With so many badass gaming rigs coming out in 2021 the choices may seem overwhelming. We’re here to help you with your mission of finding the best gaming laptop. Whether you’re looking to stick to a budget or empty your wallet for a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, we have recommendations that will suit any type of gamer. It’s no surprise that gaming laptops have become a hit. People are looking for portable computer gaming experiences that offer more mobility than PC gaming rigs.
Purchasing a gaming laptop over a PC rig shouldn’t imply that you’re sacrificing performance. Your gaming laptop’s graphics card is going to play a big role in your ability to run modern games lag-free in high definition. The importance of a gaming laptop’s graphic card increases when accounting for the fact that you can upgrade a PC graphics card, but not a gaming laptop.
Before we launch into our picks, we’re going to take a closer look at graphics cards and go over additional things to consider when searching for the ideal gaming laptop.
What You Need to Consider for 2021 Gaming Laptops
Let’s expand on the importance of a graphics card before discussing the type of graphics card that a top-of-the-line gaming laptop might contain. A graphics card is going to take a lot of weight off of your computer’s processor. Without a GPU a computer’s CPU covers graphics-related tasks. Still, a GPU allows the computer processor to focus on other tasks while the GPU does the heavy lifting in running graphics. You won’t even have to worry about RAM being taken up when running graphic intense games, as a gaming laptop’s graphics card contains more than enough memory.
Generally speaking, many entry-level gaming contain the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, while higher-end gaming laptops may receive their power from a GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card.
Nvidia Gtx 1050 Ti and Geforce Rtx 2080 Comparison
The Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti contains a GP107 chip that’s manufactured by Samsung. Performance features of the GTX 1050 Ti include 4GB of GDDR5-VRAM and a 112 GB/s memory data rate. If you’re playing games that aren’t over the top in their graphics capabilities, you’ll find that the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti will supply your gaming laptop with the power it needs. The cooling performance of the gaming laptop you’re using will play a major part in how well a graphics card like the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti performs.
A GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card offers speed and solid 4K performance. Gamers who invest their money in a graphics card that emphasizes detail will appreciate the GeForce RTX 2080’s capability. While some may argue that the GeForce RTX 2080 doesn’t offer enough to justify paying more than a mid-range graphics card, gaming graphics like shadows and lighting are enhanced.
When searching for a gaming laptop, take the time to consider:
- RAM
- Hybrid or single storage
- Max-P vs. Max-Q
- Comfortable controls
- Attractive design
Gaming Laptops: Memory and Performance Design
Gamers should avoid laptops that dip below 8GB RAM. Some gaming laptops contain a 16GB RAM level, which many would consider the top of the line. Anything between 8-16GB of RAM will get the job done normally. Computers used for everyday tasks like work tend to contain around 4GB of RAM. High-level gaming laptops can boast larger RAM volume RAM from 64GB to 128GB.
Hybrid and Single Storage
A laptop’s storage commonly combines a hard drive and Solid State Drive (SSD). Opting for a hybrid storage setup is ideal for gamers as there’s plenty of storage space in the hard drive, and the SSD will deliver data at high RPM rates.
Max-P vs. Max-Q
Max-P indicates a gaming laptop that contains a design fostering maximum levels of performance. A gaming laptop that emphasizes performance might contain a bulkier design. In comparison, Max-Q gaming laptops perform at a lower level but feature a sleeker design that uses up smaller amounts of power.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the best gaming laptops of 2021. We will break down our selections into various categories: performance, versatility/mobility, design, and cost-efficiency.
Best Performing Gaming Laptops of 2021
Owning a high performing gaming laptop means having an inherent edge over your competition. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that provides in-depth gaming experiences along with the tools you need to climb the leaderboards, keep reading!
Performance Gaming Laptop #1: AORUS 15G (YB)
At a glance, the AORUS 15G (YB) offers users extensive eight-hour battery life that’s paired with immaculate graphics. The 15-inch screen that the AORUS 15G offers sets the stage for a captivating gaming experience. Considering the dominating performance of the AORUS 15G, this laptop is impressively thin. There’s no doubt about the fact that you’ll be able to play all of the latest games at up to 4k resolution with this gaming laptop’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Max-Q graphics card. The WINDFORCE Infinity Cooling System keeps everything running smoothly for high performance games even on resource hogging games.
