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The GTX 1080 has made a name for itself in the market for being a powerful laptop graphics card. It is specially designed for high-end gaming laptops so that the user can get the most out of the gaming experience.
Alongside good frame rates and powerful specifications, it offers a sidekick: durability. It doesn’t wear down easily and can last you for longer than a regular laptop.
So if you have the budget and share a passion for top-notch specifications, go through our recommendations, and make your gaming experience worthwhile.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Gtx 1080 Laptops
- OUR TOP PICK: ASUS ROG G703 Core i9
- RUNNER-UP: MSI GT63 TITAN-046
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: HP Omen X
Comparison of the Best GTX 1080 Laptops
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When is it Time to Replace My Laptop?
No matter how good a laptop is, it is based on technology. And in today’s world, technology changes every day. So keeping that in mind, laptops should be replaced every four years as this is the average time they take to stop working as they used to.
There is nothing wrong with deciding to keep your old laptop as long as it does not pose serious concerns with performance. However, to take notice of when it is time to replace yours, be mindful of the things mentioned below;
Outdated Software
Users are likely to experience this at one point or the other. Some machines just stop being updated as their hardware cannot support new system requirements that are needed to keep things running. This means users may run into issues with simple software programs such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop.
Blue Screen of Death
This usually signals to something wrong that may be going on inside the laptop and causes it to crash and burn eventually, after which it may never perform the same.
Constant Overheating
If you don’t use additional cooling fans, your laptop is prone to heat up when you use it extensively. Over time, the laptop’s own cooling fans don’t work as effectively as they did originally, which is why it may lead to crashing. Another reason may be dust collection inside, which may cause damage to internal components.
What Makes a GTX 1080 Laptop Great?
GTX 1080 laptops have unique features that make them stand out and perform a lot better than regular ones. If you want to distinguish a GTX 1080 laptop, you will find the features mentioned below popping right out;
No Touch Screen Feature
Not only is a touch screen feature expensive, but it is also quite useless when it comes to gaming and only ends up draining the battery. This is why GTX 1080 laptops usually don’t offer this feature, and on the whole, it is better to let go of the touch feature no matter how tempting it may seem.
Powerful Engines
Laptops measuring 17 or 18 inches are considered to be the most powerful when it comes to gaming, but this is because of the systems integrated within the body, which make it bulkier. Therefore, these are not easy to carry but give you the best gaming experience if you are not much of a traveler.
Ergonomic Keyboard
All GTX 1080 laptops have one thing in common: a spectacular keyboard. These are made to be super ergonomic as they need to be used for an extensive period of time, and so they must be comfortable.
Review of the Best GTX 1080 Laptops
If you are looking for laptops that come with a GTX 1080 graphics card and have high-end gaming specifications, we have reviewed some of the best ones below that will provide just the gaming experience that you are hoping for.
Runner-up:
MSI GT63 TITAN-046
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Pro gamers consider the MSI GT63 TITAN to be a great gaming laptop because of its Intel Core i7-8750H processor, which comes with 16GB of DDR4 memory. Users also get a hefty amount of space with its 256GB NVME SSD and a 1TB secondary hard drive.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Although anyone is sold on a 120 Hz refresh rate for a display screen of 15.6 inches, MSI goes on to include the G-Sync technology for unmatchable performance. It has a good processor, which saves users from running into issues such as lagging. This is something that gamers especially should look out for as lagging can cause your whole game to come crashing down.
It has a TN panel, which is considered to be a step behind the IPS panels that address the issue of color distortion when the screen is viewed from a different angle but considering its price point, it is still a great pick.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, if you want to go for a hassle-free, mid-range option, this one is your best bet. It has a great display and does not miss out on any of the specifications that a high-end gaming laptop has.
Best for the Money:
HP Omen X
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
HP has gone all out with Omen X by offering the top-notch features at a good price point, which is the selling point for most of its current users. They also love their smooth display and performance speed, which is a lot more than what competitors' laptops offer at the same price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Apart from good value for the price, the Omen X comes with a sleek 17.3-inch 1080P IPS display. For those who cannot compromise on the image quality, this one is a beast. It also comes with incredible specifications, such as the Intel Core i7 combined with 16GB of DDR4 memory and 256GB SSD. The 1TB secondary hard drive is like icing on the cake.
