But let's be honest with each other: 2021, if we talk exclusively about gaming laptops, has not been very bright. To some extent, it became transitional, because neither AMD nor NVIDIA provided the user with completely new gaming solutions, and therefore gaming laptops, alas, did not become fundamentally faster compared to the 2021 models. And I consider this fact one of the main results of the past year . And yet 2021 made me happy. How? Find out while reading this short article.
⇡#Desktop PCs in isolation
So, in 2021, NVIDIA did not present new mobile graphics, and AMD (although we were waiting) did not show anything worthwhile in the mobile High-End GPU segment. Yes, the “greens” rolled out SUPER versions of the GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 2080 accelerators, but such graphics only slightly accelerated the flagship laptops of 2020. You can see this for yourself by reading the review of the ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR 17 model - or any other model tested last year. The GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is ahead of the regular GeForce RTX 2080 by an average of 10% - that's all the progress for the year.
At the same time, one cannot help but note one sad trend, which I spoke about back at the end of 2021. The fact is that manufacturers have begun to use so-called Max-Q graphics in their laptops. The same GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER in Max-Q design demonstrates performance comparable to that of the regular mobile GeForce RTX 2080. This GPU simply consumes less energy, and therefore you can save on cooling - or make your laptop a little quieter.
Why don't I like it? Because the Max-Q design was developed by NVIDIA and its partners to create compact, thin and light gaming laptops. Now some manufacturers are simply glossing over the fact that their laptops use slower Max-Q graphics. And there is nothing good about that.
You saw this graph in last year's summary article, but it is still relevant - albeit with one amendment. Instead of the signature “System unit with GeForce RTX 2080 Ti,” you can safely write “System unit with GeForce RTX 3070” - and the results will not change much. Moreover, if the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti cost an average of 100,000 rubles in 2021, then the recommended price of the GeForce RTX 3070 is 46,000 rubles. Of course, now, at the beginning of 2021, it is unrealistic to buy this model for the specified amount, but the fact remains: desktop PCs in 2021 have become cheaper and faster - at least on paper. Laptops - no.
Which powerful laptop to buy
Just 4-5 years ago it was difficult to imagine a fairly compact laptop with good hardware that could compete with desktop PCs. But today, many models are almost equal to top-end computers in terms of power, without losing their advantages in mobility. The rating contains only the best laptops in terms of performance, designed for different tasks. If you don't play, but just do work, then choose a MacBook or laptop from Dell. If you want to game, then choose Acer and ASUS. HP also offers an excellent machine with advanced hardware.
⇡#The main event of the year
Summing up the results of 2021, I somehow hinted at “AMD’s serious appearance in the gaming laptop market” - and I turned out to be right. Following the release of the 4-core Ryzen 5 3550H and Ryzen 7 3750H processors, a full-fledged, large-scale release of the Ryzen 4000 series of mobile chips, codenamed Renoir, took place! You can read in detail about all models in the review of ASUS TUF Gaming A15.
The Ryzen 4000 processors use the very successful Zen 2 microarchitecture. Compared to Zen+, it is this that provides such a noticeable increase in IPC - as much as 15%, although all the basic elements of the processor core remain unchanged, and the modifications only concern increasing the efficiency of existing functional blocks. Importantly for laptops, the new Ryzen 4000 is twice as fast as its predecessors per watt of energy consumed. You can read about all the features of the Zen 2 microarchitecture in our detailed review, so I won’t repeat myself again. Moreover, the “red” released exclusively 6- and 8-core crystals, and 4-core ones in 2021 ceased to be listed as gaming and work solutions in mobile computers.
The graphs above clearly show who is boss. A laptop with a Ryzen 7 4800H and DDR4-3200 memory is in most cases faster than a laptop with a Core i9-9880H processor and DDR4-2666 memory. In some applications, the difference in performance reaches truly significant values: for example, video encoding is 22% faster, and graphics rendering in Blender is 17% faster. If you read the review of the desktop Ryzen 7 3700X, then you know very well that this 8-core processor is in most cases inferior to the Core i9-9900K, the flagship of the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, which operates with all eight cores loaded at 4.7 GHz. Here, comparing the Ryzen 7 4800H with the Core i9-9880H, we see that the Intel chip is, figuratively speaking, strangled by a loop in the form of a 45-watt TDP. The eight-core Coffee Lake failed in the example I gave. It turns out that AMD has perfectly transferred the Zen 2 architecture to the mobile segment.
