Someone tell Dell — this 16-inch RTX 4070 beast was my top gaming laptop deal for Prime Day, and it's somehow STILL on sale?

Dell G16 gaming laptop render
Dell's G16 (7630) is a chunky 16-inch gaming beast. (Image credit: Dell)
Recent updates

October 18, 11:00 AM ET: Dell had fluctuated between matching Amazon at $1,299.99 and a ~48hr in-house deal at $1,199.99, but the RTX 4070 model still offers a $450 discount from its MSRP with the former.

Gaming laptops are the most accessible route to modern PC gaming, skipping the need to buy a full-sized desktop and offering more power than a pocket-sized handheld. Dell remains one of the most reliable brands in the space, and its Alienware sub-brand usually holds its flagship gaming laptops. Still, the self-branded Dell G16 with maximum specs is (still) down to only $1,299.99 at its official storefront, previously price-matching Amazon's Prime Day event for a limited time.

Dell had initially dropped the G16 (7630) even further with an extra $100 saving to $1,199.99 but has since returned to Amazon's offering over a week after "Big Deal Days" ended. It's still a bafflingly easy recommendation, which is the reason I suggested it in the first place.

It comes with Intel's high-end Core i9-13900HX CPU from its 13th Gen of mobile processors and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB) graphics to handle practically anything you throw at it. However, the 16-inch display running a 2560x1600 resolution at 240Hz is the real star, pushing modern games to their maximum framerates without stuttering or screen tearing. It's practically a perfect balance of price and performance, and it's too easy for me to recommend it to anyone looking for an upgrade (or some well-prepared Christmas gift shopping).

Dell G16 (7630) gaming laptop | $1,749.99 now $1,299.99 at Dell

Dell G16 (7630) gaming laptop | was $1,749.99 now $1,299.99 at Dell

Loaded with an Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB of solid-state storage, NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics, and Windows 11 Home pre-installed, this 16-inch gaming laptop offers smooth 240Hz gaming for less.

👀See at: Dell

Perfect for: Modern competitive multiplayer shooters that perform best with high refresh rates.

Avoid if: You want a lightweight laptop. At 6.59lb (2.99kg,) this beast is designed for heavyweight gaming.

💰Price check: $1,699 at Amazon

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

Why I'm recommending the Dell G16

It's a chunky slab of performance-grade hardware, but gamers will love the value on offer. (Image credit: Dell)

I have literally tested the best gaming laptops in the world alongside my colleagues, so I know what excess looks like. On the other hand, I've also gone hands-on with some underbaked disappointments, so I know a plastic lump of wasted time when I see one. Dell has been a constant in the laptop space in that it hasn't had any severe missteps in recent memory. Its only repetitive downside is that it keeps making heavy machines — and gaming laptops are always the heaviest.

The G16 is no exception to the rule, so be prepared to unbox a chunky 16-inch laptop with weighty (6.59lb) heft. On the upside, Dell has intentionally left room for a proper thermal solution using a vapor chamber with heat pipes and fans to keep the laptop cool during gaming. Essentially, you're getting a no-compromise gaming machine that still technically qualifies as "portable," though it's more of a desktop replacement than an "on-the-go" device.

Internally, the specs are as good as most people will need. Despite Intel releasing its 14th Gen mobile processors and even Core Ultra Series 1 to follow those up, the 13th Gen Core i9-13900HX is still beyond powerful enough to handle today's AAA games. It's the same story with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4070 GPU in that it's technically not the best in its category, but a powerful card that won't fall behind in modern games, especially if you prioritize framerate over visuals to make use of that 240Hz screen.

There are $3,000 to $4,000 gaming laptops out there with RTX 4090 GPUs and 32GB of RAM, but the jump in price doesn't always translate to a real-world leap to a better experience. Some luxuries like ray-traced lighting and 4K resolutions feel like novelties after a while, but a solid framerate and 1TB of spacious storage is a long-term appeal for any serious gamer. At $1,299 via Dell's official store, this was the best performance-per-dollar gaming laptop I'd seen during this October Prime Day season until Dell sliced it by an extra $100 for a couple of days, though Dell has even cheaper options if you'd prefer — it's still a bargain a full week after Prime Day and not to be missed.

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

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Ben Wilson
Senior Editor

Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.