Buying A 4K Gaming Laptop? Here’s What You Need to Know

An informed consumer makes the most of their money.

When people shop for a laptop, one of the features or specs that they check is the display. One of the best display screens in the market is a 4K monitor.

A display with a 4K resolution is four times as great as standard high definition (1080p). A computer or TV with a 4K display has 3,840 along the horizontal axis and 2,160 along the vertical axis for a total pixel count of 8,294,400 (more than eight megapixels). This rise in the number of pixels gives viewers and computer users a clearer and sharper image.

If you’re going to be using a laptop PC for gaming purposes, you may be wondering if getting a 4K gaming laptop is worth it. Before we get to that, let’s look at what a 4K laptop is and why it’s costly.

What is a 4K Laptop?

A 4K laptop is simply a portable computer with a built-in 4K display. When you get a 4K gaming laptop, you can enjoy a more detailed gaming experience. Although you still need a powerful laptop to play modern game titles smoothly with detail settings cranked up to high, you’ll surely love the immersive experience offered by a monitor with a 4K resolution.

A 4K laptop isn’t just for games. You can use it for video and photo editing. When you are retouching an image, you need accurate color and color gamut support. Having a 4K resolution for photo editing is crucial for examining the fine details of high-res images. You’ll be able to see more detail when you’re using a monitor with a high pixel density.

Why are 4K Laptops so Expensive?

Buying a 4K gaming laptop is a dream for many gamers, but is this realistically within your budget? If you are looking for a portable gaming PC that’s light on the wallet, you’ll want to pull the 4K option off the table.

The price of a laptop with a 4K display is high because of the cost to make such a technologically advanced screen. Not only that, you’ll have to purchase a high-end laptop model that accommodates a 4K resolution.

What is the Cheapest 4K Gaming Laptop?

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A cheap 4K gaming laptop that doesn’t sacrifice gaming performance is the Lenovo Yoga 720 2-in-1. Source: Pinterest

An affordable 4K gaming laptop that offers decent quality resolution can be hard to find. After all, you’re going to pay a premium for a PC that has 4K resolution.

We’ve searched the web to find affordable 4K laptops, and we’ve observed that you’ll need to pay at least a thousand dollars to get your hands on a decent gaming laptop with a 4K display.

One 4K gaming laptop you could consider is the Lenovo Yoga 720 2-in-1 laptop. This device has a 4K UHD IPS touchscreen — a feature that you won’t find in conventional laptops.

This Lenovo Yoga model is ideal for watching YouTube videos or movies. You can bring out the popcorn, play a video and enjoy the marvelous viewing experience.

The tech specs of the Lenovo Yoga 720 2-in-1 laptop are nothing to sneeze at, as well. It boasts an Intel i7 processor, 512 GB SSD storage capacity and 16 GB of RAM.

The model also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050. This graphics card is capable of playing the latest games released on the market and giving you an excellent 4K gaming experience.

So, how much does this “cheap” 4K gaming laptop cost anyway? When you go to Amazon, the price of the Lenovo Yoga 720 2-in-1 is $1,229. Before you yell out “That’s too expensive,” you’ll find that many of the fantastic 4K laptops cost above two thousand dollars.

If you do find a 4K laptop or 4K gaming laptop that’s below a thousand dollars, you can expect the specs to be at the low-end range. Gaming on a PC like that isn’t ideal and worth it, even if you have an amazing 4K display.

What are the Other Laptops that Offer 4K Resolution?

The Alienware 17 R5 is a fantastic 4K gaming laptop that comes with a hefty price tag. Source: Pinterest

If money isn’t a problem, you’ll have plenty of choices on the market.

Here are a few 4K gaming laptops that you can check out:

Alienware 17 R5 Laptop

Cost: $5,999.11
This 4K laptop has a 4K UHD 17.3-inch screen coupled with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 complete with G-Sync.

The rest of the specs are just as amazing. The Alienware 17 R5 impresses with 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of SSD and an 8th Gen Intel i9 processor.

