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RTX 5080 laptop guide – the best and latest listings, news, and more

Everything we know about RTX 5080 laptops
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RTX 5080 laptop guide – the best and latest listings, news, and more
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Although RTX 5080 laptops are not the most powerful, that honour goes to the RTX 5090 laptop range, these are all high-end gaming laptops that will be able to play the latest AAA games at the highest settings. They are the premium option that probably makes more sense in power/performance terms if you’re purely looking to play games at 1440p/1600p resolution (though RTX 5080 laptops can also manage 4K resolution, don’t you worry).

RTX 5080 laptops are heading our way soon, and there’s still a fair bit of mystery surrounding these machines, with some brands offering more information than others. We’ve put together everything we’ve managed to spot so far in one place, so you can get a sense of what’s heading your way, but rest assured, we’ll be updating this page with even more information, sighting, and (when we can) reviews too.

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For now, here’s what’s caught our eye, so you can start planning which laptop to go for. And don’t forget, RTX 5080 reviews are in, and while they may not be the same as the mobile RTX 5080, they can give a slight idea of what to expect from a performance standpoint…or maybe tempt you to consider an RTX 5080 desktop instead.

The best RTX 5080 laptops announced so far

Following on from their unveiling at CES 2025, these are the RTX 5080 laptops that we’ve seen so far from the various manufacturers that will be releasing them. More will be added to this list as time goes on and we get a look at the specs of what the brands have on offer for us.

ASUS

Specifications
  • CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 processor
  • GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
  • Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM
  • Storage: Up to 4TB PCIe Gen4 in RAID 0 (slots support PCIe Gen5)
  • Max Refresh Rate: 240Hz
  • Resolution: 2.5K
  • Panel Type: Mini-LED (100% DCI-P3, G-SYNC, ACR)

First up is the top-of-the line model from one of the consistently most impressive gaming laptop manufacturers in the game: ASUS. The ROG Strix SCAR (not to be confused with the regular ROG Strix, which has slightly less high-end features) comes in two sizes, with 16″ or 18″ screens. Both versions retain the Mini-LED display technology introduced in the previous generation, featuring G-SYNC and full DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. A notable addition this year however is the new ACR anti-reflective coating, which the company claims reduces reflections by 55% and enhances contrast by 4.5 times (time will tell how accurate this is). The design borrows elements from the Zephyrus series, such as the customizable LED strip on the lid, and there’s a new 360-degree lightbar encircling the laptop’s base (pretty snazzy).

Under the hood, ASUS continues to utilize Intel processors, specifically from the Intel Core Ultra series – no news as of yet about an AMD loadout sadly. GPU options go all the way up to the RTX 5090 and obviously include the RTX 5080. Regardless of the configuration, vapor chamber cooling is standard. Among the upgrades over the previous generation is a tool-free bottom panel that slides off easily, allowing quick access to the upgradable 2x M.2 storage and 2x RAM slots, both of which also use new screw-less Q-latch mechanisms, although upgrading the WiFi card does need a screwdriver. Still – great news for upgrading enthusiasts and those looking for a machine that will last them a good number of years.

Besides this you now get WiFi 7 support, and the webcam has been upgraded to 1080p resolution from the 720p of the previous gen (we’ll have to wait and see if the quality beyond this has improved). The port layout has been slightly reconfigured, with many now positioned further back due to the relocation of air vents.

Specifications
  • CPU: Up to AMD Ryzen AI HX 370
  • GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
  • Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR5X 7500MHz
  • Storage: unknown
  • Max Refresh Rate: 120Hz
  • Resolution: 3K
  • Panel Type: OLED (100% DCI-P3, G-SYNC)
  • Weight: 1.5kg

The ASUS Zephyrus series are characterised by sleek, slimline chassis which makes them ideal MacBook/Microsoft surface replacement devices for productivity users, as well as great gaming laptops. The 2025 edition retains the chassis design introduced with last year's overhaul, offering a remarkably lightweight and ultra-thin profile that looks great, with the aforementioned programmable LED display on the lid, if that’s your thing. The line includes the 16-inch G16 and the 14-inch G14, and it’s the latter we’re most excited about, as it is consistently among the best 14″ gaming laptops released each year.

