Key Points
- The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is the best laptop for running the latest Call of Duty games. Its hard disk space, RAM, and graphics card make it our top choice overall.
- Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 are the latest Call of Duty games. Both were released in 2022, with Warzone 2.0 technically part of Modern Warfare II.
- Warzone 2.0 is a free-to-play battle royale game not unlike Fortnite or PUBG: Battlegrounds. It’s played online with people across all available platforms and systems.
- Mac laptops are finally capable of running AAA games with the advent of the M2 Max chip for the MacBook Pro. The 16″ model can run Modern Warfare II or Warzone 2.0.
- The Acer Nitro 5 and the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro are good budget-friendly laptops for Call of Duty gaming. They can handle Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 without breaking the bank.
Wanting to elevate your Call of Duty gaming experience with the best laptops on the market? These high-performance machines are designed to handle intense gameplay and deliver stunning graphics with the convenient portability of a laptop. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of Call of Duty, these laptops are sure to impress with their powerful processors and top-notch graphics cards. From the best budget options to the greatest option overall, these are the very best laptops for running Call of Duty games.
What Are the Latest Call of Duty Games?
Before discussing the best laptops for running the latest Call of Duty games, let’s first outline what the latest Call of Duty games actually are.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Includes online multiplayer
- FPS game
- Features a global campaign
- Includes Special Ops mode
If you’re only vaguely familiar with the Call of Duty franchise, then you might be confused by a 2022 release date linked to a game that originally came out in 2009. However, Call of Duty rebooted the 2007 game Modern Warfare in 2019, then did the same for Modern Warfare II in 2022. Like the original version of the game, Modern Warfare II was a critical and commercial success that broke records for the franchise. Until the next mainline title, this game is the most recent release for the franchise.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 (2022)
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is a free follow-up to the massively successful battle royale game Warzone. While technically a part of Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 stands alone as a fun and exciting battle royale game akin to Fortnite or PUBG: Battlegrounds. It supports cross-platform gameplay throughout the full line of supported consoles and systems. As of this writing, this includes PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.
History Computer’s Top Picks for the Best Laptops for Call of Duty
Now, let’s consider the five best laptops for running the latest Call of Duty games. From the best budget option to the best Mac offering and everything in between, these laptop models will run Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 like no other. Review our five picks before making your final decision.
- Best Overall: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
- Best Budget: Acer Nitro 5
- Best Mac Laptop: MacBook Pro with M2 Max
- Best Value: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Best Lightweight Laptop: MSI GP66 Leopard
Best Laptop for Call of Duty Overall: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
- 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor
- GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
- Thermal Grizzly liquid metal, Arc Flow fans, and 0dB Ambient Cooling
- 1TB of swift PCIe 4.0 SSD
Of all the best laptops for Call of Duty, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is the best overall. It offers more than a terabyte of hard disk space and nearly 16 inches of screen. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 also has unmatched processing power in the gaming laptop industry. Its graphics card is just as powerful too. ASUS implements intelligent cooling technology to keep the laptop from overheating, giving it another advantage over many competitors in this space. All in all, its sheer power, combined with its customizable features, makes it the best laptop for Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 overall.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1TB hard disk space | Nearly $2,000 |
| Intelligent cooling technology | Only 16GB of RAM |
Check out the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 on Amazon.
Best Budget Laptop for Call of Duty: Acer Nitro 5
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12500H processor
- 15.6-inch full HD IPS display with 144Hz refresh rate
- 16GB DDR4 3200MHz memory
- 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- Ethernet E2600 and Wi-Fi 6 AX1650
If you can’t swing a laptop priced in the four-figure range, then the Acer Nitro 5 might be more your speed. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to some of the pricier options on this list. Don’t let the reduced price fool you, though. The Acer Nitro 5 is still just as capable of running the latest Call of Duty games as any other model listed here. Its Intel processor and NVIDIA graphics card will keep your games running smoothly. Plus, its array of ports makes it easy to add more customizable extensions to your setup.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Priced under $1,000 | Battery life could be better |
| Tons of ports for accessories | Only has a one-year warranty |
Check out the Acer Nitro 5 on Amazon.
Best Mac Laptop for Call of Duty: MacBook Pro with M2 Max
- 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR display
- M2 Max chip
- 12-core CPU
- 30-core GPU
- 64GB memory
- 1TB SSD
- Space Gray
Now, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max is more than capable of handling Call of Duty games. Mac laptops can do a whole heck of a lot. Unfortunately, computer gaming has always been the one thing beyond the MacBook’s capabilities. However, that all changed with the implementation of the Apple M2 Max chip. With this, Mac users don’t need to feel left out of the online gaming community just for being loyal to Apple. From Modern Warfare II to Warzone 2.0 and beyond, the MacBook Pro with M2 Max can handle the latest games with ease.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most powerful MacBook chip to date | Costs nearly $3,000 |
| Up to 38-core GPU and 96GB unified memory | Laptop temperature runs hot |
Check out the MacBook Pro with M2 Max on Amazon.