So, the appearance of Renoir mobile processors is the main result of 2021 . The Reds imposed long-awaited competition on the laptop market on the Blues. In particular, you and I, potential buyers, benefited from all this.
The launch of laptops with Ryzen 4000, however, was not without oddities. Firstly, the laptops presented in the spring appeared on sale in Russia towards the end of summer. Secondly, many regular readers have noticed that mobile computers with Renoir chips are equipped with maximum graphics of the GeForce RTX 2060 class. For some reason, manufacturers of such laptops were in no hurry to install more powerful graphics along with the Ryzen 4000. I wonder if this situation will change in 2021?
Dell Inspiron 15 7567
Price: 61,000 rubles
The specs of Dell's most powerful laptop are impressive. For an affordable price, we are offered a bright IPS screen with a diagonal of 15.6 inches and FullHD resolution. And inside the case lies powerful hardware - a 4-core processor with a high clock frequency, which is supported by an Nvidia GeForcce GTX 1050 Ti video card and 8 GB of RAM. Movies, music and games will be stored on the SSHD format hard drive, and the battery lasts for 2.5 hours of active use.
⇡#Cool the 8-core
In 2021, after the release of the Ryzen 4000 chips, the “blues” were unable to respond to their “suddenly” emerging competitor with anything fundamentally new, and the Coffee Lake generation was replaced by the Comet Lake generation of crystals. Thus, the 8-core Core i9-10980HK is no different from the Core i9-9980HK - the difference between the Core generations is described in detail in the article “Lenovo Legion 7i review: studying a very powerful laptop with an 8-core Core i9-10980HK and GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER "
I have repeatedly raised the topic that with the advent of such powerful and hot chips, it is becoming increasingly difficult for laptop manufacturers to get out of this situation, because the estimated thermal power of the Core i9-10980HK is 45 W. At this TDP, the frequency of the 8-core will not be high in multi-threaded applications. Therefore, the chip will not operate at full power. We have seen this in many reviews, when the Core i9-10980HK should operate at a frequency of 4.4 GHz, but in fact it changes in the range of 2.8-3 GHz. The only way to increase the performance of such a CPU is to increase its power limit. But how to effectively cool such a chip in a laptop?
And some manufacturers have coped with this task! For example, the Lenovo Legion 7i uses an evaporation chamber. The manufacturer claims that heat transfer can be increased by 3-4 times compared to CO based on conventional heat pipes. In addition, the use of such chambers allows for high-quality cooling not only of processors, but also of the entire chip circuitry - the efficient operation of power converters also affects the speed of the device and its durability. Such design decisions led to the fact that in Adobe Premiere Pro, the Legion cooler operating in the “Performance” mode kept the average frequency of the Core i9-10980HK at 3.73 GHz. The maximum heating of the hottest core of the chip was 95 degrees Celsius, but the average temperature remained at 88 degrees Celsius. For example, the MSI P65 Creator 9SF under the same conditions in the “Maximum Performance” mode keeps the Core i9-9880H at an average of only 2.97 GHz! By using the vapor chamber, we achieved a difference of 760 MHz, and it resulted in the Legion 7i completing the task 18% faster. The Legion's cooling system successfully removed 70 watts of electricity.
The second successful example is the ASUS ROG series laptops - all models based on 10th generation Core chips use Thermal Grizzly liquid metal. It is used only for cooling the central processor. According to ASUS, the new thermal interface reduces the temperature of the crystal by 14 degrees Celsius. The manufacturer also claims that for the correct application of liquid metal, special equipment is used, which eliminates the possibility of error. Thanks to a specially designed heat sink, the flow of liquid metal over time is impossible.
