7 Top laptops for Ryzen 7 in 2023 (January edition) ($880-$2290)

Ryzen 7 logo

When AMD launched the first generation of Ryzen processors, they took the tech world by storm. The new hardware went toe to toe with Intel and often outperformed while also coming at a fraction of the cost. However, the one market that AMD struggled to capitalize on was the laptop market. It took a long while before laptop OEMs decided to take a chance with AMD, and in some cases, it definitely paid off.

Let's do a quick rundown of the 10 best Ryzen laptops and see if there's anything you should consider.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

10 Most Powerful Laptops Featuring Core i7 in 2023 (January Edition) ($580-$6240)

Core i7

Intel's Raptor Lake processors for desktop PCs were recently released. They are expected to appear in laptops in the first and second quarters of 2023. Right now, the best Intel Core i7 processors are all from the Alder Lake series (12th generation). However, given Raptor Lake's reliance on higher power delivery and its (to say the least) high thermal management demands, I wouldn't expect it to deliver the significant performance boost seen in their desktop CPUs.

So, what should we look for when buying the best Core i7 laptop?

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

6 Best 13-inch laptops to start off 2023 ($270-$840)

13 inch background

You've already decided on buying a 13-inch laptop, and now you're simply trying to narrow down to the few best options before pulling the trigger. But with all of the different options on the market, it can take time to decide which one is right for you.

This is where I come in. In this article, I'll guide you through all the key requirements of what makes a laptop great, why buying a 13-inch laptop isn't as straightforward as purchasing a more standard 15-inch notebook, and finally – what are my requirements and recommendations for each component. Then, I'll list the best 13-inch laptops you can buy right now, just before 2022 comes to a close.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

11 Best Asus laptops for 2021-2022 (December update) ($610-$7500)

Asus

Asus is one of the few companies that manages to cover the entire laptop market. Whether you're looking for a low-cost Chromebook, a slim business ultrabook (ZenBook), a gaming machine (Asus ROG), or a high-end notebook for creative work (ProArt), Asus has it all. With so many options, it can be difficult to determine which Asus laptop is best for you.

That's why I prepared this list of the best Asus laptops available right now – right before the Black Friday!

Let's begin with the most important criteria for choosing the best Asus laptop. If you're already aware, feel free to skip down to my list of the best Asus laptops.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

6 Ultimate Acer laptops for December 2023 (Price range: $390-$2930)

Acer wallpaper

With this comprehensive laptop guide, I'll pay tribute to the first laptop I've owned – Acer. I bought an Acer laptop 10 years ago for the same reason many are still buying them now – Acer offers some of the best hardware for the money, especially if you're on a budget. While it is not a high-end brand, you can be confident that you are getting a good deal most of the time. Nonetheless, only some Acer laptops are worthy of our attention.

That's where I come in.

Before the year 2022 comes to a close, I've compiled a list of the best Acer laptops available right now to save you time (and money)!

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

10 Top Dell laptops for 2022 (Final December update) ($700-$6000)

background for Dell

I've used a lot of Dells over the years, and I've seen them far too often in the office – it's a popular brand among software engineers because Dell XPS models offer solid Linux support.

By now, you probably know that I like getting my information from Amazon because it's an excellent site for crowdsourced reviews by (mostly) real users. However, I've been looking through the top laptops for Dell at Amazon, and I don't really see anything like 'the best Dell laptop'. There are lists, sure – but no in-depth reviews or objective analysis. So I'm going to take a stab at this myself by sharing my personal views on the laptops out there, along with a few solid recommendations.

We'll begin with a brief overview of what makes a good Dell laptop. Next, we'll break down what makes each candidate unique. Finally, if you don't want the whole shebang, I've already prepared top Dell laptop picks based on specific needs at varying price points.

Ready?

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

11 Best laptop deals for Netflix binging in 2022 (December edition) ($580-$4410)

Watching Netflix

We all know what it's like to want to veg out and watch some Netflix. It's the perfect way to relax after a long day or week. But what's not so relaxing is when your laptop starts lagging halfway through your favorite show. Or when the battery dies right as the cliffhanger starts.

That's why I've put together this guide to the best laptops for watching Netflix. No more buffering, no more dying batteries, and no more lag. Just you and your laptop, streaming your favorite shows in peace.

So whether you're looking for the best of the best or the best on a budget, scroll down for the 10 best laptops for watching Netflix.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

Expert picks for Best Laptops for Internet Surfing for Winter 2022

Internet surfing background

It's been 6 years since my last guide for internet surfing laptops. In that time, we've seen a new crop of computer chips, new features and form factors.

What hasn't changed is the fact that there are still many people who use their laptops for little more than internet surfing. Some people use their laptops for school or work and only need it for light internet usage. Others just enjoy the portability of a laptop for browsing the web at their leisure. Whatever your reasons for needing an internet surfing laptop, I'm here to help you find the best one for your needs.

In this guide, I'll be covering the 10 best laptops for internet surfing in late 2022. I'll be taking into account a variety of factors, such as price, performance, battery life, and more. So whether you're on a budget or looking for the best of the best, I've got you covered.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0

Best Laptops for playing Age of Empires 4 (AoE 4)

Over half a year has passed since the release date of Age of Empires IV – the game that no one really expected but everyone wanted. So for this beautiful occasion, I’ve prepared an in-depth guide on the best laptops for playing AoE 4 in all its glory.

