The year is 2020. Video games have evolved from two dimensional, 8-bit Pong to full scale virtual reality, and if you are passionate about the storytelling and camaraderie that comes from being a part of the gaming community, then one of you primary concerns is having the hardware to stay current on all the new games being released.
Despite the fact that consoles are becoming more powerful and capable of delivering high-quality gaming experiences, gamers who truly value the best of the best performance will almost always stick with a PC.
- Best Overall: Asus Zephyrus G14
- Premium Pick: Alienware Area-51m
- Budget Pick: MSI GL65
- Lenovo Legion Y740
- MSI GS65 Stealth
However, in these futuristic times we live in, engineers are finding ways to pack more power into smaller spaces and as such, gaming laptops are becoming more capable of keeping up with desktops and consoles.
Perhaps you are a tournament-style gamer who needs something portable and reliable. Maybe you want a machine that handles your gaming enthusiasm as well as your need to work from home. Who knows, maybe you are a digital nomad who loves to travel but also loves the thrill of vanquishing your measly foes on Valorant. Whatever the reason may be, you are realizing that a gaming laptop is in your best interest.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the Best Laptop for Valorant. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Laptop for Valorant Comparison Table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
Asus Zephyrus G14 |
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View On Amazon → |
Premium Pick |
Alienware Area-51m |
|
View On Amazon → |
Budget Pick |
MSI GL65 |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
Lenovo Legion Y740 |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
MSI GS65 Stealth |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
Razer Blade 15 |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
Gigabyte Aorus 17G |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
Asus ROG Strix GL502 |
|
View On Amazon → |
 |
HP Omen X 2S |
|
View On Amazon → |
Whether you are an avid gamer with years of experience under his belt, or an aspiring gamer looking to build up your collection of hardware and make waves in the gaming community, it can be hard to know where to start with purchasing the right gaming laptop for you.
As such, we have provided a comparison table of our Top 10 picks so that you can see their primary specs side-by-side and get a better idea of which laptop has the right bells and whistles for you.
1. Lenovo Legion Y740
There is nothing cryptic about this laptop. Its appearance is enough to lure gamers in with its iron gray aluminum chassis, and “Legion” emblazoned on the left side of the lid is a true testament to this laptop’s simple aesthetic and powerful personality. It is also equipped with customizable, per key backlighting on the keyboard and air vents, as well as on the “Y” resting on the “O” of the lid.
The Legion is fitted with a well-thought out port management system that places nearly all of the ports on the back of the laptop, apart from the USB 3.1 and USB-C which are located on the left and right flanks. While more than 3 external monitors can’t be hooked up at the same time, that is still a considerable amount of screen space available to even the most serious gamer.
Lenovo Legion Y740
Lenovo has upped their game with a dual-channel thermal system that uses 4 vents to cool the CPU and GPU as well. While the laptop still gets noticeably hotter when processing a high-powered game or program, it doesn’t heat up nearly as much as lower end laptops. The only downside is that the fans will be going full blast the moment you launch a game.
This 15-inch gaming laptop weighs less than 5 lbs, making it a wonderful choice for gamers who are looking for something as portable as it is powerful. Speaking of size, even though it may have a smaller screen than other models, it has a 144 Hz refresh rate and is Nvidia G-Sync compatible, making for an extremely smooth Valorant experience. So if you are wondering why, oh why, this laptop is so expensive, it is because it is fitted with some of the best gaming technology on the market.
Speaking of good technology! Let’s get to the nitty gritty, shall we? The Lenovo Legion comes in screaming with an Intel Core i7-8750H (2.2 GHz) processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB, Max-Q Limited) graphics chip, 16 GB of memory, and a 256 GB solid-state drive, as well as a separate hard drive yielding 1 TB of storage space. To top it all off, it has a 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, and a 720p webcam which is, unfortunately, inconveniently placed on the bottom bezel, making it more likely to get a sweet shot of your nose than your whole face.
Though the keyboard is relatively comfortable, the keys still feel a bit stiff and mushy with a low-actuation point, making it much easier for typos to make their way into your work if you are a digital nomad or do most of your work from home. While the display is far from HDR on its own, and the speakers lack the bassy character that could be expected from such an expensive piece of equipment, the Lenovo Legion Y740 is an exceptional mainstream laptop that will provide you with a smooth Valorant experience without any significant hiccups.
