Intel Core i9 laptops offer some serious benefits: hyper-threading technology, intel core boost, and better RAM & GPU power, especially when compared to its Intel i7 predecessor. So, why are the i9 processors so popular for the mainstream consumer?
The answer is people want a laptop capable of handling everything you throw at it without sacrificing performance while saving some money. A high-end future-proof machine means not upgrading your i9 processor laptop for a very long time.
Top Rated i9 Laptops
- 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor
- Comes with ultra-fast SSD storage that can be upgraded to up to 8TB
- An excellent battery life of up to 10 hours of usage
- Apple’s T2 Security Chip for the best privacy
- High-end performance suitable for gaming
- 300Hz display for the smoothest gameplay experience
- An excellent thermal cooling system
- Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.4 – 5.3GHz
- Per-key RGB keyboard for the utmost personalization
- Hi-Resolution Audio technology
- Dragon Center software for easy customization of your laptop’s different settings
No matter what you need out of your intel i9 laptop, we can help find the model that will suit your needs. Firstly, let’s compare the top-rated laptops and then the top 10 to see what specifications they offer and how their CPUs compare.
Best i9 Laptop – Comparison Table including Processor Performance/GHz, SSD/RAM, GPU, Display, and more!
| Image | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
LARGEST SCREEN  | MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-225
| 9.5 | Check Current Price |
PREMIUM PICK  | Apple Macbook Pro
| 9.8 | Check Current Price |
BEST VALUE  | Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
| 9.5 | Check Current Price |
BEST FOR GAMING  | Asus ROG Strix Scar 15
| 9.7 | Check Current Price |
EDITOR’S CHOICE  | MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032
| 9.4 | Check Current Price |
 | Dell XPS 15 9570 i9-8950HK Laptop
| 9 | Check Current Price |
 | ASUS ROG G703 Desktop Replacement i9 Laptop, 17.3”, Core i9-8950HK
| 9.7 | Check Current Price |
 | New Alienware 17 R5 i9-8950HK, QHD, GTX 1080OC, 32GB RAM, 256GB SSD+1TB HDD
| 9.6 | Check Current Price |
 | ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo i9 Laptop, 15.6″ UHD 4K Gsync + Secondary Display, Core i9-10980HK, NVIDIA
| 9.3 | Check Current Price |
 | MSI GS75 Stealth 10SGS-027 17.3″ 300Hz 3ms i9 Laptop with Intel Core i9-10980HK
| 8.9 | Check Current Price |
The 10 Best Core i9 Laptops – Reviews
We know that with so many options available, choosing intel i9 laptops that will suit all your needs can be daunting.
To help you find the best i9 laptop, we’ve looked into the most popular models available and how they compare in key areas such as performance, display, graphics and battery life. We will also look at which are better for gaming, watching movies, photo editing, working, and so on.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s currently on the market and how their i9 processors compare…
1. MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-225 – Best Intel Core i9-10980HK Laptop
| Processor | Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.4 – 5.3GHz (8 cores / 16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB (16G*2) DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070 Super 8G GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (NVMe) |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches FHD (1920 x 1080), 300Hz 3ms, IPS panel |
| OS | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Approximately 4 hours of mixed usage |
| Weight | 5.25 lbs |
| UPC | 824142213070 |
Top 3 Features
The MSI brand nailed the gaming aesthetics with its GE75 Raider 10SFS-225 gaming laptop available for less than $1500 at the time of writing. It embraces sharp edges, has RGB keyboard backlighting, and stylized large back grids for cooling. This laptop with i9 processor performance matches its hardcore design to deliver an enticing package for gamers.
When it comes to the display, MSI managed to implement a whopping 17.3 inches FHD monitor in a still portable form factor. The large display adds to the immersion, and it’s perfect for shooters where you can spot enemies miles away. The best intel i9 laptop so far.
The graphics performance is powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070 Super GPU, which is capable of rendering detailed, high-res gaming environments without breaking a sweat, in other words, incredible capabilities. The 300Hz display is kept in sync with the GPU’s performance through G-Sync technology to eliminate any screen tearing or image artefacts that can pull you out of the experience.
The 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor is a true power-house. MSI made sure you get the maximum performance from this powerful CPU without any thermal throttling. That’s why it invested in its laptops’ thermal architecture with seven dedicated heat pipes for extreme usage without any hiccups. This one supports an overclocking configuration too.
