5 Best i9 Laptops: Reviewed, Rated & Compared

i9 Laptop Comparison Table

Advantages & Applications Of Core i9 Processor Laptops

Having an i9 core processor ensures that you have a laptop at the very top of the evolutionary chain. Almost anything you could ask a consumer-level laptop to do, an i9 laptop will do with venom.

Video editing, Gaming, Machine Learning, AI Deep Learning, an i9 laptop is designed to obliterate any task that you can throw at it.

Important Considerations When Buying An i9 Laptop

Intended Application

I9 laptops are generally specialist machines. This means they will be geared towards a particular task. Although all i9 laptops will be incredibly powerful machines, a Video Editor orientated laptop may have better screen quality and a more powerful graphics card, whereas a Deep Learning Laptop may have an overclocked processor to help with the complex calculations. Deciding what your intended application is before you start shopping is recommended.

Core i9 Specs

Not all i9 cores are built equal. Think of it as the i9 representing a Ferrari. All Ferraris are incredibly powerful sports cars. The specs of the core will relate to the car model.

One thing to look at is the number of cores. Processing power is measured in GHz, which is the number of decisions that the processor can make every single second.

Cores add another level to this. Each core can work independently, so a dual-core processor running at 5GHz can technically run at 10GHz, and a 4GHz Quad-Core processor can run at 16GHz.

You have both physical and virtual cores, and without going into the complex mechanics of virtual cores, they both essentially do the same job.

RAM

As powerful as an i9 processor is, computing power is still a team game. To get the most out of your beast of a processor, you will need to make sure it has the right supporting players behind it.

RAM is one of those major supporting players. Your processor uses your RAM to store cheat sheets and shortcuts every time it makes a decision. When it comes to making that decision a second or third time, it will access these cheat sheets, enabling it to calculate the process quickly.

GPU

Your GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, commonly referred to as your graphics card, is the component controlling your visuals. Everything you can see on the screen has been processed by your GPU.

If you intend to do anything that is graphics intensive, like gaming or photo and video editing, you will need a beefy GPU to enable you to do so.

Storage Space

Your storage space is where you keep everything. From the programs already downloaded to the thousands of files that you will download over your lifetime, they all have to go somewhere.

Storage is divided into two types, HDD and SSD.

Battery Life

Unfortunately, components like the i9 processor, which are made for pure performance, use a ridiculous amount of power. This means that laptops of this caliber usually have poor battery life when they are untethered from a power outlet.

Battery life is something you need to think about before shopping. If you need longer battery life, you might have to sacrifice power or pay more.

Screen Size & Display

Another thing you should consider before buying a laptop like this is screen size and quality. If you intend to use your laptop as a desktop replacement, you might want a larger display. If you want to connect your laptop to a monitor, you may be able to get a laptop that is more portable with a smaller screen.

Design

Most laptops at this level are beautiful; they have had thousands spent on their design by some of the world's best tech innovators. Design choices are personal, though, so you should pick a laptop that appeals to you in looks as well as power.

You might prefer the fluidity of a 2in1 machine or an RGB gaming laptop. Perhaps you prefer matte black to fit in with your style in the office.

Build Quality

Again, we expect every laptop to come with a high level of build quality at this level. In fact, we wouldn't recommend any laptop that didn't.

Price & Warranty

i9 processors are extremely pricey, so ensuring that the entire package scores highly in terms of price to performance is important. As well as the price, we expect an outstanding warranty from laptops at this level.

1. Apple MacBook Pro

Our Top Pick!

The winner overall for the best i9 laptop falls to the Apple MacBook Pro, the poster boy for Apple. This is due to the ridiculous amount of customization you get.

When you are looking for a laptop that is absolutely tailor-made to your needs, you can't get much better. The MacBook Pro is one of the most customizable laptops the world has ever seen.

On top of the i9 processor, you get the best screen we have ever seen on a laptop, the Retina Display. This display is simply gorgeous and has some of the best colors and darks on any screen.

