There is nothing better than being able to game on the go. Luckily, there are a ton of options that give gamers the opportunity to game wherever they are. A gaming laptop gives users the option to not only play high-profile games, but also access the Internet, get work done remotely, and have a creative suite. Having one device that does it all makes traveling a whole light easier and lighter. Let’s jump into what features to consider when purchasing a new gaming laptop.
Gaming Laptop Features
Display
Right off the bat, one of the most important features in a gaming laptop is the display. Having too small of a display won’t allow you to become fully immersed in your game. On the opposite side of the spectrum, having too large of a display won’t be travel-friendly. I like to make sure I can use my laptop on a plane, so measure according to what you prefer. You also want to check what resolution, refresh rate, response time, and HD quality the display is as well.
CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the device. This will allow the computer to run big applications and big games. The CPU runs the logic, physics, and AI calculations of the game. It’s an incredibly important piece to the laptop and you want to make sure you find one that will keep you up-to-date for the next 3-5 years.
Graphics Card
This is my favorite part of a computer. I love amazing graphics. I want to be able to play my games in the best possible way. The better the graphics card, the more sleek and polished the graphics will look. This is a component you will definitely want to prioritize.
RAM
RAM allows users to multitask and start applications up quickly. If you want a computer that has a fast start-up and load times, you’ll want to have a good amount of RAM. The sweet spot is 16GB-32GB. Anything above that is for high-end editing software.
Internal Storage
How many games and files do you plan on saving to your device? Games nowadays are at least 80GB, and that’s without updates and DLC. If you like to have a lot of games and applications downloaded at once, you’ll want at least 500GB-1TB of internal storage. I strongly recommend a Solid State Drive (SSD), as it will be much faster and more reliable than a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
Gaming Laptop Recommendations
HP OMEN Transcend 16-u0020nr 16″ 240Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: The HP OMEN Transcend 16-u0020nr guarantees any user with ultra-high FPS gaming and ultimate cosmetic control with a per-key RGB keyboard with N-key rollover anti-ghosting technology.
The OMEN Transcend 16-u0020nr has a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX 2.1GHz processor that can do just about anything. Working alongside is a Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array (WQXGA) display that blesses users’ eyes with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels and gives a wide 16:10 aspect ratio.
Despite its sheer amount of power and capabilities, the laptop champions its comfort and convenience. Users can enjoy long hours of gaming without eye strain, having Eyesafe Certified Display which protects them from harmful blue light. Additionally, the HP Omen Transcend 16-u0020nr offers 16 inches of a flicker-free screen that utilizes DC Dimming Technology to further elevate one’s comfort while viewing.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13700HX 2.1GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Display Type: 16″, 240Hz
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8 16″ 165Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: We chose the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8 since it has a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, allowing superior graphics and high frame rates. Additionally, its 16″ WQXGA 165Hz display provides sharp and smooth visuals for an immersive gaming experience.
What makes the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8 so unique are features such as Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and built-in AI powered by DLSS 3 (Deep Learning Super Sampling 3) technology. Ray Tracing can only be done by capable GPUs such as the NVIDIA GeForce series since it is computationally intensive, delivering detailed and lifelike graphics that every gamer chases. Similarly, Tensor Cores are special processing units within NVIDIA GPUs that accelerate AI-related technologies like DLSS 3. Tensor Cores and DLSS 3 come together to enhance the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8’s performance and improve a user’s overall gaming experience.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-13500HX 2.5GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Display Type: 16″, 165Hz
Razer Blade 18 18″ QHD+ 240Hz Gaming
Why We Chose This Computer: The Razer Blade 18 is an incredibly thin and sleek gaming laptop that will replace your desktop. The state-of-the-art, three-fan system makes this a beast.
The Razer Blade 18 is the perfect combination of desktop performance in a thin laptop design. The first thing you notice is the bright 18” QHD display with a 240Hz refresh rate. This is powered by the latest NVIDIA RTX 4090 and the latest Intel 13th Gen Core i9-13950HX. You get AI-powered graphics, optimized power, and performance, plus the complete NVIDIA studio at your fingertips.
Here is where the fun really begins. The Intel Core i9 can be clocked up to 5.6 GHz with 24 cores and 32 threads at your disposal. The display has a 3ms response time, 2K quality with ultra-thin bezels. Additionally, a great pro for the Razer Blade 18 is that you can upgrade the memory and storage! The Razer Blade 18 also has a three-fan system for maximum thermal efficiency.
