From gaming laptops powered by new GPUs from Nvidia to dual-screen computers, we have compiled a list of the gaming laptops we want to test the most in 2021.
The PS5 and Xbox X series came out just a few months ago, but they are no longer the newest gaming consoles. Modern games are becoming more demanding, and even the latest versions of "living room consoles" are quickly losing relevance. On the other hand, there are gaming PCs that are constantly evolving - their software and hardware are updated several times a year, rather than once every seven years.
At CES 2021, new notebook GPUs from Nvidia and new processors from Intel and AMD have already been showcased. Not without releases of gaming laptops with both modest updates and absolutely fantastic experiments with external graphics accelerators and dual screens.
Below are a few gaming laptops that I really want to test in action.
Asus ROG Flow X13
One of the most notable gaming laptops that everyone was talking about in early 2021. The Asus ROG Flow X13 is a slim and very light 13-inch laptop with a decent Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card and the new AMD Ryzen 9 processor. Weighs just under 1.5 kg.
What's the trick? The laptop comes with an accessory that Asus calls the XG Mobile. It is an external GPU unit about the size of a small paperback book and weighs about a kilogram. Inside is a new Nvidia RTX 3080 mobile GPU and a 280W PSU.
By connecting them, you get a very productive system. You can also leave an external video card at home, and take only a light laptop with you. Even so, you can play a game with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650. In general, this is an interesting (though not cheap - from $ 2 800) way to get the best out of two graphics accelerators.
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
Sometimes you need a laptop that doesn't look like a gaming laptop, but can completely replace it. Acer's $ 1,399 Predator Triton 300 SE could be a promising player in this field.
The Predator line has been a little aggressive over the years due to its deliberately gamer design, so I love that the new laptop is balanced and thin. It's about 18mm thick and looks a bit like an old aluminum MacBook. Since this is a kind of "undercover gaming laptop," inside is the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card.
Lenovo Legion 7
Surprisingly true, Lenovo makes some really good gaming laptops. Legion 7, new in 2021, caught my eye. It has a 16-inch screen - larger than the previous model, and is slightly taller with a 16:10 aspect ratio.
Like many new gaming laptops, it includes a combination of an AMD Ryzen 5000 processor with the new Nvidia 3000 graphics chip. In addition, the Legion 7 features a G-Sync display with HDR. It weighs about 2.5 kg and is about 24 mm thick, which is pretty good for its parameters.
Asus Zephyrus Duo 15 SE
Secondary screens on laptops have not yet caught on. Apple's Touch Bar is essentially a very small second screen and has few fans so far. Asus, however, is actively pushing the idea of a second screen by adding very large secondary displays to the ZenBook Duo and Zephyrus Duo. Asus already had a dual-screen system last year, but the design and app support looks better in the 2021 versions.
I got to know the ZenBook Duo during CES 2021. I liked the tilt angle of the secondary display. This solution makes it possible to consider it as an extension of the main screen. The second display also offers customizable touch controls for Adobe software such as Photoshop and Premiere.
The Zephyrus Duo is a gaming incarnation of the same concept, and I hope the second screen is a good addition to gaming. Although, of course, the dual-screen story is always a tough battle.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition
I already think Razer makes some of the best gaming laptops you can buy. Nice components, great design, and lots of lighting options if you like. The premium version of the 15-inch Blade has been updated in 2021, and there are a few important tweaks to it.
First, it is equipped with the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 and 3080 laptop graphics cards, which is to be expected. Plus, it has a customizable screen. You can choose the refresh rate and resolution, and there are more variations than usual.
So, you can set up a standard Full HD screen with a refresh rate of 360 Hz, which is very important for esports. Or choose the sweet spot with QHD, a screen with a resolution of 2,560x1,440 and a frequency of 240 Hz. Or even upgrade to an OLED 4K screen - only 60Hz refresh rate, but this is still one of the few OLED gaming laptops you can buy.