The Lootbox game model has taken over the gaming industry, and the strategy game genre has been sidelined. For the past 10 years, no newcomers have made a dent in a seemingly shrinking market dominated by the old-timers – Starcraft and Age of Empires. Luckily, the genre is returning to relevance with AoE 2 experiencing a renaissance of sorts. The AoE 4 release is calling all RTS fans to come back and try something new yet familiar.

If you’re looking for the best gaming laptop for Age of Empires 4, let me share with you my research – best sellers, latest releases, reviews, benchmarks, and more. By the end of this article, you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which laptop to buy.

Age of Empires 4 system requirements

I like to begin with the desktop computer requirements. Then, carefully I’ll covert them to laptop requirements, filtering out the laptops that satisfy those requirements and finally hunting down the best laptop deals at the time. So, let’s begin with minimum system requirements for playing Age of Empires 4.

Optional Minimum system requirements for AoE 4

What computer will play Age of Empires? Simply, any computer that satisfies these system requirements for AoE 4:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6300U or AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
  • Graphics: Intel HD 520 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 (integrated graphics)
  • Memory: 8 GB
  • Storage: 50 GB of free space

If you know PC parts, you’ll know that Age of Empires 4 system requirements are not hard to meet. If you’re buying a new desktop PC, any new processor will suffice. Even basic modern integrated graphics will be enough to play AoE 4 on a desktop PC. Of course, I’m talking about minimal requirements, so don’t expect a smooth 60 FPS+ gameplay with integrated graphics.

Optional Recommended system requirements for AoE 4

What are the recommended system requirements for Age of Empires 4? Well, if you’re looking for the best computer for Age of Empires 4, you’ll need at the very least to meet these requirements:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-9400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 570
  • Memory: 16 GB
  • Storage: 50 GB of free SSD space

Optional What laptop do I need for Age of Empires?

Now it’s time to look at my unofficial system requirements for Age of Empires 4 laptops. If I’d match the benchmarks with their desktop counterparts, I’ll get these minimum laptop requirements for AeE 4:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-10210U or AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
  • Graphics: Intel HD 520 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 (integrated graphics)
  • Memory: 8 GB
  • Storage: 50 GB of free SSD space

So, can you play Age of Empires 4 on any laptop? No, you can’t play Age of Empires 4 on any laptop, but anything above an entry-level laptop (~$700) should exceed the minimum system requirements.

But if you’re looking to buy a laptop for playing Age of Empires 4, I doubt you’ll be satisfied with ~30-40 FPS that you’d reach just by matching these requirements. So, what about recommended system requirements?

Optional Recommended laptop system requirements for Age of Empires 4

By doing the exact spec matching (and prioritizing single-core performance due to how RTS engines work), we get the following optimal laptop system requirements for AoE 4:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7 or AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6600M
  • Memory: 16 GB

Now, you know the system requirements for Age of Empires 4 for desktop PCs and laptops. If you’re looking for the best laptop to play Age of Empires 4 – stay with me as I’ll break down the requirements in detail and provide my top 10 list of best laptops for Age of Empires IV.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 1

10 Best laptop deals for New World in 2021 (Fall update) ($750-$6000)

New World Updated: October 15, 2021. As with every MMORPG, the New World requires a powerful laptop to run at optimal settings. Moreover, you can expect plenty of visuals on screen (all the NPCs, players, and various effects). Also, everyone dreads the heavy lag in crowded areas (towns and cities) in any MMORPG. To find the best laptops for New World that could handle all of that, I’ve crunched all available public benchmarks (hot off the press!), and I’ve come up with some sweet options.

New World uses Amazon Lumberyard, a brand-new game engine based on more time-tested CryEngine 3. Crytek has been known for its focus on visuals. A trace of that can be seen in New World. Unfortunately, that’s why New World is not an easy game to run!

First, I’ll begin with the minimum and recommended requirements for desktop PCs and then for laptops. With that, we’ll move on to every component if you’d want to know how I selected the best laptops for New World or how you’d judge a brand new gaming laptop. Finally, I’ll give you what you’ve come here – a list of the best laptops for the New World.

TL;DR
  • New World is very demanding, especially considering it’s an MMORPG
  • all visual effects and plenty of NPCs and players require plenty of CPU and GPU power

Optional Minimum system requirements for New World

The first thing to look at are the minimum system requirements for New World:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 / AMD CPU with 4 cores @ 3Ghz
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB / AMD Radeon R9 280 or better
  • Disk: 7200 RPM HDD
  • Storage: 50 GB available space

Optional Recommended system requirements for New World

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 390X or better
  • Disk: SSD
  • Storage: 50 GB available space

Optional Minimum requirements for New World for laptop

The first thing to look at are the minimum system requirements for New World:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-5300U / AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 / AMD Radeon RX 540X or better
  • Disk: 7200 RPM HDD
  • Storage: 50 GB available space

Optional Recommended requirements for New World for laptop

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-10310U / AMD Ryzen 7 3700U
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti Mobile / AMD Radeon RX 580 (Laptop)
  • Disk: SSD
  • Storage: 50 GB available space

As you might have noticed, I had to bump up the laptop requirements just a bit beyond their desktop equivalents. That’s because we can’t afford the luxury of running our CPUs and GPUs at 100% as you could on a desktop. Sooner or later, that would lead to performance throttling, resulting in dropped frames, stuttering, and all that gaming horror. No one wants that. That’s why I’d rather have a ~10% headroom on a laptop than recommend something that will choke on a serious load.

Also, I didn’t present the requirements for the best laptop for New World. For those, I’ll need to get into more detail. So without further delay, let’s get straight to it.

Continue reading →

Posted on by Zyg 0