Few better times than this have been to get hold of a gaming laptop. Because although it is true that, if we do not need the mobility that a device with these characteristics offers us, it is better to buy a desktop gaming PC, the stock problems that we have been experiencing for months have made many users opt for a laptop.
And it is not a bad idea if we take into account that the cost of both has been completely reversed; While until recently, given the same specifications, it was cheaper to create a desktop PC by parts , today the exact opposite is the case.
Such is the overpricing of the graphics mainly, and also of many other components, that oddly enough it is cheaper to go for a gaming laptop instead of doing the same with a conventional PC . And sadly, this trend does not look to change. At least for now.
So if we are considering getting a gaming team, we do not want to wait for the stock to stabilize or pay an extra cost for the graphics that we have looked at, it would not be a bad idea if we focus only on gaming laptops , either for use while the sky-high price storm clears or as equipment that lasts for years.
So if we see ourselves in such a position, it doesn’t hurt that we know some of the most important aspects that we must take into account when buying a gaming laptop. So then we will review them and see some of the best models that we can find in the market today.
The jewel in the crown: the graphics card
It does not matter if we play on a laptop or on a desktop PC. The most important component of all if we want to play is the graphics card. And although it is true that by itself it is not enough, and it requires many other pieces of certain power to offer us a good gaming experience, it is the cornerstone on which the rest of the components are built .
As we say, desktop graphics cards are either in short supply or much more expensive than they should be. But this is not the case when we talk about laptops, which is fortunate (as far as possible) if we want to play the latest titles on the market. Because although it is true that these mobile models usually offer a lower performance than their older sisters , they can be more than enough in most cases.
It will be a year since the next generation GPUs from NVIDIA (and also from AMD) saw the light. The RTX 3000 series came out at the end of last summer and today we find a large number of gaming laptops that have them. Mainly with the RTX 3060, 3070 and 3080 .
So any laptop that has any of these three graphics will be synonymous with a power that will last us several years and that will help us both to weather the price storm and to have a team with a view to the future.
Although it is not strange to find many models with GPUs of previous generations: especially RTX 2060, 2070, 2080 and GTX 1650, 1650 Ti and 1660 Ti. All of them very solvent depending on the needs of each user , of course. But it is true that the ideal would be to have at least one RTX graphics (2xxx or 3xxx), since this opens the door to such interesting technologies as ray tracing and DLSS, which are present in more and more games.
CPU and RAM: two key components
In addition to the graphics, all gaming equipment worth its salt must have a good processor and RAM configuration. And in the case of laptops, it is the same as in desktop environments .
When it comes to the CPU, practically any gaming laptop will have one powerful enough not to weigh down the GPU, which in most cases will be the limiting factor (in most games, as there are some very Dependent CPUs).
In this sense, until now we only found Intel processors in gaming laptops. High performance, yes (those with an H at the end), but only from Intel. However, this 2021 has been a great advance for gaming laptops because, as happens in desktop PCs, AMD has struck the table being able to stand up to Intel.
So the processors that we will find in the different models that we have on the market will be from both companies. As a general rule, manufacturers tend to bet on Intel of the tenth or eleventh generation of the i5 and i7 families . While when the chosen one is AMD, we usually see Ryzen 5 and 7, which would compete with the previous ones. In most of them, and in both cases, the usual thing is that they are 6-core and 12-thread 8/16 processors.
Regarding RAM, the standard in 2021 is more than clear: 16 GB is the most widespread amount . Less, 8 GB, may be insufficient depending on which games. And more, from 32 GB upwards, they come great although they are not essential. So the most common is to see those 16 GB, with which we will not have any problem and that complement perfectly with the other components seen. Of course: if possible, that they are dual channel.
Internal storage: the more the better
When it comes to internal storage capacity, manufacturers tend to be quite conservative; This is one of the aspects where the equipment is cut faster to adjust the final price of the equipment , and to a certain extent it is not a bad idea.
Let me explain: on a desktop PC, gaming or not, we can update what we want later. However, when it comes to notebooks, and for the average user, the chances of swapping out components for better ones are drastically reduced ; the graphics and the processor that our equipment comes with will probably be the one that it will carry throughout its useful life due to the difficulty of messing with them.
