Find the best gaming laptop for you
Looking for a gaming laptop? Learn what you need to make the right choice and see top gaming laptops!
Unlike a common laptop for everyday use, a gaming laptop needs to offer particularly high performance! How high you need depends on the type of games you want to play and how hardcore (or not) of a gamer you are!
But no matter which category you belong to, let's take a look at the basic specs you need to consider!
Hardware
Graphics Card (GPU)
To begin with, it needs to have a dedicated graphics card and not an integrated one, like a basic laptop. In the gaming world, 2 brands dominate. Nvidia with the GeForce RTX series and AMD with the Radeon RX. If you are a casual gamer or you like games like WoW or strategy games, older generations such as the 3060 or 4050 will be more than sufficient; otherwise, you can choose an AMD Radeon RX 6600. If, on the other hand, you are a hardcore gamer or want to play the latest action titles at the highest settings, then it is worth investing in the latest generation, such as the GeForce RTX 4070, 4080 or even the new 50 series, otherwise Radeon RX 7700, 7800 or 9000 series.
RAM Memory
The rule here is simple. 16GB is enough for casual gaming, while 32GB is preferable for more demanding games. If you want to go all out, you can look for 64GB, which will, however, be excessive in many cases, except for hardcore action gaming.
CPU (Processor)
There are 2 brand options. AMD Ryzen and Intel Core.
In general, for casual gaming, a Ryzen 5 or Core i5 will be satisfactory choices. For higher performance, you can prefer Ryzen 7 or Core i7 respectively. Something more expensive like the 9 series does not make much sense for gaming, as its applications mainly concern multitasking and video editing.
The important thing is the generation of the processor, meaning the first number in its name, since you want it to be as recent as possible. For example, an i5-12450H is 12th generation, while a Ryzen 5 - 7320U is 7th generation. If you choose Intel, get 12th generation and above, while if it is AMD, get 7th generation and above.
The differences are significant, since consider that an Intel i5 14th generation is preferable to an i7 10th generation.
Storage
If you do not want to have many heavy games and mainly play 2-3 titles or games from small independent studios, a 512GB drive will be ideal. If you want to have a larger range of the latest games, spend a little more and choose one with 1TB capacity.
Display
Resolution
Most laptops have a minimum screen resolution of Full High Definition, while you can find many more premium options that feature QHD (2K) technology, or even 4K, although on a laptop screen you won't notice such a big difference between 4K and 2K. For hardcore gaming, a laptop with a QHD display offers the perfect balance between budget and performance.
Refresh Rate (Hz)
Beyond resolution, especially important is the screen Hz, or in other words how quickly the displayed image refreshes. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the game image is. If you play action games, prefer a display with 120Hz and above, since you can better distinguish fast movements, which gives you an advantage in competitive games such as shooters and also offers a much better experience.
Size
Most gaming laptops have a screen size of 15 - 17 inches, to balance weight and bulk with the viewing experience. If you want to move around a lot or generally want something lighter, you'll hardly find anything under 14” as it also loses the point of gaming, while if space and portability are not a problem, there are plenty of options above 17”.
Type
As a general rule, OLED displays offer the best contrast as well as colors, while LED ones are more affordable, with faster refresh rates.
Top Gaming Laptops Recommendations
For Casual Gaming
For Hardcore Gaming
The Most Common Gaming Questions
I play MMO games like LoL and Dota. How powerful a laptop do I need?
These games, unlike First Person Shooter and Action games, rely mainly on the processor rather than the graphics card. Therefore, you can invest in a laptop with a latest generation CPU, while having a satisfactory graphics card like the 3050 or 3060.
Should I get a gaming laptop or invest in a desktop PC?
If you want to be mobile, then a laptop is obviously the only option. However, if you will be consistently at your desk, then a desktop PC will offer you many more customization and upgrade options in the future, as technology is constantly evolving.
Is a gaming laptop only for gaming or can I do various multitasking tasks or video editing?
Gaming laptops are usually very powerful machines, with hardware that can support many other functions. The main difference between them and a common high-performance laptop lies in the appearance and the speakers, as they offer extra to your overall gaming experience.
What are the most popular gaming laptop series on the market?
The top selling series are
- ASUS ROG
- MSI Katana
- Dell Alienware
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