Things to consider when buying a laptop 2023

While desktop computers still hold their ground as the preferred choice for many PC gamers, there are times when a portable option is necessary. Gaming laptops offer the convenience of gaming on the go, providing the power to play games in a compact form factor.

However, when purchasing a gaming laptop, it's not just about considering the specifications. It involves evaluating the entire computer, including the integrated keyboard and display. In this guide, we will walk you through the important factors and decisions you need to consider when buying a gaming laptop. By doing so, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your needs and budget.

Quick Tips

• GPU Importance: Since most games heavily rely on the GPU, selecting a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) is crucial. Unlike desktops, GPU upgrades are not possible in most gaming laptops. A high-quality GPU ensures your laptop can handle games at high settings for several years.

• Upgradability: While not all gaming laptops support upgrades, many offer the option to upgrade RAM and storage. Consider this factor when making your decision, as it allows for future improvements.

• Resolution vs. Speed: Currently, the fastest displays on the market offer refresh rates up to 480 Hz. However, these high speeds are available only at lower resolutions, typically 1920 x 1080 or 1920 x 1200 for 16:10 screens. If you opt for a 4K screen, the refresh rate will be slower. Consider whether you prioritize resolution or speed for your gaming experience.

•  Keyboard Quality: A good keyboard is essential for an enjoyable gaming experience. Avoid laptops with mushy or stiff keyboards. Some top-tier gaming laptops feature mechanical keyboards, which are highly recommended for their tactile feedback and durability.

• Battery Life: It's important to note that gaming laptops generally have poor battery life. Very few models can provide 8 hours or more on a single charge. Moreover, to achieve optimal performance, you will likely need to connect the laptop to its power supply. Therefore, prioritize performance over battery life.

Choosing the right GPU

When it comes to gaming laptops, the GPU plays a critical role. While certain games rely on the CPU, the majority are GPU-bound. Currently, most gaming laptops feature Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs, which deliver excellent performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. When selecting a gaming laptop, pay close attention to the GPU specifications to ensure it meets your gaming requirements.

By following these guidelines, you can make an informed decision when purchasing a gaming laptop, selecting one that offers the best gaming performance, upgradability options, display quality, keyboard comfort, and suitable battery life for your needs.

• The latest graphics cards available in the Nvidia series are the RTX 40-series, encompassing models from the RTX 4050 to the RTX 4090. AMD offers the Radeon RX 7000M and 7000S series, with the primary difference being higher power limits on the M line. Notable AMD cards include the Radeon RX 7600M, 7600M XT, 7700S, and 7600S.
• Regarding Max-Q, Nvidia has transitioned it from a specific GPU type to a set of technologies that laptop manufacturers can choose to incorporate. To determine if an RTX laptop uses a Max-Q GPU, it is best to consult the specifications. Many manufacturers now provide detailed information about their products.
• It's important to note that RTX models come with a premium price tag. If you're seeking deals on current-generation gaming laptops, it's advisable to monitor websites offering tech deals.
• For entry-level gaming, an RTX 4050 or older Radeon card will suffice for playing most games, albeit on medium settings. Opting for an RTX 4060 offers a noticeable performance boost, which we believe is worth the investment. Laptops equipped with these cards typically range from $800 to $1,100, although recent market conditions may result in slightly higher prices due to component shortages.

• For mainstream gaming, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is a solid mid-range card that enables high settings in most games. However, upgrading to the RTX 4070 or higher will provide a more significant performance improvement. Gaming laptops featuring these cards can be expected to fall within the $1,100 to $1,500 price range, although market fluctuations may impact pricing.

• If you aim to play games at the highest settings and delve into VR experiences, an RTX 4070 is a suitable choice, while the top-tier RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 offer the most powerful performance with smoother VR and advanced visual effects. Laptops with these high-end cards can start at around $2,000 and potentially exceed $3,000, depending on additional specifications. With the new RTX series, you can enjoy ray-traced gaming and faster frame rates. An RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 might even provide sufficient power for gaming in 4K, depending on your chosen settings.

What other specs should I look for?

