The 12 Best Intel Core i7 Laptops of 2021 Reviewed

If you’re looking for a good mid-range laptop that can do everything from surfing the web to playing video games or even running 3D modeling programs, the Intel Core i7 is a great investment.

Intel i7 has been around since 2008, and as such there are several different versions of i7 to look into. “U” processors focus on economical power consumption, and “Y” processors do a similar thing. “K” processors are best for overclocking and larger projects that require unlocked chipsets. “H” focuses on high-performance computers, while “G” has a built-in graphics package.

With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Intel i7 offers some of the most varied performance options of any processing core on the market. As another bonus, Intel i7 offers plenty of the same benefits of Intel i9, though slightly less powerful, at a reasonable price, allowing you to run all but the highest performance programs on a system that won’t break your budget.

Need to find our top pick in a hurry? Check out the Microsoft Surface Book 3. It has an excellent mix of power and features.

With so many different processors to choose from, it’s no surprise that the Intel i7 is one of the programs of choice on the market today. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about bumbling through page after page of Intel i7 specs in order to choose the right laptop for you. We’ve gone ahead and done the legwork, pulling together the best Intel i7 laptops available on the market today.

We take into criticism iteration things like performance, pricing, and overall customer reviews, as well as several other factors, to ensure you are getting the best bang for your Buck out of your purchase. If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle almost anything you throw at it, you want to invest in an Intel i7.

Best Intel Core i7 Laptops

After looking at specs, price, and owner feedback, here are our picks for the best Intel Core i7 laptops:

1. NEW Microsoft Surface Book 3

If you thought the Surface Book 2 was fast, you’ll be blown away by the new Microsoft Surface Book 3, which is 30% faster than its predecessor. Whether used for video editing, gaming, or CPU-heavy applications doesn’t matter. This extremely powerful i7 processor-powered laptop is the perfect machine for work and play.

The Surface Book 3 is an immensely innovative and stylish design. Despite weighing just 4.2lbs, it features a fully detachable keyboard, thus allowing you to configure the computer as a traditional laptop or use it as a tablet. The 15” responsive touchscreen allows for optimal creativity when using PhotoShop or similar tools too.

Cool features and flexibility count for little without the right speed, though. Aside from the Intel i7 processor, the Surface Book 3 16GB RAM is coupled with an SSD of 256GB. Alternative models, including 13” options, allow for the capacity to be increased to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. Its biometric security features come as standard and are a great selling point too.

The PixelSense display boasts an incredible 3240 x 2160 resolution to ensure that all visuals and colors are seen with crystal clear clarity. This is supported further by the high-end GPU while the battery life of up to 17 hours makes it one of the longest-lasting notebooks on the market. On a practical level, it boasts USB Type-A, Type-C Gen 2, and other ports alongside wireless connectivity to various devices.

It’s a fast, powerful, and visually pleasing notebook that can satisfy your work, gaming, and creative needs all in one. At under $2,200, you get a lot for your money, especially as it removes the need for other gadgets.

2. Zephyrus M Thin and Portable Gaming Laptop

A gaming laptop powered by an i7 processor and supported by a 15.6” screen for under $1,700 may seem like an impossible product to find. Not anymore. The Zephyrus M from ASUS is a key member of the Republic of Gamers family and is everything that gamers needing a portable and stylish laptop could ask for. As far as the best i7 laptop deals, it is a big hit.

The ROG laptop is on the 9th gen i7, which is perfect for AAA gaming and content creation alike. The ability to set the fans to one of three settings is ideal for managing the balance between performance and ambiance too. Thanks to its connectivity features, you can easily connect it to additional monitors for the best gaming experiences too.

Its speed from the second it boots up to the moment it shuts down is clear to see, and certainly meets the expectations usually thrown at more expensive models. Crucially, it’s not uncommon for games to top out at over 65fps, which delivers a lag-free experience on your favorite titles, even when playing online titles or using VR capabilities.

While the absence of a webcam and SD card reader are noticeable, this is acceptable given the price. The stylish detailing of the titanium lid and red logo is combined with smooth keys. The keyboard can be lit in a range of patterns and color schemes too.

Despite its lightweight features, the Zephyrus M gaming laptop is also a very robust model that is built with that portability in mind.

3. New Apple MacBook Pro

Anyone who is already in the MacOS camp won’t need much convincing about the new Apple MacBook Pro’s credentials for being the ultimate laptop with i7 processor on the market. However, if you’ve been considering the switch from Windows for a few years, this is the perfect model to finally encourage that leap of faith. It’s fast, versatile, stylish, and surprisingly more affordable than previous incarnations.