We were impressed by the port selection on this power-house. It managed to include a dedicated Ethernet port to get the most stable performance in online games, Type A and Type C USB ports, MicroSD reader slot, and finally headphone and microphone jacks.
Unlike Asus ROG Strix Scar 15, another laptop on our list, MSI GE75 Raider comes with a 720p HD webcam. This comes in handy, especially if you do gameplay video streaming and want to engage with your audience.
However, compared to others this webcam is quite poor and some users find the loud fans unappealing. Overall this laptop performs well and is great for gaming experience but MSI’s GS75 model may be a better choice as it is thinner and lighter with the same performance and has a better battery life. Prices for these kind of laptops start at $1500.
- Per-key RGB keyboard for the utmost personalization
- Hi-Resolution Audio technology
- Dragon Center software for easy customization of your laptop’s different settings
- Unimpressive battery life
- Loud cooling fans
2. Apple Macbook Pro – Best I9 Processor macOS Pick
| Processor | 9th Gen 8-Core Intel Core i9 Processor (16 threads) |
| RAM | Up to 64GB of DDR4 memory |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Pro 5500M Graphics |
| Storage | Up to 8TB SSD with up to 3.2GB/s sequential read speed |
| Screen Size | 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology |
| OS | macOS Catalina |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 hours |
| Weight | 4.33 lbs |
| UPC | 190199267992 |
Top 3 Features
If you’re set on buying an Apple product and need a lot of power the Macbook Pro is the way to go. It’s sleek and slim with an all metal body and a 16-inch retina display. It’s perfect for professionals or students as it’s lightweight and extremely portable computer.
The Macbook Pro comes with an eight-core Intel i9 processor enabling you to power through intensive workloads. It also has AMD’s Radeon Pro 500M series graphics, making rendering a breeze. The spec sheet is not complete without mentioning the RAM. You can spec your Macbook Pro with up to 64GB of memory for seamless multitasking and storing information.
Apple Macbooks and the brand itself are also well known for their large trackpads which can sense force and really enhance how you interact with the laptop. Add the brilliant battery life, large storage and high security and you really can’t go wrong. The only downside is the high price tag (not for low budget, not sure if a cheap i9 laptop exists yet) and the lack of full sized USB ports.
Apple added a touch bar to replace the function keys’ row, allowing you to fine-tune and easily tweak sliders found in video editing apps. It’s also adaptive and changes its functionality depending on the app you’re using to give you quick access to the most useful commands. The capabilities of this Apple product are unreal!
Also, if you were hesitant to upgrade your i9 Macbook for a while because of Apple’s unreliable butterfly keyboard introduced back in 2015, now is the perfect time to upgrade. Apple ditched the butterfly keyboard in favor of a traditional scissor-switch keyboard to ensure you have a smooth typing experience without the sticky keys that plagued previous Macbooks. Anyone who’s on the fence won’t regret choosing the i9 Macbook Pro.
- Lightweight, sleek design
- Comes with ultra-fast SSD storage that can be upgraded to up to 8TB
- An excellent battery life of up to 10 hours of usage
- Unbeatable high resolution retina display & Radeon Pro graphics card
- Apple’s T2 Security Chip for the best privacy
- More expensive than its Windows counterparts
- Only four Thunderbolt 3.0 ports with no USB-A ports
3. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581- Best Core i9 for Creators
| Processor | 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9980HK Octa-Core Processor (16M Cache, up to 5.0 GHz) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 RAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (PCIe NVMe) |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches 4K OLED touchscreen glossy main display, 14 inches 4K OLED matte touchscreen, 4k UHD |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | Around 4 hours |
| Weight | 5.51 lbs |
| UPC | 192876325018 |
Top 3 Features
If you’re looking for a fully-fledged dual-screen experience, Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 is the way to go. It comes with a 15.6 inch primary display together with a 14 inch matte touchscreen, giving you a huge screen real-estate in a laptop form factor.
You can be on a video conference while taking notes or working on a separate project in the background. If your desktop gets cluttered with multiple tabs and windows open at the same time, you’re in luck as you can disperse your content across the two screens and have a wider overview with the 4k i9 touch screen laptop.
The included Asus Active Stylus Pen is perfect for artists and creators. They can have a huge canvas across the two screens and use the accurate digital pen to create a masterpiece.
