Lenovo Legion 5 (Gen 9)
- Intel Core i7 HX / AMD Ryzen 7
- 16GB / 32GB / 1TB SSD
- 16" WQXGA 165Hz
Buying guide
Gaming laptops: frames, fans and compromises
A gaming laptop is a desktop PC that has agreed to fit in a bag. It will remind you of this every time the fans spin up.
The graphics card is everything
For gaming, the GPU matters far more than the processor. As a rough guide for current NVIDIA laptop GPUs:
| GPU tier | Good for |
|---|---|
| RTX xx50 (e.g. 3050, 4050, 5050) | 1080p esports and older titles; modern games at medium settings. |
| RTX xx60 (e.g. 4060, 5060) | The value sweet spot: most games at 1080p/1440p high settings. |
| RTX xx70 and above | High settings at 1440p, ray tracing, and a noticeably heavier wallet. |
Watch the wattage. The same GPU name can run at very different power limits (TGP) in different laptops, which changes performance a lot. Reviews that test the exact model are your friend.
Other things that matter
- Screen refresh rate: 144Hz is the minimum worth having; 165–240Hz for competitive shooters.
- RAM: 16GB, ideally upgradeable. Check it runs in dual channel.
- Storage: 1TB if possible – modern games are enormous. A spare M.2 slot is a bonus.
- Cooling and noise: gaming laptops get loud. Budget for headphones.
- Weight: most weigh 2–2.5kg with a large power brick. Battery life while gaming is short everywhere.
Gaming laptops to look at
ASUS ROG Strix G16
- Intel Core i7 / i9 HX
- 16GB / 1TB SSD
- 16" 165Hz+ (QHD+ options)
ASUS TUF Gaming A15
- AMD Ryzen 7
- 16GB / 512GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD 144Hz
Acer Nitro V 15
- Intel Core i5 H-series
- 16GB / 512GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD 144Hz
HP Victus 15
- Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5
- 16GB / 512GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD 144Hz
MSI Thin GF63
- Intel Core i5 / i7 H-series
- 8GB / 16GB / 512GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD 144Hz