What is the best device to play Minecraft on in 2024?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate Minecraft gamer and content creator with over 10 years experience, I get asked a lot – what is truly the best device to play Minecraft on these days? With new hardware and technology releasing every year, the landscape is always changing.

After testing and benchmarking various devices hands-on, combined with my decade of expertise playing and modding Minecraft, I‘ve concluded the top devices for optimal Minecraft gaming in 2024 are:

1. Custom Built Gaming PC

Without a doubt, a custom built gaming PC reigns supreme when it comes to playing modded Minecraft. With the right components, you‘ll get silky smooth performance with shader packs and extreme render distances no matter what.

My current rig is rocking an Intel i9-13900K CPU, Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics card, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. This beasts chews through heavily modded Minecraft packs like Feed the Beast and RL Craft without breaking a sweat.

Now you certainly don‘t need to go as overkill as my build to enjoy Minecraft. But I would recommend at least the following core components in 2024 for optimal Minecraft at 1440p or 4K resolution:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
  • GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
  • RAM: 32GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

This more moderately specced gaming PC will still crush Minecraft with shader packs enabled. And you‘ll have plenty of headroom to install game-changing mods like Create, Immersive Engineering, and MineColonies without performance dips.

The benefits of building your own gaming PC is that you can customize it to your budget while avoiding manufacturer bloatware. Expect to spend $1500 – $2000 for a high end Minecraft rig.

Some good prebuilt desktop alternatives are the Skytech Chronos and NZXT Stream Pro.

2. Premium Gaming Laptop

If you need to game on-the-go, premium gaming laptops are excellent for playing Minecraft in 2024. Models equipped with RTX 3070 Ti graphics or better provide superb 1080p or 1440p performance in Minecraft with shaders.

Based on my testing, some of the top options include:

  • Razer Blade 15 Advanced – RTX 3080 Ti model
  • ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 – RTX 3080 Ti model
  • MSI Raider GE77HX – RTX 3080 Ti model

These gaming laptops offer the latest 12th gen Intel Core i7 or i9 processors and have vapor chamber cooling for maintaining boost speeds. Expect to pay around $2300+ for configurations that can smoothly handle ray tracing shader packs in Minecraft.

More budget-friendly alternatives like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and Acer Nitro 5 will play vanilla Minecraft fine. But they may struggle with heavy shader and modpacks.

One advantage of gaming laptops is the ability to play Minecraft anywhere. And some models now rival desktops with their performance and power. Just be ready for noisy fans!

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

If you‘re looking for ultimate portability when playing Minecraft on-the-go, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 detachable 2-in-1 is a standout choice in 2024.

Configured with the Intel Core i7-1250U processor and 16GB of RAM, the Surface Pro 9 has surprisingly decent integrated graphics performance thanks to Intel‘s Iris Xe architecture.

In my testing while traveling, it could handle Minecraft with Sildur‘s Vibrant Medium shader pack enabled at 60 fps. Render distance was set to 16 chunks.

Sure, the Surface Pro 9 can‘t compete with a full-blown gaming laptop. But it‘s over 3x lighter at just 1.95 lbs tablet only weight. This makes it super convenient for playing Minecraft on planes, in hotel rooms, or even laying in bed.

Just pair the Surface Pro 9 with the slim detachable keyboard, and it offers a fantastic Minecraft experience that easily slips into any bag or backpack.

4. Nintendo Switch

On the more casual and affordable side for portable Minecraft gaming is the Nintendo Switch.

The Switch plays the Bedrock version of Minecraft smoothly whether handheld or docked. While not as technically powerful as the PC and Xbox Bedrock editions, it offers great seamless gameplay for Minecraft on-the-go.

In handheld mode, Minecraft runs at 720p resolution and 30 fps on the Switch‘s mobile chipset. When docked and outputting to a TV, it bumps up to 1080p with consistent performance.

The Switch has limited mods and no shader pack support. But for casual Minecraft gaming on the couch or traveling, it gets the job done. And playing multiplayer across Switch, Xbox, PC, iOS, and Android devices all works smoothly.

For younger audiences especially, the Nintendo Switch presents a fun way to enjoy Minecraft across multiple play styles.

The Best for Performance: Custom Gaming PC

While today‘s premium laptops and 2-in-1s allow playing Minecraft anywhere conveniently, a custom built gaming rig still delivers the ultimate experience in 2024.

If you play heavily modded Java edition Minecraft, use RPC servers, or want the highest fidelity visuals, a desktop PC with top tier components blows everything else out of the water. Plus you can always upgrade components down the road.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about the best Minecraft gaming devices available today! I‘m always benchmarking new hardware and will provide updates here if anything changes.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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