If you’re more interested in the tech then the accessories you’ll be impressed with the Lightning-fast 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor capable of 16 simultaneous threads and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. It delivers exceptional performance, especially for professionals running demanding apps like 3D modeling, animation, or 4k video editing software requiring stunning visuals.
Though the keyboard is shifted downwards to fit the screen at the top, the typing experience is still comfortable. Asus included a detachable palm rest to give you the most comfort when typing for extended periods or drawing with the stylus.
The Ergolift design of the hinge puts the keys at just the right angle to make your typing experience more intuitive and accurate. As far as ports go, it comes with two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) with DisplayPort, which is a nice extra.
Now the downsides. The battery life is very poor lasting no more than 5 hours and the bulky size may put you off lugging it around in your backpack. You may also find if you buy this laptop for gaming that it won’t quite give you the expected 4K UHD quality you would like. Overall it’s a good solid laptop computer with some great additional features, but you will pay more for them!
- Dual 4k UHD monitors
- Asus i9 laptop comes with top of the line performance
- Included Asus active stylus pen
- Poor battery life which lasts only 3-4 hours on a single charge
- Bulky design with heavyweight
- Expensive
4. Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 – Unlocked Core i9-8950HK (Best Gaming Pick)
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor (8 cores / 16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB GDDR6 with ROG Boost |
| Storage | 2TB SSD (PCIe NVMe M.2) |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches Full HD (1920×1080), 300Hz 3ms, IPS panel |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | Around 5 hours |
| Weight | 5.67 lbs |
| UPC | 192876650257 |
Top 3 Features
Asus has just the right fix for hardcore gamers with the ROG Strix Scar 15 – it’s the best i9 gaming laptop which supports an immersive gaming experience. The laptop computer has a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor (support for overclocking to achieve higher clock speed) working hand in hand with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super GPU/graphics card to ensure your games run smoothly at the highest visual capacity.
There is an impressive display of 300Hz on a 15.6 inch screen and the high refresh rate gives you a smooth experience and helps eliminate any input lag by keeping the response time at just 3ms, making a huge difference, especially in competitive games and first-person shooters.
The display also uses IPS panel technology to deliver accurate colors and a wide range of viewing angles. For extended play sessions, the blue light screen filters come in handy to protect your eyes and prevent eye strain.
In addition to all this it also has one of the best cooling systems around. The ROG intelligent cooling system marries hardware and software to ensure your laptop never overheats even when running the most graphically demanding games.
Something you may not know is that Asus patented its innovative Grizzly Liquid Metal Thermal paste, which manages to cut the laptop’s temperature down by 12 degrees Celsius, ensuring that the fans run quieter and never distract you in your laptop sessions.
The only downside that we noticed while using the laptop is the absence of a front-facing webcam. Unless you do tons of gameplay streaming or use your laptop a lot for video conference calls, this will not be an issue. The battery life is pretty average too not lasting more than 5 hours with general usage but you can decrease the screen refresh rate to improve this.
We think this is a very impressive i9 core laptop and although more popular with gamers, the excellent performance is perfect for professionals too.
- High-end performance suitable for gaming
- 300Hz display for the smoothest gameplay experience
- An excellent thermal cooling system
- Absence of a front-facing webcam
5. MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032 – Best MSI i9 Laptop
| Processor | Core i9-10980HK 2.4 – 5.3GHz |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM, and up to 64GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q 8G GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (NVMe) |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches FHD wide view angle display with anti-glare coating, 300Hz 3ms |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | Over 6 hours |
| Weight | 4.63 lbs |
| UPC | 824142207291 |
Top 3 Features
Hi-spec laptops tend to lean towards the bulky and heavy side. However, MSI was set to break such a rule with its GS66 Stealth light gaming laptop. At under five pounds, the gaming laptop with core i9 processor that delivers the same high-end performance you’d expect from Intel Core i9 machines capable of overclocking.
The clean, stealthy black design is a nice departure from the in-your-face aesthetics we usually see on similar laptops. This means MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032 can easily slip into an office meeting to double as a business and productivity laptop. This i9 laptop price is competitive.
The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super GPU together with a 300Hz 15.6 inch display deliver stunning graphics performance. The IPS panel also comes with an anti-glare coating, allowing you to game in brightly lit environments and have a wide variety of viewing angles. More impressive though is the GPU which makes use of Ray Tracing technology, simulating how light behaves and bounces off objects, adding a realistic flare.