A review of the ROG STRIX SCAR 17 showed that the laptop cooler is capable of removing 90 W of energy from the central processor. In the same Adobe Premiere Pro, the average frequency of the Core i9-10980HK remained at 3.85 GHz.
Working in such conditions, 8-core Intel processors cease to be whipping boys and perform worthy against the background of Ryzen 4000.
MSI GE73 8RF RAIDER RGB
Price: from 120,000 rubles
The world's most powerful gaming laptop is designed primarily for gaming, but that's not the only task it can handle. The MSI GE73 8RF is a professional device, ideal for running multiple heavy programs simultaneously. The powerful 6-core 7th generation Intel processor, thanks to its large cache capacity and GTX1070 graphics card, easily copes with any task. RAM is 32 GB, which is enough for system performance in any use scenario. This power is enough for games and full-fledged work with 3D programs. A hard drive with a capacity of 1512 GB is enough to store any personal information.
For comfortable work with content, the laptop is equipped with a 17.3-inch monitor with 4K resolution, which produces incredibly clear images. In reviews, users praise the model for its silent operation, good and surround sound, and ease of upgrade.
⇡#Interesting and best
Manufacturers of gaming laptops have forgotten how to surprise us. I can’t remember a single model this year that made my hair stand on end and that everyone was talking about. Back in 2021, either a laptop, or a tablet, or an all-in-one ASUS ROG Mothership (GZ700) was presented, but it went on sale in Russia only last fall. So it doesn't count. I can’t even call a model like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 a curiosity—a gaming laptop with two full-fledged displays.
Firstly, this is not the first model equipped with two matrices at once. In 2021, we already tested the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581GV, and the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is, so to speak, the ideological successor. Secondly, a review of the HP OMEN X 2S was published on our website - this model was presented earlier, and it received a 6-inch screen, also located above the keyboard.
It is obvious that manufacturers of gaming laptops are looking for ways to increase the functionality of such devices. Whether such engineering and design know-how will become commonplace - only time will tell. In the meantime, you will have to pay a lot extra for an additional display in a laptop.
To be honest, among all the laptops tested by 3DNews, I liked the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401IV model the most. The laptop has a 14-inch WQHD matrix, weighs only 1.6 kg, but at the same time it is based on an 8-core Ryzen 4000 and graphics up to GeForce RTX 2060. And with these components, the laptop does not overheat and does not make noise. The laptop has a good screen, excellent sound and a solid keyboard. The connectors in the Zephyr are also fine. Finally, the ROG Zephyrus G14 has a very long battery life.
The best gaming laptops under 100 thousand rubles
Relatively inexpensive entry-level or mid-level models are ideal for gamers who are not chasing maximum graphics settings or various technological delights and do not want to spend exorbitant amounts.
Acer Predator Helios 300
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Modern video cards are capable of delivering good graphics performance to entry-level or mid-level gaming laptops. The Helios 300 from the Predator line from Acer also has a similar GPU.
The maximum configuration of the device is equipped with the latest RTX video cards from Nvidia, but the price of this assembly puts it in the more expensive class of laptops.
More affordable versions have a GTX 1660 Ti on board, which is also capable of providing good performance in games, and a 9th generation Intel processor.
The notebook's remarkable build quality is more in line with top-end models. Those who like to customize their computer will be pleased with the RGB backlighting of the keyboard. For convenient system monitoring and overclocking, the machine received proprietary software from Acer - PredatorSense.
The only serious drawback of this model is the short operating time without recharging: a little more than 3 hours in video viewing mode. This is clearly not enough for comfortable work, much less playing outside.
Pros:
- Excellent price/performance ratio.
- 144 Hz display with fast response time.
- High build quality.
- The necessary ports are available.
- Convenient software for system monitoring and overclocking.
Minuses:
- Short battery life.
An excellent laptop with performance comparable to more expensive devices. At the same time, there is no saving on the quality of assembly or components.
Dell G3 15
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
One of the best budget models from the American company Dell is equipped with an Intel processor and the latest generation of video cards from Nvidia, up to the GTX 1660 Ti in the most expensive assembly. This performance is enough to run most popular games.
