While most PC gamers prefer to invest in powerful desktops to enjoy their favorite games, others still require something more portable for the continuous gaming experience. Thus, PC gamers are constantly on the lookout for an exceptional gaming laptop.
Compared to the usual notebooks, gaming laptops stand out because of their compelling components and enticing designs. With their high-speed processors, bigger RAM capacity, and longer battery life, gaming laptops are always the best choice if you intend to use them mostly for gaming functions.
But purchasing a gaming laptop is not as simple as looking at the specs of the unit. You must also check all the other features. The display and built-in keyboard also need your full attention. Here are things to know if you want to get hold of the best laptop for all your gaming needs.
Display Requirement
The most overlooked component in a gaming laptop is the display. If you do not connect the laptop to a monitor, the device’s built-in screen will be your only way to see how the game progresses.
When looking for a good gaming laptop, you should get a unit with a 15- or 17-inch screen. These are the right sizes to view the games properly. It will also help if the display comes with at least 1920p x 1080p resolution. While some people prefer touch screens for convenience, gamers must avoid this feature because it may reduce the battery life and make the graphics extra glossy.
Keyboard Requirement
Entry-level gaming laptops usually come with an island-style keyboard with a built-in LED backlight. But if you are a stern gamer, you need to look for other keyboard features for more efficient game playing.
First, you need to check out the key travel, or the distance that you need to push down the keys before the processor recognizes the keystroke. Ideally, the gaming laptop’s keyboard must have a key travel of 1.5 millimeters to provide a good gaming experience. But it will be better if you can find something with 2-millimeter key travel. Other keyboard factors also include having at least 65 to a 70-gram actuation force. You also need to look for a gaming laptop that comes with a keyboard fitted with an RGB backlight. Also, check Best Laptop under $400.
GPU Requirement
Most PC games that you can find nowadays are GPU-bound. It means that you must always consider the graphics card capacity of the gaming laptop before buying. Most gaming laptop manufacturers install Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX graphic cards.
If you aim for an entry-level portable gaming PC, you can get a unit that comes with an Nvidia GTX 1650 or the RX 5500M. But if you are a stern gamer, the RTX 2070 or RTX 2080 series could provide you with an uninterrupted gaming adventure.
Other Essential Requirements to Look For
Since gaming laptops are usually an investment, you need to check out everything under the hood to see if you get the most value for your money. One of the first things to look for is the CPU. If you have the budget, you can get something with an Intel Core i7 processor or the powerful Intel Core i9.
RAM is also a crucial factor when buying a gaming laptop. If you want a better gaming experience, you need a unit with at least 8GB RAM or go as high as 16 GB. It also helps consider getting both a 1TB hard drive and an extra 128GB SSD for bigger storage space. Buying a gaming laptop requires you to look into every feature so you can get the most out of your money. To make sure that it will last for several years, you need to save up to get a laptop with a mid-range GPU. But if you can afford it, buying a gaming laptop with a high-end GPU could be your best bet. You can also check online reviews and peer recommendations to make sure that the laptop that you intend to buy is worth every cent you spend.