With the Final Fantasy franchise heading into its 16th installment this year, it's time to start considering whether or not your setup needs an upgrade. More specifically, is it time to go all-in by purchasing the best Final Fantasy XVI gaming laptop around? If the answer's yes, we've got you covered.
Although the game may not be arriving on PC any time soon, there's no reason why you can't gear up and take your setup to the next level by purchasing one of the best gaming laptops ahead of time.
As a result, we've jumped the gun and put together a list of amazing laptops based on their price, reviews, and features in preparation for the game's potential arrival on PC at some point over the coming months.
Unfortunately, with the game not confirmed for a PC release just yet, there are no official system requirements for us to base our picks on. However, if all the recently released Final Fantasy installments are anything to go by, then the selection of laptops we've picked out, from the premium Acer Predator Helios 16 to the budget-friendly Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, more than fit the bill.
That being said, let's first dive a little deeper into those speculated system requirements before we venture into our top picks...
Final Fantasy XVI system requirement speculation
As mentioned above, Final Fantasy XVI isn't expected to land on PC anytime soon, despite the game being scheduled to launch in June on PS5. As a result, the official system requirements are yet to be confirmed by the developers and publishers.
However, we can make a prediction as to what the system requirements for the game could be based on previous Final Fantasy iterations. Take Stranger of Paradise, for example, whose recommended system requirements were as follows:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 / Intel Core i7-8700
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Storage: 90 GB
- Other: 60 FPS @ 1920x1080
Best gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
Best overall gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is an exceptional gaming laptop, offering some impressive specs and features at a reasonable price. With its sleek and stylish design, weighing just 1.9kg, it's perfect for gaming on the go, meaning you can play Final Fantasy wherever you are in the world.
Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor boasting eight cores, this laptop can easily handle AAA titles with ease, and graphics should be no problem at all thanks to its powerful GeForce RTX 3060 GPU.
Read More: Best 1440p gaming monitors
Display-wise, you get a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. This ensures both detail in combat and a smooth transition from regular fighting to full-on cinematics.
Its 1TB SSD alongside 16GB of RAM exceeds the speculated requirements as well, meaning the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15, overall, stands out as an excellent choice for Final Fantasy XVI.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Best budget gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI
Finding a budget-friendly laptop capable of running Final Fantasy XVI can be a challenging task. Typically, you would need to spend near to four digits to pick up something with enough power for a Final Fantasy game. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, however, is a great and inexpensive alternative by comparison.
The AMD Ryzen 5 6600H Hexa Core processor is a strong starting point for this laptop's capabilities, and being paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, it can deliver stunning visuals that bring games like Final Fantasy to life.
Read More: Best budget gaming laptops
Additionally, it incorporates a dynamic thermal system that enhances both speed and cooling compared to previous models. By doubling the airflow and utilising up to four heat pipes, it effectively dissipates heat during intense gameplay to prevent overheating.
Complementing its powerful internal hardware, the laptop boasts a lightning-fast 15.6" FHD IPS display, which is only enhanced by the GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. This combination guarantees exceptional clarity and allows for immersive gaming experiences not only in Final Fantasy XVI but also in other AAA titles. Overall, it stands as a strong contender for any gaming setup due to its impressive specifications and performance.
3. Chillblast Apollo
Best mid-range gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI
Taking a slight step up in budget now with the Chillblast Apollo, a laptop designed to unleash your creative potential and gaming prowess with cutting-edge technology.
The visuals offered by the Full HD 15.6" display show a lot of promise alongside the GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, ensuring exceptional detail regardless of the task at hand or the game being played. Combat scenes will also come to life with exceptional smoothness, thanks to the impressively high 165Hz refresh rate.
Read More: Best RAM
The Apollo's 1TB SSD and ample RAM will also come in handy as the combination can ensure the laptop's capable of handling multiple demanding tasks at once, with enough storage to download Final Fantasy alongside a whole host of other amazing games.
With a solid Intel Core i7-12700H under the hood as well, there's plenty to like and appreciate about this Chillblast device. It's definitely a strong option to consider for your gaming setup.
4. Acer Predator Helios 16
Best Final Fantasy XVI gaming laptop to play at max. settings
If you're a huge Final Fantasy Fan and you want to experience the 16th installment in the franchise at its full potential, this Acer Predator Helios 16 has you covered. It's perhaps a little overkill, however, by investing in a laptop this powerful now, you'll be futureproofing your setup for years to come.
Firstly, it features a cutting-edge 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and a top-tier GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card that'll allow you to experience excellent graphic fidelity with an ultrasmooth frame rate assisted by the 240Hz refresh rate.
Read More: Best 240Hz gaming monitors
With robust 16GB DDR5 RAM as well, you'll be able to multitask and run numerous programmes simultaneously, while the spacious 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD provides ample storage space and rapid load times to get you into the Final Fantasy action in no time.
You will be paying a premium price tag for a laptop of this calibre. However, it's definitely worth considering if you want to play Final Fantasy XVI with the settings set to their maximum.
5. Razer Blade 17
Best 17-inch gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI
We've covered several exceptional 15-inch laptops thus far, but we understand that certain games like Final Fantasy XVI demand a larger display to truly appreciate every intricate detail. Introducing the Razer Blade 17, a massive 17.3-inch device equipped with some truly impressive specs.
First and foremost, the display boasts an outstanding 360Hz refresh rate, surpassing all previous models we've featured. While such a high refresh rate may seem excessive, it guarantees the smoothest gameplay experience imaginable, regardless of the resolution.
Read More: Best OLED gaming monitors
Under the hood, this laptop packs a powerful Intel Core i7-12800H processor, featuring an impressive 14 cores and Intel Turbo Boost technology that can push performance up to 5.00GHz. Coupled with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, this laptop can handle any task quickly and has enough storage to download multiple AAA games at once.
Additionally, although not directly essential for Final Fantasy, it's worth mentioning that the Razer Blade 17 offers some convenient extra features. It is compatible with Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring advanced wireless connectivity, and includes a UHS-II SD card slot for added versatility. So, whether you're engrossed in intense gaming action or engaged in everyday tasks, this laptop delivers in both realms, making it a well-rounded top pick.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Finding the right laptop for an immersive gaming experience can be quite a daunting task. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions below to help you out.
How much should you spend on a gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI?
The amount you should spend on a gaming laptop for Final Fantasy XVI will vary depending on your specific requirements and budget. However, with the game not out yet, we appreciate it's hard to know exactly where the cut-off point is.
That being said, as the game may feature some pretty hefty system requirements, you're probably unlikely to find a cheap laptop capable of running the game in a playable state. As a result, we'd estimate that you'll most likely have to at least break the 500-dollar mark to find a gaming laptop capable of reaching the potential minimum specs.
To play the game close to or at its full potential though, you may need to invest in a mid to high-end device packed with a powerful processor, graphics card, and a ton of memory and storage to run the game smoothly and effectively. A laptop this powerful will likely set you back at least 750 dollars in our experience, although you might have to break the 1000-dollar mark to find one with all the features you need.
With speculation still in the air, we'd highly recommend doing some research, reading reviews, and exploring different gaming laptop options in order to find a device that fits your needs and requirements ahead of the release of Final Fantasy XVI.
Will Final Fantasy XVI have multiplayer?
Our knowledge as of right now is no, Final Fantasy XVI will not include multiplayer.
More specifically, Final Fantasy 16 is said to be exclusively designed as a single-player title, without any form of multiplayer functionality. That includes cooperative, competitive, and asynchronous multiplayer features, all of which are not expected to be included in the game.
For more information on this, check out our in-depth look into whether Final Fantasy XVI will have multiplayer.