Best Intel 12th gen laptop in 2023

The MSI Vector GP66 is essentially a more affordable version of MSI’s flagship high-end gaming laptop – the MSI Raider. It doesn’t have the same peripheral premium features like Thunderbolt 4 support, an SD card reader, USB-C charging, and the front RGB light strip, plus the battery life isn’t as good (lasting a mere 4 hours), however it packs a punch in in-game FPS terms and that’s what really matters in a gaming laptop.

The inclusion of the MUX Switch in particular helps you get the most out the already powerful Nvidia 30-series GPU options, plus the 12th gen Intel Core i7-12700H or i9-12900H processors.

The excellent 1080p 360Hz display on this particular model has minimal ghosting thanks to its impressive response time (with the Overdrive feature enabled) which is ideal for competitive gamers. The color replication on the 1080 version is good for gaming, but falls slightly short of the 99% sRGB found in the 1440p version (though this is capped at a 120Hz refresh rate). Both are fine machines though.

With a peak brightness of just under 300 nits, this laptop not ideal for use in direct sunlight, and the contrast ratio is only satisfactory, the webcam, microphone, keyboard, and trackpad are decent but not exceptional.

The Eluktronics MECH-15 G3 aka the XMG Neo 15 E22 (as it’s branded in Europe) is a lesser known laptop but it offers impressive performance at a good value for gaming enthusiasts.

These laptops always come with the highest TGP graphics cards, meaning they have the most powerful variants of the RTX 3070 Ti or RTX 3080 Ti or whatever SKU you’re looking at. Although the Intel 12th gen i7-12700H processors, they’re equipped with aren’t as powerful as that of our top pick, they still deliver excellent gaming performance.

The 1440p display with a 240Hz refresh rate provides a high-quality gaming experience, and has respectable color replication, although it may not satisfy creative professionals in this latter area due to slight panel uniformity issues. The laptops offer upgrade options for SSD and DDR5 RAM, a comfortable keyboard with a numpad, and a high-quality glass trackpad. The optional external liquid cooling solution, XMG OASIS, improves performance and longevity.

The laptop’s speakers are subpar, and its design is unremarkable, but overall, it’s a compelling a great for a high-end Intel 12th gen gaming laptop at good value for money.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus stands out with its minimalist design, featuring a glass touchpad and capacitive function keys. It rivals the aesthetics of a MacBook and offers a satisfying typing experience. Under the hood, it packs the powerful Intel Core i7-1260P or i7-1280P, part of Intel’s 12th gen Alder Lake-P lineup, providing double the processing power of the regular XPS 13 and outperforming even the MacBook Pro 13 with M1 Pro chip. The integrated Intel Iris Xe iGPU supports less demanding gaming.

Despite its power, the XPS 13 Plus maintains a slim profile and lightweight design. The haptic keys enable efficient cooling, resulting in quiet fan operation. Display options include a bright FHD with 99% sRGB coverage or a vivid, high-resolution 3456 x 2160 OLED with 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3. Both variants are touchscreen. Battery life is excellent, offering around 10-11 hours of usage for the FHD version. The XPS 13 Plus features impressive speakers and a nicer build quality overall compared to the non-Plus variant but comes with a higher price tag, albeit still cheaper than a MacBook.

This Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 7 gaming laptop which came out towards the end of 2022, boasts CPU options that include the very powerful Intel Core i9-12800HX and the Intel Core i9-12900HX, two of the biggest hitters of the 12th gen series, delivering great performance with their increased cores and threads. Paired with Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti or 3080 Ti graphics cards, this laptop handles gaming and demanding multi-core tasks effortlessly. The inclusion of Advanced Optimus (essentially an automatic MUX Switch) enhances performance without requiring a reboot.

The 165Hz 16:10 2560 x 1600 screen, though not a 240Hz option, provides a solid gaming experience, while 100% sRGB coverage and VESA Display HDR ensure good color accuracy and brightness. The array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, is commendable, but the absence of an SD card reader is disappointing. The build quality is sturdy, aesthetics are appealing, and the keyboard offers unique features like force-sensitive WASD keys and removable keys for easy maintenance and customization.

The regular 7i lacks some of the premium features of the Legion Pro variant – such as the greater metallic build and higher TGP graphics cards, though for us it’s the better value option. That being said, it’s still quite expensive at full price. We’d advise only picking it up if it’s on offer (which it often is).