Gaming laptops have never been cheap, but they are far better engineered today than their predecessors. In fact, the high-quality performance from the gaming laptops of today allows you to get your fix wherever you are – as long as there is a nearby power outlet, of course.
The million-ringgit question then is: “What do I look out for when buying a gaming laptop?”
First of all, it would require a decent mid-range processor and dedicated graphics card, as well as an adequate cooling system. It is highly recommended that you get the best possible graphics card within your budget since, unlike memory and storage capacities, it is not upgradeable in most circumstances.
The price of graphics cards has gone through the roof since the pandemic, as they are in extremely high demand not just for gaming but for cryptocurrency mining. Although prices have somewhat returned to “normal” levels, high-end cards can cost up to half the total price of the laptop.
Always begin with a budget in mind, and you will then be able to narrow down the available models in the market. While there are affordable options that start from RM3,500, the sky’s the limit when it comes to a fully decked-out powerhouse.
A mid-range, at about RM6,000, should be able to handle anything you throw at it without breaking a proverbial sweat. For those who want something thin, light, and powerful, you will likely have to fork out anywhere from RM7,000 onwards.
Since you would want your gaming laptop to last as long as possible, it makes sense to pay top ringgit for the best. There is no better time than now, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking: “There’s a new processor/graphics card that will be released in a couple of months; I will wait until then so that current-generation prices will drop.”
By the time the new processor or graphics card is released, you would not want to settle for previous-generation hardware.
Playing it cool
Once you have shortlisted your options, it is imperative to take into consideration the laptop’s cooling system. No matter the hype in the promotional material, always bear this in mind: gaming laptops, too, must adhere to the laws of physics.
A thin, light laptop will not be able to provide the best cooling solution because of one simple fact – it is limited by space. The fastest fans and number of outlets will be unable to keep it running nice and cool for long, so be prepared for it to feel hotter to the touch compared with a laptop with a larger chassis.
Some laptops come with an external cooling solution, but these are far and few in between.
A larger device not only provides you with a better viewing experience when you game, it also provides more space for future memory and storage upgrades while offering a better cooling system. This usually translates to the ability to handle a more powerful graphics card.
Always leave room for future upgrades, especially in terms of RAM and storage space. Most gaming laptops come with two RAM slots, and 16GB is recommended these days at a minimum, though double this figure would be better. As far as possible, try to avoid laptops with soldered-on RAM.
With the traditional hard drive going the way of the dodo, solid-state drives (SSDs) have taken over. A 512GB SSD will fill up faster than you think, so it is best to have at least another slot to take in another SSD for expansion purposes.
Where possible, make sure the laptop has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port, which not only comes in handy in terms of speedy, high-volume data transfer, but is also able to harness the power of an external graphics processing unit (GPU) in the event your laptop’s graphic card is no longer able to handle current needs.
A gaming laptop will need to be plugged in for it to run as intended, so don’t expect the battery life of an Ultrabook. With it being plugged in most of the time, the battery might be subject to more rigorous charge than that of a regular laptop, so keep an eye out on your laptop’s chassis for signs of a bulging battery and get a replacement if necessary.
At the end of the day, you should do your due diligence on the brand and model of the gaming laptop you hope to purchase. While social media is a common avenue to discover any bouquets and brickbats, bear in mind that negative experiences tend to be widely “promoted” while the positives are drowned out.
Enjoy your purchase without regrets, and may your frame rates never drop below 60fps!
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.