Multymeter.com – The gaming laptop market has experienced interesting developments over the past year. A number of manufacturers offer gaming laptops with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics cards, which are inexpensive and capable of running AAA games in media settings. More and more manufacturers are offering gaming laptop models with sleek designs without sacrificing performance. Then, what gaming laptop is the most appropriate for you?
But before you decide on the best gaming laptop you can have, it’s a good idea to listen to tips for choosing one.
Before buying a gaming laptop, there are several components and specifications that you must pay attention to to get the performance that meets your expectations.
Here are tips for choosing a gaming laptop that suits your needs.
Processor
There are two names of processor manufacturers who dominate the PC market today: Intel and AMD. Each of these brands has a series of processors that are able to provide optimal gaming performance.
If you want to use a gaming laptop with Intel, make sure the processor is labeled MQ, HQ, or K. For those of you who have a limited budget, choose a laptop with a minimum Intel Core i5 processor. However, if you want faster performance and longer endurance, choose a laptop with Intel Core i7 and i9 processors.
Laptops with Intel processors are generally more expensive than laptops powered by AMD. The Ryzen Threadripper series from the manufacturer from the United States is one of the best choices for gaming today. For optimal gaming performance, use AMD Ryzen 5 or 7.
VGA
VGA or graphics card is an important part of a gaming laptop. This component affects the quality of the graphics that can be displayed by the device, both in terms of the appearance of the characters and their environment as well as the movement of the animation.
If you feel you don’t need to play using the highest graphics settings, choose a laptop with a GTX1050 from Nvidia. You can buy a gaming laptop with an entry-level graphics card for under Rp. 15 million.
The GTX 1060 can produce better graphics quality and a mid-range gaming experience. In fact, this graphics card is capable of offering a VR experience at the lowest settings.
For maximum graphic quality, buy a gaming laptop with GTX 1070 or GTX 1080. However, for a realistic graphic display, you should start considering a laptop with RTX 2070 and RTX 2080. Supporting ray tracing technology, the graphics card is capable of producing in-game lighting that mimics lighting in real life.
Memory
Not only multitasking, gaming also takes up a lot of space on random access memory or RAM. Currently, most games can run optimally on laptops with a minimum RAM capacity of 8 GB. Entry-level gaming laptops equipped with Intel Core i5 and VGA GTX 1050 are generally equipped with that much RAM.
Of course, laptops with higher RAM, for example 16 GB or 32 GB, can provide faster performance. However, most gaming laptops allow you to increase the RAM capacity yourself at a later date.
Battery
Batteries are one of the weaknesses of gaming laptops. With heavy performance, both in terms of processor and graphics, battery power on laptops will drain quickly.
Expecting a gaming laptop to run without being plugged into a charger for more than six hours is too much. In fact, most gaming laptop batteries can only last for two hours when used for playing.
Moreover, the performance of a gaming laptop will be more optimal if it is plugged into a charger during a playing session.
Screen.
Most gaming laptops have screens ranging from 15 inches to 17 inches. Meanwhile, the optimal screen resolution for playing is Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).
In fact, you don’t need a screen with a 4K resolution to get an optimal gaming experience. This resolution is more suitable for use by those who are in the graphic field, such as designers, photography, and videographers.
If you want the best gaming experience, you should pay attention to the screen refresh rate. Reporting from Tomsguide.com, the minimum refresh rate suitable for playing games is 75 Hz, while the most optimal is 144 Hz.
Ports
Having a thick body design, gaming laptops are generally not port stingy like ultrabooks. Make sure the number of available ports matches your needs, for example USB 3.0 for additional peripherals and a mini port or HDMI to connect to a monitor.
If you’re planning to upgrade your graphics with an eGPU, also make sure your gaming laptop has the right ports, for example USB Type-C Thunderbolt.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that has a great design and performance, here are 13 products for you to consider.
1.HP Pavilion 15-dk2002TX.
The HP Pavilion 15-dk2002TX gaming laptop at an affordable price is certainly worthy of your consideration because it is rich in features. Despite having an affordable price tag, this gaming laptop is capable of handling heavy graphics games. The reason is, the kitchen is powered by a fast Intel Core i5-11300H 11th Generation. The processor is combined with 8 GB DDR4 RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. You can rely on this combination to produce high-quality graphics, both for gaming and multitasking. The screen is 15 inches wide and has thin bezels that can spoil your visual experience. The screen is capable of displaying images with FHD resolution. For storage, the HP Pavilion 15-dk2002TX is equipped with an SSD-type storage device with a capacity of 512 GB. Besides being fast, this type of storage is also durable and shockproof so you can accompany it anywhere. In terms of audio, you will be satisfied by dual speakers from B&O. For streaming or meetings, you can rely on the HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera which is also integrated with dual array digital microphones. The weight of this best gaming laptop is only 2.2 kg.