Key Features:
- CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13850HX
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display Type: 18” QHD, 240Hz
MSI Pulse15 B13VFK-280US 15.6″ FHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: We chose the Pulse15 for its high-performance parts and design reminiscent of computers in Sci-Fi movies. While a lot of gaming laptops have similar powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and fast displays, the Pulse15 stands out with its futuristic aesthetic that a lot of gamers crave, as well as the very obvious attention to detail seen in its design.
Powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H processor, the Pulse15 shows off superior multitasking abilities and smooth performance even for the most visually demanding games. Its hybrid core architecture made up of 6 performance cores and 8 efficient cores, lets it have the power to handle intense gaming sessions with ease.
With the MSI Pulse15, users can switch between Discrete Graphics Mode and MSHybrid Graphics Mode with just one click. Now that’s flexibility for any situation.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13700H
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display Type: 15.6”, 144Hz
MSI Katana 15 15.6″ B13VFK-1264US FHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: We chose the MSI Katana 15 because it delivers great graphics, made possible by its GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Additionally, it’s not bad on the eyes thanks to its lightning-fast display of 144Hz. The two come together for an unmatched gaming performance.
Within its 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor, there are 6 performance cores and 4 Efficient-cores which assure every user smooth multitasking and gameplay. Additionally, the Katana 15 has a customizable light-up 4-zone RGB keyboard with highlighted WASD keys. This feature makes the special keys easier to spot and use in the dark.
Keeping cool during intense gaming sessions is a breeze with the Katana 15. It has an advanced Cooler Boost 5 system which effectively dissipates heat from both the CPU and GPU. Moreover, its DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 4 storage make everything load quickly and smoothly, whether it be for gaming or heavy work.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display Type: 15.6”, 144Hz
Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650 16″ QHD+ 240Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo has two screens for gamers and creatives. With its duo screens, productivity will be endless!
The ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is an absolute unit designed for gamers and workers who demand only the best laptop. Here’s the technical stuff: it features the AMD Ryzen 9 7945H processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. Apart from that, its unique dual-screen setup gives users one 16-inch QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. Its second screen comes with Corning Gorilla Glass DXC and anti-fingerprint coating.
Form-wise, the Zephyrus Duo 16 is designed with portability and durability in mind. It has a sleek black finish, and it only weighs 5.8 pounds. When it comes to connectivity, the Zephyrus Duo 16 doesn’t fall short with WiFi 6E. Wifi 6E helps a user enjoy a stable connection even in crowded networks. With this laptop, you can engage in gaming with no boundaries!
Key Features:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX 2.5GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display Type: 16”, 240Hz
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-56CH 15.6″ FHD 144Hz Gaming Laptop
Why We Chose This Computer: The Nitro 5 is a standout choice as it is a blend of powerful hardware and advanced features. Each feature combines to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
The Nitro 5 comes with the 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor which makes handling multiple tasks easy since the processor quickly assigns tasks to the appropriate cores. Thanks to the processor, this laptop’s gaming, communication, and streaming capabilities are smooth and steady. Also, it has multiple ports including HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2, and Thunderbolt 4, so you can easily connect all your devices and peripherals.
The Nitro 5 is also a portable laptop just weighing 5.8 pounds. With this weight, you can game wherever you go without having to worry about a heavy backpack. The Intel Killer E2600 Ethernet Controller and Intel Killer WiFi 6 AX1650i also make connectivity reliable in this laptop, so even if you’re in a busy cafe – you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H 2.5GHz
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display Type: 15.6”, 144Hz
Frequently Asked Questions: Gaming Laptops
It depends on where you are playing. I’d recommend having an external monitor on your desk where you have your gaming station. However, I wouldn’t bring an external monitor with you when you travel with the laptop. An external monitor is great for extra applications and streaming.
I’d recommend at least 16GB of RAM. It also depends on what applications you’ll be running. If you are a heavy editor, I would recommend at least 32GB.
For storage, I always get more than I typically would need. You never know what projects or files you might need saved. Games are also getting larger and larger. I wouldn’t get anything less than 1TB.
Conclusion
Gaming laptops are not just for gaming. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or even a graphic designer, a gaming laptop will be beneficial for you as well. Look at the applications you use on a daily basis and the games you love to play. From there, look at the recommended specs and find the gaming laptop that fits your needs.
