Avid gamers are always on the lookout for the best gaming laptop that will truly enhance their performance. Many once believed that an excellent PC was essential to fully immerse themselves in online action. However, this view has dramatically shifted with the rise of gaming laptops packed with impressive features. If you enjoy playing games online and are still deciding whether to invest in a gaming laptop, here’s a guide to help you.
It’s crucial to do your research to help you choose among the diverse brands of gaming laptops available. Acer Predator Triton 300 PT315-52-73WT, MSI KATANA-GF66-12UD, Acer Nitro 5, Razer Blade 15 Rz09-0330, Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401, and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro are among the top gaming laptops in Oman. Read on to discover the best gaming laptop features and available sizes.
The best gaming laptops are designed to ensure you can run your games smoothly with amazing picture and video clarity. Some laptops are exclusively made to support 4K gaming and virtual effects. Investing in a laptop with integrated graphics makes perfect sense for an avid gamer seeking a great purchase. Here are some premium features that the best gaming laptops generally offer. Read on to learn more about them.
A powerful graphics card can vividly display complex game animations at playable frame rates across a full screen. It offers the best value for your money as it can handle 4K gaming and has been upgraded with the latest technology to support an enhanced gaming experience.
RAM is a short-term storage unit. When you launch a game on your PC or laptop, the RAM comes into play, needing to be larger and faster to improve your gaming experience and minimize any lags. It ensures you can store more temporary data and multitask better due to faster, larger RAM. Hence, most gamers generally opt for a 16GB RAM capacity or more. Always ensure your pre-built gaming PC can support a larger, higher RAM.
A single-core processor is designed to complete single tasks. However, complex gaming could slow it down. So, if you're a serious gamer, you should consider investing in a quad-core or a high-end processor like the Intel Core i7-8750H processor, specifically designed for gaming laptops. This powerful processing unit uses 6 cores to display the game landscape and allows you to execute your moves in the game with agility.
The sweet spot for most gamers when it comes to screen/display is 4K, which is great for both a 27-inch screen display or a 43-inch screen display. Some gamers prefer a 24-inch monitor, while others might opt for a 27-inch or a 32-inch monitor. The best way to decide on the ideal display for you is to consider your sitting distance, image resolution, and video quality to arrive at a screen size that’s perfect for you.
No one wants to run out of battery life in the middle of an exciting game. It can completely ruin your game and your mood. Therefore, you must always ensure there’s enough power and battery life to fuel your favorite games. Investing in a gaming laptop specifically designed for gaming ensures you also have the battery life you need to run your games smoothly without any glitches.
The Operating System (OS) is essential for running any program. You might have the best possible hardware; however, without proper OS optimization, you won't be able to enjoy a smooth gaming experience. Hence, always ensure your OS is updated to the latest version. Currently, Windows 10 is the most widely used version for the Windows platform. macOS or Linux are also other popular OS choices among gamers.
Most brands offer a 15-inch size gaming laptop with a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution. Brands like Acer, Asus, etc., have good options you can choose from. A 12-inch, 13-inch, or 14-inch size gaming laptop can easily be purchased from top brands and they are great for gaming on the go. You can also buy models with a 17-inch display, and one that offers more than 1080p resolution.
In terms of display size, a 15.6-inch screen is often considered the sweet spot for a gaming laptop. You can buy models with larger 17-inch displays, but this will almost certainly increase the weight to well beyond 5 pounds (approx. 2.27 kg) and potentially compromise portability. In terms of resolution, a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080-pixel) native-resolution screen is the default minimum at this point, regardless of screen size. Also, note that gaming laptops with a 4K screen (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) are still an exception and can be expensive. A bigger screen doesn't always translate into better graphics, and you may need to invest in a more powerful graphics card to support 4K gaming effectively.
Which brand is best for gaming laptops?
Razer, Alienware, MSI, Asus, and Acer are all considered reliable brands when it comes to gaming laptops. Each comes with its own specifications, refresh rate, and customized settings and technology that make it stand out among its competitors.
What is the ideal refresh rate for a quality gaming laptop?
Most competitive gaming laptops can hit 240Hz to 360Hz, which is considered ideal by some gamers. Anything above this also works, provided your laptop has the technology and the graphics card to support high-intensity gaming.
Is 15.6-inch big enough for gaming? Yes, a 15.6-inch laptop is generally large enough for gaming. However, competitive gamers often prefer a bigger screen. You need to evaluate what you'd like to spend your money on. If you opt for a bigger screen, also ensure that your laptop's specifications match the intensity of the games you intend to play.
What kind of graphic cards are available?
Graphics Cards can be categorized by Form Factor (FF) or size. You can find compact or small form factor graphic cards, low-profile graphic cards (which are shorter and slimmer), single-slot graphic cards for entry-level users, dual-slot graphic cards (which tend to be high-end and have extra output ports), passively cooled graphics cards, water-cooled graphics cards, water block graphics cards, among others.
Are 14-inch laptops small for gaming?
Yes, a 14-inch laptop can be used for gaming. It simply depends on your gaming activity and intensity. If you tend to spend a lot of time gaming, a bigger screen would make more sense. If you are a beginner, a 14-inch screen should suffice.
What features should a gaming laptop have?
A good gaming laptop should come with a large storage capacity, higher resolution and refresh rate, and excellent cooling technology. Longer battery life is an added bonus, along with a clear display and amazing sound and video quality.