In addition to the GPU, there are several other specs you should consider when buying a gaming laptop, including the CPU, RAM, storage, and display.

• CPU: Look for a powerful CPU such as the Intel Core i7 or even an overclockable option like the Intel Core i9-13900HK, depending on your budget. Some gaming laptops even offer desktop CPUs. However, keep in mind that most games prioritize GPU performance over CPU power, so a Core i5 processor can still provide a satisfactory gaming experience. Ensure that the laptop features one of Intel's 13th Gen Core CPUs, as they are the most recent mobile processors.

• RAM: Gaming can be memory-intensive, so we recommend a minimum of 8GB of RAM for average productivity tasks. Ideally, aim for 16GB on a gaming laptop. Laptops with an RTX 4050 typically come with 8GB of RAM, while those with an RTX 4060 or higher may have 16GB. If your chosen laptop doesn't have 16GB of RAM, consider upgrading it in the future. Many gaming laptops allow for memory upgrades, so you can boost the RAM later if needed.

• Storage: Consider whether you prefer a hard drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a combination of both. Budget gaming laptops often come with only an HDD, usually around 1TB in capacity. However, most gaming laptops include a small SSD as a boot drive in addition to an HDD. It's common to find systems with a 128GB SSD and a 1TB HDD working together. Opting for a larger SSD can result in faster loading times but will also increase the cost significantly. Note that it's preferable to choose a 7,200-rpm HDD over a 5,400-rpm one for improved performance. Like RAM, storage is often upgradeable in gaming laptops, so you can add a larger HDD or additional SSD later if you need more space.

By considering these specifications, including CPU, RAM, storage, and display, you can ensure that you find a gaming laptop that delivers optimal gaming performance and meets your specific needs and budget.

What should I look for in a display?

When considering a gaming laptop, factors such as size, resolution, refresh rate, and display technology are crucial to your overall gaming experience.

Display: The display is a crucial component that is often overlooked. If you won't be connecting your laptop to an external monitor, the built-in screen will be your primary gaming display. Look for a high-quality display with features like a high refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) for smoother gameplay and a low response time (e.g., 1ms) for reduced motion blur. Consider the resolution as well, with options ranging from Full HD (1920 x 1080) to 4K (3840 x 2160), keeping in mind that higher resolutions may impact gaming performance. Additionally, some gaming laptops offer features like G-Sync or FreeSync for smoother visuals. Choose a display that meets your preferences for resolution, refresh rate, response time, and any additional features you desire

• Size: Gaming laptops commonly feature 15 or 17-inch screens, although there are a few larger 18-inch models and smaller 14-inch options available. The choice of size depends on personal preference, but it's important to note that larger screens result in bigger and heavier laptops.

• Resolution: It is recommended to opt for a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). It's rare to find gaming laptops with lower resolutions, but if you come across one, it's best to avoid it. Some gaming laptops offer 4K (3840 x 2160) displays, but you may need to lower settings, especially when using ray tracing. An increasingly popular option is the 1440p resolution, providing a good middle ground.

• Refresh Rate: Many gaming laptops feature 1080p displays with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for many gamers. Higher-resolution displays often have a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. However, some laptops offer Full HD (FHD) displays with faster refresh rates such as 144Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz, or even 480Hz, delivering smoother gaming experiences. To take advantage of high refresh rates, a powerful GPU and adjusting in-game settings for higher frame rates may be necessary.

• Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync: Certain high-end gaming laptops support technologies like Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, which synchronize the display with the graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and ghosting issues for smoother visuals.

• Avoid Touch Screens: Touch screens are generally unnecessary for gaming laptops, unless you specifically require a 2-in-1 convertible model. Touch screens can negatively impact battery life and introduce excessive glossiness to the display.

• OLED and Mini-LED: An increasing number of gaming laptops offer OLED display options. OLED displays provide deeper blacks and more vibrant colors but may have slower refresh rates compared to LED displays. Some users express concerns about potential burn-in with OLED panels. Alternatively, Mini-LED displays offer impressive color reproduction without the risk of burn-in.

What should I look for in a keyboard?