Pros
- 144 Hz refresh rate with Nvidia G-Sync
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Powerful performance with both general and gaming use
- Bountiful storage with SSD and hard drive
- Customizable per key backlighting
Cons
- Webcam placement
- Sub par battery life
- Poor keyboard arrangement
2. MSI GS65 Stealth
MSI has a knack for creating attractive pieces of hardware for a reasonable price, and the GS65 Stealth is no exception to this self-evident truth.
The out-of-the-box presentation has the air of a gentleman with its matte black finish and gold adorning the dragon shield emblem on the lid. Not to mention, it only weighs 4.19 pounds and it is less than an inch thick, making for an extremely portable gaming computer.
You may be thinking, “How powerful can it be if it is so thin?” It is a valid question that beckons a valid answer, and luckily for you, I’ve got one. The MSI GS65 Stealth is equipped with an Intel Core i9-9880H processor at 2.3GHz and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q tuning.
MSI GS65 Stealth
If you are new to the gaming and computing world, essentially this means that the GS65 Stealth is working with some serious quiche. Not to mention, its display is 144Hz with a 7ms response time, which makes it the perfect choice for first person shooters such as Valorant or Overwatch with its silky smooth refresh rate.
One of the first things you may notice is the seemingly oversized trackpad beneath the keyboard. This adds a whole new level of depth to communicating with your computer, as it removes any sense of anxiety that may come from feeling like you are running out of room to swipe. Believe it or not, some people need more room to swipe!
Where its keyboard lacks, is a ten key. Instead, it has a short column of short keys on the right hand side that are more or less function keys. While this isn’t the worst alternative in the world, it can potentially put a damper on your Valoranting when you have to remember a function macro and utilize it mid-game. Even though this isn’t preferred in comparison to having a set of macro keys or a ten key, the entire SteelSeries keyboard is fitted with customizable RGB backlighting so that you can turn that understated black laptop into one that is in alignment with your creative flavor.
However, what it lacks in a ten key, it makes up for in nearly every other area imaginable for a gaming laptop, particularly when it comes to the ports. The GS65 Stealth is loaded with all the ports one would need and hosts a USB 3.2, USB-C, mini display, HDMI display, audio in/out and a charging port.
Unique to MSI, is their Dragon Center software. This software provides users with system stats, specs, power plans, and even fan speed. Basically, it gives you a window into the health of your computer so that you always know how it is operating. When you first start it up, a tiny dragon avatar will engage with you and walk you through the setup. If you don’t have time to interact with virtual avatars (I’m assuming that if you are a gaming enthusiast that you aren’t above interacting with a virtual dragon) then you can skip the presentation and go straight to the main menu.
To top things off, this beast is loaded with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD, making for a spacious laptop that can handle the responsibility of storing a decent amount of games. Keep in mind, there are plenty of other configurations for this MSI’s portable gaming beast, some of which feature as much as a 240Hz display and a whole new world of storage options.
After all is said and done, this gaming module will get your through a multitude of gaming adventures without a hitch. You can rest assured that you can not only transport your laptop to the Valorant tournament without breaking your back, but that your computer’s performance will be as smooth as butter as you and your teammates are claiming your place on the leaderboards as Breach or Omen.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Sturdy and portable
- High quality graphics at a reasonable price
- 144 Hz refresh rate
- Excellent battery life for a gaming laptop
- Plenty of ports
- RGB per-key backlighting
- Efficient thermal management
Cons
- Lid yields some flex
- Underside gets hot
- Sub par built-in audio
3. Alienware Area-51m – Premium Pick
Weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs with a 17 inch screen and 1.2 inches of thickness, is Alienware’s Area-51m. They spared no expense in making this laptop as big and powerful as possible, as it is equipped with an overclockable Intel Core i9-9900K CPU, as well as a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics chip. Two of the most powerful components available in consumer PCs have been put into a gaming laptop that is sure to meet all of your FPS needs as you tear up your opponents with ease on Valorant.
You can imagine that with such hefty hardware that its portability is lessened and that it may cost you an arm and a leg, and you aren’t wrong in the slightest.
