This year’s E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) concluded in June, and as some console game manufacturers have been “drawing big cakes” for years without letting people “taste” them, many players’ smiles have probably gradually faded. Instead of waiting foolishly, why not find some fun — compared to the slow update of major next-gen console hardware, the PC platform has been rapidly iterating; at the same time, with the popularity of games like “Battle Royale” and the rise of various e-sports games and live streaming platforms, a new PC is indispensable for players.
In recent years, gaming laptops have attracted much attention from players, thanks to improvements in the energy efficiency ratio of core components, narrowing the performance gap between gaming laptops and mainstream gaming desktops to an easily acceptable level. At the same time, don’t forget that gaming laptops are often portable and powerful productivity tools, providing multiple uses for a single investment. If you’re thinking about buying a gaming laptop, how should you choose? Let’s talk about this topic.
Leading with the 8th Gen Core: Discussing Gaming Laptops from the “Core”
In comparison to desktops, previous laptops (even gaming laptops) had the impression of underwhelming performance. Users who hoped for “one device to solve all problems” have driven the surge in laptop performance, especially in gaming laptops, in recent years. Of course, on the other hand, the performance surge of gaming laptops is largely due to improvements in the energy efficiency ratio of upstream chip manufacturers, such as NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture 10 series mobile graphics cards released in 2016, which have significantly narrowed the gap between mobile and desktop graphics cards. Additionally, earlier this year, Intel released its mobile standard voltage 8th Gen Core processors, which can reach six cores and twelve threads (some models can be overclocked), further closing the gap in single-core and multi-core performance with desktop processors.
▲ The performance of high-end gaming laptop core components has no significant disadvantages compared to common high-end desktops.
Perhaps feeling the long-awaited pressure from competitors, or sensing players’ grievances over the years, Intel’s processor upgrades for laptops this year no longer have the feeling of “squeezing toothpaste.” Earlier this year, the mobile Core processors with a standard voltage of 45W (compared to the low-voltage U series processors) finally emerged; this upgrade’s standard voltage Core processors, even the lowest (like i5-8300H), all feature a four-core, eight-thread design, while higher-end models (like i7, i9 series) boast a six-core, twelve-thread design, allowing players to finally break free from the “ancestral four-core” bondage.
▲ The standard voltage 8th Gen Core processors released earlier this year have seen substantial upgrades compared to their predecessors.
Moreover, the standard voltage 8th Gen Core processors provide comprehensive support for technologies like Optane, making them a priority consideration for players. For AMD fans, the launch of Ryzen processors is a significant boost, bringing considerable competition to their competitors in the thin and light laptop segment; however, as of the time of this writing, there are only one or two AMD gaming laptops available on the domestic market, and the product variety still needs significant improvement. Besides processors, discrete graphics chips are also crucial in measuring a gaming laptop’s performance.
Regrettably, in the past two years, the updates of mobile discrete graphics cards may have been slow due to the dominance of one company; currently, NVIDIA’s 10 series graphics cards (including later “improved” MAX-Q design models) remain almost the only choice in the market, and for some time to come, GTX 1050 to GTX 1080 series graphics cards will still accompany gaming laptop players.
Equipped for Performance: Discussing the Essential Qualities of Gaming Laptops
A gaming laptop that only has a good processor and graphics card will be like a car that only has a good engine and transmission but lacks other configurations, making it difficult to provide users with a good experience. Having moved on from the earlier image of being “big and clumsy,” today’s gaming laptops compete not only on absolute processor or graphics performance but also on the balance of configurations, display quality, keyboard feel, body design, and even lighting effects.
Based on my gaming experience and comprehensive reports from major media outlets, the gaming laptops in players’ shopping carts should have the following basic qualities. First, the screen should cover 100% sRGB (or 72% NTSC) color gamut, and the refresh rate should reach over 120Hz; second, solid-state drives should preferably use PCIe channels, with pure SSD models having a storage capacity of at least 256GB (or 240GB), and models with mechanical drives should have at least 128GB PCIe SSD (or Optane storage technology); third, the keyboard on the C-side of the body should preferably be equipped with adjustable RGB lighting mechanical keyboards, with key travel being sufficient, and frequently used keys like directional keys and WASD should be large and prominent.
▲ 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rate screens have become the new standard for the next generation of gaming laptops.
▲ Running professional applications like video editing, image processing, and modeling on gaming laptops has become a new choice for many industry professionals.
In addition to these basic qualities, players can also consider gaming laptops based on appearance, feel, and cooling performance. Generally, newer models tend to have better aesthetics and cooling performance due to the use of new molds and cooling devices. Furthermore, if players have special needs for ultra-high-definition video or high-resolution processing, they can choose models with 4K resolution screens, but this may result in a loss of high refresh rates; after all, high refresh rate screens in laptops currently exist mainly in 1080p screens — in actual experience, 1080p resolution performs well on laptop-level screens.
Portability and Productivity: The New Battlefield for Gaming Laptops
Once, thin and light laptops only had weak low-voltage dual-core processors, but now quad-core eight-thread and even six-core twelve-thread processors have been installed in past “ultrabook” sized models. Today, gaming laptops have quietly invaded the market for office and design PCs, with thin and light gaming laptops becoming ideal productivity tools. Industry insiders even predict that the future of laptops and PCs will belong to “thin and light gaming laptops” that achieve a perfect balance of size and performance. From the specific products on the market, models under 20mm thick, with screen sizes of 15.6 inches or smaller, equipped with the latest generation of high-performance processors and mid-to-high-end gaming discrete graphics cards are already plentiful.
