Definition of a "gaming" laptop

MouldyOldDough

What is the definition of a "gaming" laptop 
As opposed to a high spec laptop?
Is it purely down to graphics? 

dekaspace1

Often just blinged up i.e backlit or even multi coloured keyboard, often a higher spec graphics card, more storage space and higher quality screen.

This is of course for the actual "gaming" laptops like everything you will get so many laptops advertised as gaming ones that are just regular ones.

Real gaming laptops are more of a bridge between regular laptops and desktops, chunkier and more difficult to transport.

MattMattMattUK

MouldyOldDough said:

What is the definition of a "gaming" laptop 
As opposed to a high spec laptop?
Is it purely down to graphics? 

For what many would regard as a "proper" gaming laptop, hefty GPU, high end multi-threaded CPU, more RAM clocked faster, enough PCIe lanes so that the GPU can run at full throttle etc. Also often a screen geared to higher refresh rates and less focus on colour accuracy (might only be 93% of Adobe RGB rather than 97-98%) etc. Better thermal management so that they do not throttle when running at full power for an extended period, which also means some sound like a hairdryer. 

As Deka mentioned, also on some models weird designs and tacky lights. 

forgotmyname

Take a decent spec laptop spend an extra 5% on bling and sell it for a 30% markup   = decent laptop to gaming laptop?

My cheap(ish) Dual Boot  Windows/Android tablet plays games fine. Spider Solitaire works a treat and great battery life.

A gaming laptop will play the games you want at a decent speed/quality setting without excessive noise and heat.

tallmansix

I agree with above comments but just from my personal experience of owning several gaming laptops....

Most laptops are designed with portability and battery life in mind, gaming laptops sometimes sacrifice that for performance.

Short battery life, high power consumption, noise from extra fans (or hot) and heavy in my experience.

You will generally get better sound, screen and sometimes an overclockable GPU, CPU and RAM. Keyboards can be better / different and usually more durable.

The extra "bling" for 30%  more £ may actually be important for a gamer rather than the typical user, so it can be a waste as per above if you are not gaming. 

Unlike most laptops that can supply enough power (watts) from the battery to run at full speed, you may find gaming laptops only achieve full performance when plugged into mains due to high power demand.

I've bought a few 2nd hand gaming laptops in the past for very good prices but used them as my daily driver. They all needed a full recondition as they tend to be heavily used at full whack, so complete strip down, clean, thermal paste, new battery etc and they will be good to go again.

But I did get a lot of performance for my money so do consider a 2nd hand high spec vs new lower spec. 

MouldyOldDough

So - how would you rate

MSI Katana 17 Intel Core i7 16GB 1TB SSD RTX 4050 144Hz 17.3 Inch - with a 13th generation 4.5Ghz 13620 H processor

Cisco001

MouldyOldDough said:

So - how would you rate

MSI Katana 17 Intel Core i7 16GB 1TB SSD RTX 4050 144Hz 17.3 Inch - with a 13th generation 4.5Ghz 13620 H processor

How much is that?
£1200?
There are other better spec 15" for £1200

MSI Katana 15 Intel Core i7 16GB 1TB RTX 4070 144Hz 15.6 Inch £1200

MouldyOldDough

Cisco001 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

So - how would you rate

MSI Katana 17 Intel Core i7 16GB 1TB SSD RTX 4050 144Hz 17.3 Inch - with a 13th generation 4.5Ghz 13620 H processor

How much is that?
£1200?
There are other better spec 15" for £1200

MSI Katana 15 Intel Core i7 16GB 1TB RTX 4070 144Hz 15.6 Inch £1200

it was £1189 and is a 17" - which I wanted

and mine is a 13th generation processor rather than the 12th generation on your link

Cisco001

RTX4070 >>> RTX 4050

MouldyOldDough

Cisco001 said:

RTX4070 >>> RTX 4050

What's the RTX 4060 like ?

Cisco001

https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4060-Laptop-GPU-Benchmarks-and-Specs.675692.0.html