You also get to choose exactly how much SSD storage and RAM you want, with insane capabilities ranging up to 2TB SSD and 64GB of RAM. You also get AMD Radeon Pro Graphics, which power the screen we talked about earlier.

Apple products have always had a sleek look too, and the Macbook Pro is no different. The brushed aluminum looks cool and sophisticated. It is extremely portable, too, slipping into a backpack with ease.

The newest iteration has a cool feature too. The touch bar that runs along the top of the keyboard can be customized with new buttons that add a whole new depth to the keyboard.

Speaking of the keyboard, the newest generation keyboard fixes all of the problems that plagued the predecessors. This is a keyboard designed from the ground up, and it shows. Typing on the Macbook Pro is an absolute dream. The keys bounce perfectly, and the throw is perfect.

As with all Apple products, the only thing we really have to say negatively about the MacBook Pro is the price tag attached. If you have deep enough pockets to afford one, though, you won't get much better.

2. Dell XPS 15 9570

Best Dell i9 Laptop

Dell has been making incredible laptops of a certain style for years now. Their XPS range has been the go-to for those who need a work laptop packed with power and style. The sleek carbon-fiber style and luxury casing make them a perfect addition to a boardroom or executive office. Whereas gaming laptops are proud and loud about their power, the XPS range is a little more sophisticated.

If this is the kind of laptop you want to purchase, you can't go wrong with the XPS 15, Dells 15" flagship.

The XPS 15 had a 4K UHD touchscreen that looks stunning and is incredibly accurate. Powered by a GTX 1050Ti and housing 1TB of SSD storage and 32GB of DDR RAM, the XPS 15 hides its power well.

One of the reasons why the XPS series is so popular is the incredible feat that Dell has accomplished in terms of the laptop's portability. The laptop is extremely lightweight and thin and can be thrown into a briefcase.

Another thing that really stands out is the reduction of the bezels that Dell has managed. The 15" screen seems a lot bigger and fits into a laptop that feels more like a 13".

If you run with the Dell crowd and want to know if they have managed to continue with their high level of quality, they have, and this is the best Dell i9 laptop on the market.

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme

Best i9 Laptop for Programming

For the programmers amongst you, you will probably have slightly different needs from the others on this list. What you need is a laptop designed to be a programming workhorse. When it comes to specialist laptops like this, one brand stands head and shoulders above the crowd. Lenovo has been making workstation laptops for years, and they are brilliant at it.

The ThinkPad X1 is the top of their workstation range, a laptop that can keep up with even the hardest working programmer. This i9 beast has a turbo-boost, which can overclock it to 4.5GHz, a 1TB SSD, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. You also get a GTX 1650 to keep graphic processing high.

The X1 also comes with fast-charge capabilities, taking it from 0-80% in a single hour. This is on top of the already extremely capable battery life, which can last all day without charging with ease.

These laptops are military tested and will be able to survive drops, sub-zero temperatures, and blazing heat without a hitch.

You also get ThinkShield, which is an integrated suite of security solutions. When your work is important or confidential, you can rest easy. You get a Match-on-Chip biometric scanner which encrypts your biometric data. You also get dTPM, which further bolsters your security defenses.

One final thing that sets this laptop apart is the incredible level of support and warranty that you get with it. You can opt for a fixed cost lifetime service, which means that you will never have to worry about your laptop breaking, ever.

The king of workstations, the Thinkpad X1 Extreme really is impressive.

4. Gigabyte AERO 15-X9-9RT5

Best Portable Gaming i9 Laptop

Some people need their laptops to be portable. Content creators who are always on the move, photographers who are always traveling, and workers who need to move from location to location all need a laptop that is as lightweight as possible.

That is where the Aero steps in. This laptop has been designed to weigh very little, take up as little profile as possible, all while performing to the highest degree in terms of performance.

Under the hood, you get an FHD 144Hz monitor, which is simply breathtaking. The tiny bezels and high quality make the Aero the perfect choice for content creators. Powering this screen is an RTX 2070, which is a feat in itself. Fitting a graphics card of this power into a laptop this thin boggles our brains.