But in the case of storage (as well as RAM), luckily things change. And it is that not only can we replace the hard drive that comes with our equipment, but it is most likely that it will bring some more expansion bays, both in the SATA and M.2 interface , so that we can expand its capacity in the future.
For this reason, most of the gaming laptops that we see on the market, especially those far from the high-end, usually have configurations of the type : a 512 GB SSD, a 256 GB SSD plus a 1 TB HDD, and things like that.
In this sense, it is best to have at least 512 GB as standard, which ensures that we can install the operating system, the basic programs and, of course, some games without falling short. And for little money, later we can increase the capacity with 2.5 or M.2 HDD or SSD.
Screen: 15.6 “or 17.3”?
Another of the most important components of a gaming laptop is its screen. Because although many gamers use their laptops together with external monitors, the ideal is that the panel that the device brings is good enough to use it whenever we want, without resorting to additional peripherals .
For this reason, after the graphics and the processor, the screen that the equipment that we look at has to have must be of quality. Regarding size, within the gaming sector we find three great standards plus some special diagonal : 14, 15.6 and 17.3 inches. Although some models, as we say, incorporate special sizes that are around 16.
Choosing one size or another will largely depend on the use we make of the laptop, as well as the mobility to which we submit it. That is to say, that a device that is always from here to there, it would be ideal to have at most 15.6 inches ; our back will appreciate it. And the same happens if we use it with external monitors. However, if mobility is not an issue, space is not an issue and we want to scratch a little extra size, 17.3 inches is the best size.
And related to this we have many other important aspects. On the one hand, the resolution. With Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) we should not have problems with these screen sizes (although there are devices with higher resolutions, which on the other hand require better hardware), and most manufacturers opt for it .
On the other, the update frequency; As with gaming monitors, if we want to play with our laptop, we will appreciate that it has 120 or 144 Hz. And if it is more, better than better . But if the panel stays at 60 Hz and we have a GPU powerful enough to give us many more frames per second, we will be weighed down by the screen. What does not mean, in any case, that we cannot perfectly enjoy games at 60 FPS.
Finally, and ending with this section, other details also come into play, such as the panel technology and its response time. The first is usually IPS; a great choice for manufacturers as it gives us vivid and striking colors, as well as better viewing angles than in TN. And the second, for its part, should be the lower the better. So practically any gaming model that we find from a certain price range will have a response time of 5 milliseconds or less , more than enough.
Other important aspects: cooling, keyboard type, connections, RGB …
We are approaching the end of the review of the fundamental aspects that we must have when facing the purchase of a gaming laptop. But although they are not as decisive as the previous ones, we do have to pay attention to some last details that can make our purchase satisfactory or not.
On the one hand, and very important, we have refrigeration. Gaming laptops get hot. And a lot. Although it is something that we will have to assume from the beginning and, generally, it will not be a problem because the manufacturers are supposed to have taken it into account .
But of course, not all models are the same, and some include better heat dissipation than others. So we should look at how many air vents the model we want has, if they are behind, on the sides or in both places. And also the number of fans and heatpipes that it incorporates. A really differential aspect between some brands and others.
On the other hand we have the type of keyboard that the device presents. They will be quite similar to each other, and usually offer an experience, although satisfactory in many cases, quite far from what we get with a good mechanical desktop keyboard. But it is important that we look at whether it is a complete keyboard , with an independent number section in the right area, or not; Some users will not care, while for others it can be very important.
The connections section is also important, because it can limit us. If we are content creators or need to continuously transfer files to our laptop, we will appreciate that it has an SD card reader. If we need the stability of a cable Internet line, we will do the same with the RJ45 input . If we need to plug in many peripherals or displays, the more USB, HDMI and DisplayPort, the better. And so everything; let us know well the connections of each model to find the one that best suits our needs.
Last but not least, mainly when talking about gaming devices, we cannot forget about the equally hated and adored RGB backlighting. This type of notebook usually has very aggressive and extremely striking design lines. Something that some will be an aspect to take into account for the better … and others, for the worse.
