POWERFULL GAMING LAPTOPS THAT U SHOULD KNOW

at 17:19

Intel unveiled its first Core i9 chip for laptops earlier today, and updated Core i5 and i7 processors that include 6 cores of power instead of the usual quad-core processors. All of these new processors are primarily designed for gaming and high-performance laptops, so expect to see a number of new notebooks shipping with these new processors. While processors don’t matter as much to gaming (outside of VR) as a modern GPU, a number of OEMs are announcing new laptops today that pair Intel’s latest processor with Nvidia graphics cards.

Here’s everything from Acer, Asus, Gigabyte, and Samsung that use Intel’s latest processors.

ACER NITRO 5

Acer’s updated Nitro 5 includes a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, coupled with the latest 8th generation Core i7 and Core i7+ processors, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card, and Gigabit WiFi / Ethernet. The optional Core i7+ model also includes Intel’s Optane cache memory, which works as a bridge between RAM and storage to speed up things like game load times. Acer’s Nitro 5 will also include up to 32GB of RAM and 512GB of NVMe PCIe storage. Acer is equipping the Nitro 5 with a number of ports, including Type-C and HDMI 2.0. Acer’s Nitro 5 will be available in May priced from $749.

GIGABYTE AERO 15 / 15X

Gigabyte’s new AERO 15 includes a 1080p 15.6-inch display that supports 144Hz refresh rates and has a small 5mm bezel (apart from a giant chin at the bottom). The display also has a wide viewing angle with IPS, and an option to move to a 4K display (no 144Hz refresh rate) on the AERO 15X. The differences between both models are small, and you’re mostly choosing between graphics cards and displays. The regular AERO 15 ships with Nvidia’s GTX 1060, and the AERO 15X upgrades that to GTX 1070.

Both include Intel’s latest 8th generation Core i7 processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and support for two M.2 SSD slots. Gigabye is also using a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port, HDMI 2.0 port, and two regular USB ports on both models alongside an SD reader and ethernet port. Gigabyte hasn’t released pricing or exact availability for the AERO 15 or 15X yet.

SAMSUNG NOTEBOOK ODYSSEY Z

Samsung’s latest 15.6-inch gaming laptop includes Intel’s latest 8th generation Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of NVMe PCIe storage. The display doesn’t support anything fancy like 144Hz refresh rates or 4K resolution, and it’s just a regular 15.6-inch 1080p display coupled with Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060 Max-P graphics card. Samsung is shipping its Odyssey Z with a single USB-C port, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and support for HDMI displays. Samsung’s Notebook Odyssey Z will be available in the US in Q3, 2018, but the company has not yet released pricing information.

ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M (GM501)

Asus is known for a number of gaming laptops, and its latest ROG Zephyrus M includes Intel’s latest 8th generation Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of NVMe PCIe storage. The 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display also includes 144Hz response rates and support for Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. Asus is shipping three models, one without the G-Sync display and an Nvidia GTX 1060, and two with the high refresh rate display and either a GTX 1060 or GTX 1070. Asus is also equipping all three models with a single Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port, four USB ports, and a HDMI 2.0 port.

The cheapest model with a GTX 1060 and 120Hz display will be priced at $1,499, while the 144Hz display and GTX 1060 model will cost $1,899, and the GTX 1070 with 144Hz display is $2,199. All three models are available for preorder today, will delivery expected later this month.

ASUS ROG G703

Asus also announced an Intel Core i9 laptop today. The 17.3-inch G703 is powered by Intel’s new processor and Nvidia’s GTX 1080 graphics card. The giant 17.3-inch 1080p IPS display also includes support for 144Hz refresh rates and Nvidia’s G-Sync technology. Inside there’s support for up to 64GB of RAM, coupled with support for up to three M.2 drives in a raid configuration.

Asus has every port you could possibly imagine, too. There are three USB ports, a single Thunderport 3 USB-C, a mini DisplayPort, ethernet port, HDMI port, and even a card reader. The downside to all this power and connectivity is that the laptop weighs 10 pounds. Asus’ ROG G703 will be available later this month starting at $3,499.