The Best Gaming Laptops for 2022 | Biden News

What to Look for in a Laptop Range in 2022

The allure of having a legitimate gaming platform in the palm of your hand is becoming increasingly attractive to consumers. After all, portable gaming PCs combine the portability of a Nintendo Switch with the impressive performance of a high-end gaming laptop. They feature various designs, specifications and price tags.

Now that the market has been flooded with products, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. Here are some things to consider.

First, you need to figure out a budget. Handheld gaming PCs range in price from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000—and if you don’t establish a spending limit ahead of time, it can be easy to let it run wild while you see what’s available in higher price brackets.

If you’re a PC gamer looking for something reliable with enough juice to run some of today’s hottest games, expect to spend at least $600. Of course, the higher you raise your budget, the more power you’ll get.

Portability is another big factor to consider. While everything in the “gaming laptop” category is technically a portable device, some of them teeter on the edge of “portable.”

While many portable computers are remarkably slim and easy to store in a backpack or suitcase, some are slightly larger than the popular Nintendo Switch.

Remember that portability often comes at the expense of power. It’s not easy to cram an entire gaming PC into such a small space, and the products that usually carry a high price tag.

Before buying, you also want to determine which games the laptop can play. This means what its specs allow it to play and what the operating system allows it to play.

It’s one thing to have the power to play a certain game, but another if your device supports it. Some mobile devices limit you to games listed in specific storefronts. As a result, running other games requires multiple workarounds (or they are simply unplayable).

If you have some favorite games that you are looking to play on your mobile computer, be sure to spend a few minutes researching whether or not they are accessible on your eventual device. There’s no point picking something if you can’t play your personal favorites.

While there are many excellent gaming laptops on the market, some stand head-and-shoulders above the competition. Here are five of the best gaming laptops available right now.

Best Portable Gaming PC Overall: Steam Deck

Steam Deck is, without a doubt, the most popular portable gaming computer available today. It earned that title thanks to impressive specs, a sleek design and a shockingly low price tag compared to the competition. You can also purchase a docking station to connect your Steam Deck to your TV.

It’s hard to understate how well priced this laptop is. Starting at just $400 for the 64GB model and maxing out at $649 for the 512GB model, you’re getting a device that can deliver. Elden Ring, Monster Hunter Rise, The Quarry, and more successful games at playable frame rates. You’ll also benefit from a customized operating system that makes it easy to navigate your library and find games.

That OS is also a bit of a disadvantage, as you’ll be limited to playing games found on Steam. It’s possible to run third-party titles, but you’ll need to do some legwork and have some reasonable technical skills.

However, the game library includes most of the best games on the market, and with a price tag this attractive, the Steam Deck stands out among expensive alternatives.

Best Budget Handheld Gamma PC: Ayn Odin

The Ayn Odin is a quirky device that starts at just $279. It’s also a great option for retro gaming enthusiasts who want to experience the glory days of gaming without loading up a laptop or loosing their smartphone.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your preference), the Ayn Odin runs natively on Android. That means you won’t have access to hit PC games right out of the box. Instead, you will have access to various emulators and mobile games. The device can be reformatted to run PC games, or you can stream games using Moonlight or Steam Link.

If you don’t mind Android, Ayn Odin has a lot going for it. Standing at hundreds less than the other options on this list and complete with an eye-catching design, it’s definitely worth considering if you find yourself playing older titles that don’t require high-end hardware.

Best Handheld Gaming PC Running Windows 11: ONEXPLAYER Mini

Although the ONEXPLAYER Mini is a remarkably powerful handheld that can easily run most games, you’ll pay a higher price for that privilege. Costing well over $1,200, ONE-NETBOOK spared no expense in creating this premium portable computer.

The ONEXPLAYER Mini is a great option for gaming on the go. Available with various specifications (Ryzen, Intel), this laptop can play blockbuster games like Grand Theft Auto V and other demanding games without breaking a sweat. And even though its footprint is slim, it still has a vivid 7-inch screen with 1920×1200 resolution.

A big selling point of ONEXPLAYER Mini is Windows, which comes pre-installed as the default OS. This gives you the versatility to play games across multiple stores, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and more.

Not everything is compatible with the device (I had problems playing Warframe and Lost Ark), but there is still a massive library of games to choose from.

Best Portable Gaming PC for Portability: Aya Neo AIR

At just 18mm thick, the Aya Neo AIR is about as slim as gaming laptops. To put that in perspective, the AIR is lighter than the Nintendo Switch OLED model (398 grams compared to 420 grams).

The Aya Neo AIR is also available in a variety of colors (Polar Black, Aurora White, Sakura Pink), making this streamlined product even more amazing. Unfortunately, that streamlined profile comes at the price of reduced power. The Ryzen 5 5560U isn’t as powerful as most of the competition—but anyone in the market for a portable device will have trouble finding anything smaller than the AIR.

Throw in some convenient controls, multiple storage options, and an impressive OLED screen, and it’s easy to see why the Aya Neo AIR is winning over so many fans. As long as you don’t mind the lack of power, this truly portable computer has a lot to like.

Best Handheld Gaming PC with Keyboard: GPD Win 3

The GPD Win 4 should become widely available in the coming months, but for now, its predecessor, the GPD Win 3, is your best bet for a portable gaming PC with a built-in keyboard.

Unlike most laptops that require you to connect an external keyboard, the GPD Win 3 puts one at your fingertips. Like the sleek smartphones of the past, the GPD Win 3 has a screen that can slide out of the way to reveal a keyboard underneath. It might be small for some users, but it’s better than finding space to support an external keyboard.

Rounding out the GPD Win 3 feature list is a 5.5-inch display, 1280×720 resolution, Iris Xe GPU, and 16GB of RAM. Although a bit pricey at $1,500, it’s one of the most unique gaming laptops you can buy in 2022.