How to choose a gaming laptop

The graphics card (GPU) is the most important component in any gaming laptop as it determines its graphics performance. For seamless gaming, we recommend NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards.

Type

Dedicated graphics card

A separate graphics card with its own RAM; suitable for graphics-intensive games.

Integrated graphics card

These cards are placed in the processor housing and work with the processor's memory; suitable for office work.

While an integrated graphics card is suitable for everyday tasks, gaming laptops should have a dedicated graphics card.

Memory

The greater the capacity, the more power potential. Cheaper graphics cards can manage with 1GB, whereas gaming models can have 8GB or more. The standard is 4GB.

NVIDIA

The most sought after brand among customers.

GeForce GTX - optimised for maximum gaming performance

GeForce GT - lighter models suitable for playing with less detail

AMD

A popular grapics card manufacturer offering high performance at reasonable prices.

Radeon R9 - able to handle most recent games in full detail
Radeon R7, R6, R5 - basic models suitable for playing non-demanding games

The processor (or CPU - Central Processing Unit) is the brain of a laptop, where most calculations take place. Leading manufacturers include Intel and AMD. For gaming devices, a more powerful processor is necessary, preferably an Intel Core i7 or Core i5.

Architecture

Intel

Atom, Celeron and Pentium
Series with less power, suitable for performing simple office tasks, but not for gaming.

Core M
The new series of energy-saving chips used in some ultrabooks. They are more powerful than Celeron and Pentium processors and provide passive cooling, making devices with this type of processor absolutely silent. They lack sufficient power, however, to play graphics-intensive games.

Core i3, Core i5, Core i7
These series are designed for performance at a higher level. Core i3 processor are sufficient for routine and moderately intensive tasks, whereas Core i5 and Core i7 processors are recommended for powerful gaming laptops.

AMD

Series A4, A6, A8 and A10

This processor family is generally considered the rival to Intel Core. For gaming, we recommend A8 and A10 and FX series.

The E series is used in basic laptops and is not suitable for gaming.

Processor number

Processors in the i3, i5 and i7 series come with a processor number consisting of four digits and a letter. The first digit indicates the generation. With regard to the future, it pays to choose the most recent generation.

1st generation - Nehalem

2nd generation - Sandy Bridge
3rd generation - Ivy Bridge
4th generation - Haswell
5th Generation - Broadwell
6th generation - Skylake

The end letter provides information about the processor's performance:

H - High performance graphics
HK - High performance graphics, unlocked
HQ - High performance graphics, quad core
MX - Mobile Extreme Edition
MQ - Quad-core mobile
M - Mobile
U - Ultra-low power
Y - Extremely low power

To support the latest games, we recommend processors marked H, HK and HQ.

Frequency

Frequency is given in GHz and indicates the number of clock cycles the processor can perform per second. A higher frequency means a more efficient processor.

A normal frequency is within the range of 1.6 GHz to 3.3 GHz, with the most powerful CPUs having a base frequency of up to 4 GHz. To ensure high performance during demanding activities, go for a value closer to the upper limit. Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 achieves an average of 2.8 GHz, with the most powerful models reaching up to 4.4 GHz.

Minimum requirements for selected games
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive - 1.6 GHz

Far Cry Primal - 2.66 GHz

Assassin's Creed Unity - Secrets of the Revolution - 3.4 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost

Technology that enables each CPU processor core to run faster than the base frequency, if required. 

Cores

The most important part of the processor, which is responsible for all computing operations. The more cores a processor has, the more tasks it can process at one time. Today's Core i5 processors have either two or four cores, while Core i7 processors have four cores.

System memory is a key factor for any laptop. It is used for the temporary storage of data and running programs. The more memory a laptop has, the more comfortably it can perform tasks in multiple programs or browser windows. The minimum for comfortable use in Windows is 4GB, but for moderately demanding gameplay you will need 8GB, 16GB or 32GB. The most powerful professional and gaming laptops have up to 64GB of RAM.

Type

The type of storage has a big impact on the overall speed of a laptop. There are two types of storate: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). For work with an emphasis on speed, we recommend SSDs as they offer fast data access, silent operation, and greater durability. Systems with an SSD respond much faster, and all programs and games run faster.