Our Premium Pick
Alienware Area-51m
This is easily one of the most expensive gaming laptops on the market, and it certainly isn’t as portable as other laptops around. However, if you are purchasing this laptop, you aren’t doing so for the portability. In fact, the primary reason to purchase this laptop is for its out-of-this-world processing power.
While other rival laptops have similar CPUs and GPUs, many use modified Max-Q versions of Nvidia’s graphics chips that are limited in their performance due to having to accommodate being cramped within the confines of a thin piece of equipment; however, the Area-51m accommodates the hardware to the processors. With two air intakes, two exhaust outlets and a giant fan, this beastly piece of hardware is made to operate at full capacity without overheating.
Not only does this hefty gaming juggernaut have all the processing power to fuel your imaginative Valorant battles as Cypher and Brimstone, but it comes with a sleek and futuristic design available in Lunar Light (white) and Dark Side of the Moon (black), both of which are understated with an air of class. This can be a plus for some who are looking for a laptop that isn’t as loud in the aesthetics department. Not to mention, it is fitted with RGB backlighting that can be customized throughout the keyboard, power button, trackpad, back logo and the ring surrounding the vents on the back. Essentially, you can make this laptop as drab or colorful as you wish.
The Area-51m is fitted with ports on the left, right and back sides of the laptop, so you can plug in all your extra bells and whistles without a hitch. One thing that could be considered a setback to some are the two power bricks that are required to run the laptop at full capacity and charge the battery. While you could just run the laptop with the 330W adapter, it won’t charge the battery or allow you to run the beast at the full power at which it is capable.
The TactX keyboard is sexy, to say the least. Keys are well-spaced with more travel and actuation time, and there is a ten key, as well as a slew of macro keys for your programming pleasure. While most gaming desktop setups are fitted with loud mechanical keyboards, this keyboard provides all the tactile satisfaction one would want from a gaming keyboard without being overtly obnoxious. Oh, and did I mention that all of the components are upgradable and interchangeable? That means that if you aren’t satisfied with the hardware or you prefer something else, you can replace the components without too much trouble. It won’t be the simplest procedure, but the option is available nonetheless. However, if you are purchasing this laptop, I highly doubt that it is to switch out the already premium hardware that comes with it.
In a nutshell, the Alienware Area-51m is the Rolls Royce of gaming laptops. With desktop-worthy processing power and a design that seems derived from space technology not of this earth, it is bound to amaze you with both its insane amount of processing power, memory, and aesthetics. So, if you are looking to spend a pretty penny on a piece of gaming hardware that will keep you happy as a bean and withstand your incessant hours on Valorant, then you needn’t look much further than this beastly beauty.
Pros
- Insanely powerful
- Beautiful aesthetic
- Outstanding keyboard
- All components are upgradable
- Desktop-worthy processor
- Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU
- Eye tracking
- 144 Hz refresh rate
Cons
- Very expensive
- Short battery life
- Heavy
- Requires two power bricks for full performance capabilities
4. Razer Blade 15
As it goes with most current gaming laptops, the Razer Blade 15 is available in a variety of configurations that increase in price with the upgrading of the hardware. In this article we will be evaluating the advanced configuration, which is better than the base model but just below the premium model.
Right off the bat, one will notice the incredibly understated appearance of the Blade 15. Available both in Mercury White (basically a light silver) and Matte Black.
Razer Blade 15
With a 15.6 inch screen, thin bezels, a total thickness of 0.7 inches and weighing in at 4.5 pounds, this beastly gaming machine is as sexy as it is powerful.
No matter what color scheme you choose, the build quality is close behind that of the MacBook Pro, so it is a laptop that has practical use as well as its intended purpose as a gaming machine.
The Razer Blade 15 is loaded with all the ports one would need for their gaming escapades, except that an ethernet port is only included in the base model, which runs a bit thicker than that of the advanced and premium models.
Fitted with an Intel Core i7-8750H at 2.2GHz and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q tuning, this machine can pump out some real gaming power. The display yields a whopping 144Hz on the advanced and premium models, meaning that you can rest easy knowing your Valorant sessions will go without any significant hiccups when it comes to refresh rate and response time.