Whether opting for the silver or space grey design, the instantly recognizable laptop isn’t only heralded for carrying the lit-up Apple logo. The 16” retina display ensures that every game, movie, presentation, and website looks absolutely phenomenal. Meanwhile, the AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU offers the versatility of being able to switch between configurations.

The 3072 x 1920 screen is the headline grabber, but there’s so much to love about the MacBook Pro. A good battery life, quiet performance, and practical layout are all winning features. Gamers and video editors can even find new keyboards and utilize the backlit keyboard features to create the ultimate setup for their primary activities. This is supported by a responsive trackpad.

Its i7 processor gives the Macbook Pro enough oomph to handle virtually any task you throw at it. The T2 storage chip is encrypted too, adding an extra layer of protection, which also incorporates Touch ID and various winning features.

In today’s climate, even the perceived issues of compatibility with accessories and software should not hold you back. Almost all modern items can now work on MacOS.

4. MSI P65 Creator-1084

MSI has become one of the most trustworthy manufacturers on the market, and the P65 Creator is unquestionably one of the most attractive laptops with i7 processor systems. While it is available in a range of memory configurations, the 1084 15.6” 32GB solution signals the best value for money.

Its powerful processor isn’t the only feature that shows a clear focus on creation. The trackpad has been upgraded from previous incarnations, now boasting 35% more textured coverage for increased responsiveness. Meanwhile, the true color tech ensures optimal accuracy and enhancement of colors on all parts of the screen. This is supported by a true 4K UHD display that ensures stills, videos, and games are free from blur.

Creatives can also take advantage of the incredible A.I. assistance that delivers color matching and resolution upgrades alongside a plethora of other features. The Creator Center modes offer a customized UX and UI while the comfortable keyboard and good battery life are ideal for long creative sessions. The USBs and other ports allow the productivity to incorporate various graphics tablets and accessories.

At just 0.69” thick, it is particularly portable. Thankfully, this does not come to the detriment of its performance or durability. The discrete design isn’t necessarily a hit with everyone, but anyone seeking a professional and practical solution need look no further.

The brilliant all-rounder is also very well matched to a range of assignments, including 3D animation and modeling. Its performance matches many desktops at the same price range, cementing its place as a great option for home usage as well as on the go.

5. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop

The Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop is an incredible gaming laptop, particularly at under $2,000. Its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, 9th gen I7 processor, and 12MB of cache memory (which includes 12 threads), all create a stunning gaming experience that challenges laptops costing almost double the price and is ready for hours of fun on MMORPGs, FPS, and VR gaming alike.

A phenomenal 1m/s response time is supported by cutting-edge thermal materials keep the laptop running quietly, efficiently, and smoothly at all times. Even when playing CPU-heavy titles and streaming your gaming activities, there is no threat of blur, lag, or unexpected closures. For hardened casual gamers and professional eSports athletes alike, this laptop is more than capable.

While the full HD resolution of the 15.6” screen is impressive, it’s the combination of excellent sunlight visibility and a 144Hz refresh rate that truly makes this a stunning piece of gaming equipment for the eyes. Naturally, these attributes are perfect for CAD software, film editing, and other activities that test CPUs and visual factors.

Expandable 16GB memory and various ports ensure that the Razer Blade 15 can evolve and be customized to personal needs. Meanwhile, the biometric facial recognition and responsive touchpad deliver further reason for confidence in the laptop’s ability to keep you happy throughout the years to come.

The Razer brand is synonymous with building excellent gaming laptops, and the pick of its 2019 offering remains one of the very best i7 laptop deals on the market.

6. Lenovo IdeaPad L340

Thanks to its huge 17.3” display, the Lenovo Idea Pad L340 is quite bigger than most. Nonetheless, it is far from bulky thanks to its ergonomic 6.13lbs design. With two types of USB port, alongside HDMI, RJ45, 3.55mm jack, and Novo hole solutions, it is naturally a good option for users that may complete a variety of tasks on their laptop. Nonetheless, it is primarily built for gaming and is a genuine contender fr the best i7 laptop of 2021 despite being released in 2019.

At under $1,500 for the 9th gen i7 processor, it instantly stands out as good value for money. This pleasing processing power is further supported by the excellent storage. The 1920 x 1080 screen resolution is supported by anti-glare technology that improves outside visibility and helps protect the eyes, particularly during long sessions in front of the screen.