On top of that, you get a 1TB SSD m.2 and 16GB DDR4 RAM. All of the components in this laptop are Intel too, which means they synergize to take performance levels to new heights.

One of the other major selling points here is Microsoft Azure AI. This deep learning system allows your laptop to learn, adapt, and control the clock speed and performance of the laptop, depending on how you use it. Your laptop literally gets smarter with use.

In terms of the other functions, the cooling system works extremely well, the Killer DoubleShot Pro internet chip provides stable bombproof connections, and the battery life is a healthy 8 hours.

If you need a lightweight laptop that performs like a desktop, this is the best choice on the list.

5. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15

Best i9 laptop for video editing

For the Video Editors amongst you, don't worry; we haven't forgotten you. This is the best i9 laptop for video editing.

The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 has been on our radar for a while now, ever since it was announced. This is due to the Screenpad feature. The Screenpad is essentially an evolved touchpad, capable of being used as a small touchscreen. You can load programs to it, add new functions, preview photos, and videos and even map your editing software to it.

We haven't reviewed it until now because we wanted to see what the general reviews and user response to the screen pad have been like. The results are overwhelmingly positive; people love it.

Besides the screenpad, you get a UHD 4k screen up top, displaying videos, photos, and other content in glorious 4k quality. This is powered by a GTX 1050Ti, and 16GB DDR RAM backed with a 512GB SSD.

The ZenBook Pro has one of the most comfortable keyboards we have ever typed on too. Your fingers seem to glide from key to key with the perfect level of bounce.

As an editor, you probably have a keen edge for design and looks, and the Zenbook, made from solid metal, is a masterpiece of design and engineering. Elegance, sophistication, and precision craftsmanship are the hallmarks of this laptop range, and the prestigious Deep Dive Blue and Rose Gold color scheme looks inherently beautiful.

One thing lots of editors complain about in creator style laptops like this is the heat that they can rise too. Luckily the Zenbook has an extremely efficient dual-fan cooling system with three heat pipes for maximum thermal ability.

Obviously, this isn't the highest spec of any laptop on this list, but if you are looking for a laptop that can save you time in editing while still containing huge amounts of processing power, look no further.

Core i9 vs. Other Intel Core Processor Laptops

Intel Core i9 vs. Core i3/i5 Laptops

If you currently have an i3 or i5 laptop, the upgrade to an i9 is immense. You will have the power that makes your old laptop look like a PC from the 80s. Do it; you won't regret it.

Intel Core i9 vs. Core i7 Laptops

If you have an i7 laptop, you have an extremely capable machine already, one that probably cost you a good amount upfront. The choice to upgrade here depends on your budget. You will get a massive power upgrade; whether it is worth it or not will depend on your individual situation.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are Core i9 laptops worth the extra money? Why is the i9 so expensive?

An i9 laptop is the cutting edge of laptop tech. Capable of tackling high-intensity tasks, it is worth every penny if you need that power. For those that game, edit content or engage in machine learning, i9 laptops are worth the money. For everyone else, it will depend on your budget.

What are the top brands of leading Core i9 laptops in the market?

ASUS, Acer, MSI, DELL, and HP all make incredible laptops targeting different users. One thing they all have in common, though, is their high level of customer service.

Where is the best place to buy these Core i9 laptops?

When you are buying expensive products like an i9 laptop, Amazon offers the best security, fastest delivery times, most competitive prices, and they have the best returns policy.

How fast is a Core i9 processor?

The i9 processor is the fastest consumer processor ever made.

Conclusion

Hopefully, by reading this article, you will have a better idea of which laptop you want to buy. If not, you will at least know what to look for in an i9 laptop. We do the research to save you time and energy.

If, by the end of this article, you are still uncertain, we suggest going with our top pick, the MacBook Pro; this is the laptop we think will suit the highest percentage of users.