Best Value Laptop for Call of Duty: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Screen: 16 inches, 165Hz refresh rate
- Storage: 1TB SSD, RAM: 16GB
- CPU: AMD's 5800H Ryzen 7
- OS: Home edition of Windows 11
While it might not be as cheap as the Acer Nitro 5, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is still a great value. Priced at around $1,300, it’s less than some of the more expensive models on this list while still delivering similarly impressive specs. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro combines a terabyte of hard drive space with a high-powered processor and a reliable graphics card to keep your Call of Duty sessions running strong. Consider this alongside a great battery and a large screen, and it’s obvious the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a truly great value.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lenovo remains a dependable brand | RAM might need sizing up |
| Stays quiet even during large games | Battery is so-so |
Check out the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro on Amazon.
Best Lightweight Laptop for Call of Duty: MSI GP66 Leopard
- Screen: 15.6 inches, 144Hz refresh rate, FHD resolution
- Storage: 1TB SSD, RAM: 32GB
- CPU: Intel's 11th generation core i7
- OS: Home edition of Windows 11
Rounding out the list of the best laptops for Call of Duty is the MSI GP66 Leopard. Priced at nearly $2,500, it’s not exactly light on price. However, it is still quite lightweight. Weighing in at just 4.73 pounds, the MSI GP66 Leopard is one of the lightest gaming laptops on the market. Thankfully, this lack of heft doesn’t translate to a lack of power. It’s still more than capable of running Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0. You won’t be disappointed by its SSD size, its amount of RAM, or its graphics card — all are up for the challenge of the latest Call of Duty games.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Weighs less than 5 pounds | Priced over $2,400 |
| Many RAM and SSD sizes to choose from | Temperature runs high |
Check out the MSI GP66 Leopard on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Laptops for Running the Latest Call of Duty Games: Step by Step
Call of Duty games are known for their detailed environments, realistic effects, and dynamic gameplay. This recognition has only gotten stronger with recent entries, such as Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0. With these games and future Call of Duty games to come, you can be certain there are three factors to prioritize in a gaming laptop: graphics, processing, and RAM (or storage).
As you continue your search for the best laptops for Call of Duty, consider each of the following.
- Powerful graphics card
- Fast processor
- Sufficient RAM and storage
©WESTOCK PRODUCTIONS/Shutterstock.com
Powerful Graphics Card
Look for a laptop with the most powerful graphics card (you can’t go wrong with NVIDIA or AMD). The graphics card is responsible for rendering the game’s visuals and effects. The more powerful the graphics card, the better it can handle complex graphics and high frame rates without lagging or stuttering. This will ensure a smoother performance when playing Modern Warfare II or Warzone 2.0.
Fast Processor
Choose a laptop with a high-performance processor, preferably an Intel or AMD. The processor is essentially the brain of the computer, and a fast one ensures quick data processing. This is crucial for running Call of Duty smoothly, helping maps load faster and reducing any unwanted delays during gameplay.
Sufficient RAM and Storage
Opt for a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM and a sizable SSD (Solid State Drive) or SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive). Sufficient RAM ensures that the game has enough memory to run efficiently. A large SSD or SSHD helps ensure faster loading times and quicker access to game files. Combined, both contribute to a more seamless gaming experience overall.
What to Know Before Buying a Laptop for Call of Duty
©Antonio Bordunovi/Shutterstock.com
Before using a laptop to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II or Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, there are some important things you should know first. Together, these tips will ensure a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience overall. First and foremost, check your laptop’s hardware specifications, especially the graphics card, processor, RAM, and storage. If you want to play Call of Duty without any interruptions or dips in quality, you’ll need a laptop that matches or exceeds the specifications listed in the game’s system requirements.
For optimal performance, you may need to update your laptop’s drivers. Check for the latest graphics card drivers from your brand of choice — NVIDIA or AMD, for instance — and update them regularly. This way, you can take better advantage of any performance optimizations and bug fixes that may come. Along these same lines, keeping your laptop’s operating system and other drivers up to date will guarantee greater stability and compatibility with the game overall.
Lastly, temperature management is vital when gaming on a laptop. The latest Call of Duty games can certainly push your hardware to the limit. This leads to increased heat generation, which can damage your internal hardware in turn. When playing Call of Duty on a laptop, you need to make sure you have proper ventilation and a flat surface to prevent overheating. A laptop cooling pad can also help maintain safe temperatures during particularly intense gaming sessions.
Using Laptops for Call of Duty: What It’s Like
Playing Call of Duty on a laptop can be just as exciting and immersive as playing on a console. When using a modern laptop with a powerful graphics card, the game’s visuals can look even more impressive than on your television. Combined with a great processor and a generous amount of RAM and storage, you can bring the game’s intense action and detailed environments to life like you’ve never seen before.
Likewise, the controls on a laptop can be as smooth and responsive as any console controller, especially if you use a gaming mouse and keyboard over a Bluetooth controller. This way, you can easily perform quick movements, aim accurately, and execute complex maneuvers to outsmart your opponents. The keyboard’s customizable keys also allow you to map your preferred controls, enhancing your gameplay style even further.
Of course, a laptop’s compact size might mean a smaller screen compared to some desktop setups. However, you can always connect your laptop to an external monitor for a larger display. Anyway, the portability of a laptop makes for a significant advantage over desktops. With this feature, you can take your gaming on the go — allowing you to play Call of Duty wherever you have access to power and an Internet connection. Just make sure to keep things nice, level, and open to keep the laptop temperature under control.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock.com.
