What specifications should you care about in a gaming laptop?

Mar 29, 2022

With the popularity of streaming reaching an all-time high, the demand for gaming laptops has gone off the roof. Owning one is coming to be seen as a necessity, but getting yourself one might be a lot harder than you’d have anticipated. There are a lot of parts that go into the making of one and a single component out of order could impact the overall performance of the laptop. So, what are some of the core specifications that you should be concerned about?

gaming laptop

1) Graphics processing unit (GPU)

This is one of the most important components of a gaming laptop. A lot of the popular games are pretty graphics intensive, so you’ll need a strong enough GPU to handle that stress on your device. You might end up spending a fortune later on it if you decide to upgrade your GPU, so it makes financial sense to invest in a quality GPU right when you’re assembling one.

From the latest Nvidia RTX-30 series to the Radeon RX series, there are plenty of options to choose from. But, base this decision on what kinds of games you intend to play and more importantly on what kind of game settings you prefer. The cost can range anywhere from $800 to $3,000 depending on their make and their power.

2) Central processing unit (CPU)

The next crucial component that you need to pay attention to while buying is a central processing unit. With newer variants entering the market with every passing day, the definition of what makes a good CPU isn’t limited only to speed. It simply isn’t that straightforward these days, too many factors need to be taken into consideration here.

But, in a broad sense, all that you need to be aware of is that there are two major players, Intel and AMD who’re both vying for a slice of the pie. While Intel was at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, its competitors have caught up and upped their game. So, get to research to better understand which CPU meets your requirements and if it’s within budget.

3) Random-access memory (RAM)

RAM more or less determines how efficiently your device works and whether it’s able to run the latest games without any difficulties. 8 GB should be more or less enough to suit most of your needs, but you can always go for the 12 GB ones, in case money isn’t an issue.

Another decision that you need to be taking is whether you want to use HDD or SSD method of storage. While HDDs are the standard option, SSD is significantly faster and are better at handling intensive activities. But, the caveat is that the SSD is pricier and may end up eating into the budget that you might have reserved for something else. A nice trade-off in today’s world is hybrid laptops that use a mixture of both HDD and SSD modes of storage. While HDD serves as the major portal, SSD is only used as a boot drive.

4) Display

If you’re not planning on getting a separate monitor, then you most likely will need a good display unit to go along with the powerful hardware. Some of the factors that you should account for while buying one are:

A) Size

The size of the display unit will impact your overall gaming experience. While the standard fixture is about 16 to 17 inches, you can always get ones that are either 14 or 18 inches. It’s simply a matter of what works best for you.

B) Resolution

The gold standard is the 4K screens, but they are fairly expensive and are not compatible with all the devices on the market. So, instead, you can always go for the 1920 x 1080 display.

C) Refresh rate

While you can choose from a wide range of refresh rates, right from 60 Hz to 360 Hz, 60 Hz should be more than good for all practical applications. Faster refresh rates would necessitate a better GPU, meaning you’ll have to spend more money than you’d have originally accounted for.

5) Laptop insurance

You’d have noticed that a lot of these components do cost a significant amount of money. What’s the point of making all these expensive purchases if you don’t get to enjoy its privileges, thanks to an ill-timed burglary? Getting insurance for laptops might seem like a far-fetched idea considering that your brand-new laptop does come with a manufacturer warranty, but this does not cover the eventuality that your device is stolen following a break-in.

The great thing about laptop insurance is that it is an intrinsic part of a renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance since it’s listed under perils. So, in this case, you’re at least assured that you’ll be suitably compensated in case your precious gaming laptop gets stolen.

6) Gaming accessories

Some of the other accessories that you can consider buying are an extra set of monitors, decent headphones with noise reduction, a gaming keyboard, and mice. They are not exactly bare necessities as such, but your gaming setup will feel complete which should make for an unparalleled experience.

Conclusion

So, that was a list of some of the core specifications that you need to pay attention to while getting a new gaming laptop. Do remember that all of them can be modified according to your needs and there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to buying one.

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