The only downside you can probably see here is the price. At $5,999, this 4K laptop is clearly out of reach for average gamers.

ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 Touchscreen Laptop

Cost: $1,999.77

Another slightly affordable 4K gaming laptop you could try is the VivoBook Pro 15 from ASUS. It has a gorgeous 15.6-inch touchscreen capable of 4K.

As for the specs, this 4K laptop features an Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD storage, which can fill up fast.

Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop

Cost: 2,799.99

Another 4K gaming laptop powerhouse that’s way cheaper than the Alienware 17 R5 is the Razer Blade Pro 17.

This 4K laptop offers a 17.3-inch, 4K, 120Hz display. On the processor and RAM side of things, this laptop boasts an Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and a delectable 1 TB SSD. It’s one of the best 4K gaming laptops out there on the market, as it fuses high power with some affordability.

If you want a 4K gaming laptop, you need to be willing to spend money on this computer. Once you start playing 4K-supported games or 4K videos, you’ll realize just how much you’ve been missing out — and you’ll eventually grumble about having to go back to the standard 1080p.

Factors To Consider While Picking 4K Gaming Laptops

If you are in the market for a 4K gaming laptop, it pays to know what to look for when making your purchase. With so many different laptop types available, it can seem overwhelming and even confusing.

That’s why we’ve put together this section that covers models, OS, battery life, and performance of a 4K resolution laptop. By considering the following factors before making a purchase, you can make sure you end up with the best 4K gaming laptop for your needs.

Latest 4K Gaming Laptop Models

Here are the latest 4K gaming laptops that you should consider in 2023. Let’s start with the Dell XPS 15 7590. This impressive beast packs a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It also offers a 15-inch Ultra HD display with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, making it ideal for playing games in glorious 4K. Furthermore, this model is equipped with a powerful NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 graphics card, which can handle heavy-duty action with ease. This model is priced at around $2,000.

Next comes the Acer Predator Triton 500. It features a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an 8GB NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics card. The display is 15 inches with a 4K UHD resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, making it great for immersive gaming sessions. In addition, this model boasts an impressive battery life with one charge lasting about 9 hours. This powerful laptop can be purchased for approximately $3,000.

Operating System

Most 4K laptops come with either Windows or macOS as their operating system, each of which offers different caveats that could make or break your gaming performance. 

Windows OS offers maximum compatibility with games – since it is the most popular OS, many games are specifically designed for Windows systems. It also provides flexibility in terms of pricing; you’ll find 4K gaming laptops running on Windows at almost every price point. On the downside, Windows may require more RAM than macOS to run as smoothly when playing graphics-heavy games. 

macOS is Apple’s proprietary operating system, ideal for users who prefer to manage their hardware and software through one platform. However, macOS may not be as compatible with gaming compared to Windows; some games may require you to upgrade or purchase additional hardware to run at optimal performance.

No matter which OS you choose, there are plenty of 4K gaming laptops for pro-gamers that will meet your needs. For example, the HP G14 offers a 14″ 1080p display with AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor running on Windows 10 Home Edition. ASUS ROG Strix GL503GE has a 15″ FHD display and is powered by an Intel i7-8750HQ processor running on Windows 10 Pro Edition. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro 16 provides a 16″ Retina display with an Intel Core i9 processor and runs on macOS Catalina.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Support 

Bluetooth allows gamers to wirelessly sync their game controllers, headsets, or other peripherals with the laptop, while Wi-Fi provides them with a high-speed internet connection for streaming or downloading large files. 

When it comes to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, two main versions are available: 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) and 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5). Both operate at 2.4 GHz, but the AC standard offers better performance because of its higher bandwidths compared to N standards. It also has more reliable coverage at longer distances. 

Today, there are plenty of 4K laptops with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support on the market. Some popular options include the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 with 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) support, the MSI GS66 Stealth with dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) support, and the Acer Predator Helios 300, which also comes with 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5). All three offer powerful graphics cards and processors to ensure smooth and immersive gaming experiences.