The webcam fits within the thin bezels at the top of the screen, but only yields 720p, meaning that you will need to purchase a better camera if you wish to do any live streaming. As for the keyboard, they could have done a little better with the layout; yet, the actuation and feel of the keys is comparable to that of a MacBook, making it a comfortable choice for those who work remotely or from home. To top it off, the Razer Blade 15 offers customizable RGB backlighting options for the keyboard and the three-headed serpent logo that adorns the center of the lid.
On the plus side, this brutish piece of gaming hardware has an impressively long battery life, which only adds to the sense of portability that comes from such a lightweight and powerful machine.
Many gamers, both avid and aspiring, may be thwarted by the daunting nature of the Razer Blade 15’s price tag, but the fact of the matter is that this gaming laptop is worth every penny and will not only last you, but will serve its purpose time and time again.
Pros
- Beautiful audio reproduction
- Outstanding performance and thermal management system
- Thin bezels
- Noteworthy battery life
- High-quality build
- Full HD display with 244Hz refresh rate
- Stylish aluminum chassis
- Abundant in ports
Cons
- Keyboard is disappointingly mediocre
- Expensive
- Configuration choices are lackluster at best
- Only single-zone RGB lighting on keyboard
- Gets hot when running games
5. Gigabyte Aorus 17G
To put it bluntly, the Aorus 17G means business, thick business. The year is 2020, and more and more companies are creating insanely portable yet powerful gaming machines to ultimately replace desktop modules. However, The Aorus 17G is not one of these extremely portable pieces of hardware.
With a 17 inch screen and weighing in at nearly 6 pounds, it is safe to say that this gaming laptop packs a punch. Its matte black finish and logo emblazoned on the center of the lid give it an understated appearance, allowing for its performance to shine through where it truly counts: in the virtual arena.
Gigabyte Aorus 17G
An Intel Core i7-10875H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super, as well as a 240Hz display with 1080p resolution give this laptop an edge that is sure to impress. However, this configuration will cost you a pretty penny, so it certainly isn’t a cheap addition to your collection of gaming technologies.
The plus side to this laptop is that it is highly upgradeable, particularly when it comes to storage capacity. While the keyboard is rigid in some respects, it dons mechanical keys that are sure to tickle the sweet spot of any PC gamer. It uses Omron B3KL switches, which are similar to that of Cherry MX switches, making for an extremely satisfying typing experience.
The sound of the keys is enough to tickle you where it counts, but the ‘tingy’ speakers may leave your ears disappointed and in need of a gaming headset if you wish to feel the full immersion of whichever game you are diving into. Another criticism is with the webcam, which is installed on the bottom bezel just above the power button. This makes for some unflattering chin cam action that may set you up for some frustration if you are one for taking conference calls on a regular basis.
The battery life is sure to surprise and satisfy users, as it delivers 5 hours of battery life while being used at full capacity. This, considering the bulk and power of the machine itself, is quite impressive and will certainly make gaming on the fly a more reasonable endeavor and remind one that the Aorus 17G is still a laptop.
Much like other gaming laptops, this model is fitted with a couple software programs for dialing in the operating system, audio quality and RGB backlighting customization. What makes the software of the Aorus 17G different, is its user interface and ease of use. Other laptops feature similar software programs, but fall short when it comes to the ability to navigate the software without losing hair.
Essentially, this is not the laptop for every gamer. If you are wanting something with a long battery life and a small footprint, then look elsewhere. Yet, if you are wanting something with pure processing power and a breathtaking display, then the Gigabyte Aorus 17G will deliver, and then some.
Pros
- Stellar performance
- High-quality build and sturdy design
- Beautiful color display
- Fast refresh rate and response time
Cons
- Pricey
- Weighs more than desirable
6. Asus Zephyrus G14 – Best Overall Pick
Our Best Overall Pick is none other than that of the Asus Zephyrus G14, which is not only a superior gaming laptop with a minimal footprint, but a wonderful laptop overall that excels in all the categories that matter most.
Armed with the latest AMD Ryzen 9-4900 HS processor and NIVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU, this gaming module is set up for success. Not only that, but it weighs in at 3.5 pounds and has a thickness of 0.7 inches, making it one of the thinnest and lightest laptops—not to mention gaming laptops—on the market. And while all this may sound too good to be true, this laptop is extremely affordable.
