Since its official release in 2011, Minecraft has taken the gaming world by storm. More than any game before it, the Mojang-developed title has inspired creativity among millions and millions of players.

In doing so, it’s inspired many gamers to look into new and improved laptops to optimise their gaming experience. When it’s time for you to narrow down your choices of the best laptops for Minecraft, there are several key criteria to keep in mind.

What to look for in a Minecraft gaming laptop?

Minimum specs needed to play Minecraft

Although Minecraft is not a graphics-intensive game, it does require a relatively powerful laptop to run even at minimum settings. That means your laptop will need at least an Intel® Core™ i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and either an AMD® Radeon™ R5 series or NVIDIA® GeForce 400 graphics card.

Better specs mean a better experience

However, we recommend that you look at laptops that can run Minecraft with better specs. This will allow you to run Minecraft at higher settings and even potentially use Minecraft shaders to add more vibrancy to your game world. To do so, look for laptops with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce 700 Series or AMD Radeon Rx 200 Series graphics card.

Do you need a Minecraft gaming laptop?

While it may seem that a gaming laptop for Minecraft is a must, it’s not. Plenty of laptops can meet the recommended specs without being strictly for gaming. However, if you want to use advanced graphics settings, then we recommend a gaming laptop.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether you want to dig into advanced features like ray tracing to change the way you experience the game. Otherwise, you’ll be perfectly fine playing Minecraft on low or even medium settings.

Best HP laptops for Minecraft

Whether you’re just getting into Minecraft or you’ve been playing for years, the right laptop will make all the difference when it comes to immersing yourself in this unique, ever-expanding game. From more budget-minded laptops to those that can run newer titles at higher settings, here are our picks for the best HP laptops to play this one-of-a-kind experience.

1. HP OMEN 15t gaming laptop

One of the best gaming laptops on our list, the HP OMEN 15 15t-ek000 virtually guarantees that you can play Minecraft at the highest possible settings. It starts with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, but here’s the kicker - you can upgrade all of those to get the specs you crave. With a laptop like this, the chances of running into any frame rate issues or game crashes are non-existent.

With a 6-cell, 70.9 Wh Li-ion polymer battery, you'll be able to play Minecraft for hours and hours from just about anywhere. Plus, thanks to the HP OMEN Tempest Cooling technology, you won’t have to worry about temperature issues as you gather resources and build to your heart’s content.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal FHD, IPS, anti-glare, micro-edge, WLED-backlit display
• Audio by Bang & Olufsen on dual speakers with HP Audio Boost
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
• Customizable 256GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader
• ENERGY STAR® certified and EPEAT® Silver registered

2. HP 470 G7 Notebook PC

Built for productivity, the HP 470 G7 notebook PC is no slouch when it comes to gaming either. This is great news for those that need a Minecraft gaming laptop and also need a new machine for work or general use. It comes standard with an Intel Core i5 processor as well as 8GB of RAM, which more than meets Minecraft's minimum settings recommendations.

The HP 470 G7 comes standard with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620, which you can upgrade to discrete AMD Radeon 530 Graphics to run Minecraft on higher settings or even use mods. However you customise it, this is a strong midrange laptop for playing Minecraft.

Additional features:

• 17.3-inch diagonal, FHD, IPS, anti-glare, WLED-backlit display
• 720p HD camera
• 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• HP Connection Optimiser, HP JumpStart, HP Support Assistant
• DVD-Writer optical drive
• 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 RJ-45 port, 1 headphone/microphone combo port, 1 HDMI 1.4 port

3. HP Pavilion 15z laptop

A general use high-performance laptop, the HP Pavilion 15z is equal parts stylish and powerful. With an incredible AMD Ryzen™ 7 3700U processor coupled with a Radeon Vega 10 Graphics card, you'll be able to render an instance of Minecraft any which way you like.

With approximately 8 hours of battery life, you'll also be able to play a full Minecraft session without having to plug in your laptop. While this laptop is not specifically geared toward gaming, its powerful specs guarantee that you'll be able to play Minecraft on it for years to come.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal, micro-edge, WLED-backlit touch screen
• 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• 3-cell, 41 Wh Lithium-ion prismatic Battery
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with Dual digital microphone
• Audio by Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader

4. HP ProBook 445 G7 notebook PC

The HP ProBook 445 G7 notebook PC is a reliable, well-rounded choice for gaming and just about anything else you’d like to do. It starts with a 2nd generation AMD Ryzen™ processor and Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, which are more than enough to play Minecraft in more casual settings. Or you can customise it with additional power if you’re looking to push the way you experience the game.

Beyond its gaming capabilities, this notebook impresses because of its suite of privacy, security, and productivity features. With those specs and overall potential, this HP ProBook is a fantastic choice for those who want to work and play on their new laptop.

Additional features:

• 14-inch diagonal LED, anti-glare, HD display
• Upgradeable 500GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive
• 3-cell 45 WHr Long Life Battery
• Stereo speakers with integrated microphone
• Bundled software includes HP Connection Optimiser, HP Image Assistant, and HP Noise Cancellation Software
• Integrated HD 720p IR webcam with a dual-microphone array

5. HP Pavilion 15t gaming laptop

If you want a smooth frame rate, further render distances, and more attractive animations when playing Minecraft, look no further than the 15-inch HP Pavilion gaming laptop. This may just be one of the best laptops for Minecraft on our list.

