For years, laptop makers have toned down display bezels, millimeter by millimeter, to give us gaming laptops with bigger screens in slimmer bodies They went from 16:9 widescreens to bigger screens 16:10 format panels, also. Until now, for gaming laptops, that meant a 15.6-inch model would be updated to a 16-inch screen, but the actual body size remains roughly the same.
Now the same is happening with 17.3-inch gaming laptops. To CES 2023, a new batch of 18-inch gaming laptops has been announced from Alienware, Acer, Asus, and Razer. And while Lenovo, HP, and MSI haven’t unveiled any 18-inch models, I’m sure that won’t be the case for long.
The 17.3-inch widescreens are not yet extinct, however. Acer announced an update Nitro Gaming Laptop Models with Intel and AMD CPUs, while Asus has also refreshed its Strix Scar 17 and Strix G17 models for 2023. But with Acer, Asus and others loading up on new 16- and 18-inch gaming laptops, it looks like the days are numbered for 17.3-inch models (and 15.6-inch ones as well). Here’s the first 18-inch crop that showed up for CES 2023.
Read also: Best gaming laptops at CES, from performance beasts to budget gems
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18
Josh Goldman/CNET
Over the past few years, laptop manufacturers have reduced the bezels, i.e. bezels, around laptop screens. That, along with the internals getting smaller and the cooling systems getting better, has allowed them to use larger screens in smaller bodies. That means you can now get a 16-inch laptop in a 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 an older 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 more capable components.
Learn more about ROG Strix Scar 18.
Acer Predator Helios 18
Acer
The Predator Helios 18 will feature the latest 13th generation Intel Core processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics, improved cooling, and nice big screens, plus lots of lights. Along with the new processors and GPUs, they will support up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs in RAID 0. The Helios 18 will come with three display options 2560 x 1600 pixels. with 165Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, or Mini LED panel with 250Hz refresh rate, 100% P3 color gamut, and peak brightness over 1000 nits. There will also be an entry-level 1920 x 1200 pixel display at 165Hz.
Learn more about the Acer Predator Helios 18.
Razer Blade 18
Razer
Razer is touting the Blade 18 as the ultimate desktop replacement, and maybe it is. It’s sure to 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. It’ll have a 1440p-plus 240Hz display. with 100% P3 color gamut coverage.
Learn more about the Razer Blade 18.
alienware m18
The m18 is an impressive 18-inch laptop, which you can load up 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 features a full-size keyboard and numpad with optional Cherry MX mechanical keys, as well as two user-replaceable DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and up to 9TB of potential storage. Alienware will offer it in either a 165Hz 2560×1600 pixel resolution or a 480Hz 1920×1200 pixel resolution.
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