In the past decade, you have to carry a back-breaking gaming laptop to enjoy a good gaming experience. Since then, portability took a huge leap. Kudos to tech advancements, the best graphics cards and gaming specs can now be packed into a light and ultra-thin laptops.
There’s a price to pay though. Smallest laptops dedicated for gaming tend to be more expensive than regular ones. It’s to justify the complicated parts and cautious assembly process involved in making them.
So, how do you find the best lightweight gaming laptop that gives the most value for your buck?
Here are some general tips:
GPU must be decent
Graphics processing unit (GPU) in gaming laptops are in it for the long run; they aren’t upgradable. That’s why it’s imperative for hardcore gamers to go for Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060, if not GTX 1070 or 1080.
GTX 1050 though will still work nicely for novice/casual gamers.
Keyboard is indeed key
Online gamers know that a keypress at the right time can turn the tide of the game towards their favor. Therefore, a stiff keyboard won’t cut it. Meanwhile, one that’s too soft can be just as bad.
Besides fancy chiclet keys with LED backlights, consider key travel and actuation too. 1.5-2mm of KT will give you that spot-on feel when pressing a key, while 60-70g of actuation provides comfortable pressing resistance.
Considerable display
Go for the usual 15 to 17-inch screens. 18-inch ones are inviting, but it adds to overall laptop weight. In terms of resolution, never settle for less than the 1920 x 1080 display. The touch screen function may be promising but shy away from it, as it drains the battery faster.
Don’t bank on battery life that much
To get the most out of your GPU, many experts suggest keeping your gaming notebook/laptop plugged in most of the time.
No matter the make or battery feature, the majority of gaming laptops will still die out on you in a few hours if left unplugged. It’s because most online games of today are indeed taxing to the gaming laptop/notebook’s system.
Looking for some quick gaming laptop suggestions? Below are three of the hottest in the market today.
1. MSI GS65 Stealth Thin 15.6”
Core specs: Intel Core i7-8750H, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q (GPU), RAM of 16GB DDR4-2400 MHz, 15.6-inch FHD screen, 4.14 lbs. Majority of gaming junkies consider this as 2019’s finest gaming laptop. And it’s easy to understand why. At just 4.14 lbs, your backpack (and your back) will thank you for it.
But it functions just like a fully-fledged gaming PC, allowing you to take pleasure at playing online games at the highest settings. In terms of performance, GS65 is one of the purest, smallest laptops for gaming today. Its GTX 1070 Max-Q allows you to go up to 100 fps, given that you modify some unwanted settings.
And with a highly durable and functional SteelSeries keyboard, GS65, in its totality, more than makes up for its lack of G-Sync.
2. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1
Core specs: Intel Core i5-i7, Radeon RX Vega M GL Graphics (w/ 4GB HMB2 Graphics Memory), 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 screen (15.6”), 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB storage. For a laptop that isn’t specifically labeled as ‘for gaming,’ Dell XPS really exceeds expectations. You would really appreciate its ultra-thin design that’s meticulously crafted by Dell. Thanks to its G-series, Kaby Lake processor, it can keep in step (in terms of performance) with most brands.
It’s a bit pricey though (currently at $1,349 in Amazon), and may not serve you that well in playing the latest games at max settings. However, with the right amount of modifications, it’s still a very decent gaming laptop.
3. Razer Blade Stealth
Core specs: Intel Core i7, Intel HD Graphics 620 (or UHD Graphics 620), 16GB worth of RAM, 3,840 x 2,160 12.5” UHD screen (minimum), 256GB – 1 terabyte storage
Blade Stealth boasts its superior and brighter display, compared to previous Razer models and other competing brands. One can only wonder how the company was able to squeeze in all these intricate parts into a very slim gaming laptop.
Great gaming experience is guaranteed with all the latest hardware it is built from. Its aesthetics are also more conservative this time, yet still appealing. A little downside is that it has short battery lifespan though.
Purchasing the best, smallest gaming laptop is not an easy decision. It requires thorough consideration of its specs and reviews. After all, it is your hard-earned money that will be spent.
Do you know other important considerations before buying a gaming laptop? What about your recommended and trusted brand? Feel free to share it down below!