HDD

HDDs store data on rotating plates, which are read by the read head. They offer higher capacity for the same price compared with SSDs. HDDs are a common choice for gaming laptops.

SSD

With no moving parts, SSDs are many times faster than HDDs. They also offer greater shock resistance. As a result, they are perfect for portable laptops and for fast booting. 

HDD + SSD

The unit contains two storage types in one, giving you the best of both worlds – the large capacity of a HDD and the speed of an SSD. This makes them a suitable solution for gaming laptops.

SSHD

A combination of a standard HDD with SSD memory. Smaller NAND flash memory (SSD) is used for the most frequently used programs, such as the operating system, and memory for data is provided by the HDD.

Capacity

The greater the capacity, the more programs, photos, videos and other data you can store. Typical HDD capacities are 500GB, 1000GB (1TB), or 2000GB.

Screen size

If you frequently travel with your laptop, then a screen size of 15.4" or 15.6" is recommended. On the other hand, if your laptop will be used primarily at home, go for something a bit bigger.

Resolution

Resolution indicates the number of pixels displayed in an image. The more pixels, the higher the resolution, and thus the sharper the image. For gaming laptops, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) is recommended. While higher resolution brings better picture quality, it also places higher demands on the graphics card. Conversely, lower resolutions allow for more frames per second but negatively affect quality of the graphics.

The most widely used resolutions:

Display technology

Laptops, mobile phones and televisions currently use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, which can be further divided into TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) and STN (Super-Twisted Nematic) displays. Today's laptops are equipped exclusively with TFT displays, which are divided into the following types:

TN (Twisted Nematic)

An older LCD technology that is still widely used. Compared with IPS, TN displays are cheaper to produce, have higher brightness, faster response times, and slightly lower demands on battery life. The downside, however, is worse viewing angles.

IPS (In-Plane Switching)

A cutting-edge technology that offers true colour reproduction and wide viewing angles of 178°. IPS displays are more expensive to produce, and so are often found on laptops in higher price ranges. Compared with TN displays, they have lower contrast and slower response times.

VA (Vertical Alignment)

VA displays combine the advantages of TN and IPS technology. They feature high contrast, wide viewing angles (although not as good as IPS), and true colour reproduction.

Surface finish

Glossy

Glossy displays offer more striking colours compared with matte displays, but they are less suitable for travel and work in direct sunlight, where they are almost unusable. In an appropriately lit room, however, they provide rich colours and vivid images. Glossy screens are common on touch-screen laptops.

Matte and anti-reflective

If you travel frequently or sometimes work outside, choose a laptop with a matte (or anti-glare) display. While they can't compete with glossy displays for colour intensity, they come into their own when used in bright sunlight.

USB

Used to connect a mouse, external keyboard, flash drives, external drives, optical drives, etc. For convenience, go for a laptop with at least two USB 3.0 connectors.

HDMI

The most widely used digital connector for transferring video and audio simultaneously in high definition. Used, for example, to connect a laptop to a television, external monitor or projector.

DisplayPort

Digital connector used to transfer video and audio in high definition. Common on professional and office laptops.

VGA

Analogue connector used to transfer images.

Ethernet (LAN)

For connecting your laptop to a wired network (local as well as Internet). We recommend a fast gigabit LAN (1000 Mbit/s).

WiFi

Wireless technology that comes as standard with every laptop.

Bluetooth

Used to connect wirelessly to other devices and equipment, e.g. headphones or speakers.

3.5 mm audio jack (jack)

For connecting headphones, speakers or microphones.

Memory Card Reader

Allows you to easily transfer a large amount of photos from your camera or mobile device.

Glossy display

While glossy displays offer high-quality colour reproduction, they can be almost unusable in direct sunlight.

Placement of connectors

It is good to have at least one laptop USB connector on the right-hand side, especially if you want to connect a wired mouse.

Poorly placed ventilation

It is important that the fan does not blow directly towards your hands, as this can lead to health problems in the long term.

There is a wide range of accessories available for gaming laptops, from software and internet security, to useful equipment such as mice, headphones, speakers and external storage.