Categorically speaking, gaming laptops are nothing short of a niche designed primarily to appeal to budding gamers and e-sports pros. Yet, these game-centric rigs have been experiencing a renaissance, gaining sudden popularity among non-gamer consumers. And despite the steep price tag, people are actually willing to shell out a considerable amount of money in exchange for this behemoth of a machine.

having these beefed-up laptops can work to our advantage in a cost-efficient manner. Since these premium computers outperform regular notebooks by a mile in terms of power, performance, and overall build, their capabilities go beyond the primary purpose of gaming and can serve as viable equipment for intensive work-related tasks. This empowers users to handle heavy workloads and run multiple applications in the background without fear of lag or sluggish performance. 

 

Portable gaming aside, gaming laptops are known to carry out these intensive tasks without a hitch: 

 

• Run photo/video editing with ease
• Music/sound production
• Playing videos in high definition
• Dual booting
• Run virtual machines and emulators
• Programming
• 3D rendering
• Browsing windows/tabs

	Gaming laptop	Normal laptop
Processor (CPU)	high-performance processors that can be overclocked	Equipped with conventional processors
Memory (RAM)	Ranges between 8GB and 32GB RAM	4GB and up
Graphics Card (GPU)	Dedicated (discrete) graphics card (has its own memory, requires power, and generates more heat)	Integrated graphics card that’s built into the processor
Cooling System	Advanced cooling system (multiple fans, water cooling, etc.)	Typical single/double fan setup
Keyboard	Robust keyboard with customizable configurations and additional features	Conventional soft-touch membrane keyboard
Number of ports	Multiple ports that can accommodate an assortment of cable connectors	Varied USB ports based on make and model
Display	QHD, FHD, UHD with high refresh rate of up to 360Hz	Offers standard refresh rate ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz

 

Not to say that consumer laptops are inferior. They simply don’t need higher specifications to carry out basic computing functions such as browsing the web, watching videos, sending/receiving emails, and running all sorts of productivity apps. It also goes without saying that normal laptops are capable of handling the aforementioned tasks as well, but at a relatively smaller and much-contained pace due to certain limitations in their components.

 

Meanwhile, gaming laptops are intentionally robust and equipped with distinct features and higher specifications to withstand heavy usage. Here are a few features to expect in a standard gaming laptop:

Higher everything

 

Higher core count and clock speed are just some of the hallmarks of a perfect gaming CPU. The former refers to the ability of the processor to multitask, while the latter speaks about how many cycles the CPU can execute per second. 

 

The GPU, on the other hand, works just like a CPU, but focuses more on boosting the creation and rendering of images displayed on your computer. Majority of laptops come with an integrated graphics card, which is fully dependent on the CPU’s power. But for gaming laptops, a discrete GPU (AKA dedicated graphics card) works best. Since a discrete GPU is a stand-alone component, it works autonomously to cover all visual rendering tasks. Discrete GPUs no longer share and use the same memory allotment from the CPU, since they have their own memory called VRAM. As a trade-off, they consume more power and generate more internal heat. 

 

RAM

 

Among other things is the Random Access Memory or RAM. Essentially, a higher RAM allows more wiggle room for the CPU. It stores temporary data for quick retrieval. A good RAM for gaming laptops ranges between 16GB and 32GB. 

 

Heavier build

 

Gaming laptops are bound to literally carry a significant amount of weight compared to normal laptops. This is due to the heavy-duty components and added parts attached to their innards. One main contributing factor to this is the cooling system, which is responsible for keeping the laptop’s optimal temperature. Adding up to this is the laptop’s bulky shell, which is often thicker than most regular laptops. 

 

Storage

 

There are still a handful of gaming laptops that use HDD for their storage. But by today’s standards, SSD or solid-state drives are in-trend. SSD outperforms older drives since it ditches the traditional movable magnetic platters for NAND flash memory. This allows fast file access which results to significant improvement in system start-up, program loading, and read-and-write tasks.

 

Monitor

 

For gaming laptops, a good 15-inch in size is the magic number. Anything below that would compromise details needed for immersive gaming. Anything higher would sacrifice portability. 

 

As for the resolution, 1080p or Full-HD is the common ground. Although manufacturers of today now offer higher resolutions up to 4K in resolution. These monitors offer the best graphics possible but would require more processing and battery power. Meanwhile, the refresh rate and response time go hand-in-hand. Ideally, a 120Hz refresh rate with a 5ms response rate is considered ideal for a gaming setup. A higher refresh rate means smoother image movements with less blurring. Response time refers to the ability to react to the sudden changes in the movements of the images. This is counted by milliseconds. Lower milliseconds mean faster response rate and less likely to experience visual lagging.