Lenovo has built a reputation for providing practicality as well as power. The modern functional ports including HDMI and USB are supported by a good audio output courtesy of 1.5W speakers while the HD webcam and fitted microphone are of a pleasing standard too. They are more than capable of handling calls to clients or streaming the action from your screen.

The backlit keyboard is as comfortable as it is attractive while the trackpad is pretty reliable once you’ve got used to the slight stiffness.

It might not be perfectly suited to the most demanding AAA games, but the Lenovo IdeaPad is an affordable option than can handle most. At this price point, it is understandable one of the most popular options on the market for frequent but casual gamers.

7. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

The Acer Predator Helios range of gaming laptops has quickly established itself as one of the leading lines on the market. As far as laptops with good processors are concerned, the Helios 300 is a fantastic solution thanks to the i7 processor and an array of other telling features that deliver rapid and lag-free gaming. Not least thanks to its excellent built-in wireless connection. Better still, it comes in at a fairly pleasing price of under $1,200 while competing with some models sitting at the $2,000 mark.

An improved airflow encourages quiet running while the 144Hz refresh rate promotes HD gaming, which is further supported by Waves MAXXAudio technology to support a truly immersive experience. The system is also suited to VR gaming.

The smooth gaming experience is further enhanced by the prioritization opportunities offered by Killer DoubleShot Pro while the patented PredatorSense allows for optimal customization of gaming profiles, screen layouts, keyboard shortcuts, and more.

MMO, MMORPG, and FPS gamers that want to play high-end games without compromising graphic visuals or key gaming features can look to this laptop with i7 processor for all their gaming needs. Likewise, it will hand a range of business-related assignments, and is capable of streaming your games simultaneously if that is a feature you desire.

One of the great things about this laptop is its ability to expand. The already powerful 2.6GHz Hexa-Core System on a Chip (SOC) can be boosted to 4.5GHz, for example, while the impressive list of ports (USBs, HDMIs, etc.) allow for extensive connectivity and modifications. This includes a wide range of Predator branded keyboards, gaming mice, and headsets.

8. MSI GF63 THIN 9RCX-818

While the P65 Creator is designed with designers and editors in mind, its sister GF63 machine is very much a machine aimed at gamers. It delivers the same high standards of the MSI brand, along with the powerful processing of the i7 processor. Incredibly, while other configurations are available, the 1050 Ti, 8GB, 256GB is priced at under $1,000. This confirms its place as one of the best i7 laptop deals.

The slimline and sleek looking black laptop boasts a red backlit keyboard (and lid logo) that instantly says “this is a gaming laptop”. Meanwhile, the 30% Audio Boost amp and 0.85” thickness are supported by a good selection of ports to set a positive tone before you’ve even opened up your favorite game or application.

MSI’s GF63 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop, which is why it’s no surprise to learn it can suffer a slight delay and blur on the harshest titles. However, most games will play perfectly fine without any graphic issues. Booting and game loadings courtesy of the i7 processor are very fast while wireless connections to console controllers are convenient and reliable.

The battery life isn’t perfect for gaming on top tier games, but you will find that the temperature is regulated efficiently. If using the laptop on an AC power supply rather than the battery, you can enjoy an extensive session without any problems. In fact, it’ll outperform many desktops at the same price point.

NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX graphics are displayed clear and crisp on the 1920 x 1080 resolution screen. While there are a couple of minor annoyances, such as the placement of the power lead port, the laptop is great value for money. Some of the savings can be put towards customizing the GF63 to your tastes.

9. Asus ZenBook 15 Ultra-Slim Laptop

If you want a laptop that will impress friends, colleagues, clients, and relatives, the Zenbook 15 by Asus is a definite contender. Its innovative interactive Screenpad 20 touchscreen trackpad is simply out of this world, serving as your mouse and a mini-tablet all in one. It looks ultra-futuristic and actually brings a huge degree of customization and convenience to the table.

The innovative addition can provide one-touch shortcuts to an array of items like emails or Apps. It can also serve as a split-screen for dual screen capabilities on one devices. For gaming and productivity alike, this is a game changer. It will take a little time to truly adapt to this way of working, but the rewards are fantastic.

None of this would be worthwhile without the power and speed to unlock the full potential of those attributes. The 4GB Video RAM is a telling feature of the graphics card while the ability to turbo boost the processor to 4.6GHz should not be overlooked. The crisp graphics on the 15.6” screen are up there with anything else on the market while the bezel-less style of the housing injects an extra source of enjoyment from the laptop.