But beyond the lights that give us nothing more than eye-catching, it is appreciated that, at least the keyboard, has a backlight. Whether RGB or a specific color, there is nothing better than the keys light up and make it easy for us to look at them when ambient light conditions falter. The eyes of those who habitually write (we write), surely know what I am talking about.
Best buying options for gaming laptops in 2021
And now, let’s go to see some of the best gaming laptop models that we can find on the market in the middle of 2021. As we will see below, devices with GPUs of the RTX 3000 family abound, although most of this is associated with overcoming the barrier of 1,000 euros . Therefore, we will also include some notebooks, somewhat more modest, that although they do not have these latest generation GPUs, they are cheaper and perfect for many users. Let’s see!
Asus TUF Gaming F15 FX506LH-HN042
The first gaming laptop on the list (799.99 euros) is this Asus TUF Gaming. It is one of the cheapest purely gaming models that we find today, although it does so in exchange for leaving some high-end details along the way. This one, in particular, includes a 15.6-inch 144 Hz Full HD screen, an Intel Core i5-10300H CPU, 16 GB of RAM, 512 SSD and the GTX 1650 in the graphics section.
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55
For 926 euros we find this other device, which is close to the barrier of 1,000 euros and, therefore, somewhat improves the specifications of the previous one . In this case, the chosen GPU has been an RTX 2060, which is the gateway to technologies such as ray tracing and DLSS. The rest of the components, however, are the same as the TUF above.
Asus TUF Dash F15 TUF516PM-HN135
Raising a bit in price (1,199 euros) we find another Asus TUF, although in this case of the Dash variant. It is the F15 that represents a significant jump in power compared to the previous ones for not much more cost. And is that this laptop includes a recent RTX 3060, one of the most demanded GPUs today. In addition to an i7-11370H, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD.
HP Pavilion Gaming 16-a0043ns
At practically the same price as the previous one, but ideal for those who prefer the HP brand (1,199.99 euros), we have this HP Pavilion. This company has been doing things very well in recent years when it comes to gaming laptops, and as a result we have models like this. On this occasion, the graphic goes down to an RTX 2060 with which we can also enjoy ray tracing and DLSS. But the screen goes up to 16 inches, which for many can be an important point. The rest of the specifications are closed by an i7-10750H and the same RAM and storage configurations as before.
Asus TUF Gaming A15 FA506QM-HN005
We keep going up in price (1,299 euros) to find this other TUF Gamins from Asus. Laptop that opts for AMD in the processor section. Specifically, it incorporates a Ryzen 7 5800H , 16 GB of RAM and, now, 1 TB of SSD. The graphic that it mounts is an RTX 3060 and its screen is 15.6 inches with Full HD resolution.
MSI GP66 Leopard 10UE-226XES
We continue with a device from the MSI firm that costs 1,359 euros. It is quite similar to the previous one, although with a thinner body, which many backs will appreciate. It incorporates an RTX 3060 , an Intel Core i7-10750H, 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage. All this with a 15.6-inch screen with Full HD resolution at 144 Hz.
Asus ROG G513QM-HF026
This other Asus, although from the ROG family (somewhat more premium in finishes) costs 1,499 euros. Around 1,500, a figure that is starting to be considerable. But that ensures great quality and good power. Not surprisingly, it incorporates an RTX 3060, a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD. In addition, its screen is brutal with no less than 300 Hz in a 15.6-inch Full HD panel.
Gigabyte AERO 17 KC-8ES6150SH
Gigabyte’s AERO family is a favorite among content creators , as these devices often feature an exceptional display. This model, for 1,711 euros, offers us a large 17.3-inch panel with Full HD resolution and 300 Hz. There is nothing. But the rest of the specifications are not far behind: RTX 3060, i7-10870H, 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD.
Razer Blade 15 Base Model
Finally, for 1,799 euros we have this Razer model ideal for those who seek maximum power in portable environments. We mean that it mounts nothing less than an RTX 3070 , one of the best performing laptop GPUs out there, and that can move any title on the market without problems. The rest of the components, how could it be otherwise, lag behind: 15.6-inch Full HD screen with 144 Hz, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage.
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