When choosing a gaming laptop, it's essential to consider the keyboard features. While entry-level gaming keyboards usually offer chiclet keys with LED backlighting, there are other factors to take into account:

• Key Travel: Look for keys with a key travel of at least 1.5 millimeters, preferably 2mm, to prevent bottoming out and ensure a comfortable typing experience. Some high-end laptops even feature mechanical keys for better tactile feedback.

• Actuation: The actuation force, which is the amount of pressure required to press a key, should ideally be between 65 and 70 grams. This provides a balance between resistance and responsiveness.

• Macro Keys: While macro keys are more commonly found on desktop keyboards, there are gaming laptops that offer programmable macro keys. These keys allow you to customize shortcuts for common in-game actions. Check if the laptop manufacturer provides software for programming and managing these macros.

• Anti-ghosting and N-key Rollover: Look for keyboards with anti-ghosting technology to ensure that simultaneous key presses are accurately registered. N-key rollover is also important as it allows each key to be recognized independently, even when multiple keys are pressed at once.

• Backlighting: Budget gaming laptops often have basic backlighting in red or white. However, premium keyboards offer RGB backlighting with customizable lighting effects. Some keyboards provide per-key customization, while others allow zone-based or game-specific lighting customization.

What do specific brands offer?

Additionally, different laptop brands have their own unique offerings:

• Alienware (Dell): Alienware laptops are known for their thin-and-light designs. Dell also offers entry-level gaming laptops under the Dell G series.

• Asus: Asus's Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand is recognized for its stylish designs. Their ROG Gaming Center software provides device information and control, while the Armoury Crate program allows for RGB backlighting customization. Asus offers notable models like the Zephyrus G14 and Zephyrus Duo, each with its own distinctive features.

• Acer: Acer is known for providing affordable gaming laptops. They have also introduced innovative features such as the Predator 21X with a curved display and mechanical keyboard. The PredatorSense app allows for system monitoring and customization options.

• HP: HP's Omen lineup combines a classy design with gaming aesthetics. The Omen Command Center app provides detailed information about system performance and includes features like RAM utilization and network optimization.

• Gigabyte & Aorus: Gigabyte offers a range of gaming laptops, while their sub-brand Aorus focuses on sleek and thin designs. Both brands offer software for RGB customization, and Aorus models come with additional features like easy overclocking.

• Lenovo: Lenovo's gaming lineup, Legion, features a minimalist design. Their Vantage app provides information on CPU, GPU, and RAM, as well as fan speed control.

• MSI: MSI gaming laptops are often characterized by their bold designs, featuring black and red color schemes. The Dragon Center software allows for system monitoring, performance optimization, and keyboard backlight customization.

Considering these keyboard features and brand-specific offerings will help you select a gaming laptop with a keyboard that meets your preferences for comfort, customization, and performance.

How About Battery Life?

Battery life is not a strong suit for gaming notebooks. To fully maximize the performance of the GPU, it is necessary to keep the laptop plugged in while gaming. When used for other tasks, gaming laptops typically last only a few hours on a single charge, falling short of the battery life offered by ultraportables without discrete GPUs. It's important to note that longer battery life often comes at the expense of display quality. Some gaming laptops now feature Mux switches that intelligently select between integrated and discrete graphics, improving power efficiency.

Fortunately, many gaming laptops now support both barrel chargers and USB Type-C, although the latter may not provide sufficient power for gaming but can be useful for productivity tasks.

To save money when purchasing a gaming laptop, it's worth checking for promotional codes and discounts from retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, Corsair, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Razer. Additionally, staying updated on the latest gaming PC and laptop deals can help you find cost-effective options.

Summary 

In summary, when investing in a gaming notebook, aim for a model that will remain relevant for several years. While a mid-range to high-end GPU is crucial for optimal gaming performance, RAM and CPU choices are also important considerations. Storage capacity should be ample to accommodate the large size of modern games. It's essential to decide whether you prioritize high resolutions or faster displays and determine which software features are beneficial to you. However, it's important to keep in mind that gaming laptops generally do not excel in terms of battery life. The overall combination of these factors determines the performance and suitability of a gaming notebook.