Our Pick
Asus Zephyrus G14
It is also equipped with a 1TB SSD for storage, and a 1080p display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, making for extremely smooth visuals when you are busy taking down enemy after enemy in Valorant. On top of that, it is also fitted with an exceptionally functional thermal management system, keeping it from getting piping hot during intensive gaming sessions.
One of the downsides is that the Zephyrus G14 does not have a webcam. This is quite a let down considering when one buys a laptop in today’s day and age they expect to get a webcam with their hefty purchase. However, since it is made for gaming, it really isn’t falling short of the expectations of consumers looking for an equally portable and powerful processing giant.
The Zephyrus G14 comes available in two color schemes: Moonlight White and Eclipse Gray. Both don a matte finish, while the Moonlight White has white keys and the Eclipse Gray has black keys.
The display, equipped with AMD FreeSync and firing off at 120Hz, provides a gaming experience that is smooth as a half-melted stick of butter, and will leave even the most frugal gaming enthusiasts creaming their spinach.
When it comes to the built-in speakers, the Zephyrus G14 wields a pair of 2.5 watt speakers that pack a robust and colorful array of frequencies that is impressive for that of a portable computer. Dolby’s Atmos technology allows for you to choose from a variety of EQ presets, as well as create your own, so that your audible experience is just the way you like it.
When considering the raw power of this machine, it is also the perfect choice for graphic designers and media content creators. However, when considering the keyboard in this light, its cramped composition makes it less than ideal for writers or others whose jobs require a lot of writing. Another gripe with the keyboard is the lousy quality of the backlighting. The LEDs can sometimes be seen beneath the keys, and in juxtaposition to the white keys (on the Moonlight White design) can be difficult to discern in a well-lit area.
The battery life is another issue entirely, as it can last a duration of just over 11 hours before dying. This is impressive for any laptop, let alone a gaming machine!
So, when it comes to our verdict, this machine proves to be much more than a gaming laptop, as it is a wonderful choice for both graphic designers, as well as gamers. If you are looking for a great all-around laptop that can handle all of your processing-heavy needs, then you needn’t look much further than the Asus Zephyrus G14.
Pros
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Small footprint
- State-of-the-art CPU
- Responsive touchpad
- Aesthetically pleasing lid design
- 120Hz display makes for seamless gameplay
- Reasonably priced
- Long-lasting battery life
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Speakers deliver colorful sound for a laptop
Cons
- No webcam
- RGB keyboard backlighting suffers
7. Acer Predator Triton 500
The top-of-the-line model of the Acer Predator Triton 500 is fitted with a 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, 32GB of RAM, dual 512 NVMe PCle SSDs, and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics chip with 8GB of VRAM. If you are unsure what all of this mumbo jumbo means, it basically means that this machine has a hell of a lot of processing power.
The all-aluminum chassis is sturdy and sleek, though the onyx metal is quite the fingerprint magnet. A 15 inch screen and a weight of 4.8 pounds make this laptop a run-of-the-mill contender as far as stature goes with gaming laptops. Yet despite its average weight and sleek build, this machine is far from ordinary when it comes to processing power.
Acer Predator Triton 500
With great power, comes great responsibility. At least, that is what the movies and games tell us. When it comes to the Acer Predator Triton 500, the power within seems to be complimented with a somewhat flimsy build and an awkward keyboard layout, but these factors are not to be met with complete disdain.
For instance, the Triton 500 brings the same heat as the Razer Blade, but at a cheaper price. The main component of the laptop that exudes rickety character is the lid.
The lid is lightweight and exhibits some flex when pressure is applied, which can be a bit disconcerting when the screen and lid are the most important pieces of the laptop when it comes to playing games. The keyboard itself is an absolute pleasure to type on, and the RGB backlighting is a sight to behold, to say the least; however, the layout of the keyboard is where it suffers. The media keys on the right hand side can particularly be a pain when typing. The trackpad, while thin in its visage, makes up for the keyboard’s shortcomings as it is crisp and responsive to the touch.
Unfortunately, that isn’t where the complaints end. The speakers have also fallen short; particularly when it comes to game and music audio. This is, in part, also due to the fact that the fans are extremely loud. When you consider the hardware inside the laptop, it makes sense that it is in need of some serious thermal management; yet, the fans blare obnoxiously even when you are indulging timidly in watching YouTube videos or writing an article.
