This year’s CES event packed plenty of surprises, one being the announcement of 18″ laptops. The 17.3″ model has pretty much ruled the roost for a while now, but it looks like that’s about to change. Some top manufacturers like ASUS, Acer, Dell, and Razer have announced giant laptops for hardcore gamers aspiring to have a phenomenal experience.
So, are these computers just another fad, or will this trend last? Should you take a leap of faith and purchase one of these beauties? Let’s discuss the ins and outs of large-screen gaming.
Top 18-inch Laptops 2023 for a Large-Screen Experience
First: these computers don’t come cheap. Expect them to cost over $3,000 unless you have loyalty points or discount coupons (lucky you!).
One of the first brands to hop onto the bandwagon is ASUS – with its flagship ROG lineup. The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 ($4,699.00) has a stunning QHD display with a refresh rate of 240Hz. The performance is excellent, thanks to an Intel Core i9 processor, RTX 4090, and 32GB of RAM. A MUX Switch gives an additional boost of around 10%. The A/V experience benefits massively from the 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and Pantone validation. You can also consider the ASUS ROG Strix G18 to save a few dollars. It has RTX 4080 graphics – a tiny step-down still jaw-dropping for modern gaming.
You cannot overlook the Acer family when exploring 18″ laptops. The Predator Helios is a spectacular machine with an impressive Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and RTX 4080 graphics. Users can choose blazing-fast refresh rates: 165Hz, 240Hz, or even 250Hz. These specs help you enjoy large-screen gaming at its immersive best. Acer leaves no stone unturned in delivering a top-of-the-rung experience for gamers. For example, you benefit from DLSS 3, which facilitates AI-generated frames and hyper-efficient cooling.
An especially stellar pick is the Razer Blade 18, priced at $3,199. The company has a reputation for excelling at high-performance laptops. This one boasts RTX 4070 graphics, an Intel Core i9, 32GB of RAM, and a refresh rate of 240Hz. It also offers 100% DCI-P3 color and THX Spatial Audio. One of the handiest features is the easily upgradable memory: up to 64GB of RAM.
A surprisingly cheap option in the market is the Alienware m18, at $1,999. It cuts a few corners – an Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM, for instance – but is still a premium machine. (Guess what, you can actually expand up to 9TB of storage!) The QHD+ display has a high refresh rate of 165Hz, streamlined by NVIDIA G-SYNC. The keyboard is another highlight, with its lighting zones, large touchpad, and 15-million keystroke lifecycle.
FAQs
What kind of specifications do 18″ laptops offer?
You can expect the best specs when you get an 18″ laptop in 2023. Most Acer, Dell, and Razer devices boast premium processors and GPUs (Intel Core i9 or AMD equivalent, RTX 4090 graphics). The displays are worth a gasp: miniLED, QHD+, 250Hz, 3ms, and 100% DCI-P3 color. Users can also enjoy excellent brightness and rendition of light, perfect for realistic gameplay. Besides this, laptop makers bundle distortion-free sound, Wi-Fi 6E, and gaming-friendly keyboards.
Are there laptops over 18″?
Well, not at present. In 2022, the largest-screen laptop was 17.3 inches. Right now, the 18-inch model is the most expansive you can get. We can say one thing – more 18″ laptops will likely get announced this year.
Why have 18″ laptops come into the market?
We will hazard a guess: the advent of RTX 4090 has something to do with it. A laptop offering so much power can undoubtedly benefit from a thicker chassis. This new GPU by NVIDIA ups the ante on ray tracing and artificial intelligence, making many modern AAA games thrilling like never before. But it also takes up space – a lot of it. Some reports even indicated that new motherboards have gotten produced to rise to the occasion. Besides this, the love for gaming on a super-size screen is ubiquitous.
Who should buy an 18″ laptop?
Upfront, these machines seem destined for gaming. All the options you can find are multimedia-focused and suitable for gameplay. You can also consider them for content creation, design projects, etc. The larger display is better for a more detailed look into creative assignments. Plus, the specs are spectacular, ensuring that performance lovers make a beeline for them. You will be able to run demanding applications faster, simultaneously.
Some caution: most 18″ machines are large and bulky, weighing over 6lbs. The extra heft in the chassis is essential to accommodate high-end processing and cooling. You will feel the difference in portability if you have only used a 14″ or 15″ computer in the past. We recommend purchasing them for stationary, desk-based use. Portability seekers should stick to smaller screens.
The all-new 18″ laptops are sensational, if expensive. While time will tell how their reception turns out to be, they have the potential to usher in a new era of deep-dive gaming for the obsessed.
