Buying a gaming laptop is an expensive endeavor. The best 17-inch gaming laptops don’t come cheap. But for many gamers, that’s not much of a problem because it allows them to be able to game on the go with their laptop just as easily as they do in the comfort of their home.
Similarly, a 17 inch gaming laptop is usually powerful enough to play games on the go with no problem. However, if you plan to play on the go often it’s important to keep in mind that your battery won’t last as long as it would when you have a desktop or regular sized laptop.
Thing to look for when buying one
1. Screen size
If you’re looking to really blow people’s minds, the Alienware 17 has an insane 18.4-inch display. But laptops with screens that big will also be heavy and difficult to travel with. If you want something a bit more portable, you’ll have to compromise on the screen size and maybe even the resolution. Remember though, the higher the resolution and pixel density, the more power it takes so keep that in mind when making your choice. The Razer Blade Pro does have a 17-inch screen but it can be configured for 4K (3840 x 2160) at 120Hz despite its 5kg weight.
2. CPU, GPU and RAM
When it comes to gaming performance, these are the most important things. The more cores your CPU has, the better because it allows your laptop to multitask more effectively. Intel i7 processors are usually best but they’re expensive. If you want to save some money you can opt for a Core i5 or even an i3. Similarly, the more Cores and Threads your graphics card has, the better performance you’re going to get when gaming and rendering graphics.
The thing with gaming laptops is that they’re made for people who want to play games. That’s why these laptops have a lot of RAM. You want to make sure you have at least 8GB but the more the better. Anything from 12-16GB will basically guarantee your laptop will never close down unexpectedly while in use.
3. Storage
Depending on the kind of games you play, this is usually not an issue at all because most laptops have a large storage space, typically 256GB and more. However if you plan on playing a lot of games and downloading new ones frequently, it’s probably better to opt for an external hard drive in case the capacity isn’t enough to keep up with demand.
4. Keyboard and feedback
Gaming laptops have a lot of perks but one great thing about them is that they have mechanical keyboards which allow for excellent feedback and responsiveness. If you’re a big gamer, you’ll definitely want to get a gaming laptop with a mechanical keyboard.
5. Battery life and portability
This is probably the most important thing to consider when buying a gaming laptop. You want to be able to play games on the go without having to plug in all the time, right? This means battery life is crucial if you’re looking for a 17-inch gaming laptop because chances are it’s going to be heavy anyway and it’s not exactly easy to carry around all the time.
Now that you know the things that you need to consider when purchasing a gaming laptop, you should be able to make a better decision on which one is best for you. The only thing that you’ll need to consider now is your budget. A brand such as Lenovo will be cheaper than Alienware. However, as long as your chosen laptop checks all the tick boxes above, the brand shouldn’t affect your decision, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
