Microsoft Flight Simulator has always been a flagship title for PC gamers, if only for those interested in the niche category of controlling realistic aircraft. Although the name hardly changes, the modern PC version dropped in 2020 alongside the well-received Xbox port and often shows the release year in its name. However, an upcoming successor holds the work-in-progress title of 'Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,' so it's understandable if you find it confusing.
Nevertheless, the game is available to play now if you can pair it with a capable gaming laptop for portable play. I've rounded up my top picks based on the recommended specifications and some personal input from playing the game myself. With each update, more complex content is added to the game, and these low-end requirements don't always reflect the best-suited components. Skip the process of building a custom desktop PC and choose from my selection of the best gaming laptops for Microsoft Flight Simulator to get you straight into the game.
Recent updates
November 13, 07:30 AM ET: I've checked all of my picks for their current prices versus historical lows in sale events to see if it's worth waiting for Black Friday sales in an explanation further down the page.
Dell's gaming subbrand has its ups and downs, but the 16-inch Alienware m16 R2 (2024) is as close to perfect as it gets. It's not the cheapest, but it's not an overblown rip-off either, loaded with specs capable of handling even the most demanding simulations.
To go all-out with Microsoft Flight Simulator's visual fidelity, you'll need a capable laptop to crank up the settings, and Lenovo's Legion 9i (Gen 8) is the best fit. Choose between RTX 4080 or 4090 graphics and push the game to its absolute max with this 16-inch behemoth.
For portable simulation, ASUS' compact 14-inch ROG Zephyrus G14 can handle practically anything you throw at it. The specs are far and above the recommendations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and you can hook up an external monitor or play on-the-go.
Our Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8) review is based around a mid-range spec, making it perfectly capable of running Microsoft Flight Simulator at similar settings. The Slim 7i and Pro 5i are 16-inch options, but this model can have widely customized components, resulting in significant price reductions.
While there are certainly cheaper gaming laptops out there, Lenovo's Legion Slim 7i (Gen 8, now Gen 9) brings some impressive specs for the asking price. Up to a Core i9-13900H, RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, a 16-inch QHD+ display with 240Hz refresh rate, and per-key RGB lighting are standouts and have 14th Gen equivalents in the Gen 9 replacement.
How to choose the best gaming laptop for playing Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2024 and beyond
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We've moved up a couple of hardware generations since Microsoft Flight Simulator was first released in 2020, so even entry-level equivalents have a decent chance of running the game without much stress. Lenovo's Legion 9i (Gen 9), one of the best gaming laptops in general, is a gigantic beast that can play practically anything at maximum settings, including simulated flights with complex lighting effects. Still, the Alienware m16 R2 (2024) offers a more realistically priced option as the best overall choice since it still packs a high-end CPU and strong RTX 40-Series GPUs.
Your choice ultimately comes down to your needs, so if you plan to enjoy some flight sim sessions on the go, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is far better suited to portability with its 14-inch chassis. Even the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i (Gen 8) can handle the game with some of its fancier visual luxuries turned down or switched off completely, and once you've taken to the skies, the graphical demands of Microsoft Flight Simulator settle down by a fair margin. On the runway, mid-range picks and above start to shine by rendering airports and other buildings with lifelike qualities.
Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
This year, Black Friday lands on November 29 and is soon followed by Cyber Monday on December 2, 2024. However, most retailers generally don't care about the exact dates and launch discounts weeks in advance, turning November into a month-long deal extravaganza.
• Discounts on gaming laptops
• Our top-rated Windows laptops
• Early deals on gaming monitors
• Game Pass Ultimate discount
Cyber Monday has a higher chance of exclusive deals since it's generally limited to digital storefronts, as third-party retailers often try to clear out leftover Black Friday stock or run one-day discounts with historically low prices.
Gaming laptops are as 'cyber' as it gets, but they have a mass appeal that means Black Friday discounts are common enough that you don't have to wait for Cyber Monday to get a bargain. So, what about my picks for Microsoft Flight Simulator? Are they already discounted enough to warrant a purchase, or should you wait another week or two?
My top pick is Alienware's m6 12 with an RTX 4070 that usually sells for around $1,849.99 at Amazon but has dropped as low as $1,699.99 during Amazon Prime Day in 2023, so it may happen again, perhaps even at Dell's official storefront. Second, a maxed-out Lenovo Legion 9i (now in Gen 9 with an RTX 4090) costs around $3,449.95 at Amazon, cheaper than the $3,884.99 of Lenovo's official storefront.
For a compact pick, the 14-inch ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is $1,659 at Amazon and has been for a while, but Best Buy has it cheaper at $1,599.99. At the mid-range, a Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8) is $1,319.99 at Amazon for a 13th Gen Core Intel CPU or $1,499.99 at Best Buy with a 14th Gen variant that still features the same RTX 4060 GPU.
Finally, a Gen 8 upgrade to the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i (Gen 9) starts at $1,309.99 at Lenovo's official store, or $1,399.99 for an RTX 4070 model matching my original Slim 7i (Gen 8) review.