The above is a brief analysis of the current gaming laptop market from the author, hoping to spark some ideas and provide useful references for everyone’s purchasing decisions. Finally, I recommend several popular gaming laptop models available on the market, whether they are powerful with a high price tag, reasonably priced with decent performance, or thin and portable while packing a punch; I wish everyone can find the most suitable machine for themselves.
Recommended Models
High-End Gaming Laptop
ROG Player Nation G7
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 17.3 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz, G-Sync) Processor: Intel Core i9-8950HK Six-Core Twelve Threads Memory: 32GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 256GB SSD×2+2TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (8GB GDDR5X) Dimensions: 452mm×319mm×47.5mm Weight: 4.7Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 29999 Yuan
When it comes to gaming laptops, how can we forget the “Republic of Gamers”? The latest ROG Player Nation G7 is equipped with the flagship performance Core i9 overclocking processor and GTX 1080 discrete graphics card, with large memory, large SSD, 1080p resolution 144Hz screen, and ROG software and hardware optimization, making it incredibly powerful.
AORUS X9
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 17.3 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz) Processor: Intel Core i9-8950HK Six-Core Twelve Threads Memory: 32GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 1TB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (8GB GDDR5X) Dimensions: 428mm×314mm×23.5~29.9mm Weight: 3.59Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 30999 Yuan
As a major player in the motherboard industry, GIGABYTE’s gaming laptop series also possesses a particularly strong player spirit, especially its AORUS series. Among gaming laptops of the same level, the AORUS X9 features a relatively lightweight design, along with the latest Core i9 processor, GTX 1080 graphics card, 144Hz refresh rate screen, and single-point full-color backlit mechanical keyboard, achieving peak standards for single GPU gaming laptops.
Mainstream Gaming Laptop
ROG Player Nation Gun God II
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 15.6 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz) Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Six-Core Twelve Threads Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 256GB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB GDDR5) Dimensions: 361mm×262mm×26.1mm Weight: 2.4Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 15999 Yuan
This model, which was officially unveiled at the recent Taipei Computer Show, features many innovative designs, including material upgrades and support for cooler RGB lighting effects. Additionally, this machine is equipped with a new generation processor, while the 144Hz refresh rate and ultra-narrow bezel display also boast extremely fast GTG response times, making it powerful.
Acer Shadow Knight 3 Gun God Edition (AN515)
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 15.6 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz) Processor: Intel Core i5-8300H Quad-Core Eight Threads Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 128GB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5) Dimensions: 390mm×266mm×26.75mm Weight: 2.5Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 7499 Yuan
If you are not a high-end hardcore player and your budget is not very high, then the Acer Shadow Knight 3 Gun God Edition can be one of your best purchase options. The reason lies in its balanced configuration, affordable price, and good brand image, making the comprehensive strength of the Acer Shadow Knight 3 Gun God Edition quite impressive.
HP Shadow Elf 4th Generation
Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) Display: 15.6 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz) Processor: Intel Core i5-8300H Quad-Core Eight Threads Memory: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti (4GB GDDR5) Dimensions: 360mm×263mm×25mm Weight: 2.5Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 6999 Yuan
As a model with a low price, the Shadow Elf 4th Generation offers a first-line brand image, narrow bezel 144Hz screen, standard voltage 8th Gen Core processor, and GTX 1050Ti graphics card, making it a good choice in terms of cost performance for players.
ROG Player Nation S7ZC
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 17.3 inches (1920×1080, optional FreeSync, 120Hz) Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Eight-Core Sixteen Threads Memory: 16GB DDR4 2400 Storage: 128GB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX580 (4GB GDDR5) Dimensions: 415mm×280mm×34mm Weight: 3.0Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 12999 Yuan
A high-performance gaming laptop on the 3A platform is undoubtedly an exciting presence for “AMD fans.” The ROG Player Nation S7ZC is based on the desktop version of the eight-core sixteen-thread Ryzen processor and RX580 graphics card, delivering impressive performance. Additionally, the software and hardware optimization of ROG Player Nation is also noteworthy.
Thin and Light Gaming Laptop
Razer Blade 15
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 15.6 inches (1920×1080, 60Hz, with a 144Hz version available) Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Six-Core Twelve Threads Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 256/512GB SSD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060/GTX 1070 Max-Q Dimensions: 355mm×235mm×16.8mm Weight: 2.07kg~2.1Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 16999 Yuan~22599 Yuan
The newly upgraded Blade gaming laptop features an aesthetically pleasing narrow bezel design and the renowned RGB keyboard lighting effects, all packed into a compact body, with a standard voltage i7 processor and Max-Q GTX 1060 discrete graphics card, making this model highly attractive.
Thunderobot 911 Air Starry Edition
Operating System: Windows 10 Display: 15.6 inches (1920×1080, 144Hz) Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H Six-Core Twelve Threads Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666 Storage: 128GB SSD+1TB HDD Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti (4GB GDDR5) Dimensions: 361.6mm×243.4mm×23.05mm (thickest point) Weight: 2.3Kg (including battery)
Reference Price: 6999 Yuan
With a 6mm ultra-narrow bezel and a metal texture design, this machine is visually impressive, hiding its “suit and tie” strength beneath a silver exterior, allowing players to switch seamlessly between work and entertainment scenarios without any sense of incongruity.
