The difference between the performance of a gaming laptop and a gaming desktop is closing day by day. While the argument on desktop vs laptop for gaming keeps going on forever, many gamers are choosing laptops these days for mobility. In 2022 gaming laptops will become an excellent choice for gamers, especially those who travel a lot or stay out of the station most of the time. But when you’re buying a gaming laptop, you’re not just looking at specs. You must look at it as a whole computer and ensure you will get the user experience you are looking for. Here are some key points to remember when choosing a gaming laptop.

Get a High-performance Graphics Card

The Graphics card is the most critical component of a gaming laptop, ensuring compatibility, smooth experience, and FPS. Most games are GPU intensive these days, so you will need the latest GPU, which supports modern technology like ray-tracing, DLSS, and DirectX 12. low-latency mode, etc. Nvidia RTX 3050, RTX 3060, and Radeon Rx 6600 XT are some of the best examples of this kind. Keeping an eye on the VRAM is also very important as the requirement for the same increases rapidly.

The CPU

A good CPU always compliments a GPU and makes sure the GPU is not bottlenecking. Though most games are GPU intensive, many multiplayer games like Counter Strike Global Offensive, Valorant, DOTA, League of Legends, Overwatch, etc., are still very CPU intensive. Apart from playing such games, you will also need a decent CPU for background operations and framework execution when playing any game. Opt for the latest 12th gen Intel Core i5, i7 CPU or Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 5000 series CPUs for a gaming laptop. Check out the upcoming Victus by HP Laptop 15t-fa000 powered by the latest 12th gen Intel i7 CPU, which will ensure performance and longevity at the same time. 

Consider Laptop Thermals

While using a gaming laptop, the cooling system is going to be your laptop’s best friend without any doubt. We all know that in gaming laptops, GPUs generate a lot of heat and the CPU is also an equal contributor. Heat can actually slow down your laptop and impact your gaming performance. If left unchecked, it could even damage internal components. That’s why, gaming laptops need to be equipped with a good cooling mechanism, which will help to dissipate the heat properly and keep the laptop running smoothly even during long gaming sessions. Most gaming laptops in the market either feature a poor & ineffective cooling system in an attempt to make the device slim or come with a bulky & noisy design. 

There are also laptops like Omen by HP that have a very efficient cooling system. Called “Tempest Cooling Technology”, it is a combination of 6-copper heat pipes with a thermopile sensor, and two 2x blade low-noise fans. Also, Omen Gaming laptops use the Grizzly Conductonaut Liquid Metal Thermal Compound, which delivers the heat pipes extensively, like no other thermal cooling solution. Omen devices come with great offers where you can get 10% (up to 10,000 INR) cashback instantly, and you can also opt for the easy 18/0 or 12/0 EMI options.

Consider Upgrading Later

Many, though not all, gaming laptops let you upgrade your RAM and storage. So, if you are buying a laptop with 8 GB RAM, make sure you upgrade it to 16 GB soon. 32 GB RAM is a good choice for enthusiast gamers.

Look For a Gaming Display

For gaming purposes, you must opt for a 1080p FHD monitor at the very least. Going for a 1440P (2K) display is recommended for a better in-game view and experience. You should opt for a display with a 144 Hz refresh rate or higher for the fastest output. 4K displays look good, but it is not recommended for multiplayer gaming due to slower output frequency.

Battery Life at Its Most

You will find very few gaming laptops with 6+ hours of battery backup. For best performance in GPU-intensive AAA games, you will need the power supply to be connected. Omen Gaming laptops by HP are among the few which deliver 8+ hours of battery life in this segment.

Consider Your Requirements to Lockin Budget:

Depending on what type of gamer you are, you can evaluate your requirements, leading you to your budget understanding. There are mainly three types of gamers which are,

· Entry-level gamers

· Mainstream gamers

· Enthusiast gamers

Entry-level Gamers

If you are an entry-level gamer, you will occasionally play games in medium settings and with 60 FPS. Nvidia GTX 1650, Radeon RX 5500M, 6400M, and 6500 XT are perfect for your needs. With these GPUs, you will be able to play CSGO, Valorant, and DOTA with 100+ FPS in high settings and most AAA titles in 50-60 FPS in medium settings. At this range, you can expect your budget will be limited to Rs. 60,000-65,000. You can check out the HP Victus 16-e0301ax, which comes for Rs. 60,000 and offers great value for money. With GTX 1650 (4 GB), and Ryzen 5 5600 CPU, you will get a 1080p 144 Hz display, backlit keyboard, and Alexa Support in this product. If you are new to gaming and want to opt for a dedicated gaming device check out the Victus by HP Laptop 15z-fb000, it comes with Ryzen 5 5600H and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 (4 GB GDDR6), for a justified price tag. 