A significant advantage of the G3 is its powerful sound, which allows you to immerse yourself in gaming reality. To save data, the user is provided with an SSD drive with a capacity of up to 512 GB and a standard hard drive, which may not be available in some versions.
The laptop has small dimensions and one of the thinnest bodies among entry-level gaming devices. All this, as well as a long battery life, make it possible to comfortably use it while traveling.
Pros:
- Good performance.
- Stylish design.
- Long battery life.
- Decent sound.
Minuses:
- Dim display.
The main problem with this model is the dim screen. However, this drawback is more than offset by high gaming performance and long battery life.
Asus TUF Gaming FX705
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
84%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
A wonderful mid-range model from Asus, with decent performance for its class.
In the maximum version, it is equipped with a GeForce GTX 1060 video card, a powerful 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and a hybrid hard drive that speeds up the system. These aren't the latest components, but they still handle most games well.
In addition to a striking gaming design, the model boasts an excellent thin-frame 17-inch display with a high refresh rate, as well as a comfortable keyboard with customizable backlighting and a durable case.
It was created specifically to reliably protect the laptop from unwanted influences, and has passed the necessary testing.
The operating time of TUF Gaming is about 5 hours - a relatively good indicator for a model of this level.
Pros:
- Excellent performance.
- Bright and clear 144Hz display.
- Comfortable keyboard.
- "Gamer" design.
- Durable housing.
Minuses:
- Weak speakers.
By far, this is the best 17-inch budget laptop. An ideal choice for those who need good gaming performance and a large screen for a reasonable price.
Lenovo Legion Y530
4.6
★★★★★
editorial assessment
80%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
Another good model with decent performance, despite not very fresh components.
The most expensive configuration has an Intel Core i7-8750H processor and a GTX 1060 video card with 6 GB of video memory. This is enough to run even new games at low settings, or more pleasant graphics for slightly older games.
In some versions of the model, the device processor supports Optane technology, which speeds up the hard drive.
The elegant slim body frames the thin-frame IPS display. The laptop has a sufficient number of ports and connectors: in addition to standard USB 3.1, there is a USB-C interface. The keyboard is great for typing, but may not appeal to some gamers.
One of the disadvantages of the laptop is the very poor location of the webcam, which is located under the display. This makes it very difficult to work with it, although for game lovers this point may not be too important.
Pros:
- Good performance.
- Thin bezel display.
- Elegant design.
- A good set of ports and connectors.
- Excellent value for money and quality.
Minuses:
- Dim display.
- Poor webcam placement.
A fairly powerful gaming laptop with a thin body and a wonderful stylish design will appeal to connoisseurs of a more austere appearance of computers.
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⇡#It will be more fun in 2021
It's been a lean year, hasn't it? However, as they say, you can’t erase words from a song. In 2021, perhaps only AMD performed well - but in fairness, we note that this praise applies only to some central processors. Yes, laptops with Radeon RX 5500 and Radeon RX 5600 graphics can be found on sale, but they pale in comparison to laptops with “green” GPUs. However, NVIDIA and Intel performed even more boringly last year.
But everything will change, and this year will be very interesting if we are talking about gaming laptops. Thus, Intel will roll out powerful mobile versions of Rocket Lake, and AMD will present laptop versions of Zen 3. The competition between these chipmakers will reach a new level, I’m sure. NVIDIA will not lag behind its comrades by presenting mobile versions of Ampere video cards. Laptops will become better, faster, more interesting and (hopefully) more affordable.
Happy New Year!
HP PAVILION 15
Price: from 44,000 rubles
The laptop went on sale relatively recently and quickly became popular due to its affordable price and powerful hardware. It uses a 6-core processor with a frequency of 2.2 GHz. In their reviews, users note good performance. To store information, there are as many as 2 drives with a capacity of 1128 GB. This is not a record figure, but for most users it is enough.
The laptop is equipped with a 4 GB discrete graphics card, which, combined with 8 GB of RAM, provides excellent gaming performance.
