Giant laptops are dominating the future of gaming

High-performance gaming laptops used to be heavy and clunky, with thousands of dollars worth of high-end gear packed into a portable package. But over the years, laptop makers have toned down display bezels, millimeter by millimeter, to give us gaming laptops with bigger screens in slimmer bodies. Ratio Panels 16:10 have become the norm, replacing the 16:9 ratio. Although the screens would be larger, going from 15.6 inches to 16 inches, the body would still be quite large.

Now the same is true of 17.3-inch gaming laptops. A CES 2023, a new batch of 18-inch gaming laptops from Alienware, Acer, Asus and Razer have been announced. And while Lenovo, HP, and MSI didn’t introduce any 18-inch models, I’m sure it won’t be for long.

However, 17.3-inch widescreens are not yet extinct. Acer announced updated Nitro gaming laptop models with Intel and AMD processors, while Asus also updated its Strix Scar 17 and Strix G17 models for 2023. But with Acer, Asus, and others snapping up new 16- and 18-inch gaming laptops, it seems the days are numbered for 17.3-inch models. (and also for 15.6-inch ones). Here’s the first crop of 18-inchers to be unveiled for CES 2023.

also read: The best gaming laptops at CES, from performance beasts to budget gems

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18

In recent years, laptop manufacturers have shrunk the bezels, also known as bezels, around laptop screens. That, along with ever-smaller internal components and ever-better cooling systems, has allowed them to fit bigger screens in smaller bodies. That means you can now get a 16-inch laptop in a body size that once housed a 15-inch screen. And now you’ll be able to get an 18-inch screen in a body that’s about the same size as a previous 17.3-inch laptop. For the ROG Strix Scar 18 (it also comes in a 16-inch model), that extra size gave Asus more room for higher-performance components.

Read more about the ROG Strix Scar 18.

Acer Predator Helios 18

The Predator Helios 18 will feature the latest 13th Generation Intel Core Processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics, improved cooling, and beautiful large displays, plus plenty of lighting. Along with the new processors and GPUs, they will support up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and up to 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe solid state drives in RAID 0. The Helios 18 will come with three 2560 x 1600 pixel displays. options with a 165Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, or a Mini LED panel with a 250Hz refresh rate, 100% P3 color gamut, and 1000+ nits peak brightness. There will also be a basic screen of 1920 x 1200 pixels at 165 Hz.

Read more about the Acer Predator Helios 18.

razor blade 18

Razer is touting the Blade 18 as the ultimate desktop replacement, and it just might be. It will undoubtedly be one of the thinnest and most powerful 18-inch laptops available, with up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card. It will have a 1440p or better display at 240Hz with 100% P3 color gamut coverage.

More information about Razer Blade 18.

alienware m18

The m18 is a stunning 18-inch laptop, loaded with your choice of Intel or AMD processors and Nvidia or Radeon graphics. To keep the components cool, Alienware used seven heat pipes and four fans, while maintaining the same body thickness as last year’s m17. The m18 has a full-size keyboard and numpad with optional Cherry MX mechanical keys, plus two user-replaceable DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and up to 9TB of potential storage. Alienware will offer it with a 165Hz resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels or a 480Hz resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels.

Learn more about the Alienware m18.