Mainstream Gamers

For mainstream gamers, things become serious, where 240+ FPS in multiplayer games is needed. Mainstream gamers love to play AAA games like GTA V, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption II, etc., in high to ultra settings with 75+ FPS for smooth performance and gameplay experience. Nvidia RTX 3060, RTX 3070 Ti, and Radeon RX 6600M are the best choice for such performance. Mainstream gamers often face frustrations due to FPS lag, input lag, connectivity issues, etc.

To counter such problems, a mainstream gamer should always opt for a high-end gaming laptop with a powerful GPU, decent CPU, gaming-grade display, and the latest connectivity features. As a mainstream gamer, you may not like to limit yourself, so you should go for a high-end device like OMEN Gaming Laptop 16-b0352TX that comes with Intel Core i7 and RTX 3050 Ti. Buy it ASAP, before the current offers are exhausted. Ensure the 10% cashback by using an SBI credit card while buying on HP online store.

Enthusiast Gamers

Enthusiast gamers always push boundaries over the limit. They try to run each game in max possible settings and want to get the best possible FPS with that. Live streamers, Content creators, Benchmarking experts, and Reviewers typically fall under this cadre. Many enthusiast gamers love to explore 4K gaming, VR gaming, etc. If you are one of them, try to get your hands on the most premium gaming laptops on the market. The highest-end GPU like RTX 3080 Ti or Radeon Rx 6900 M is made for these purposes. These kinds of laptops will often come with Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs and 32GB RAM. You can expect 8+ hours of battery life and all the latest connectivity features like WiFi 6.0, Bluetooth 5.2, USB 4, etc. \

OMEN by HP Laptop 16-b1371TX is a kind of laptop meant for enthusiast esports lovers. It comes with a 12th gen Intel i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB GDDR6) GPU, 16 GB DDR4 4800 Mhz RAM. So, this device is not only performance-oriented but a future-proof investment also. You can avail of the current offers where you can get 10% (up to 10,000 INR) cashback instantly, and you can also opt for the easy 18/0 or 12/0 EMI options. You can choose SBI, HDFC, Pine Lab, and Bajaj Finserv as your payment partner.

Features to Look for

● Apart from the GPU, CPU, RAM, and Display in gaming laptops, there are some other aspects to keep a keen eye on. 

● Connectivity features are essential for a gamer. The latest connectivity features provide the speed gamers are looking for. You will probably use an external keyboard and mouse, so look for multiple USB 3 Type-A & Type-C ports. 

● If you don’t like wires, check if your laptop is offering Bluetooth 5 for wireless accessory connection or not. If you play using a wireless network, the WiFi 6.0 is a must; otherwise, you will become frustrated and lose it due to high ping (internet delay). 

● Make sure your laptop has a decent cooling system, and the cooling system helps avoid overheating without creating too much noise.

● Gaming laptops are typically bulky, but bulky can be uncomfortable to carry. Premium gaming laptops like Omen are often very sleek and lightweight. 

● Build quality is essential, and if the full body is made of ABS plastic, it may help to cut down the cost, but it will look unprofessional. Opt for an Aluminum-build professional-looking laptop, which can be carried with style anywhere you go. 

● Playing games in high settings call for a considerable power drawn by the GPU, which drains the battery faster. Look for a laptop that offers a 70W or 80W fast charger so that you can charge it quickly while gaming. 

● If you are an RGB lover, RGB Keyboard, RGB Side-panel, and backlit Logo are some of the best style aspects to look for.

Bottom Line

When browsing for a gaming laptop, you must look for one which will last for the next few years. To ensure that, I always opt for the latest-gen components. On the other hand, keep your budget in mind to not end up investing over your budget and requirements. Do mind that you would not want any frustration while playing games, so address the battery performance, on-screen delay issues, and weight of the laptop. A bulky or noisy notebook cannot be considered a premium one and will frustrate you even more after using it for a couple of days. 

I can add some advice to go for a laptop that offers an excellent cooling capability, like a fancy and powerful laptop will also start underperforming when it is overheated. You can use a laptop cooler also, to ease up the cooling process while gaming. No hindrances can be entertained at the time of gaming, so opt for the premium gaming laptops only. 

Check out the HP Online store to find such suitable OMEN gaming laptops at a fair price.