Factors That Drive Down Gaming Laptop Cost

For those who are unwilling or unable to invest in a desktop PC but still want to play demanding games, a laptop is the way to go. The gaming laptop industry is packed with options with screen sizes ranging from 14 to 18 inches, graphics cards that handle a variety of resolutions and prices that start at less than $1,000. Gaming laptops also offer features that you’ll rarely see on desktop PCs, such as quiet fans, slim builds and high-refresh rate panels.

The biggest factor that drives down gaming laptop cost is the component selection. Entry-level gaming laptops typically start at around $700 and feature older graphics silicon that’ll struggle to keep up with the latest AAA titles on medium settings. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can find a laptop with the previous-generation Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU that should be capable of handling today’s most demanding games on medium settings for years to come.

As you move up in price, you’ll begin to see more advanced components that will allow you to tackle even the most demanding titles at high or ultra-high settings. For the best gaming experience, a gaming laptop needs to be able to hit the highest frame rates possible at a stable resolution. The CPU and GPU in the gaming laptop you choose will determine whether you can get a good frame rate at higher resolutions, so be sure to compare their specs to the system requirements of the games you plan on playing.

Another important consideration is the quality of the build and display. Cheaper laptops often flex and creak under light pressure and can sound hollow or plasticky, but mid-range and premium laptops are built to be durable and look great. If you’re looking for a laptop that will endure frequent travel, make sure to consider a model with MIL-STD-810H durability tests for temperature, humidity and drop resistance.

When it comes to the display, you’ll want a panel that has a high refresh rate and a narrow viewing angle for comfortable use on the go. The IPS (in-plane switching) panels that are common on more expensive gaming laptops typically have better off-center color and contrast, but many gamers are satisfied with cheaper TN (twisted nematic) displays.

Another important feature to look for is a gaming laptop that has enough RAM and storage to meet your needs now and in the future. You should aim for at least 16GB of RAM, and more than 32GB if you plan on streaming video or multitasking. You’ll also want to check how much space is left on the laptop’s SSD, and whether you can upgrade the SSD later on. If you do decide to upgrade, you’ll want a compatible model that supports SATA drives.