A gaming computer is necessary if you’re a hardcore gamer, but you may want to opt for a laptop over a PC if you want to play on the go. Gaming laptops are like standard laptops, but their specs and features are more advanced and meant to enhance gaming.
Amazon offers several excellent gaming laptops. For those who don’t mind spending the money, the Alienware M15 R6 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop is the best one you’ll find. It features a premium graphics card, a powerful processor and a responsive keyboard.
Laptops with smaller screens are ideal for traveling, but they can make gaming sessions a bit lackluster. Standard laptops have a 15.6-inch display, with some gaming laptops having screens as wide as 17 inches. If you’re likely to play on the go, a 15.6-inch laptop is adequate, but anything larger might feel burdensome.
Most gaming laptops have a full high-definition display that renders 1920 by 1080 pixels. However, some laptops offer ultra high-definition screens that can display 4K content and give gamers a more immersive experience. It’s worth noting that the higher the resolution a computer can display, the more expensive it is.
Since PC games use a lot of processing power, getting a laptop that offers enough battery life is crucial. On average, you should be able to use your computer for 4-6 hours for everyday things like surfing the internet. However, for gaming and graphic editing, expect your laptop to last no longer than 3 hours on a full charge.
Most PC games require a lot of processing power, meaning your laptop should have a fast CPU. The two most common processors found in laptops are AMD and Intel, with varying levels of speed offered by each. For example, an Intel i7 processor is more powerful than an Intel i5. The more powerful the processor, the more smoothly games will run and the less likely you’ll experience lag.
The amount of RAM a computer has affects its multitasking efficiency. Laptops with more RAM can run multiple programs without a noticeable decrease in performance.
For serious gamers, laptops with at least 16G gigabytes of RAM are ideal, but if you’re a casual gamer, one with 8GB of RAM should suffice. In any case, you can upgrade the hardware on most gaming laptops should you want more memory down the line.
If you want to store files locally on your laptop so you can access them even when you’re offline, it’s best to have plenty of storage space available. Laptops with solid-state drives let you access files much faster than hard-disk drives but usually provide less storage space.
Gaming laptops are pricier than standard ones due to their premium specs and features. If you don’t mind spending the money, the best gaming laptops with high-end graphics cards and powerful processors cost $1,000-$2,000. However, if you want something more basic and affordable, you can find a quality gaming laptop for $600-$900.
A. No. However, gaming laptops can get very hot since running a PC game uses a lot of power, so cooling pads can help prevent overheating and prolong your laptop’s life.
A. Refresh rate refers to how many frames a display can process per second. The higher the refresh rate of a display, the more reduced the motion blur and the smoother and more realistic visuals will appear.
Alienware M15 R6 15.6-Inch Gaming Laptop: available on Amazon
Our take: This laptop has a powerful i7 processor and offers stunning visuals for an immersive gaming experience.
What we like: The full HD display is 15.6 inches wide, and the graphics are excellent, thanks to a high-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 card. It offers an ultrafast 260-hertz refresh rate for smooth gameplay, 32GB of RAM and a highly responsive keyboard with RGB-backlit keys.
What we dislike: It can be buggy or slow if all necessary updates aren’t installed. Some users complained about the power adapter being too bulky.
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop: available on Amazon
Our take: This laptop has a sleek design and delivers elite performance for even the most hardcore gamers.
What we like: It offers a 144-hertz refresh rate for blur-free gameplay, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card and a high-quality IPS display with thin bezels. Acer CoolBoost technology helps regulate ventilation so it doesn’t overheat and features a built-in Alexa Show mode and 3D spatial audio.
What we dislike: The storage space is relatively low at just 256GB, and the processor isn’t as powerful as other gaming laptops, meaning you may experience minimal lag playing some games.
Lenovo Legion 5 17.3-Inch FHD Gaming Laptop Computer: available on Amazon
Our take: This laptop has all the necessary features for a high-end gaming experience and can also serve as a great work laptop.
What we like: The IPS screen displays vivid colors and excellent brightness, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Processor is energy-efficient. The Nahimic 3D audio in the built-in speakers delivers solid sound, and it has an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics card, 32GB of RAM and a backlit keyboard.
What we dislike: It’s heavy. Some customers complained about the fan being too noisy and the screen being too bright.
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