So Computex 2024 has wrapped up, and this year’s was a whirlwind of tech innovation. We saw everything from beast processors by Intel and AMD to Nvidia’s intriguing AI gaming companions. But in this whole cutting-edge tech, something was conspicuously missing: gaming laptops that are actually true gaming laptops.
I’m a tech enthusiast with a particular soft spot for gaming. I want some thrilling gaming rig announcements, hoping to see machines that give a top-tier performance, killer graphics, and a gaming experience that we serious gamers always need. However, this year, the spotlight is not on gaming laptops.
After this Computex, it did feel as if the gamer in me was being relegated to the sidelines a little. Yes, of course, there were some excellent examples of laptops on the show floor. For instance, there is the Asus ProArt P16 with a brand-new AMD Ryzen AI processor that is a treasure for creators. Or the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ that has also got a Ryzen AI CPU in it. It is great to see AMD up its game in the laptop arena, but none of those systems shout ‘gaming’ to me.
What’s quite clear though is that the focus this year has been shifted more towards AI than games and this has left gamers such as myself feeling somewhat neglected. Microsoft’s Copilot+ is a perfect example of how the industry is changing its focus and priorities. This feature needs an NPU that can perform 40 trillion operations per second, and as a result, hardware makers such as Intel and AMD are paying more attention to AI capabilities rather than just raw gaming muscle.
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A Long Time Coming
It’s been quite a while since the latest or fresh gaming laptops appeared on the market giving something unique and powerful. I’m talking about those beasts equipped with brand-new dedicated GPUs and high-performance chipsets, designed specifically to push frame rates to their limits. These machines are still around and worth the investment, but the excitement of new launches in this arena has dimmed.
There’s a reality behind this; big laptop manufacturers are holding back because, without major GPU upgrades, it’s very difficult to get success in new gaming laptop lines. And frankly, the GPU scene hasn’t been very promising lately.
The GPU Drought
The current state of GPUs for laptops is disheartening for a gamer. Nvidia launched its mobile RTX 40 series over a year ago, and these cards are still what you find in today’s laptops without any fresher alternatives. Similarly, AMD’s RX 7000 lineup cards haven’t got much expansion in the laptop market either. And Intel? Well, their discrete GPUs like the Arc Alchemist have hardly made a dent in the laptop industry.
Both Nvidia and AMD have made impressive strides in their desktop GPU lines with releases like the RTX 40 Super series and the RX 7900 GRE, but sadly, none of these advancements have trickled down to laptops. It seems like the manufacturers are more focused on feeding their desktop PC lines and AI innovations rather than wanting to put efforts toward the gaming laptop area.
So, What’s Next?
As Computex 2024 concludes, the reality sets in that we might not see any big gaming laptop upgrades anytime soon. We’re at the mercy of when Nvidia, AMD, and Intel decide to roll out new graphics cards that can also be adapted for portable machines, and based on current trends, that might take a while.
In the meantime, the current known AI PCs do offer a decent stopgap. These machines, although not built with gaming as the primary focus, still handle some pressure decently put by today’s demanding games. The latest introductions like Nvidia Project G-Assist caught my eye, it reflects that AI can improve gaming in ways we hadn’t anticipated.
Patience is a Thing for Now
Thus, the only thing we can do is wait. Major players are moving their attention to AI and other technologies. And while that is exciting in itself, it does mean that those of us who are particularly into gaming laptops might have to wait a little longer for the next big thing.
While there is a lot of emphasis placed on AI at the moment, I still hold out some hope. The gaming community is rather large and outspoken and our needs can’t be indefinitely brushed off. Thus, although Computex this year was not the gaming laptop expo I expected, I am looking forward to what the future may bring. Perhaps, next year we will witness the return of the limelight by gaming laptops. Until then, let’s enjoy what we have and be creative in keeping the gaming spirit high.