Full HD is fast becoming a thing of the past right now. A lot of enthusiasts even consider it as an outdated resolution, what with the rapid pace of internet speed improvements and processing power. For that matter, 4K gaming laptops are a lot more welcome now.
Granted, they do have some caveats. That 4K resolution is still somewhat wasted on the small screen since laptops usually only go up to a maximum of 17 inches diagonally for their screen size. Still, there are other advantages to 4K gaming laptops.
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For one, they offer the most crisp and clear image quality due to the pixel density. There’s also more space on the screen to work with since higher resolutions also enlarge the user interface. And of course, it’s perfect for digital media professionals such as artists, video editors, and photo editors who love to play video games.
So if you’re open to splurging on gaming hardware, consider these 4K gaming laptops as your next main setup.
Razer Blade 17
PROS
- Top-of-the-line CPU and GPU for laptops
- DDR5 memory
- Beautiful chassis
- Minimalist design
- UHD at 144Hz
- Impressive cooling system
- Gorgeous display quality
- Generous RAM
CONS
- Expensive
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i9-12900H
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
- Screen Size: 17.3″
The best doesn’t come cheap after all, and when it comes to Razer products, they spare no expense in their engineering. Well, at least that’s the case for their high-end products, and the Razer Blade is among those.
This marvel of computer engineering is one of the sleekest and most gorgeous devices in existence. It’s like the MacBook of gaming devices. There’s no shortage of power here. The RTX 3080 Ti is still a bit overkill for most games today.
And 4K is almost necessary to give this GPU a challenge even for today’s games and even with the new RTX 4090 mobile looming on the horizon.
Razer Blade 17
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED UX582
PROS
- Top-of-the-line CPU for laptops
- Good 4K GPU
- OLED screens
- Additional small screen for artists
- Both displays are touchscreen
- Generous RAM
- Quite a head-turner
- Hinge acts as additional ventilation
CONS
- Pricey
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i9-12900H
- GPU / Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 32GB RAM
- Storage: 1 TB
- Screen Size: 15.6”
If by some chance you’re also a professional and are in need of a laptop that can cater to your professional and gaming needs, then the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED is the best there is. Because it’s one of the few laptops out there with two screens.
And get this, both of those screens are touchscreen OLED, which is the best type of display material right now. It’s also more affordable compared to Razer’s offerings since this one is the RTX 3070 Ti model, but if you’re also buying a laptop in part for work, then the CPU is the more important component.
In that regard, this one has a 12th Gen i9 CPU from Intel, making it more than capable of productivity tasks.
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED UX582
MSI Stealth GS77
PROS
- Top-of-the-line CPU and GPU for laptops
- Generous RAM
- DDR5 memory
- Thin and light
- Minimalist design
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Thin design means the cooling isn't that robust
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i9-12900H
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1 TB
- Screen Size: 17.3″
Most 4K laptops are heavy and bulky, but MSI begs to differ with its Stealth laptop lineup. The MSI Stealth GS77 is advertised as a thin and light gaming laptop. And when you see what’s inside, you can’t help but be amazed.
Because most manufacturers usually don’t claim that a laptop sporting a top-of-the-line CPU and GPU is a lightweight device. Full disclosure, the weight is actually 2.8 kg. but considering how the other 17-inch 4K laptops weigh, this one certainly is an improvement.
It’s also a lot more affordable compared to Razer’s offerings with the same components, making it a good choice for those who don’t mind straying away from brand loyalty.
MSI Stealth GS77
GIGABYTE AERO 5 XE4
PROS
- Good 4K gaming hardware
- Samsung AMOLED display
- More than affordable right now
- Beautiful screen
CONS
- Terrible battery life
- Looks a bit bulky
Specs:
- CPU / Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H
- GPU / Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
- RAM / Memory: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Screen Size: 16″
Whoever said that 4K gaming isn’t possible on a budget? Gigabyte went for it and made it work with their Aero 5 XE4 model. It sports good 4K hardware at a price that will make you question whether it’s really a legitimate product or not (it is).
It comes with an RTX 3070 Ti and a 12th Gen i7 Intel processor, both of which are good for 4K. There was some cost-cutting involved since this 4K gaming laptop now sits at the sub-$1,500 price point. That would be the DDR4 RAM instead of DDR5 and a less-than-beautiful case, but nothing that can affect gaming performance too much.
It’s a budget 4K gaming laptop with an AMOLED screen. What’s not to like?
GIGABYTE AERO 5 XE4
Is 4K Gaming Worth It For Laptops?
The answer to that question depends on your preferences and how well you value graphics and visuals. If you rate that highly when it comes to your gaming experience, then, by all means, dive into the 4K craze. The difference is quite huge compared to 1080p or even 1440p. The only real consideration is cost right now, and that’s bound to be reduced as the technology matures.
Also, for laptops, take note that you won’t get the most optimal 4K experience due to the small screen. But apart from the screen size, you can still reap all the benefits of 4K resolution, such as better pixel accuracy and density. This is more important for productivity than gaming in a laptop’s case; but since most 4K gaming laptops come with beefy hardware, you can bet that they’re also impressive gaming devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is 4K?
4K is an abbreviation for 3840 x 2160 pixels, which is the total pixel count on a screen. More pixels result in better image clarity at the cost of processing power. Other abbreviations for that resolution are 2160p and UHD. -
Is 4K resolution good for the eyes?
Yes. Smaller pixels mean better cursor or crosshair accuracy. The image clarity might also help in reducing eyestrain.