Battery life isn’t spectacular, but it isn’t the worst either. It clocked out at 3 hours and 33 minutes before needing a recharge, which is a sufficient amount of time to get some work done or get a few sessions of Valorant in for the day.
At the end of the day, the Acer Predator Triton 500 isn’t the greatest gaming laptop on the market, but it is certainly one of the fastest laptops and comes in a lightweight chassis that makes it a lightweight powerhouse that is sure to get the job done.
Pros
- Slim and sleek design
- Solid RGB backlighting
- Great performance and exceptional graphics
- Comfortable keyboard
- Transfer speed is out-of-this-world
- G-Sync and 144Hz display
Cons
- Expensive
- Fans are loud and it gets hot easily
- Speaker quality is subpar
- Lid is a bit weak
- Keyboard layout is awkward
- Mediocre battery life
8. Asus ROG Strix GL502
Right away, you will notice the black brushed aluminum lid bearing the two fluorescent orange stripes on either side of the Republic of Gamers emblem, which resides on the center of the lid. While this doesn’t deviate far from the cliche modality of gaming motifs with black and red accents, it is certainly a start in the right direction. However, this deviation is offset by Asus’ choice of bright red backlighting on the keyboard.
Asus ROG Strix GL502
Equipped with a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics chip, the ROG Strix GL502 is geared up for some serious processing power. While it doesn’t necessarily match up in performance to some of the more premium gaming laptops on the market, it still holds its own among the rest.
Unlike other gaming laptops that have gone for a more inconspicuous look, Asus has stuck by their borderline garish appearance that is sure to wet the whistle of any avid gamer. With logos, backlighting and a thicker chassis than other laptops such as the Razer Blade, this laptop is making a fashion statement. To go along with the thickness of the laptop, it actually serves as its saving grace, making for a more spacious piece of hardware that can handle a top-of-the-line thermal management system. What Asus has done is create an exceptional gaming module that doesn’t run too hot or too loud. How’s that for innovation?!
One of the areas where this laptop loses its shine is within its feeble battery life. It can last just under 3 hours before needing a charge, which isn’t much for a gamer if you are a diehard Valoranter or planning to gear up for some raids on an MMORPG. Even though it suffers in regards to its battery life, it more than makes up for it with its beautiful display, ergonomically sound keyboard, and insanely colorful speakers.
The ROG Strix GL502’s 15 inch screen bears beautiful coloration that will make even the most frugal gamer blush, and the sound of the speakers is quite amazing for a laptop, let alone a gaming laptop. The only downside to the speakers is that they lack some of the bass that inherently can make the Valorant experience when it comes to bone-shattering explosions and feeling the footsteps of your enemies creeping up behind you.
After all is said and done, this laptop brings the heat in all the areas that matter most. Despite its loud appearance, it brings performance, speed, and beautiful visuals to the portable gaming world without a hitch. So, if you are looking for a worthwhile investment to improve your gaming experience, you have found your match with the Asus ROG Strix GL502.
Pros
- Full HD display looks great
- Vibrant visuals
- Robust speakers
- Lightweight chassis
- Fast transfer speed and powerful hardware
- VR compatible
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Gets hot while gaming
- Subpar battery life
9. MSI GL65 – Budget Pick
Our Budget Pick is none other than MSI’s GL65 9SC. This gaming laptop provides aspiring gamers with the necessary essentials for playing their favorite games without the hangups of a conventional, run-of-the-mill laptop.
It is the only laptop in its price range that wields a 2.4GHz Core i5-9300H processor and a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. While these hardware components put the GL65 9SC into the gaming laptop category, it suffers in one of the areas that matters most: its memory. Fitted with an 8GB DDR4-2666 stick, it is the bare minimum when it comes to requirements for most AAA games on the market today. As such, one can expect some sluggishness from this affordable beast when multitasking.
Our Budget Pick
MSI GL65
This machine is true to the cliche gamer aesthetic with a black and red color scheme. While most of the reds can be seen in the red backlighting of the keyboard, there are also minimal red accents on the emblem that rests on the center of the lid.
Many of the higher end laptops are more inconspicuous in their design, but for an aspiring gamer getting their feet wet, this should tickle their gamer senses in all the right ways.
