Choosing a Gaming Laptop with Optimal Specs and Budget-Friendly

Every laptop category caters to different audiences such as business professionals, office users, graphic designers, or gaming enthusiasts. Business laptops prioritize thin and sleek designs, while office laptops are more understated. On the other hand, laptops for graphic design and workstations boast powerful configurations but are not intended for gaming. In the list of top laptop brands in 2017, Apple takes the lead, but unfortunately, Macbook has never made it to the list of good gaming laptops. No one buys a Macbook for gaming, and standing second in the top laptop brands of 2018 is Dell, the renowned American manufacturer, especially with its Dell Alienware series for gamers.

Choosing a computer with good specifications

So, apart from Dell, are there any other options for you? Recently, HP has introduced the Omen series, Acer with the Predator beast, or the well-known Asus ROG. Alternatively, you can consider MSI Gaming. There are numerous choices when you want to buy a gaming laptop. But if your top priority is not just the specs but also the price, what then? Is there a gaming laptop that meets the criteria of good configuration and budget-friendly? The following insights will undoubtedly guide you.

Guide to Buying a Gaming Laptop with Good Configuration and Budget-Friendly

1. Not the CPU, but the GPU is the most important

For gamers, the GPU, commonly known as the Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized processing unit and the true heart of a VGA. While the CPU in a machine handles the processing of all command files, the GPU assists the CPU in handling command files related to images, graphics, and specifically, the game you are playing. Currently, mainstream laptops are divided into two main types: the GTX 900M series and AMD 300 Series. Comparing these product lines with similar types like the GTX 950M and the desktop GTX 950, the laptop versions fall behind by approximately 40-60% in power, partly due to space limitations and accompanying cooling.

Nevertheless, current mainstream laptops also handle online games with ease, such as Dota 2, League of Legends, or Overwatch, with configurations set relatively low. Their prices range from 10 million to 15 million as of now. Examples include laptops from Asus, Dell, MSI, Lenovo with GPUs like GTX 940M, 950M, and slightly more high-end models like the 960M.

As for professional gaming laptops nowadays, they all use GPUs with new technology, with model numbers going up to 980M. Especially in Nvidia's 1000 series, we have 1050, 1060, and even 1070 and 1080 with outstanding power. In this 1000 series, the boundary between laptops and desktops has been blurred, as the GPUs used for desktops are kept almost intact to operate on laptops with over 90% performance. Of course, these laptops are not cheap, and even the lowest version costs more than 22 million VND.

2. CPU I3 I5 I7 - Which one to choose, and which model?

Typically, after recognizing that the GPU is the most crucial factor when buying a gaming laptop, the second consideration is the CPU, the central processing unit. The CPU I3, I5, or I7 is also categorized, with I3 intended for those who engage in pure entertainment, light gaming. I5 is a bit higher-end, suitable for gamers and tasks demanding Boost Clock overclocking for the CPU. Meanwhile, I7 is the top-of-the-line product for laptops, meeting all user needs.

Of course, it's not just about I3, I5, or I7; we need to pay attention to the model numbers, corresponding to Intel chip generations such as Boardwell, SkyLake, or the latest, currently, KabyLake. Not all laptops follow a common standard, for instance, KabyLake, the 7th generation, will have the character 7 in the Core i designation, like Core i7 7700, for example. Or with Boardwell, the 5th generation, in some laptop models like Asus, you'll find codes like Core i5 5200U.

Furthermore, modern laptop series differentiate between chip types in the model number, such as U, Q, or M.

- Chip Q: These are high-performance chip series used for gaming laptops, for example, Core i7 Q840.

- Chip U: This chip series is known for energy efficiency, usually with lower clock speeds; for example, Core i5 5200U.

- Chip M: These chips are commonly used with higher clock speeds, though lower than the Q series.

3. What's the Ideal Screen Size for Gaming

Currently, there are two popular screen sizes, 14.1 inches and 15.6 inches. Of course, there are some models that surpass these sizes, such as 17.1 inches or 18.2 inches, catering to gamers. But considering the screen size criterion, you must understand that as the screen gets larger, the bulkiness and weight also increase. Naturally, with a 14.1-inch size, you might feel a bit constricted during gaming, with a somewhat compromised gaming experience.

Opting for a 15.6-inch screen size is perhaps more common as it caters to both work and study needs as well as gaming. However, for the larger sizes like 17.1 inches or 18.2 inches, you must be an avid gamer.

Beyond the screen, we need to pay attention to the screen resolution, with three main types: HD, Full HD, or 4K. The most commonly used resolution that balances frame quality and graphics is Full HD 1920x1080. If using a 4K laptop, you'll need a larger screen for a satisfying experience. On the other hand, with an HD screen, playing some games might not unleash the full potential of the display.

4. HDD or SSD - Which One to Use

Certainly, in terms of speed, SSD is faster than HDD by 3 to 5 times, and its price reflects that. With a 120 GB SSD priced at over a million VND, you could buy an HDD with a capacity of up to 1TB. Typically, mid-range or even professional gamers opt for the solution of buying an M2 Sata-formatted SSD, which most laptops released from 2016 onwards support, combined with a default HDD as we see today.

Certainly, an SSD is used for running Windows with high boot speeds, while an HDD is used for storage, including games. The gaming experience isn't significantly affected, as you'll only spend a few extra seconds loading a game if using an HDD.

5. RAM - Internal Memory

Why does Mytour bring up RAM as the last concern when it's essential for gaming? That's evident, but nowadays, laptops all have at least 2 RAM slots. With an average laptop currently having 4GB of RAM, adding another 4GB or higher, like 8GB, is more than enough. RAM isn't the primary factor determining a laptop's gaming capability. In practical experience, with an Asus laptop, Chip U 5200, having 12GB of RAM, when loading games + multitasking, RAM only reaches about 50%, and Windows 10, in reality, uses a fair amount of RAM, but not to the extent where you need 16GB or 32GB on a laptop. If your RAM is a bit weak, upgrade it immediately for more efficient gaming and work.

6. Why Buy a Gaming Laptop Instead of a PC

We all know that with the money spent on a high-performance gaming laptop, we could build a desktop with a configuration 50% more powerful. Moreover, PCs are easier to upgrade and have better cooling. So, why should we consider buying a gaming laptop instead of a PC?

Let's remember that a laptop is much more flexible than a PC. We can take it anywhere, socialize at cafes, which is not possible with a PC. Additionally, laptops are convenient for both work and entertainment. Of course, there are heavier laptop models weighing 3 to 4 kg, but only a few accept carrying them on their backs. Furthermore, owning a PC requires a good space to ensure a good experience and lifespan for the machine.

With these considerations, Mytour hopes you will choose a gaming laptop that suits your preferences and budget. Absolutely avoid buying used laptops; checking their condition is not simple unless you are an expert. Moreover, buying used laptops is risky and may lead to financial losses.

Currently, Workstation Laptops have emerged, different from the typical laptops we usually see. However, if you're not familiar, you might think Workstation Laptops and regular laptops look similar. But that's not the case. You can refer to the article 'Should You Buy a Workstation Laptop' below to learn more about this new product.

Explore more: Should You Invest in a Workstation Laptop