18-inch gaming laptops take a bold step into the gaming world, pushing the boundaries of immersive gaming without sacrificing portability. Until recently, 15- or 16-inch gaming laptops dominated the market, striking a delicate balance between screen size and portability. However, recent design innovations have opened the door to thinner, visually larger laptops.
The rough plastic edges that previously surrounded screens have been removed, allowing larger screens to fit into more compact cases. This means that it is now common to find 16-inch laptops in cases that were originally designed for 15-inch laptops. The result? Larger screens improve the experience without compromising mobility. Now, in 2023, it’s clear that we’ve entered a golden era for large-screen 18-inch gaming laptops.
What your gaming laptop screen should have
According to Acer experts, while screen size is an important aspect of your gaming setup, other factors such as personal preference, gaming speed and even your gaming location can also influence the ideal choice.
Resolution: Resolution determines the pixel density on the screen. More pixels result in richer, clearer images, improving overall visual quality and gaming experience. For optimal gaming, ensure a resolution of 2560 x 1600.
Screen Distance: Keep your gaming habits in mind. If you tend to game on the go, opt for a screen size that fits comfortably on your lap and doesn’t disturb the person next to you.
Type of Games: 18-inch screens are often easier to handle than their larger counterparts for games that require quick reactions.
Screen Aspect Ratios: There has been a change in screen aspect ratios over the last decade. Around 2010 they were switched from 16:10 to 16:9 to save money, although they were no longer as user-friendly. Now larger machines are returning to the 16:10 ratio and offering a better gaming experience.
Pixels and Mini-LEDs: The emergence of Mini-LED technology is another advantage in terms of limiting larger displays. Offers brighter displays with better contrast compared to standard LED displays. Mini LEDs are smaller and allow precise control of pixel brightness, resulting in darker dark scenes and brighter light scenes. The result? A more realistic game show.
Refresh rate: The number of times the screen refreshes the image per second is crucial to being competitive in eSports. 144Hz or higher can make all the difference compared to the competition as the gaming experience is smoother and you can react more quickly to the actions on the screen.
Response time: Do not confuse it with refresh rate. Response time indicates how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another. A lower response time (e.g. 1ms) is ideal for avoiding ghosting and blurring in fast-paced games.
Adaptive Sync: Have you heard of G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD)? These technologies help prevent screen tearing and provide an even smoother experience. You need to check if your computer has a compatible graphics card.
Other factors to consider in a gaming laptop
While the screen is a crucial part of the gaming experience, your laptop’s performance largely depends on its internal specifications. Gaming laptops, such as the 18-inch versions, have significantly more technology than their predecessors.
Power and performance: Bigger laptops don’t just have better screens. They also feature robust hardware that accelerates performance, supports stunning graphics, and provides excellent cooling. What couldn’t be loved?
Storage: In the digital age, sufficient storage space is non-negotiable. With many high-tech games and apps, it’s not always practical to rely solely on cloud storage. Solid State Drives (SSD) are gamers’ best friends. They are fast, light, durable and energy saving.
RAM: Larger laptops often have more RAM. This ensures a smoother experience when multitasking between games and other tasks.
Keyboards: If you are a gamer, you know how important a responsive keyboard is. The larger size of an 18-inch laptop allows for a well-spaced keyboard that allows for quick and precise in-game maneuvers.
Battery: Remember that the largest battery you can carry on most aircraft is 100 kW/h. If you want to game on the go, consider a laptop that balances battery life and performance. Thanks to advances in battery technology, 18-inch gaming laptops offer over 5 hours of battery life.
