The refresh rate of your laptop or how often the display can redraw its contents determines how fluid your multimedia experience will be. The higher you go – from 60Hz to 144Hz and beyond – the snappier and smoother things will appear. It gets best experienced with fast-moving gaming titles like Fortnite and Valorant, where the scene changes rapidly.
The refresh rate and frame rate go together, which means you need a solid graphics card to make the most of an increment. Now, many manufacturers have made blistering figures of 240Hz and 360Hz possible. The difference in gaming at a competitive level is phenomenal. Not only do things look gorgeous, but the improvement can allow you to win over your opponents. It is because gaming outcomes closely tie in with a difference in reaction times.
Does a 144Hz laptop make sense for you?
The answer is a resounding yes if you like AAA titles or are an esports gamer who plays competitively. Fluid, tear-free gameplay is a prerequisite to getting ahead in battle. The uptick will directly translate into snappier content without delays, tears, etc., even when moving. While some gamers go for 165Hz or beyond, most experts agree that 144Hz is an agreeable optimum.
Faster doesn’t necessarily mean better; a higher refresh rate will not be worthwhile for everyone. Are you a gamer who focuses less on transitions and more on visuals? Your money may get better spent on a higher resolution monitor like 4K. Are you not big on multimedia-based content professionally or for entertainment? The investment may not be worth your dollar.
Also, be warned that a higher refresh rate can reduce the battery life. Your system will be working harder to redraw the screen, and your unplugged usage will go down.
5 Best 144Hz Laptop 2023
We are a long way from when 60Hz was the standard across laptops. A refresh rate of 144Hz has become much more common, with 165Hz, 240Hz, and 300Hz wowing their audiences on the side. Many users like to stop at 240Hz. The difference beyond that can be too minuscule for the human eye to discern.
Prepare to be scintillated if this will be the first time you experience the fluidity of a 144Hz machine. Our picks combine the best of other salient lookouts: graphics and overall performance, screen resolution, and response time.
A higher refresh rate is almost always a better choice during laptop shopping. It lets you enjoy smoother gaming, precise content editing, and stutter-free user experiences. Although 165Hz has become the new standard for the mid-tier gaming laptop category, you can still find 144Hz devices and obtain affordability advantages.
For instance, the Acer Nitro 5 costs only $799.99 but is an all-around satisfying purchase for multimedia hobbyists. An Intel Core i5 and RTX 3050 run this versatile device, with 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It can help you stay attuned to virtual worlds while on the run, thanks to Killer Wi-Fi 6, a backlit keyboard, and clear DTS:X Ultra audio.
MSI has developed and maintained a reputation as a trustworthy gaming laptop brand. The 17.3” MSI Titan GT77 is a behemoth with a 4K UHD screen, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a lovely mechanical keyboard. This laptop holds an Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB RAM, a 2TB SSD, and RTX 4080 graphics in its processing chamber. A pricey buy at $4,299.00, it caters to pro gamers with simple upgradeability and effective heat dissipation.
Lately, MSI is also working on adapting to the needs of young budget-watching gamers with offerings like the Katana 15. This $1,599.00 computer gets powered by an Intel Core i7, RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It has a bright FHD display and Nahimic audio to let you make the most of the 144Hz refresh rate.
Classic choices like HP are also available for gamers who like 144Hz laptop. For approximately $1,299.99, you can get the Victus by HP 16t. It is a dependable machine with classic specs: an Intel Core i5, RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, and 512 GB of storage. It boasts efficient thermal management and a quick-charging battery.
ASUS has a few high-performing options in this space, such as the ASUS TUF Gaming A15. It costs around $1,199.00 and succeeds at offering a lot for its price. The performance gets driven by an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and RTX 4050 graphics. ASUS uses a MUX Switch to give you a performance boost. The vibrant display (100% sRGB color and an immersive screen-to-body ratio) complements Dolby Atmos sound to create engaging gaming sessions.
FAQs
Why should you get a 144Hz laptop?
Many users upgrade to a 144Hz machine from 60Hz. The difference in responsiveness is tremendous. Games are far more enjoyable, and multimedia content editing is snappier. While 144Hz laptops used to be the standard among gaming laptops for a long time, they have now gotten replaced by 165Hz machines. The difference is not as noticeable as the jump from 60 to 144Hz. However, a higher refresh rate is a good option for an optimized viewing experience. You only need to ensure the laptop is competent enough to supply enough frames per second to enjoy the higher refresh rate.
Should you get a 144Hz or a 165Hz laptop for gaming?
The latter has become popular in mid-budget gaming laptops – a position that 144Hz has occupied for a long time. The difference between the two is not very noticeable unless you are a professional gamer or highly detail-oriented. It is way less prominent compared to the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz. Even so, the slight edge can be helpful in competitive gaming. We like both options for efficient and very enjoyable gaming on a budget.
It doesn’t make sense to pay an outrageous amount for a 240Hz, 300Hz, or 360Hz laptop unless you like to play games in the Battlefield series or other titles that are fiercely competitive. Not many people can discern the fine details as the refresh rates rise.
Do 144Hz laptops require adaptive sync?
Adaptive sync is a technology used to smooth the motion on your screen and limit tearing. This technology matches or syncs the frame rate of the laptop with the refresh rate (of the screen). FreeSync and G-Sync are both similar but owned by AMD and NVIDIA. Getting a 144Hz laptop with G-Sync support compatibility is a great way to enjoy a better gaming or multimedia experience. You can look for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) while searching for a gaming laptop.
Can you run games at a higher frame rate on a 144Hz laptop?
Yes – as long as the CPU and the graphics card are powerful enough to support gaming at a higher frame rate (FPS). One way to do this is to connect the laptop to an external display with a higher refresh rate, say, 240Hz. The rule of thumb is that while your computer may be able to play games at a higher FPS than the refresh rate of the display, you won’t see the difference unless your screen can output the equivalent number of frames.
Conclusion
Faster refresh rates continue to win hearts, especially when it comes to professional gamers. Companies like ASUS, Razer, Acer, and others that produce several lines of gaming laptops closely eye developments in this area to bring the best to their audiences.
While buying a high refresh rate laptop or monitor, remember that the associated response time should also be fast (less than 3ms is ideal). You can also explore frame rate smoothing technologies like the NVIDIA G-SYNC. Adaptive sync changes the refresh rate to match the frame rate delivered by your GPU, thus avoiding vexing delays.
It can be tempting to splurge on a 300Hz monitor, but here is the truth: many esports players also do just fine with 144Hz. Just pair it with a competitive GPU and frame smoothing technology. And then, you can always turn down the details to get ahead of the curve.