The downside of the slimmer chassis is reduced power, in particular for the graphics card, and lower wattage to this component means less FPS in game. We know that the 16-inch variant caps its TGP (Total Graphics Power) at 115W, compared to the Strix SCAR’s more robust 175W. Despite its slim form factor, the Zephyrus lineup still features advanced cooling solutions though, including Vapor Chamber and liquid metal thermal compounds, ensuring efficient heat management. If you’re looking for an RTX 5080 loadout or better you’ll be limited to Intel CPUs only with the G16, with Ryzen processors being available up to the RTX 5070. The G14 however comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor as standard, and we’re excited to see how this performs.

The G14 specifically boast a 3K OLED display, offering stunning visuals with G-Sync compatibility, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz (the G16 goes up to 240Hz with a 2.5K display). All models feature WiFi 7 for faster and more stable online performance.

ACER

Specifications
  • CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
  • GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
  • Memory: Up to 192GB DDR5 6400MHz (4 slots)
  • Storage: Up to 6TB PCIe Gen5 SSD (M.2 3 slots)
  • Max Refresh Rate: 2560 x 1600 / 4K dual-mode (can switch to 1080p for higher refresh rate)
  • Resolution: 2560 x 1600

The other 18 incher on this list is the new Predator Helios 18 AI. We’ll have to see if the addition of ‘AI’ to the name compared to previous generations is anything more than a gimmick to cash in on the buzzword of the year, but besides that it looks to be quite the impressive machine. Once again this laptop comes equipped with a range of Intel Core Ultra processors, including the Ultra 9 275HX at the top end. Arguably the most standout feature is the staggering memory capacity – offering up to 192GB of 6400MHz DDR5 RAM – which might make it of interest for high-end productivity users or those looking for a workstation machine besides just something to game on. Cooling is handled by Acer's updated 6th generation AeroBlade fan system; these fans feature more and thinner blades compared to the previous generation, boosting cooling efficiency by an estimated 10%. Hopefully between this and the new processor technology we’ll see less in the way of thermal throttling compared to those that plagued the high-end Intel 14th gen laptops.

There are two display options to choose from: the familiar 2560 x 1600 screen with a 240Hz maximum refresh rate, or a dual-mode screen that can alternate between a 4K 120Hz mode and a 1920 x 1080 240Hz mode. The keyboard has been upgraded to the MagKey 4.0 system, allowing for replaceable WASD and arrow keys with included mechanical options for customization. Connectivity and peripheral support have also been improved, with the USB-C ports now supporting Thunderbolt 5, a full-sized SD card reader replacing the older mini slot, and the audio system upgraded from two to six speakers, promising significantly enhanced sound quality (we hope).

Lenovo

Specifications
  • CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
  • GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
  • Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5 6400Mhz
  • Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
  • Max Refresh Rate: 240Hz
  • Resolution: 2560 x 1600

The Legion Pro series represents Lenovo’s top-tier gaming laptops, offering superior craftsmanship and premium features compared to the standard Legion lineup. The Legion Pro 7i (‘i’ signifying Intel CPUs) and Legion Pro 7 (with AMD Ryzen processors), are built to deliver maximum performance. Both models are available in a 16-inch size and come equipped with a stunning 240Hz, 1600p OLED display, ensuring sharp visuals and smooth gameplay. Although we know both models are coming again this year, we don’t know yet whether the Ryzen model will have the RTX 5080 graphics card as an option, as we’ve only seen the Intel model.

Lenovo’s Legion Pro laptops consistently perform well in benchmarks, and this year’s model looks to maintain that reputation. The chassis design remains largely unchanged from previous iterations, but the internal components receive a not able boost. Buyers can configure the laptops with up to 64GB of speedy DDR5 6400MHz RAM and the powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. An additional highlight is the inclusion of Lenovo's LA1+LA3 AI chip, designed to enhance AI workloads and potentially boost FPS in gaming; we’re pretty sceptical when it comes to vaunted AI improvements in laptops, given some of the disappointments from last year, so we’ll have to see how much difference this actually makes when independent testing can take place.

HP

Specifications
  • CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
  • GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 5090
  • Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5 5600MHz
  • Storage: unknown
  • Max Refresh Rate: 240Hz
  • Resolution: 2560 x 1600
  • Panel Type: IPS/OLED

2025 sees the introduction of a new laptop from the good people at HP: The Omen 16 MAX. The chassis, primarily made of aluminum, is similar to that of the standard HP Omen but now comes with a thin lightbar that runs horizontally below the trackpad. You can opt for either an OLED or (less expensive) IPS panel, capable of a 240Hz maximum refresh rate. It’s another Intel-only laptop that can be equipped with up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, along with Nvidia 50-series GPU options that include the RTX 5080, 5090, and lower SKU graphics cards.

