ASUS
RTINGS's cheapest laptop pick, plus well-tested big-screen gaming laptops
- For
- Tight budgets, or serious gaming
- Watch out
- Chromebook is basic; gaming laptops are pricey and loud
- Top pick
ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026)
$199Starting price at Walmart, from ASUS's May 2026 announcement.
- For
- Web browsing, papers and video on a tiny budget
- Why this one
- RTINGS's cheap pick for college; runs web apps only, and the screen looks washed out
ASUS TUF Gaming A18 (2025)
$2,200The Ryzen 9, RTX 5070 version on ASUS's store. Testers used a Ryzen 7 260 version, which isn't sold new in the US.
- For
- Gamers who want a big screen for less
- Why this one
- Well-rounded 18-inch pick at Notebookcheck; heavy, and loud at full power
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026)
$3,700Starting price (RTX 5070 Ti) on ASUS's ROG site. Both testers used the pricier RTX 5080 version.
- For
- Serious gamers who want a thin 16-inch laptop
- Why this one
- Top-rated thin gaming laptop at Notebookcheck; bright OLED, but loud fans
Sources and verification
Products last verified Nov 2026.
- RTINGS: The 6 Best Laptops For College of 2026 (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- ASUS: Chromebook CX15 at Walmart, starting at $199 (May 2026) (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Notebookcheck: Asus TUF Gaming A18 review, RTX 5060 version (82.4%, July 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Tom's Guide: I tried the Asus TUF Gaming A18 with an RTX 5070 (June 2025) (opens in new tab) · Hands-on review · checked Oct 2026
- ASUS: TUF Gaming A18 (2025), where to buy (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026
- Notebookcheck: Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2026 review (90.4%) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- Tom's Guide: Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) review (July 2026) (opens in new tab) · Tested review · checked Oct 2026
- ASUS: ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606, where to buy (opens in new tab) · Official source · checked Oct 2026