It is true that we can now play the latest and most demanding PC games in 4k at 60fps, which is nothing to scoff at, given how many generations it took for us to get here. However, it does beg the question, at what cost?
Take that question as literally as possible because a custom-made desktop PC capable of pulling that incredible feat will set you back by a whopping CA$3500 – CA$5000, excluding a 4K display! If you are looking to play games at 4k from a laptop though, get ready to pay roughly the same amount for a significantly reduced performance (compared to desktops) for the very select few models that might even be able to pull off such a feat.
Do You Really Need to Spend Thousands on a New Gaming Laptop?
Now, the real question here is, do you need to spend all that money on gaming hardware? There is no definite answer here as it will vary, depending on your financial capabilities and the kind of games that you play. For a large majority of gamers though, the answer is no, you don’t need to, unless you want to. What you buy should be based on the type of games that you play most often, which is what we will elaborate on next.
Casual Gamers
The term casual gamer does not imply that the individual does not spend a lot of time playing games, nor does it imply they are not serious about their gaming sessions. It only refers to a specific genre of games that are easy to pick up and play. They are also games that do not make it necessary for the gamer to spend thousands of dollars on a computer. For example, all browser games fall under the category of casual games, including online casino games such as slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette, keno, etc.
Any laptop, including an old Apple MacBook Air can play browser games, so you don’t need to invest in a gaming laptop at all, if that’s what interests you most. However, a wide colour gamut (WCG) display would be ideal to see the shimmering colours that are typically seen in many games. What you really need to worry about are the actual websites you visit to play the games. Given that financial transactions require a site to be exceptionally secured and verified for safe operation, it is recommended that Canadian players check some of the best online casino reviews first, before playing games online.
Practical Gamers
These would be most gamers who play AAA titles on their laptop but don’t expect their machines to be capable of running Far Cry 6 or Cyberpunk 2077 in 4K at 60fps either! Look for a model with 1080p, 144Hz WCG display, 16 gigs of RAM, and an RTX 3060 and you should be able to enjoy any game at ultra settings, without having to worry about the frame rate dropping below 60fps (too often). The MSI Stealth 15M and the Acer Predator Helios 300 (PH315-54-760S) comes highly recommended.
Finally, enthusiasts should look at the Alienware x17 R2 (CA$2,900 – CA$5,100), although it lacks a 4K display option. The Razer Blade 17 – 2022 Edition might just have a better offer for the ultimate gamer though, thanks to the QHD or 4K display option that you get at a better price
