Intel Core i9 laptops offer some serious benefits: hyper-threading technology, intel core boost, better RAM & GPU power, especially when compared to its Intel i7 predecessor. So, why is the i9 so popular for the mainstream consumer?
The answer is people want a laptop capable of handling anything you throw at it without sacrificing performance. A high-end future-proof machine means not upgrading your i9 processor laptop for a very long time.
No matter what you need out of your intel i9 laptop, we can help find the model that will suit your needs. Firstly, lets compare the top-rated laptops and then the top 10 to see what they offer.
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
- Apples 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 laptops different settings
Best i9 Laptop Comparison Table including Processor Performance/GHz, SSD/RAM, GPU, Display, and more!
LARGEST SCREEN | MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-225
| 9.5 | Check On Amazon |
PREMIUM PICK | Apple Macbook Pro
| 9.8 | Check On Amazon |
BEST VALUE | Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX581
| 9.5 | Check On Amazon |
BEST FOR GAMING | Asus ROG Strix Scar 15
| 9.7 | Check On Amazon |
EDITORS CHOICE | MSI GS66 Stealth 10SFS-032
| 9.4 | Check On Amazon |
Dell XPS 15 9570 i9-8950HK Laptop
| 9 | Check On Amazon | |
ASUS ROG G703 Desktop Replacement i9 Laptop, 17.3, Core i9-8950HK
| 9.7 | Check On Amazon | |
New Alienware 17 R5 i9-8950HK, QHD, GTX 1080OC, 32GB RAM, 256GB SSD+1TB HDD
| 9.6 | Check On Amazon | |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo i9 Laptop, 15.6 UHD 4K Gsync + Secondary Display, Core i9-10980HK, NVIDIA
| 9.3 | Check On Amazon | |
MSI GS75 Stealth 10SGS-027 17.3 300Hz 3ms i9 Laptop with Intel Core i9-10980HK
| 8.9 | Check On Amazon |
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, weve 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, lets take a look at whats currently on the market and how they compare
1. MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-225 Best Intel Core i9-10980HK Laptop
Processor | Intel Core i9-10980HK 2.4 5.3GHz |
RAM | 32GB [16G*2] DDR4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070 Super 8G GDDR6 |
Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
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
MSI 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 its perfect for shooters where you can spot enemies miles away.
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. The 300Hz display is kept in sync with the GPUs 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. Thats why it invested in its laptops thermal architecture with seven dedicated heat pipes for extreme usage without any hiccups.
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 but MSIs GS75 model may be a better choice as it is thinner and lighter with the same performance and has a better battery life.
- Per-key RGB keyboard for the utmost personalization
- Hi-Resolution Audio technology
- Dragon Center software for easy customization of your laptops 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 |
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 youre set on buying an Apple product and need a lot of power the Macbook Pro is the way to go. Its sleek and slim with an all metal body and a 16-inch retina display. Its perfect for professionals or students as its lightweight and extremely portable.
The Macbook Pro comes with an eight-core Intel i9 processor enabling you to power through intensive workloads. It also has AMDs 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.
Apple Macbooks 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 cant go wrong. The only downside is the high price tag 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. Its also adaptive and changes its functionality depending on the app youre using to give you quick access to the most useful commands.
Also, if you were hesitant to upgrade your i9 Macbook for a while because of Apples 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.
- 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
- Apples 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 PCIe NVMe SSD |
Screen Size | 15.6 inches 4K OLED touchscreen glossy main display, 14 inches 4K OLED matte touchscreen |
OS | Windows 10 Pro |
Battery Life | Around 4 hours |
Weight | 5.51 lbs |
UPC | 192876325018 |
Top 3 Features
If youre 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, youre in luck as you can disperse your content across the two screens and have a wider overview.
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 youre more interested in the tech then the accessories youll be impressed with the Lightning-fast 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. It delivers exceptional performance, especially for professionals running demanding apps like 3D modeling, animation, or 4k video editing software.
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.
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 wont quite give you the expected 4K quality you would like. Overall its a good solid laptop with some great additional features, but you will pay more for them!
- Dual 4k 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 |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB GDDR6 with ROG Boost |
Storage | 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
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 its i9 gaming laptop. The laptop has a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor working hand in hand with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super GPU 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 laptops 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
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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 NVMe SSD |
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 laptop delivers the same high-end performance youd expect from Intel Core i9 machines.
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.
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 keyboards colors are non-customizable
6. Dell XPS 15 9570 8th Gen Core i9 Laptop
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Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i9-8950HK |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe SSD |
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 dont 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, the Dell XPS 9570 is capable of executing any task, whether its running high-end games or demanding professional software. You get stunning visual fidelity out of your games, thanks to NVIDIAs GeForce GTX Ti GPU.
Itll 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.
Finally, Dells 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
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Processor | 8th Gen unlocked Intel Core i9-8950HK |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 |
Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD |
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 isnt held back by its compact design and doesnt 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; thats why the ASUS ROG G703 takes advantage of its bigger footprint to build a robust thermal architecture with dedicated heat pipes and syncs.
Moreover, you get 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 laptops bulky design and heavy footprint. Weighing around 10.35 pounds, it isnt the most portable device out there. Finally, we werent blown away by the batterys 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 though.
- Desktop-class performance
- Expansive IPS display
- Backlight RGB keyboard
- Poor battery performance
- Bulky footprint
8. New Alienware 17 R5
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Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i9-8950HK |
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
Weve got yet another 17.3-inch laptop, and this time around, its 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 youd want, though.
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 wont 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 32GB of RAM, which combine to give you desktop-class performance in a laptop form factor.
- Signature Alienware design
- 400 nits display brightness
- Responsive keyboard and trackpad
- Heavy form factor
9. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
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Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
Storage | 1TB PCIe SSD |
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 screen supports G-Sync technology for better optimization with NVIDIAs GPU.
Although its 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 audiences comments and reactions in real-time.
About this laptop i9 processor: Intels 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. Your laptop doesnt 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, its 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
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Processor | 10th Generation Intel Core i9-10980HK |
RAM | 32GB DDR4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
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, and 32GB of RAM. All such specs combine to enable VR gaming, ray tracing, and AI-enhanced graphics.
It wont be a gamers 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 worlds thinnest fan blades boasting enhanced cooling channels for better thermal dissipation and airflow.
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 isnt the sharpest
Conclusion
Whether youre a gamer looking to 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. Its 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 youre 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.