Say goodbye to weak network signals with the AORUS 15G’s new ethernet Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 wireless network card which provides fast, and reliable wireless gaming laptop performance. This gaming laptop’s 512GB hard disk provides a decent amount of storage, although you may want more if you install a large number of modern games.
Laptop gaming performance compromises are a thing of the past with the AORUS 15G (YB).
Performance Gaming Laptop #2: Asus ROG G703GI
The Asus ROG G703GI’s robust appearance is backed by a performance that’s second-to-none. The 17.3-inch FHD screen is large enough to launch you into the world of your favorite games. We say it’s safe to assume that this gaming laptop’s 64GB of RAM is more than enough to get the job done. If you’re wondering how this beast of a gaming laptop stays cool, copper tunnels independently keep the CPU and GPU at ideal temperatures. In this case, 85-99 degrees Celsius are the temperatures that keep this gaming laptop running.
GeForce GTX 1080 graphics and an 8th generation Intel Core i9 processor help this gaming laptop define what power can mean. It’s impressive how forward-thinking the Asus ROG G703GI is. Smart features on this gaming laptop include a built-in Xbox wireless controller module and RGB lighting on the keyboard that’s aesthetically pleasing.
Gamers will have all the ports they need in the Asus ROG G703GI with HDMI, Thunderbolt, USB, and mini-DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity.
Level up your gaming with the Asus ROG G703GI laptop.
Best Slim Design Gaming Laptop: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX531GX
High-performing laptops that feature a slim design are at the top of many gamer’s wish lists. If you have the bread, your wish can come true with the Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX531GX. This gaming laptop’s cooling system is a big reason why its capabilities are consistent in their delivery. Every level of gamer can benefit from what this model has to offer. The eight era Intel Core i7 processor is backed by Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q illustrations and an impressive 24GB of RAM.
You’ll experience smooth gameplay and minimize input lag with this model’s silky 144hz display. Audio is a huge component of every gamer’s experience. The Asus Rog Zephyrus S’ dual speakers increase audio output and emphasize essential sound components like bass and range. RGB keyboard lighting trend continues with the Zephyrus S. One attractive feature with this gaming laptop’s keyboard coloring is that you can customize the backlight colors to your preferences.
The makers of the Zephyrus S accurately advertise this gaming laptop as being “slim, yet mighty.”
Best Budget Gaming Laptop: Asus ROG Strix Hero III
While $1,500 (price subject to change) isn’t asking nothing, there are plenty of gaming computers that easily exceed the $5,000 mark. Asus continues to support the notion that they’re a brand that can do it all by offering this reliable yet fair priced gaming laptop to consumers. This gaming laptop is capable of running any modern gaming title on the market along with being powerful enough to run the latest games on full quality for a few more years to come.
The Nvidia GeForce graphics card within the Strix Hero III plays a huge role in this computer’s ability to run various games. You’ll find that speed isn’t an issue thanks to the Strix Hero III’s Intel Core i7-97050H processor that translates to a speed of 4.5GHz. You might see the price tag of this gaming laptop and assume the RAM leaves more to be desired, but the 16GB of RAM within the Strix Hero III proves to be conducive to multi-tasking.
You’ll receive a full HD display with this budget gaming laptop with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a quality 3m response time. Expect the battery life on the Strix Hero III to last around three and a half hours when you’re playing on peak brightness and settings—but of course, you can lower these settings to extend your portable gameplay capabilities. Along with having solid value for its pricetag, this gaming laptop features a thin design that makes its performance even more impressive.
After covering some exceptional 2021 gaming laptops, we’re going to wrap up with some frequently asked questions regarding this gaming style.
Final Thoughts
If you’re into gaming, you’ll need a specialized laptop since the hardware in standard laptops is too weak to support some of the latest games. Gaming laptops provide more RAM, high powered processors, and powerful graphics cards.
Hopefully our picks inspire you on your search for an ideal gaming laptop, but check out this Amazon list for some of the best 2021 gaming setups!
Recent Comments