The keyboard is true to the MSI formula, with rubbery yet satisfying keys that have low-travel and still maintain a sense of fulfillment with each stroke. One of the downsides is that there aren’t any options for remapping or saving key layouts, which may be a hindrance for some. If it is, I suggest you save your money and invest in a higher end laptop with more bells and whistles.
The featured webcam is 720p, and reproduces a decent picture in the right setting, which is better than even some other premium laptops can attest to. As for the built-in speakers, there isn’t much to be expected. All high-mids and highs and absolutely no lows means that you will want to make sure you purchase a decent pair of headphones so that you can fully immerse yourself in whichever game you are playing.
The display yields bright and vibrant coloration, as well as an anti-glare surface that will ensure that you don’t get blindsided by the sunlight whilst in the middle of Valorant. It’s 1080p resolution will be sure to do your games justice, however, the 60Hz refresh rate may reduce the smoothness of your FPS gaming just a tad. Yet, you can’t expect much more from a gaming machine under a grand.
As for ports, the GL65 9SC has plenty of them. The only downside is that they are located closer to the front of the laptop than others, and as such, this can create a bit of clutter if you are running a bunch of peripheral devices from your laptop.
The battery life is upward of six hours before it needs to be recharged. While this isn’t breaking any records, it certainly isn’t a setback either. On top of this fact, is that the thermal management system is more than effective at keeping the machine from getting piping hot while you solidify your spot on the leaderboards.
When all is said and done, the MSI GL65 9SC packs a punch for its price. So, if you are looking for a gift to get someone’s gaming hardware collection started or a looking to spoil yourself on a new toy as an aspiring gamer, you can get all of your basic gaming needs met with this affordable laptop.
Pros
- Impressive hardware at a reasonable price
- Full HD (1080p) display
- Sturdy build
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Ports are strangely placed
- Speaker quality is subpar
- Touchpad is noisy
10. HP Omen X 2S
The HP Omen X 2S is a unique gaming laptop that provides users with a second utility screen without increasing the price. Though it is still priced as a premium laptop, it isn’t anywhere near as expensive as some of the higher priced gaming laptops on the market.
HP Omen X 2S
Equipped with an Intel Core i7-9750H processor and an 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q GPU, making it the perfect match for newer titles. Not to mention, it is 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid state storage, as well as a 15.6 inch screen delivering visuals at 144Hz, making it an ideal laptop for FPS shooters and other fast-paced genres.
The lid’s hinges rest in the center as it tapers up and out from the body of the machine, giving it a unique look apart from other modern gaming laptops. It’s emblem rests on the bottom bezel and gives way to the 6-inch utility screen, followed by the cramped keyboard and touchpad that fill out the rest of the space. However, the plus-side to the position of the keyboard is that it ushers users to position themselves further away from the laptop, which ultimately gives them more control over the machine itself.
The keys aren’t anything to marvel over, though they aren’t subpar by any means. One change that will take some getting used to is the fact that the touchpad lies to the right of the keyboard rather than beneath it. For right-handed individuals, this will probably feel like using an external mouse positioned to the right of the laptop, however, for left-handed people, this could be quite a frustrating factor.
An all-metal chassis gives this laptop a sturdy feel that reminds users of the quality and care that went into making it. Did I mention that the keyboard has RGB backlighting and inclusive software for customization? Well, now you know!
The second screen acts as a second display monitor and utilizes touch input. It is useful for surfing the web, snipping images on the fly, chat windows, media player, and mobile versions of web pages. It also provides users with dedicated keys for controlling the second screen, making it much more intuitive and useful than one may give it credit for.
When it comes to performance, this laptop can keep up with most of its competitors on the market, and will deliver a smooth and satisfying performance that will keep you coming back for more. Not only that, but its thermal management system is stellar considering the amount of simultaneous activity that it boasts.
At the end of the day, the HP Omen X 2S is a laptop that will provide users with a unique experience that still gives them what they want: a reliable gaming laptop with style and practicality.