It boasts high-grade graphics and processing power that are perfect for both gaming and multitasking. In addition to the upgradable 9th Generation Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, it uses a dual fan system with thermal cooling technology to keep your device running smoothly even during the longest gaming sessions. With that kind of power, you can also dip into the world of Minecraft shaders and other mods without experiencing gameplay issues.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal FHD, IPS, anti-glare, micro-edge, WLED-backlit display
• Upgradeable 8GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM
• Upgradeable 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost 2.0
• 3-cell, 52.5 Wh Lithium-ion prismatic Battery
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone

6. HP 15-inch laptop

The HP laptop - 15-dw2697nr prides itself on its portability and compact size, so it’s another top pick for playing Minecraft on the go. And like other entries on our list, it’s certainly powerful enough to handle more than just your favourite game.

It comes loaded with a generous 12GB of SDRAM and Intel UHD Graphics, both of which you can upgrade at checkout. The 15-inch HP laptop also comes with a long-life battery that you can rely on for more than just gaming, turning this into a solid entertainment device as well.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal, HD, SVA, BrightView, micro-edge, WLED-backlit display
• Upgrade to 16GB Intel Optane™ memory
• 3-cell, 41 Wh Li-ion battery
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader
• HP TrueVision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
• Full-size, island-style, ash silver keyboard with numeric keypad

7. HP ENVY x360 touch laptop

Be the envy of everyone with the HP ENVY x360 touch laptop. It’s built to handle Minecraft exceptionally on nearly any setting with its powerful AMD Ryzen™ processor coupled with AMD Radeon Graphics. It also comes standard with 8GB of SDRAM, which you can customise up to 16GB of SDRAM.

Those features will help you avoid frame rate dips or game crashes, but this HP ENVY can do so much more than power your Minecraft sessions. Thanks to the 360-degree hinge and touch screen, you can transform this laptop into a tablet and get hands-on with everything else you’re doing with your new favourite device.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal FHD, IPS, micro-edge WLED-backlit, multitouch-enabled, edge-to-edge glass display
• Upgradeable 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• 3-cell, 51 Wh Li-ion polymer battery
• Audio by Bang & Olufsen, 3 speakers, HP Audio Boost
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with camera shutter and integrated dual array digital microphone

8. HP Spectre x360 laptop

If you're looking to game while travelling or commuting, the 13-inch HP Spectre x360 13-ap0042nr is for you. This laptop isn’t specifically built for gaming, but the included 4-cell, 61 Wh Li-ion battery gives it up to 14 hours and 30 minutes of power.

When you’re deep into a long session of Minecraft, it’s nice to know you won't even have to think of plugging in. Plus, it weighs less than 3 lbs, so it’s perfect to take with you on a plane, car, or bus ride.

This HP Spectre also comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 so you can run Minecraft comfortably on medium settings. Not only that, but you’ll have all the time in the world to do so with that impressive battery life.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal FHD, IPS, micro-edge WLED-backlit, multitouch-enabled, edge-to-edge glass display
• 8GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM
• 3-cell, 51 Wh Li-ion polymer battery
• Audio by Bang & Olufsen; 3 speakers; HP Audio Boost
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with camera shutter and integrated dual array digital microphone

9. HP OMEN 15t laptop

The HP OMEN 15t laptop is one of the best gaming laptops on the market, which makes it a perfect choice for playing Minecraft. You'll be able to use shaders and mods to your heart's content, and you’ll do it without ever worrying about any performance-based issues with the game.

This HP OMEN is more than just a Minecraft machine, however, because it’s built to handle the latest games on the market. If you want a machine that can play the best-looking games, we strongly recommend you consider this laptop. It more than earns its rank as a portable powerhouse.

Additional features:

• 15.6-inch diagonal, FHD, 60 Hz display, upgradeable to 4K
• Intel Core i7 processor, upgradeable to i9
• Up to 32GB DDR4-2933 SDRAM
• 6-cell, 69 Wh Li-ion polymer
• Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost
• HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone

10. HP Pavilion x360 14t laptop

A laptop that is ideal for creatives, the HP Pavilion x360 14t has all the specs you need to play Minecraft. It starts with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, which you can upgrade up to an i7 processor to push the settings up a notch. You also get 8GB of RAM and integrated Intel UHD graphics, both of which you can customise to get into your favourite game.

More than just pure power, the 14-inch HP Pavilion x360 is portable as well. Depending on how you customise your build, it starts at a mere 3.49 lbs and is less than 13 inches wide, a great combo for crafting on the go.

Additional features:

• 14-inch diagonal, HD, SVA, micro-edge, WLED-backlit, multitouch display
• 1TB 5400 rpm SATA
• 16GB Intel Optane memory
• 3-cell, 41 Wh Lithium-ion prismatic battery
• 1 multi-format SD media card reader
• Bang & Olufsen, dual speakers, HP Audio Boost

Conclusion

When it comes to playing Minecraft on a laptop, it’s good to know you have a lot of options. While any pick on this list will let you play Minecraft, we recommend the HP Pavilion 15z for those who want an overall high-performance laptop. It’s a great buy that’ll allow you to spend hours and hours immersed in the world of Minecraft without any technical issues.