Video Game News: How to Choose the Best Gaming Laptop

Everyone who plays video games searches for greater gaming convenience. The massive popularity of the Nintendo Switch last year proves how much people value being able to take their entertainment on the go. Sadly, if you’re less of a console gamer and more of a PC gamer, you’re out of luck, right?

Wrong! While most PC gamers and video game news outlets argue in favor of using desktops alone, you can still find plenty of gaming laptops with amazing specs to take the latest and greatest PC games with you.

How can you discover the best gaming laptops on the market for your needs? Our guide will show you everything that you should consider!

Processing Power

When it comes to PC video gaming, processing power is key. Many computers advertise their CPU, or Central Processing Unit, front and center. However, it’s the GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, that makes the magic happen for gaming rigs.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t consider the CPU when making your decision. Since your CPU determines the number of tasks you can process at the same time and quickly, it still factors into your performance. However, since the focus for gaming rigs falls principally on the graphics card, you might be able to save some money by going for a slightly older or weaker CPU like an Intel i5.

How do you know which GPU you should go for? It depends on your personal gaming needs.

Graphics Card Guide

Were we writing this article about three years or so ago, this section could be summed up with, “Get an NVIDIA, because anything else is trash.” However, we’re now living in the 2020s. Things have changed, and AMD processors have come out swinging with their stronger multitasking capabilities.

If you don’t game in native 4k on CPU and GPU hog AAA titles, you might find an AMD processor works better for your needs. Whether Ryzen or Radeon, AMD will let you stream and play at the same time without struggling too much. However, if you have to max out your graphical performance for the first time, and every time, you’ll have to invest in a machine with an NVIDIA RTX, at least.

Heads up on the Display

As much as some gamers like to argue that stories and mechanics are as important or more so than graphics, graphics still play a role in purchasing decisions. As such, you’ll want to make sure that your display can handle the hard work your GPU is putting in. Here’s what you need to research for your display to get the best performance:

Size and Resolution

Let’s face it: size matters when it comes to gaming. While your resolution is a larger factor in determining graphical performance and visibility, the physical size of the screen plays a role as well. As far as size is concerned, the rule of thumb is that the larger the display, the heavier the laptop, which can impact your portability.

Most gaming laptops should come with a resolution of 1920×1080 at the absolute lowest. Premium rigs will come with 4K capable display settings, or at the very least, 2560×1440. 

However, while the above higher resolution options may be gorgeous, you might be better served opting for a 1080p machine with a higher refresh rate.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate is defined by how many times per second the image on the screen refreshes. Higher refresh rates look more fluid and thus more realistic. The average gaming laptop maxes out at a refresh rate of 60Hz, which is more than capable of handling most gaming needs.

However, if you’re into competitive online gaming and need the fastest refresh rates available, you’ll need something higher. Some premium machines will offer 144Hz to 240Hz refresh rates, promising the smoothest possible gaming experience. However, you’ll still need to optimize your in-game settings to take advantage of these higher rates.

Screen Display Type

While many laptops still use standard LED displays, the real star player these days is OLED or Organic Light Emitting Diode technology. This premium display type tops the market for the best gaming laptops and televisions.

How does OLED differ from standard LED? Simply put, these displays work on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Every single pixel is its own light, rather than using a simple backlight panel. This allows for much deeper color depths and darker blacks than any other display type, which maxes out your graphical experience.

RAM and Storage

Your laptop’s storage will affect how many games and other files you can keep on the PC, while your RAM will affect how many processes you can run at once without negatively affecting performance. How much RAM and Storage do you need to game effectively, and what type of storage should you use? Here’s what you need to know.

Behind the RAM

RAM, a spec which once only featured in the minds of techies, has entered the laymen’s lexicon with the advent of smartphones and their computing abilities. If you have anything less than 8GB of RAM on your laptop, you don’t have a gaming rig; you have a cell phone processor.

16GB of RAM will work for you if you do basic multiplayer or streaming. However, if you’re working on gaming content creation or want to play multiple AAA games at max specs, you’ll need 32GB to make it work.

Putting It in Storage

The biggest debate in storage for gaming laptops is HDD vs SSD. SSDs, or Solid State Drives, are the superior storage choice in every way. Since they lack moving parts, they boot up and load programs far faster than comparable HDDs. They’ll also last longer than HDDs, or traditional hard drives because they don’t have moving parts that can wear out.

The only issue with SSDs over HDDs is the price point. SSDs will cost more to purchase than HDDs of comparable size, so keep that in mind as you’re budgeting.

Need Inputs?

Ports and inputs offer you more space for peripherals like gaming mice, headphones, mics, better webcams, controllers, and streaming devices. More ports mean a larger form factor, and potentially a larger price point. However, they also allow you to expand what your laptop can do beyond its built-in specs, so keep that in mind.

Don’t Neglect Design

Design and form factor might not be as important as performance when it comes to video gaming. However, if you want to take your laptop with you and not have your lap weighed down, you’ll want to keep the form factor in mind. The more premium the specs, the heavier the laptop is likely to be. The heavier the laptop, the less portable it will be.

You should also consider that gaming sessions can last a long time when getting your laptop. You might enjoy the savings of the plastic body over the metallic body for now. You won’t enjoy it 5 hours into a raid when your sweaty hands cling to the laptop.

Budget for the Best

As much as we love to discuss specs for top-of-the-line gaming laptops, truth be told, the budget is the biggest factor for most consumers. Don’t get so wrapped up in trying to buy the biggest and best specs that you neglect your wallet. If you need to find the best possible gaming laptops on a budget, take a peek at some of Lenovo’s offerings here.

Check Out Video Game News and Reviews

Checking the reviews is a key part of any buying decision. Whether you check a standard tech blog or a video game news site, you can find reviews of gaming platforms with ease.

Need to see how long a gaming laptop can last over time? Check the consumer and professional reviews! Unsure if your budget gaming laptop offering has what you need for the games you play? They have you covered. 

Overwhelmed? Let’s Recap

When purchasing a gaming laptop, there are many factors to consider. From display and resolution to RAM and storage to ports and processing power, it can be hard to balance. However, if you take some time to consider your gaming needs, your budget, and what video game news and reviews have to say, you’ll be sure to find your best laptop for gaming.

Did you find this article about choosing a gaming laptop informative? Are you looking for more content and articles like this? Check out the Tech section of our blog daily for all the latest technology news!