Connectivity Options

HDMI or DisplayPort cables can be used to connect a 4K resolution gaming laptop to monitors and projectors that also support these ports. This connection allows users to take advantage of higher resolutions and faster refresh rates than other connections. However, HDMI cables are not backward compatible with older devices, while DisplayPort cables offer more versatility in being able to work with both old and new devices. 

Another option is Wireless Display (WiDi) technology, which enables displays and laptop computers to wirelessly stream audio and video to one another. This technology also supports resolutions up to 4K and is great for those who don’t want the hassle of dealing with cables. However, WiDi has a limited range, and you’ll need supporting hardware for it to function properly. 

Thunderbolt 3 ports are a popular choice when it comes to connecting external displays and devices, as they offer the highest data transfer rates compared to other connections. These ports can power two 4K monitors at 60 Hz or a single 8K monitor at 30 Hz plus allow for fast charging of peripherals such as mice or keyboards. However, not all laptops come with Thunderbolt 3 ports, so you may need an adapter if your laptop lacks this port type. 

Finally, there are USB-C ports, which are becoming increasingly common on 4K gaming laptops. This port can be used to connect peripherals and allow data transfer up to 10 Gbps. However, USB-C ports may not always provide enough power for certain devices, so you might need an additional adapter or hub to resolve this issue. 

Examples of 4K gaming laptops with different connectivity options include the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model (which has Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C ports), the MSI GS66 Stealth (with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports), and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (which has WiDi capabilities).

RAM

Having more RAM means that your computer can store more information, allowing for smoother gameplay and better overall performance. Generally speaking, modern 4K games require 8GB of RAM or higher to run smoothly at the highest settings. For those looking to play basic 4K games with lower graphical quality, 4-6GB of RAM should be sufficient. 

If you are shopping for a 4K resolution laptop, make sure to pay close attention to the amount of RAM available. Some options include the MSI GS75 Stealth Thin with 32GB of RAM, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 with 16GB of RAM, and the Razer Blade Pro 17 with 8GB of RAM. All three laptops are designed to be powerful and efficient enough to run 4K games smoothly. 

Storage Capacity (HDD)

Depending on the games you are playing, different amounts of storage will be required. For example, some 4K games may run at more than 100GB, while some may require less than 10GB. As such, depending on the types of games you play and the amount of space required for each game, having enough storage capacity is essential to ensure a smooth gaming experience. 

Different laptops offer varying storage capacities; some offer 128GB to 512GB SSDs or 500GB to 1TB HDDs. For example, Dell’s G5 15 is a 4K screen laptop that comes with up to 512GB of SSD storage, perfect for storing high-resolution games and other demanding applications. The Asus ROG Zephyrus M offers up to 1TB HDD storage, enough space for even the most demanding users. The Acer Predator Helios 300 offers up to 256GB SSD storage, which is ideal for those who need a lot of space without the added bulk of an HDD.

Battery Life

Laptops using Intel i7 processors tend to have the longest battery life, and 4K gaming laptops are no exception. On average, an Intel i7 powered 4K gaming laptop can last up to 7 hours without needing a charge. 

For those in the market for the best 4K laptop with excellent battery life, some of the top contenders include the Razer Blade 15 Pro Advanced Edition and Asus’ ROG Zephyrus S17. Both devices feature Intel i7 processors and boast a battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge. The Razer Blade 15 Pro Advanced Edition also comes with an NVIDIA RTX graphics card for a smooth, high-resolution gaming experience.

Here you can read the reasons for laptop battery draining so you know what not to do once you buy a new laptop.

Performance

To be sure you’re getting the best performance out of your laptop, there are some key performance indicators (KPIs) you should look for. These include the processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage capacity of your laptop. Additionally, the type of cooling system and battery life are important factors to consider when assessing performance.

For a good example of an excellent high definition laptop computer in terms of performance, take a look at the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15. This laptop packs an Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070. It also boasts a high-end cooling system that allows it to stay cool even when playing the most graphically intensive games. For storage, it has two 1TB NVMe M.2 SSDs and two 2TB hard drives.