Considering the size of this laptop it has really good battery life. MSI engineering was put into excellent use here as the compact laptop has one of the largest batteries in a portable machine. The 99.9WHr battery is just below the legal battery limit you can use on a flight, making it the perfect companion on long trips.
Last but not least, the SSD laptop offers expandable SSD and RAM slots, giving you the means to future proof your device and keep it up to date with the new demanding software and games releases in the future.
On the downside the webcam is not the best and the backlit keyboard colors are not customizable. Unless you specifically need a high quality webcam then we think these are both small things that can be overlooked when you consider the impressive performance you will get from this laptop.
- Lightweight, stealthy black design
- Durable, all-metal chassis
- Expandable SSD and RAM
- Excellent battery life
- The backlit keyboard’s colors are non-customizable
6. Dell XPS 15 9570 8th Gen Core i9 Laptop
| Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i9-8950HK (8 cores/16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD (PCIe) |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches 4k (3840 x 2160) touchscreen |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | 14 hours |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs |
| UPC | 884116293996 |
Top 3 Features
i9 laptops don’t have to be bulky with striking aesthetics; the Dell XPS proves that you can pack top-notch internals in a sleek, minimalist design that allows your laptop to double as your everyday computer.
This Dell i9 laptop processor is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i9 processor (which you can now upgrade to the 11th generation version). Core count means the number of cores your processor has, in this case it has 8 cores with 16 threads). The Dell XPS 9570 is capable of executing any task, whether it’s running high-end games or demanding professional software. You get stunning visual fidelity out of your games, thanks to NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX Ti GPU.
It’ll be a disservice to all the powerful internals if the i9 32GB ram laptop comes with subpar display technology. Luckily, the Dell XPS 9570 ships with a 15.6-inch, 4k display for you to experience your games the way they were intended to be played. Dell i9 laptops are improving all the time.
Finally, Dell’s engineering team deserves all the credit for putting together such cutting-edge technology in a compact and lightweight package. The XPS 9570 weighs only 4.5 pounds, making it convenient for using it on the go.
- 1TB of fast SSD for minimal loading times
- Sleek, premium design
- 32GB of RAM for powerful multitasking
- Awkward webcam placement
7. ASUS ROG G703
| Processor | 8th Gen unlocked Intel Core i9-8950HK (8 cores / 16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD (PCIe) |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | 2 hours |
| Weight | 4.39 lbs |
| UPC | 192876422403 |
Top 3 Features
The ASUS ROG G703 isn’t held back by its compact design and doesn’t mind stepping into the “over the top” laptop territory. This laptop takes a completely different route from that of the Dell XPS, as delivers performance comparable to dedicated desktop rigs.
This is made possible by the overclocked 8th Gen Intel Core i9 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPU. At high clock speeds, you might run into thermal throttling issues; that’s why the ASUS ROG G703 takes advantage of its bigger footprint to build a robust thermal architecture with dedicated heat pipes and syncs.
Moreover, this 17 inch laptop with i9 processor offers a massive 17.3-inch FHD display with a high refresh rate of 144Hz. This comes in handy when playing competitive, fast-paced games, as you get buttery smooth performance with virtually no input lag.
Our only complaints are the laptop’s bulky design and heavy footprint. Weighing around 10.35 pounds, it isn’t the most portable device out there. Finally, we weren’t blown away by the battery’s 2-hour life. So, prepare to always keep your charging station nearby. That said, it is one of the most impressive laptops with i9 processor.
- Desktop-class performance
- Expansive IPS display
- Backlight RGB keyboard
- Poor battery performance
- Bulky footprint
8. New Alienware 17 R5
| Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i9-8950HK (6 cores / 12 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (overclocked) |
| Storage | 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches QHD (2560 x 1440) |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | Around 4 hours |
| Weight | 9.74 lbs |
| UPC | 885153117009 |
Top 3 Features
We’ve got yet another 17.3-inch laptop computer, and this time around, it’s from Alienware, which remains an established player in the PC space.
Compared to the ASUS ROG G351GT, you get a display with a higher QHD resolution here, but at a lower refresh rate of 120Hz. This is still enough to make your experience as smooth and responsive as you’d want.
Moving on to battery performance, the Alienware 17 R5 is an improvement over its ASUS ROG counterpart. With up to 4 hours of playtime, you can get away with enjoying a moderate laptop session on a single charge.