Other impressive features include the face ID recognition and decent sound output. Nonetheless, it’s not just about the looks and style of the Asus Zenbook that counts. It is truly a 15” powerhouse.

When supported by extensive connectivity options and the ability to run multiple applications at once without overheating or slowing down, it’s no wonder that so many consumers are turning their attention to this innovative gadget.

10. HP Spectre x360-13t Quad Core

The HP Spectre is another versatile laptop that can work as a standard laptop or a tablet thanks to a 13.3” touchscreen that also tilts. It’s the perfect all-rounder, offering good gaming capabilities, excellent content creation, and enjoyable viewing. Even the built-in quad speakers with Bang & Olufsen tech are of a high standard, which is ideal for music listening and production.

An 8th generation i7 Quad-core processor is supported by 16GB of virtual RAM to make it one of the most powerful devices of its kind. Crucially, the 1920 x 1080 full HD display is excellent in all situations, regardless of whether you’re in gaming or art mode. Likewise, the clarity avoids glare even when you’re outside.

The touchpad screen itself is well protected by NBT Corning Gorilla Glass while its responsiveness will impress users regardless of whether they choose to use their fingers or the included stylus pen. The 360-degree rotating screen is undoubtedly the standout feature of the Spectre x360 Quad Core. However, there are a number of other things to love about the practical performer.

Aside from boasting multiple ports, it ensures that the ports deliver high-speed transfers of up to 40GBPS – which is rapid for any laptop in any price range – while the TrueVision camera is another popular feature.

It’s a fantastic laptop for work, gaming, browsing, and home entertainment while it is well equipped to evolve with any changes that may occur over the years to come.

11. Acer Aspire 7

The Acer Aspire family of laptops has been immensely popular for several years, especially in business circles. However, the Spire 7 15.6” full HD laptop transcends business matters to deliver a wonderful UX in a range of situations. It is one of the best i7 laptop devices on the market and is even capable of handling 3D animations, AAA gaming, and other CPU-heavy activities.

Although the widescreen 15.6” display isn’t the most innovative on the market, it delivers crisp, clean graphics with colors that really pop. Crucially, the 16GB RAM, impressive GPU, and more than adequate storage all deliver reliable graphics that do not freeze out or suffer from compromised images, not least due to the 72% NTSC color levels.

The Aspire 7 is one of the sleekest models on the market, especially if you want a laptop with i7 processor that avoids being a clear gaming laptop. The 180-degree hinge allows for versatile viewing configurations while the magnesium materials on the chassis make for an ultra stylish appearance. T just over 5lbs, the lightweight nature makes it a great option for on the go.

Aspire boasts a solid reputation as a manufacturer that makes laptops built to last. This one is very durable and robust, even to the keyboard and trackpad while all ports are fitted snugly, which reduces any rattling around.

Productivity and performance are at the heart of this i7-powered laptop, which arguably makes it better suited to work and education. However, if you’re looking for laptops with good processors so that you can play games too, you won’t have to look much further.

12. LG Gram Laptop

LG wasn’t always associated with high-quality laptops, but the manufacturer has delivered an exceptional model with the Gram. At under $1,700, it is one of the more affordable quality i7 laptops on the market, especially when you consider the fact it utilizes a 10th gen processor.

The world’s lightest 17” laptop instantly stands out due to its ergonomic design that is just 0.7” thick. Due to the 2560 x 1600 IPS display and stunning LCD panel offer a level of clarity and color reproduction accuracy that is hard to match anywhere on the market. It has everything a powerful i7-driven laptop with good storage and integrated Iris Plus graphic should offer. However, that extra screen size makes everything just a little bit better.

As well as the 4K displays, the powerful and portable notebook is ready to run multiple applications at once while the rapid loading time enables you to get on with whatever task is required in the quickest possible time. While the battery life will only reach the promoted 17-hour mark with very low usage requirements, there’s no doubt that it can allow you to work throughout the day on a single charge.

The LG Gram also allows you to charge other devices from the USB charging port, which is a handy feature. Unsurprisingly, LG makes good use of its reputation for creating great audio output with a powerful 3D offering that incorporates DTS: X technology.

It is a laptop that has been praised by various awards while the quality of all elements, such as the lid hinge, ensure that it stays in top condition for the long haul. It’s a massive upgrade on its predecessor, offering faster work and clearer graphics to cement its place as one of 2020’s best.

Decoding Intel CPU Letters

Wondering what all those extra letters at the end of an Intel Core description actually stand for? This helpful video breaks down the basics, so you can easily know what you’re looking for next time you go laptop shopping.

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