ll last for years, choose the ASUS ROG Strix G. Check out its price on Amazon!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 60Hz high-refresh display delivers crisp images | The battery dies fairly quickly |
| Immersive screen-to-body ratio | |
| 17% increased airflow |
#9: Apple MacBook Air
In our experience, Windows products are the best laptops for Dota 2. But Mac users will be happy to learn that we’ve found a worthy Apple product. When you play video games on the MacBook full HD display, expect to run them on low to medium graphics.
People all over the world love the Apple MacBook Air Laptop for its beautiful retina display and responsive backlit keyboard.
Perhaps the best part? The battery life. You may not get the 15 hours Apple advertises, but you’ll certainly come close.
Summary: This MacBook has us questioning the superiority of Windows products as the best laptops for Dota 2. See the difference for yourself today!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful retina display | May not be compatible with other older applications |
| Responsive backlit keyboard | |
| Battery life of up to 15 hours |
How to Find the Best Laptop for Dota 2
When you read our reviews of the best laptops for Dota 2, you might wonder how we settled on our top picks.
Get the intel by checking out our buying guide below! We cover a few of the most important factors to look for when searching for the best laptop for Dota 2.
CPU
While Dota 2’s system requirements aren’t as intensive as those of other games, the best laptop for Dota 2 will adhere to certain specs.
One such spec is CPU. This might come as a surprise as many of today’s games aren’t heavily dependent on CPU.
However, you have to remember that Dota 2 came out in 2013. Dedicated GPUs weren’t common back then, meaning the game’s engine had to rely on its CPU.
For the best experience, the best laptops for Dota 2 need an Intel Core i3 or later processor. We recommend at least an Intel Core i5 if you plan on playing for long hours and want to prevent the unit from overheating.
If you prefer AMD as your processor, choose a Ryzen laptop model.
RAM
Another factor you should consider is RAM. Seeing as Dota 2 isn’t notorious for taking up RAM, you can get by with 4GB.
However, the best gaming laptop for multitasking gamers will have at least 8GB of RAM.
GPU
To prevent lag at low-medium settings, the best laptops for Dota 2 tend to have integrated GPUs like:
- Intel HD 520/620
- AMD Radeon Vega 3/5/7
If you want to play games at higher settings, the best gaming notebooks will have a dedicated GPU like MX150/230/250/350 or Radeon RX 555/540/560X.
OS
You’ll need a minimum operating system of Windows 7 or better. Most players recommend a 64-bit Windows 7 OS.
DirectX
You won’t need anything higher than DirectX Version 9.0c for the ideal experience.
Battery Life
The best laptops for Dota 2 shouldn’t die in the middle of a big match. Most Dota 2 gamers would consider good battery life to be at least 4 hours (on a full charge).
Storage
Dota 2 requires at least 15 GB of space. A minimum of 20GB is ideal as you’ll need room for future updates.
Thus, you need to make sure the laptop you buy has not only enough storage for this game but also any other software you want to use.
Consider choosing a model with SSD storage as it operates faster. However, a standard HDD will also work (plus, it’s cheaper per gigabyte).
Screen Resolution
To get decent images, you’ll need a screen resolution of at least 720p. The best laptop for Dota 2 will have a resolution of 1080p or higher.
Connectivity
Regardless of your skill level, you’re probably going to want to connect peripherals such as headphones, speakers, keyboards, and mice.
Thus, the best gaming laptops for Dota will have good connectivity. At the bare minimum, there should be plenty of USB ports. If you need them, you should also look for ethernet and HDMI ports.
Keyboard
It can be annoying to plug an external keyboard into your laptop. So, you should choose a model that has a good integrated keyboard.
Ultimately, what kind of keyboard you should look for boils down to personal preference. Look for factors such as fast response times, backlighting, and programmable keys.
Weight
To many players, weight isn’t an important factor when choosing the best laptops for Dota 2 as it doesn’t directly affect gaming performance.
However, if you plan on playing Dota 2 in your local coffee shop, consider finding a lightweight laptop. A device that’s 5 pounds or less will be much easier to tote around town.
Cost
Of course, you should consider how much you’re willing to spend on the best laptop for Dota 2.
If you want to keep costs low, find a model that meets the game’s minimum system requirements. Some gamers can get started for under $500. When you’re trying to improve your MMR, it doesn’t matter what laptop you have.
However, know that restricting your budget can affect your gameplay. You’ll have to be willing to spend a little more if you want the best graphics and performance possible. In general, the best laptop for Dota 2 will run you anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000.
Find the Best Laptop for Dota 2 Today
Players are always looking to give themselves the best advantage, no matter if it’s using the right Bristleback counters or choosing the best Dota 2 beginner hero. So stay competitive by finding the best laptop for Dota 2 today!
Our buying guide and reviews should be more than enough to help you on your buying journey. Be sure to check out our recommendations on Amazon.
Need more info? See below for FAQs from Dota 2 gamers.
FAQs
Have questions on laptops for Dota 2? Check out these FAQs from real gamers:
What kind of laptop do I need to play Dota 2?
The best laptop for Dota 2 will have specifications such as a Windows 7 OS or newer, at least 4GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3 or later processor. The game’s system requirements also call for 20GB of storage space. If you want to optimize your gaming experience, the system requirements will be more demanding. See our buyer’s guide above to get a full picture of the best laptop for Dota 2 entails.
Which laptop is best for Dota 2?
The best laptop for Dota 2 depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for an affordable, lightweight model, for instance, we’d recommend the Lenovo Ideapad 3. The HP Pavilion 16 is perfect if you can afford a mid-priced option and want long battery life. For more recommendations, check out the reviews above.
Is it possible to play Dota 2 on a laptop?
Though many gamers play Dota 2 on a desktop, it’s entirely possible to play it on a laptop. This guide can help you find the best laptop for Dota 2 that meets the game’s system requirements. If you’re hesitant about playing on a laptop, take comfort in knowing that professional esports gamers often use a laptop to play Dota 2.
Is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 good for Dota?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 40W and 50W are suitable for Dota 2. We’ve found that the 40W performs faster in Low, Medium, and High settings. The 50W, on the other hand, is better suited for Ultra settings.
Is it possible to play Dota 2 with Intel HD graphics?
If your laptop has weak integrated graphics or an old graphics card, you might be wondering if you can play Dota 2 with Intel HD graphics. The good news is that you can! To get decent speeds, you’ll need to turn down the resolution and reduce the details. Something as simple as HD 515 graphics can reach an average of 50 fps.
Can Chromebooks play Dota 2?
Older 2GB Chromebooks aren’t the best laptops for Dota 2. However, many gamers use newer models to play. Your model needs to have an Intel-based processor and at least 4GB of RAM and internal storage each. If you have less than 36GB of internal storage available, you’ll also need to get a 32GB Class 10 SD card.