This is all kept cool in part by the new thermal system the company has developed alongside Intel called ‘Fan Cleaner’ which, as you might have guessed, reduces the build-up of dust on the blades by automatically reversing the fan rotation after four hours of use (though you can customize the interval). We’ll have to see how effective this actually is when the first reviews come out. What we do know to be effective however is the vapor chamber cooling that is also incorporated, alongside a new ‘cryo compound’ cooler that apparently works like liquid metal cooling but with less risk of leaks. The port selection isn’t much to shout about, with two USB-C and two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, 2.5 Gbps ethernet socket, and HDMI 2.1 socket – and that’s it. The keyboard is apparently the same, slightly squishy RGB surround board that was found in the HP Omen Transcend of 2024, which doesn’t look that great in our opinion, but performs respectably.


RTX 5080 laptop vs 4080 laptop: specs & performance

As we were hoping from this new generation, the RTX 5080 laptop variant sees an increase in VRAM from 12GB to 16GB (33% more), with it also having the latest GDDR7 rather than the GDDR6 of last year’s models. The CUDA core increase is disappointingly modest however: with only 3% more than the RTX 4080 laptop GPU had (7,680 from 7,424). Based entirely on these specs, you’d expect the RTX 5080 to perform better at 4K resolution than its predecessor thanks to the increase in VRAM, though at lower resolutions where VRAM matters less the uplift might not be so impressive.

From what we know about performance, ahead of independent third party testing, there’s been some controversy with how Nvidia have presented the figures. Basically Nvidia originally claimed massive uplift in their CES keynote, but this includes the benefits generated by the new DLSS 4 (not applicable to every game) rather than raw, hardware driven performance (we’ll talk more about DLSS 4 below). More recently Nvidia has revealed that with DLSS disabled, the performance uplift of the desktop RTX 5080 is more like c.15%, with the other cards in the range managing between c.20-25%. We haven’t yet seen anything pertaining to the raw performance of the laptop GPU, but given the small CUDA core uplift, 15% might be the best we can hope for.

Nvidia 50-series performance-enhancing tech

Whether you be running a desktop or laptop Nvidia 50-series setup, you’ll have access to the following technological advancements.

DLSS 4 & Multi-Frame Generation

The fourth generation of Nvidia’s pioneering Deep Learning Super Sampling technology is set to boost performance even more than the preceding DLSS did with its Frame Generation tech. Although uplift changes significantly from game to game, if DLSS 2 tech roughly doubled FPS performance on average compared to just raw rendering performance, and DLSS 3 with Frame generation roughly tripled the performance, DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation looks set to quadruple it. DLSS has been a truly game-changing technology for PC gamers, however not everyone is a fan of enabling it, due to the slight artefacting it cat sometimes cause, plus lag in fast-paced twitch shooters, hence the controversy over Nvidia focusing on DLSS-driven performance over actual hardware-driven FPS uplift.

Source: Nvidia

Reflex 2 & Frame Warp

The first generation of Nvidia Reflex technology was an impressive way to reduce lag in those games that supported it – basically developers that worked this tech into their game’s development process could allow you enable it to better synchronize the CPY and GPU rendering, resulting in snappier gameplay, particularly noticeable in fast-paced shooters. Reflex 2 seeks to expand further upon this with the introduction of Frame Warp technology. You can see Frame Warp in action in the below video.

When will you be able to buy RTX 5080 laptops?

Source: Nvidia

We don’t yet have any exact dates for specific laptop releases, however, Nvidia has stated that laptops equipped with GeForce RTX 5080 GPUs will start hitting the shelves in March, 2025. As is invariably the case, we expect at least half of the releases to come out in the first couple of months from this point, with other models trickling out as the year progresses, including some different CPU options (most commonly AMD Ryzen variants of those previously only available with Intel processors).

How much will RTX 5080 laptops cost?

Source: Nvidia

As Nvidia revealed in their presentation at CES 2025 (which you can see in the screenshot above), RTX 5080 laptops will cost at least $2,199. Note this should be considered as a starting price only – individual brands will price their laptops how they choose, and it will obviously partly be determined by the quality of the laptop besides the GPU, and the other components included in the device. Anywhere between $2,199 and $2,899 is a likely window most will fall in, with the latter figure being the starting price for RTX 5090 laptops.

About the Author

Aaron's laptop knowledge makes him the go-to guy on PC Guide. But he still finds time for features, deals and much more.