How to choose the best gaming laptop
If you want to play PC games whenever and wherever you like, a gaming laptop is the way to go. The best gaming laptops combine the power of a high-end desktop PC with portability and a comfortable experience for long playing sessions. However, finding the best gaming laptop for you requires more than just browsing through a list of specs. It’s important to understand how each feature affects performance so you can get the most out of your new computer.
Specialized gaming laptop
The main difference between a standard laptop and one that’s designed for gaming is the video processing. Modern games are very demanding on computer hardware, and even a dedicated gaming laptop will struggle to perform well without adequate processing power. As a result, you’ll need to look for more powerful components and more storage space in a specialised gaming laptop.
Processor and RAM
In addition to the processor and RAM, another critical component in a gaming laptop is the graphics card. Also known as the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), it’s what enables games to be played at higher graphics settings and with additional visual effects enabled. The latest generation of GPUs from both AMD and Nvidia are designed for gaming, so if you want to play the latest titles, make sure your laptop has a dedicated graphics card that’s built for gaming.
Play games
A good gaming laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM. This is the minimum amount you need to play games at a decent level, but 16GB is preferred. You should also ensure that the laptop has plenty of GPU RAM, which is separate from the system RAM and is needed to assist the graphics card in delivering game images to the screen.
Screen size is another important factor when choosing a gaming laptop. Most gamers will prefer a larger screen, which allows for easier viewing and more onscreen action at once. However, this will come at the cost of battery life and portability. If you’re going for a larger screen, look for a model with an IPS panel that offers good color reproduction and contrast. Also, make sure the screen supports G-Sync or FreeSync if you plan to use it for professional work as well.
Comfortable mouse pad
Finally, the keyboard and trackpad are essential parts of a good gaming laptop. Gamers tend to press lots of keys at once, and a keyboard that doesn’t have N-key rollover or other key-mapping features could lead to a frustrating typing experience. The same goes for the trackpad, which should have at least a right-click button and support gestures. It’s also worth looking for a backlit keyboard with RGB lighting if you’re going for a premium gaming laptop. It’s also a good idea to opt for a larger, more comfortable mouse pad.