7 Important tips for buying a gaming laptop.

Imagine this, Saving a great deal of money, you bought a new gaming laptop model and launched one of your favorite games and then you were horrified by visual graphics even worse than the one of a potato. That was not the great epic adventure you likely thought you were arriving for, right?

However, do not worry because you gamer! We can be forgiving ourselves and grow out of it instead of feeling regret. This guides us. Here we’d like to give you some tips on selecting a gaming laptop that lets you go wild in your games, without getting a heart attack, or even without going bankrupt.

There are some Tips you can follow:

Tip 1: Know your Budget.

Gaming laptops come in all shapes and sizes (and prices!). They can cost anywhere from $500 for a basic model to a whopping $5,000 for the most powerful ones. That’s a huge difference!

Sure, a super expensive laptop might be amazing, but you don’t necessarily need the best of the best. Most gamers find a sweet spot between $1,000 and $1,500. This price range lets you play games smoothly without breaking the bank.

But remember, price isn’t everything! We’ll talk about what’s actually inside the laptop (the specs) in the next tip. That way, you can make sure the laptop you choose can handle the games you want to play.

Tip 2: Selecting right Specifications.

This tip for buying a gaming laptop is all about picking the right “specs,” which are the internal components that keep your laptop functioning. These are 4 aspects to take into account and 2 of them cannot be upgraded later on, so think carefully before making a decision!

The most important element here is a GPU (graphics card). This powerhouse directly impacts how your games render visually so you definitely need a good one. An RTX 4060 or 4070 with 8GB VRAM would be perfect, but the previous generation RTX 3070ti can provide the same level of performance at a lower price. It definitely won’t have high-end features, but it’ll be within the $1000-$1400 range we specified.

On narrower budgets, RTX 4050 or 3060 laptops handle 1080p gaming just fine, but their 6GB of VRAM may not work for future games. Getting the 40 series graphic card is a smart choice as it has DLSS 3 support which is a great plus point for getting high fps in high demanding GPU games.

Tip 3: Finding your balance : Size and weight.

While powerful specs often come in larger laptops, size isn’t everything. Here’s why:

• A bigger laptop can fit a bigger screen, battery, cooling system, and more ports. It’s like having more space in a room! But, just like a heavy suitcase, a bigger laptop is less portable.

• A 14-inch laptop might not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s easier to carry around. If you travel often, consider your bag space and how much weight you can comfortably handle.

• Most gamers find 14″, 15″, or 16″ laptops offer a good balance of portability and features. While a bigger screen (17″ or 18″) might be amazing for gaming at home, it’s not as easy to take on the go.

Here’s a personal tip: I travel with a 14-inch laptop and connect it to a larger monitor when I’m back home. Boom, best of both worlds!

Tip 4: See the Difference – Don’t Skip on the Screen.

The screen is your portal to the game world, so pick a good one! Most brands try to save money here, but it’s what you’ll be staring at all the time. Here’s a tip for choosing to buying a gaming laptop:

• Brightness: Aim for at least 300 nits, ideally closer to 500. Brighter screens look better, especially in well-lit rooms.
• Refresh Rate: Look for a refresh rate of 144Hz or higher. This makes fast-paced games feel smoother.
• Response Time: Lower is better! Under 10ms is great, but anything over 20ms can make games blurry.
• Colors: Aim for at least 90% sRGB coverage for gaming. If you plan on creating content (like editing videos), consider a screen with over 90% DCI-P3 coverage.
• Resolution: 1080p is okay for 14-15 inch screens, but for larger screens or if you have a mid-range GPU, consider 1440p. Skip 4K on small screens – it’s not worth the extra cost.

Tip 5: Don’t Get Stuck Without Power (Battery Life)

Imagine this: you’re in the middle of an intense raid, and your laptop dies! Battery life is crucial for gamers on the go.

Bigger batteries last longer, but they also come in bigger laptops (like 17-inch beasts). So, it’s another trade-off to consider.

Generally, AMD Ryzen processors tend to be more battery-efficient than Intel options in gaming laptops. It’s not a guaranteed rule, but a trend we’ve seen in testing many laptops.

The takeaway? Bigger battery + AMD processor = longer playtime!

Tip 6 : Don’t Get Port Blocked: Maximize Your Connections

Think about how a laptop with all of those needs is not designed for easy upgrading! Ports are your way in; therefore, you should your connections and options. Most of the bigger laptops tend to have more ports. However, it does not mean that the size matters. Think about the peripherals you’ll use: wires, ethernet cable, SD card, external displays, etc.

Consider port placement too. The ill-placed side ports could be an obstacle to your mouse hand, and the back ports might be annoying to use. Ideally, ports should be quite close, but the way is not necessary to have. Docks are a lifesaver! In additional to this, they are all in one cables but provide extra ports for other devices. By analyzing the number of ports as well as the location, your device will be certain to have the connections you need which will work to beat the game, not your setup.

Tip 7: One of the Most Important Tips!

You’ve considered everything! Now comes the most important tip: read reviews! Reviews offer real-world insights you won’t find on a spec sheet. Here at Techknr, we provide in-depth reviews to help you make informed decisions for an epic gaming experience! Don’t just browse specs – actively engage with us to find the perfect gaming laptop for you!