The MSI GS66 Stealth is another great example of a high-performance 4K gaming laptop with an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU. It also has up to 32GB of RAM, two 1TB NVMe M.2 SSDs, and one 2TB hard drive. It’s equipped with a dual-fan cooling system and long battery life to keep your laptop running cool.

Display

A gaming laptop with a 4K display is essential for gamers because of the number of pixels it contains. A 4K display has four times as many pixels as a Full HD display, which makes it sharper and more detailed. This means that games can be enjoyed at their highest graphical settings, with greater clarity and more detail. 

Examples of 4K gaming laptops with high-quality displays include the ASUS ROG Strix Scar III, MSI GS65 Stealth Thin, and Dell Alienware Area 51m. These laptops offer gamers an immersive experience and bring out the best in their games. Whether you’re a casual or serious gamer, investing in the best 4k gaming laptop for you is an investment worth making.

High-End Gaming Features

You need to look for a gaming laptop 4K equipped with powerful processors, high-resolution screens, advanced graphics cards, plenty of RAM and storage space, as well as user customization options like adjustable keymaps and macros. 

Examples of 4K gaming laptops that include high-end gaming features are the Razer Blade 15 Advanced, the Acer Predator Helios 300, and the MSI GS65 Stealth Thin. The Razer Blade 15 advanced comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics card, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD storage. The Acer Predator Helios 300 boasts an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, 8GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD storage. Lastly, the MSI GS65 Stealth Thin features a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics card, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD storage. 

Software Updates

As new technologies and game releases become available, software updates help ensure that your laptop 4K can keep up with these changes and provide the performance you need to stay competitive in the latest games. Updates are released by manufacturers regularly, generally every few weeks or months, depending on the manufacturer and laptop model. To stay up to date, you can check for updates manually by navigating to your laptop’s settings.

For example, Dell often releases updates for their 4K gaming laptops every month or two with important security patches as well as performance enhancements. Other popular 4K gaming laptops include the Razer Blade 15 and MSI GS66 Stealth, which offer regular software updates. 

Online Reviews and Ratings

Reviews can provide invaluable insight into what features you should expect from your new gaming laptop 4K and if the features match up with your gaming needs. Ratings indicate customer satisfaction – they tell you whether people would recommend a 4K laptop and how likely they would be to buy it again.

Reading through the comments section is also important so that you can get real feedback from people who have actually purchased and used the laptop. Additionally, look for a range of ratings to get an accurate representation of customer satisfaction – if there are mostly 5-star reviews, this could be a red flag. 

Some reliable sources for 4K gaming laptop reviews include publications such as PC Gaming and Digital Trends, consumer review sites like Consumer Reports and CNET, YouTube videos from popular tech reviewers, or forums dedicated to gaming laptops. Researching multiple sources can help you paint a comprehensive picture of what other customers are saying about their 4K laptops.

Warranty

Many laptops come with a standard one-year manufacturer’s warranty; however, this may not always be enough to cover any issues that may arise. It is always worth checking the extended warranties offered by brands and retailers as they can help protect against costly repairs or replacements.

For example, Dell offers an ‘Advanced Exchange’ warranty for its XPS 15 4K gaming laptop, which provides for a free next-business-day onsite repair of any components that may malfunction within the specified period. This can be especially handy if you travel frequently and don’t have time to wait for the laptop to be shipped off for repair. 

Another great example of a 4K gaming laptop with a comprehensive warranty is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. This laptop comes with an extended two-year global warranty that covers hardware defects, accidental damage, and even theft.

Conclusion

As you have learned, there are many factors to consider when shopping for a 4K gaming laptop. Base your decision on your needs and gaming lifestyle, and consider the highs and lows of any particular model—you want something that offers the best performance possible while also meeting your budget. 

In conclusion, we highly recommend doing thorough research so you can find the best laptop for 4K gaming. If you’re looking for more information or would like to explore leading brands in the market, be sure to visit our website where you can find more information about 4K laptops, or go to the websites of leading brands to enhance your gaming experience with a 4K laptop—start shopping now!

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