Best Strategy & Simulation Players Laptops Under £800 in the UK

What a Strategy / Simulation laptop means: a laptop tuned for CPU-bound games where late-game turn times, AI threads, and giant simulations stress the processor more than the GPU,strong multi-core CPU, plenty of RAM, fast storage. Typical use: Civilization, Crusader Kings, Total War, Cities: Skylines, Stellaris, Football Manager,long sessions where end-game turns get slow. Fits strategy game enthusiasts, history-game fans, sim players, and anyone whose top game is decided by "how long does the AI take to think on turn 300?"

Also relevant for: strategy game laptops · simulation rigs · turn-based · CPU-bound games

Updated: July 2026
Products evaluated: 2281
How we work: Editorial principles →

Showing: Under £800

Showing 1–10 of 571 Strategy & Simulation Players laptops
  1. #1
    Champion
    Objective profile
    ASUS Vivobook S 15 S5506MA
    (Core Ultra 7 155H, 64GB, 8TB)
    ASUS · 15.6" · 2024
    £666 – £814
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    65 / 100
    Weight1.50 kg
    Battery10.0 hr
    Display15.6" 2880x1620
    RAM64 GB
    Storage8 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 53
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 41
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 70
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 63
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 96
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 71
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  2. #2
    Runner-Up
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1
    (Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    £655 – £800
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    64 / 100
    Weight1.95 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 1920x1200
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 60
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 66
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 53
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  3. #3
    Top Pick
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1
    (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    £645 – £788
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    62 / 100
    Weight2.05 kg
    Battery12.0 hr
    Display16.0" 1920x1200
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 61
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 55
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 53
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  4. #4
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus
    (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    £582 – £712
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    61 / 100
    Weight1.87 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 2560x1600
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 60
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 52
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 60
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 67
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  5. #5
    Objective profile
    Dell Precision 5550
    (i7-10850H, 32GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 15.6" · 2020
    £409 – £500
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    61 / 100
    Weight2.79 kg
    Battery8.0 hr
    Display15.6" 1920x1080
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 68
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 60
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 70
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 51
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 44
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  6. #6
    Objective profile
    HP 15
    (i5-1334U, 48GB, 3.1TB)
    2 configs
    HP · 15.6" · 2023
    £707 – £864
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    61 / 100
    Weight1.60 kg
    Battery7.0 hr
    Display15.6" 1920x1080
    RAM48 GB
    Storage3 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 75
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 45
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 65
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 41
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 45
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 74
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 44
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  7. #7
    Objective profile
    Acer Swift Go 16
    (Core Ultra 5 125H, 512GB)
    Acer · 16" · 2024
    £511 – £625
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    60 / 100
    Weight1.60 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 3200x2000
    RAM—
    Storage512 GB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 46
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 55
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 81
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 52
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 39
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 74
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  8. #8
    Objective profile
    Dell 16
    (Ryzen AI 7 350, 32GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    £577 – £705
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    60 / 100
    Weight1.92 kg
    Battery11.0 hr
    Display16.0" 1920x1200
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 55
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 58
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 55
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 53
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  9. #9
    Objective profile
    Dell Inspiron 15
    (Ryzen 7 7730U, 32GB, 2TB)
    8 configs
    Dell · 15.6" · 2023
    £659 – £806
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    60 / 100
    Weight–
    Battery8.0 hr
    Display15.6" 1920x1080
    RAM32 GB
    Storage2 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 58
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 52
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 41
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 43
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 66
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 44
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →
  10. #10
    Objective profile
    Dell Inspiron 15 3530
    (i5-1334U, 32GB, 2TB)
    2 configs
    Dell · 15.6" · 2023
    £547 – £669
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    60 / 100
    Weight1.94 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display15.6" 2560x1440
    RAM32 GB
    Storage2 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 75
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 45
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 41
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 41
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 66
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 64
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    UK retailer links coming soon, check back shortly.
    View full review →

Quick Comparison

#LaptopScorePrice WeightBatteryDisplayRAMStorage
1 ASUS Vivobook S 15 S5506MA (Core Ultra 7 155H, 64GB, 8TB) 65 £666 – £814 1.50 kg 10.0 hr 15.6" 2880x1620 64 GB 8 TB
2 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB, 1TB) 64 £655 – £800 1.95 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 1920x1200 16 GB 1 TB
3 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB) 62 £645 – £788 2.05 kg 12.0 hr 16.0" 1920x1200 16 GB 1 TB
4 Dell 16 Plus (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB) 61 £582 – £712 1.87 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 2560x1600 16 GB 1 TB
5 Dell Precision 5550 (i7-10850H, 32GB, 1TB) 61 £409 – £500 2.79 kg 8.0 hr 15.6" 1920x1080 32 GB 1 TB
6 HP 15 (i5-1334U, 48GB, 3.1TB) 61 £707 – £864 1.60 kg 7.0 hr 15.6" 1920x1080 48 GB 3 TB
7 Acer Swift Go 16 (Core Ultra 5 125H, 512GB) 60 £511 – £625 1.60 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 3200x2000 — 512 GB
8 Dell 16 (Ryzen AI 7 350, 32GB, 1TB) 60 £577 – £705 1.92 kg 11.0 hr 16.0" 1920x1200 32 GB 1 TB
9 Dell Inspiron 15 (Ryzen 7 7730U, 32GB, 2TB) 60 £659 – £806 – 8.0 hr 15.6" 1920x1080 32 GB 2 TB
10 Dell Inspiron 15 3530 (i5-1334U, 32GB, 2TB) 60 £547 – £669 1.94 kg 9.0 hr 15.6" 2560x1440 32 GB 2 TB

How we ranked these

SelvaScore is independent. Rankings reflect our editorial judgment, not vendor relationships. No laptop manufacturer pays for placement, and affiliate revenue from retailers does not affect which laptop wins this list.

Every laptop here has been evaluated through the same lens for this use case. The same machines are evaluated differently for other use cases. What works for one use case doesn't always work for another.

Read about how we work →

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