By now, you won’t be surprised by the level of performance that such i9 laptops provide. The Alienware 17 R5 is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i9, GeForce GTX 1080, and a healthy amount of RAM at 32GB, which combine to give you desktop-class performance in a laptop form factor. Laptops with Intel core i9 processors are worth the money.
- Signature Alienware design
- 400 nits display brightness
- Responsive keyboard and trackpad
- Heavy form factor
9. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo – Best Laptop with 32GB RAM and i9 Processor
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK (8 cores / 16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (PCIe) |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches 4k (3840 x 2160) + a secondary 14-inch 4k touchscreen |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | Around 6 hours |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs |
| UPC | 192876602287 |
Top 3 Features
The Zephyrus Duo manages to deliver a fresh take on the stale laptop design thanks to its dual-display. The primary 15.6-inch 4k touch screen supports G-Sync technology for better optimization with NVIDIA’s GPU.
Although it’s not the cheapest i9 laptop, you also get an additional 14-inch, 4k display that comes in handy to show your in-game menus and stats without pulling you out of the gameplay experience. Furthermore, the secondary display is a natural fit for streamers to glance at their audience’s comments and reactions in real-time.
About this laptop i9 processor: Intel’s latest 10th Gen i9 chips find their way into the Zephyrus Duo, together with the GeForce GTX 2080 GPU, to breed new life into your games programs. Your laptop doesn’t show any signs of slowing down even when the games are running at maximum settings.
Considering that the Zephyrus Duo packs some power-hungry internals in addition to dual 4k displays, it’s impressive that it manages to deliver a battery life of up to 6 hours.
- Secondary 14-inch touchscreen
- RGB keyboard
- Decent battery life
- Absence of a built-in webcam
10. MSI GS75 Stealth
| Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i9-10980HK (8 cores / 16 threads) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD (NVMe) |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery Life | 7 hours |
| Weight | 5.0 lbs |
| UPC | 824142210178 |
Top 3 Features
At first glance, you can easily mistake the MSI GS75 Stealth for a slim ultrabook with only the RGB keyboard giving away that you have a gaming laptop i9 in hand.
The sleek design strikes the right balance between portability with its 5 pounds weight and performance with its 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, GeForce RTX 2080 (possible to increase to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q), and 32GB of RAM. All such specs combine to enable VR gaming, ray tracing, and AI-enhanced graphics.
It won’t be a gamer’s laptop without a well-thought-out thermal design, and the GS75 Stealth brings innovations to the table. The Cooler Boost Trinity+ system combines three fans with the world’s thinnest fan blades boasting enhanced cooling channels for better thermal dissipation and airflow, allowing you to switch between programs with ease.
Finally, the Hi-Res Audio technology is a game-changer that you have to hear for yourself to believe me! You get an incredibly immersive audio experience without having to put your headphones on. A laptop core i9 not to be sniffed at.
- Slim design
- Per-key RGB keyboard
- Flagship performance
- The display isn’t the sharpest
Honourable mentions go to the remaining best i9 computer laptop deals: Lenovo Thinkpad P17, Clevo X170 KMG, MSI GE76 (intel core i9-11980HK), Razer Blade 15 (i9-11900h).
Conclusion
Whether you’re a gamer looking to get the most out of your machine or run your games at their full resolution, an animator or you want a future-proof machine, core i9 laptops are the way to go.
Apple users will no doubt appreciate the design of the latest Macbook with the new scissor switches keyboard available here. It’s one of the most popular workstations thanks to its eight-cores processor, which can execute complex tasks with ease.
Windows users have even more options to choose from. For instance, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581, with its dual display, is the perfect laptop for users whose workflow involves tons of multitasking or artists who can use the Asus Stylus support and realize their artistic vision on the massive canvas the Screen Pad Plus provides.
Hardcore gamers will love the MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-225 with its massive 17.3″ display, per-key RGB keyboard backlighting customization, and 720p HD webcam. They can also pick between the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 with its top-notch cooling or MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032 with its excellent battery life and compact form factor.
No matter which you end up choosing, you will end up with one of the best i9 laptops on the market. If you’re still unsure about which one to go for we have an article detailing how to pick the best one for your needs. We hope our round up article with our own recommendations will help you find the right i9 laptops for sale for your needs.