2. Hp Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-Ec2047ax.
If you are looking for the best gaming laptop at an affordable price, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-Ec2047ax deserves to be on your list. This laptop with a 15.6-inch wide screen is powered by the AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600H processor. The screen is capable of displaying smooth graphics with an FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. In addition, this screen is also equipped with Anti Glare technology and a brightness level of up to 250 nits so that it is guaranteed to deliver a satisfying gaming experience anywhere. The processor is combined with 16 GB DDR4 RAM memory and 512 GB SSD storage capacity. While the graphics card uses an NVIDIA GeForce® GTX™ 1650. To ensure smooth gaming, HP has provided it with a heat pipe cooling system. HP’s audio business entrusts B&O by presenting dual speakers. As for connectivity, you can also use this gaming laptop for work thanks to the availability of the HP True Vision 720p HD Webcam with dual array digital microphones. Weighing less than 2 kg, you can still take this laptop wherever you want to play games. This laptop is available in three colors, namely Acid green, Ultraviolet, Ghost white.
3. Victus by HP.
Need the best gaming laptop with a big screen? You can take a look at Victus by HP. The screen spans 16.1 inches! Guaranteed satisfaction playing on a screen that big. Interestingly, the screen already supports a 144Hz refresh rate. Don’t call it a gaming laptop, if this device is not equipped with high-end specifications. Victus by HP is equipped with an Intel Core i7 11800H processor and a graphics card up to RTX 3060 6GB. Specifications: Screen: 16.1 inch FHD AG IPS 250 nits 144Hz Processor: Intel Core i7 11800H RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz (2 x 8HB) Storage: 512GB SSD Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB Additional: Backlit Keyboard + OHS, WiFi 6/MIMO There is also an RTX 3050 4GB version which is sold at a cheaper price, which is IDR. 17,999,000.
4. Lenovo Legion 5
Gaming laptops have so far been controlled by Acer Predator, Asus ROG, and Alienware. Lenovo also began to fight the dominance of these companies through the Legion series. In 2021, Lenovo Legion comes in two very tempting variants. The two are Lenovo Legion 5 and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro. Lenovo Legion 5 is equipped with a 15.6-inch screen with a resolution of up to Full HD. The available refresh rate is up to 165Hz. Meanwhile, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is equipped with a 16-inch screen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. The aspect ratio itself reaches 16:10. This means that the screen is suitable for productivity activities because it is quite wide. The specifications of the Lenovo Legion 5 and Legion 5 Pro are also high. There is a Lenovo Legion 5 variant with a Ryzen 7 5800H processor, 8GB AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. There’s also a Lenovo Legion 5 with a Ryzen 7 5800H processor, a 6GB RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is also equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, an RTX 3050Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with other advanced specs is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, RTX 3070 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. Of all the variants of this Lenovo Legion 5, which one do you want to choose?
5. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
Looking for a gaming laptop with a compact size? Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, the answer. Just imagine, most variants of this laptop have a thickness of under 2 cm or 0.78 inches! Not only compact, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has an attractive design. It has LED lights on the front cover in the form of a very cool dot matrix. The specifications are also top class. The top variant is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti GPU. The most advanced variant is also equipped with a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Not only for gaming needs, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is also considered very good for daily drivers or daily needs. He is equipped with a keyboard, touchpad, and a capable 14-inch screen. The available port options are also very diverse. In fact, for the size of a gaming laptop, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has very capable battery capabilities. Even so, there are some drawbacks that you should know about the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. This gaming laptop is not equipped with a webcam (you can buy an external webcam to make video calls), Thunderbolt connectivity (only available on laptops with Intel chipsets), and the fans can be very noisy. If you don’t have a problem with these shortcomings, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 remains the best thin-body gaming laptop you can buy right now.
6. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733.
Want to have the best Asus gaming laptop with a big screen and very high refresh rate? Just choose Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733. Unmitigated, this gaming laptop has a 17.3-inch screen and a refresh rate of up to 300Hz! In addition, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733 keyboard is highly praised. This section is considered very comfortable to use. Asus itself uses an optical mechanical keyboard for this part. The “specifications” are also very high. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU and graphics cards up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080!, and the most basic, namely the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070.
7. Acer Predator Triton 500
Different from the Triton 900, the Acer Predator Triton 500 comes with a slimmer and lighter body. The screen is also smaller, which is 15 inches with Full HD resolution and G-Sync. Acer did not add a hinge that allows the Triton 500 to be used like a tablet. However, the top model of this laptop is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, the same as the Triton 900. Meanwhile, the other model carries an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 which is also ready to provide an exceptional gaming experience.
8. Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15
Want to have a gaming laptop with two screens at once? Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15, the answer. One main screen measuring 15.6 inches. The screen supports resolutions up to 4K UHD and a 120Hz refresh rate. There is also a Full HD version with a refresh rate of 300Hz. The second screen is smaller and is placed above the keyboard. The screen is not intended as the main screen, but as a supporting screen only. In 2021, Asus has actually presented the second version of the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 with the serial number GX551 in Indonesia. In terms of “specifications”, the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE GX551 is equipped with a chipset up to AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX combined with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card. This lowest version is equipped with AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, and a 15.6-inch main screen with Full HD resolution.
9. Acer Nitro 5.
The Predator is the flagship gaming laptop from Acer. Even so, that doesn’t mean Acer doesn’t want to release a gaming laptop at a lower price. The product in question is Acer Nitro 5. Although “cheaper”, the Acer Nitro 5 is equipped with high-end specs. The latest variant in 2021 is equipped with an Intel i7-11800H processor, 8GB RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. The screen used is 15.6 inches with Full HD resolution. The refresh rate reaches 144 Hz.
Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H
RAM: Dual-channel DDR4 16 GB
ROM: 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD
Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060/RTX 2080
10. Acer Predator Helios 300.
If you need a gaming laptop with a higher performance, the Acer Predator Helios 300 could be the answer. Designed like the Acer Nitro 5, this gaming laptop is wrapped in black with red accents and a fierce heat-dissipating grille at the back. In terms of performance, the 2021 Acer Predator Helios 300 is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 3060 graphics card. Meanwhile, the processing brain is left to an Intel Core i7-11800H, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The 15.6-inch screen not only offers QHD resolution with a refresh rate of 165 Hz.
11. MSI GF63
Need a gaming laptop, but hampered from the budget side? MSI GF63 could be an interesting option. Priced starting at IDR 16 million, this gaming laptop from a Taiwanese manufacturer is equipped with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or GTX 1050TI Max-Q graphics card. The screen already uses an IPS-level panel with a size of 15.6 inches and Full HD resolution. The bezel around it is also designed thin so that the dimensions of the body of this laptop look slim. Another thing that makes the GF63 attractive is its battery, which is claimed to last up to seven hours of use.
- Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: Dual-channel DDR4 up to 32 GB
- ROM: SATA HDD/SSD NVMe PCIe
- Graphics card: Up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050TI Max-Q
12. MSI GS65 Stealth Thin
It’s hard to exclude MSI from this list. Moreover, this Taiwanese manufacturer is famous for its reliable gaming laptop line. One model you need to look at is the GS65 Stealth Thin. As the name implies, this gaming laptop is designed with a slim body and thin bezels around the 15.6-inch screen. The black color and gold accents also make it look more elegant and far from the typical design of other gaming laptops, which generally use a combination of black and red. In addition to looking good, the specifications of the MSI GS65 Stealth Thin are also quite stunning. MSI embeds an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 10 series graphics card.
- Processor: 8th generation Intel Core i7
- RAM: up to 32 GB DDR4
- ROM: up to 512 GB SSD
- Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 Other brands.
13. Alienware M15
Alienware is famous for its line of gaming laptops that have fierce performance. However, so far, what has been lacking in this gaming laptop from Dell is that it is large, thick, and heavy. All that changed in 2018, when Dell launched the Alienware M15. Carrying the distinctive design of Alienware laptops, the M15 comes with a sturdy body construction. However, it weighs only 2.1 kilograms, which is 38 percent lighter than the previous model. The body is also about 17 percent thinner. Although lighter and thinner, the Alienware M15 is claimed not to heat up quickly. Dell includes a cooling system with Cryo-Tech 2.0 technology that promises to keep the laptop temperature cool when used to play games for a long time though.
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 8th generation
- RAM: up to 16 GB
- ROM: up to 1 TB HDD or 1 TB SSD
- Graphics card: up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
14. Razer Blade 15
Not only included in the list of the best 2018 gadgets by BukaReview’s version, the Razer Blade 15 sits at the top of the gaming laptop category. This is driven by a number of factors, from design aesthetics to processing power. The Razer Blade 15 is designed with a sleek body dominated by black and distinctive green accents. Inside, Razer embeds an Intel Core i7 8750H, Nvidia GTX Max-Q series graphics card, and RAM with a choice of a maximum capacity of 32 GB.
Processor: 8th generation Intel Core i7
RAM: 16GB or 32GB
ROM: up to 512 GB SSD
Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 After seeing the 14 gaming laptops above, which one do you find interesting to buy?***
