Design
With the huge variety of gaming laptops available, design is still an often-overlooked area for many. Whether considering an entry-level laptop or an ultra-powerful model, it is important to pay attention to how the laptop looks and feels. Fortunately, with gaming laptops, there are always a few standout designs available for those who choose aesthetics as one of their main priorities. From the Acer Predator 15, with its aggressive, futuristic look, to the Asus ROG GL552, with its minimalistic yet sleek design, there are plenty of options for those who care about the looks of their device.
As well as aesthetics, it is important to also consider the weight and size of the gaming laptop. Carrying around a laptop in a backpack or purse is significantly easier if the laptop is light and portable. On the other hand, many gamers prefer to keep their laptops on their desk and so weight is less of a priority. Additionally, some games require the high performance available from a bigger and heavier laptop, so this should be taken into consideration.
Hardware
Aside from design, the primary features of a gaming laptop include the quality of its components. Processors, in particular, are a major factor in any laptop's performance and gaming laptops are no exception. The latest Intel Core i7 processors are commonly used in gaming laptops and offer exceptional performance for demanding gaming tasks, such as 3D modelling or heavy gaming.
The graphics card is also crucial for any gaming laptop and effectively determines the quality of the hardware. In general, the latest Nvidia GTX 10-series GPUs offer the best performance in gaming laptops. Previous generations of graphics cards may be suitable for some standard gaming tasks, but if better visuals are needed, the latest GPUs offer significantly better image quality.
Display
The display of a gaming laptop is also of huge importance. Generally, the laptop’s display should have a minimum resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher to adequately cater to most gaming tasks. Additionally, many of the latest gaming laptops include high refresh rate displays which offer a smoother gaming experience. High refresh rate displays can also be beneficial when watching multimedia.
Storage
Another often-overlooked area of gaming laptops is storage. Most gamers require a significant amount of storage space due to the huge sizes of modern-day video games, movies, and other multimedia. As a result, many gaming laptops opt for an SSD or Hybrid SSD. An SSD is a type of storage device which is known for its speed and reliability and these devices can greatly reduce loading times in games and increase performance overall. Hybrid drives, on the other hand, offer a balance between an HDD and an SSD, with the HDD providing increased storage at the expense of speed.
Connectivity
Finally, it is important to consider the connectivity options of a gaming laptop. This includes the type of ports available, such as a USB 3.0 port and a HDMI port. Additionally, many gaming laptops have specific ports to accommodate gaming peripherals, such as a headset or a gaming mouse.
Moreover, more and more gaming laptops are now including advanced features such as Wi-Fi Direct, which allow gamers to connect their laptops to compatible gaming accessories without needing an internet connection.
Battery Life
Having long battery life is important for any laptop, but particularly for gaming laptops. Gaming laptops are known for their high power consumption and as a result, many gaming laptops offer limited battery life. Some of the latest gaming laptops have made great strides in improving their battery life, however, with many offering up to 8 hours of battery life, which should be more than enough for the average gamer.
Performance
When it comes to the performance of a gaming laptop, the processor, graphics card, storage and RAM are all instrumental in determining the laptop's level of performance. Generally, the more powerful the components, the faster the laptop will be. That said, it is important to remember that the laptop's performance will depend on the budget as high-end hardware often come with a hefty price tag.
Price
Finally, the price of a gaming laptop has a major impact on its performance. Budget-oriented laptops tend to offer lower-end hardware but are suitable for those who are on a tight budget. Mid-ranged laptops offer hardware which is good for gaming, but often lack certain features or hardware quality. High-end laptops, on the other hand, offer the best hardware available, but come with a hefty price tag.
No matter the budget, however, it is important to make sure that the laptop offers all the features that are required by the user and that the hardware is of a good quality. This can help ensure that the laptop doesn't experience any performance issues or become obsolete quickly.
Additional Features
When looking for a gaming laptop, there are a few additional features that can be beneficial and may not necessarily be offered in standard laptops. These often depend on the user’s budget and require- ments, but are worth considering.For example, backlit keyboards are commonly offered on gaming laptops, providing a better gaming experience in dark environments. Additionally, some gaming laptops include extra ports which can allow gamers to connect their gaming accessories and peripherals to their laptop without needing an adapter.
Cooling
Finally, it is important to consider the cooling system of a gaming laptop, as powerful gaming laptops can often generate a large amount of heat. Many gaming laptops include dedicated cooling systems which help to keep the laptop running at optimal temperatures. This ensures that the laptop remains stable and that the user can game for extended periods of time without having to worry about their laptop overheating.
Overall, gaming laptops offer a great range of features and can be a great investment for any gamer. From design to performance, it is important to consider all aspects when selecting a gaming laptop, in order to ensure that the laptop will not become obsolete quickly and will meet all of the user's needs.