Pros
- Innovative second screen
- Decent price
- Stellar gaming performance
- Solid build quality
- G-sync compatible
- Quiet fans
- Good quality webcam and built-in speakers
- Thin and light
Cons
- Battery life suffers
- Lacks a flash-card reader
- Keyboard and touch bad suffer at the hands of second screen
- Minor system instability
How To Select The Best Laptop For Valorant
In reading this article, you may be wondering how in the hell to decipher much of the seemingly cryptic information describing all of these wonderful pieces of hardware. No need to fret, dear friend. We will make sure you are well educated on the terminology and components necessary for understanding just what everything means so that you can better determine which laptop will best suit your needs.
CPU
The CPU, or “Central Processing Unit,” is what is responsible for the processing power of the computer. It is what dictates the computing of the computer itself, and is hands-down the most important piece of the puzzle. As such, it is important to ask yourself what kinds of games you intend to use your laptop for, how many games you intend to play, what kind of work you intend to do with it (media content creation or music production), and so on.
The two most heavily advertised pieces of a CPU are the clock speed, measured in hertz (Hz), and the cores. Typically, the more cores the processor has, the more inherently powerful it is. So, when you are looking for a laptop with premium processing power, the more cores and higher Hz it yields will give you better all-around results.
GPU
GPUs are the second most important component of the laptop, in that they dictate the smoothness, speed and clarity of the visuals being produced. So, when you are purchasing your new gaming laptop, be sure to make sure that you are getting one with one of the best GPUs available if you want to ensure that your visual gaming experience is above-average.
Display
Display obvious refers to the size, resolution, refresh rate and response time of the screen. While size isn’t inherently important, bigger screens can most certainly improve the gaming experience, though they decrease portability.
The higher the resolution, the better the picture. We have become accustomed to high resolutions on our technology today, and as such, most everything is made with decent resolution. However, this doesn’t mean that you should take it for granted and not pay attention, because resolution still certainly varies when it comes to gaming laptops.
Refresh rate refers to how fast it refreshes the frames on the screen. A practical application of this can be seen in FPS titles, which are fast-moving to say the least. A high refresh rate will ensure that there is minimal blur and improved picture clarity amidst a fast paced FPS shooter or engrossing single player RPG.
Response time is responsible for the amount of time it takes for your actions on the keyboard or mouse to be made visual on the screen. This is typically measured in ms (milliseconds) and is also of the utmost importance when it comes to gaming.
Battery Life
When buying a laptop, you are buying a portable PC. If you didn’t want something portable, you would just get a desktop. The only downside is that some gaming laptops put all of their eggs in the processing power basket and allow for the battery life to fall to the wayside. If you are someone who does a lot of tournament gaming or works from your laptop like a digital nomad, then be sure to look closely at the battery life of the machine to find which one best suits your needs.
SSD
An SSD, or “Solid State Drive,” is similar to a hard disk drive (HDD). These monitor and store data in a permanent state, and are much faster than hard drives. Obviously, games take a lot of storage space, and as such, having an SSD with ample amounts of storage should be at the top of one’s list when it comes to choosing a laptop that can handle their gaming antics.
Keyboard
The keyboard is another important component of gaming laptops, as it is the means through which you will communicate with the laptop and your fellow players. That is, unless, if you are using a headset. However, you will still be using the keyboard every time you use the machine. So, look into the comfort, practicality of the layout, spacing, and even the RGB backlighting if you are wanting some customizable flare. While laptop keyboards certainly don’t match up against mechanical keyboards, there are still plenty of ergonomically sound designs that will measure up to your standards and keep your fingertips satisfied.
Price
And last, but not least, is none other than the price of the laptop. The main thing to be aware of with price is that, more often than not, the more you spend means the better hardware you receive. Look at your budget, comb the market, and see which laptops within your budget best fit your needs and desires. If the laptop you want is a little more spendy than what you have, then don’t hesitate to practice a little patience and save up until you can get that laptop you truly want.
Conclusion
Well, here we are. We have just covered a lot of ground and shed light on a slew of beautiful gaming machines that are as portable as they are powerful. You now have all the knowledge and terminology needed to go into your purchase with confidence and the lingo to communicate what it is that you really want. So, as you are preparing your desk for endless hours of Valorant, don’t hesitate to take your time and find the gaming machine that is the best for you. After all, this sucker is going to be toted around with you to coffee shops and gaming tournaments for work and pleasure for years to come. Happy hunting! May the torque be with you.
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