 

Heavy-duty keyboard

 

Keyboards carry the burden of experiencing all the physical punishments. As a result, some models are now equipped with a mechanical-type keyboard, complete with customizable hotkeys to accommodate the physical demands of gamers. This also provides more accurate actuation, tactile feedback, and better responsiveness, as compared to regular membrane-type keyboards. 

 

Cooling system

 

Since gaming laptops are known for their over-the-top performance, they often require specialized cooling systems to maintain an operable temperature while providing protection against overheating. Some laptop brands equip their models with advanced liquid cooling systems, extra vents/heat sinks, and more.

 

RGB lighting

 

RGB lighting serves as the defining indicator of a gaming laptop’s beastly capabilities. They offer a distinct, immersive panache that contributes to the overall gaming experience. But aesthetics aside, RGB lighting also serves a functional purpose for some laptop models. RGB adds a pleasant indirect light to counteract glare and reflections coming from the screen. Laptops like ROG, MSI, Predator, and Razer are among the top purveyors of dynamic RGB lighting. 

 

Extra features

 

Several laptop models dare to push the envelope by incorporating innovative, fancy features into their products. This includes touchscreen display, Dolby Atmos support, and enhanced security features like face/fingerprint ID.

 

Check out these gaming laptops that you can find at SM Cyberzone for your intensive work & play routine:

 

ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16

Ideal for: All-around creatives

 

Aesthetics-wise, ROG went for a more subtle, yet stylish approach with its slim, off-black profile. Gamers/professionals can still add a touch of playful undertone to their professional look with the laptop’s dot matrix design and prismatic finish shell design.

 

On the inside, the Zephyrus M16 hits the right notes with its number of improvements and ever-powerful performance that’s ideal for creative professionals. It’s got virtually everything you need for your work and play needs: 12th gen Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GPU, 8GB DDR5 on board + 8GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM memory, 1TB PCIe SSD storage, plus all assortments of I/O ports to accommodate all your creativity peripherals. 

 

Razer Blade 17

Ideal for: Music producers

 

Razer Blade’s latest offering doesn’t shy away from showing off its gaming and productivity capabilities with its latest updates. For starters, the laptop comes with a limited one-year FL Studio license, which fits perfect for budding music producers, sound engineers, and everyone else in between.

 

The Blade 17 is fitted with a massive 17.3-inch maximized screen with up to 360Hz refresh rate and options for FHD, QHD, and UHD variants. It runs on 12th gen Intel Core i9 that boasts an impressive 14-core processor. This is paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series and a next-gen DDR5 4800Hz memory to sustain maximum performance for work and play. All of these are covered by Razer’s Vapor Chamber Cooling technology to ensure unparalleled thermal performance during intense games and long hours of audio and video editing.

 

MSI Raider GE76

Ideal for: Video editors

 

Solid build, optimized performance, and superior immersive experience. the MSI Raider GE76 bet all-in on its latest iteration, all packed with potent upgrades to handle intensive gaming and productivity tasks. Running on Windows 11, the GE76 is powered with 12th gen Intel Core i9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, and a DDR5-4800 2 slots RAM that can be upgraded to 64GB max.

 

But what makes this laptop the ideal equipment for gamers-slash-video editors is its massive 17.3-inch FHD/FHD/QHD IPS screen, with up to 360Hz refresh rate variant to accommodate demanding video-editing sessions. This is complemented by MSI’s next-gen Cooler Boost 5 to effectively heat dissipation during intense video editing and rendering.

 

Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs edition

Ideal for: 3D modeling 

 

Acer steps up its gaming experience with its powerhouse internals and added features. The laptop runs on Windows 11, and is energized by 12th gen Intel Core i9. This is paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, a 32GB DDR5 4800Mz RAM, and 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage to unleash its full gaming and productivity potential. 

 

Highlighting the Helios 300 is the addition of SpatialLabs to its arsenal. The first of its kind, the laptop features a stereoscopic 3D display that allows 3D gaming spectacle sans the quirky glasses. Through its experience center, the SpatialLabs edition provides a platform for those who dabble in 3D modeling and rendering. This proves ideal and useful for those who are into game developers, animators, and designers. Another plus factor is its PredatorSense client, which allows personalization and overclocking management to tweak your gaming preference on the fly.

 

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6

Ideal for: Photoshop warriors

 

Simplicity at its finest. Lenovo keeps aesthetics on the sideline in exchange for straightforward performance. it’s got pretty much everything you need to unlock achievements on both gaming and work scenarios. 

 

The specs don’t veer away too far from the other laptops listed here, except for Legion’s AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor. The laptop also boasts a formidable battery life that can last up to 8 hours of usage. All of these are paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 and a 16GB DDR4 RAM to deliver smooth gameplay while tinkering with photo-editing projects and even occasional video-editing in the background without a hitch.

Got your next gaming laptop pick for your work and leisure use? Head over to your nearest SM Cyberzone branch to take these #TechAssured laptops home.