It also features a 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync technology to offer a huge display for an amazing, real-time gaming experience. This is a great plus point if you are a competitive gamer because, with this laptop, you don’t have to compromise on performance.
Bottom Line
If you have saved up enough bucks and crave aesthetics just as much as performance, the Omen X will satisfy you at the very best. With a great processor, a high refresh rate, and a large SSD, what more could you need?
Best MSI GTX 1080 Laptop:
MSI GT63 TITAN-052
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For a GTX 1080 laptop, the MSI GT63 comes with a lot more. Users reported that it helped improve the overall performance. These include an Intel Core i7-8750H processor combined with 16GB of DDR4 memory. Many have found the 256GB NVME SSD with the spacious 1TB secondary hard drive to be quite helpful for gaming.
Why it Stands Out to Us
MSI does not have enormous laptops, but they can still pack all the goodies in its 15.6-inch 1080P screen. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and G-Sync technology, but this is only for starters. Its display is on par with all the high-end gaming laptops, and its IPS panel only makes things better.
Its keyboard is quite ergonomic and features RGB lighting. The CPU and GPU performance is also off the charts, and that combined with dynamic speakers ensures that you get the best out of this laptop. It also maintains a remarkably cool temperature when used extensively for prolonged periods, which ensures durability.
Bottom Line
Overall, this spectacular innovation by MSI features a great display and CPU performance, making it one of the most powerful gaming laptops. Not to mention, if you are looking to buy a laptop that will serve you for a considerably long time, this is a good bet.
Best ASUS GTX 1080 Laptop:
ASUS ROG Zephyrus GX501
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The top-rated feature of this ASUS laptop apart from its GTX 1080 GPU is the quality of hardware that comes with a super-slim design. This is not something easy to achieve and is probably the reason why this model has such a huge user base.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Setting apart from the usual laptops with its 512GB SSD capacity, this laptop comes in a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate. To top it off, it also has the G-Sync technology. Users get all this under five pounds, which is a pretty sweet deal. This makes it the most lightweight option that is on the list.
The best thing about it is the cooling feature, which is guaranteed to prolong the battery life and will save you from all the nightmares that overheating can cause.
Bottom Line
Simply put, this laptop provides two essential features: weightlessness and cooling system, both of which are equally essential for a gaming laptop. So if you are looking for durability, this can be a great investment to make.
Best Dual GTX 1080 Laptop:
MSI Titan Extreme SLI
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For most gamers who are concerned with affordability, this is their top choice. It is also preferred for its speedy performance and the 18-inch screen with two Pascal GPUs that makes it a state-of-the-art machine. Users have also reported it to have an efficient cooling system that is capable of handling demanding software.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A number of things make this unit stand out. Firstly, it has good-quality graphics and hardware specifications. It has a metal body from the top and a plastic body from the bottom, which gives it a sturdy built. The base is extremely stable, so you don’t have to worry about getting your laptop dented by misuse as it can take more than you can imagine.
Its hinges are also far from delicate, but the vibrations may cause minor bouncing off the screen during heavy software running. However, this is almost unnoticeable. Unlike other laptops that have to be handled super cautiously, you can use one hand to lift its screen. The positioning of the keyboard has also been done quite strategically for the best user experience.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, if you are someone who connects their laptop to multiple ports, this might be the one for you. It also promises durability as it is designed specifically for hardcore gamers who like to indulge in competitive gaming and don’t have room for compromises on performance.
Cheapest GTX 1080 Laptop:
Acer Predator Triton
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Predator by Acer is the most sought-out laptop for gaming. Users not only like its price point, but they are also in awe of its Intel Core i7, which they get along with 32GB of DDR4 memory and a 512GB NVME SSD.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Offering a unique display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and 1080P IPS panel combined with G-Sync, Predator is true to its name. It employs all the latest technology apart from the newest processor to give the best experience a gamer can get on a 15.6-inch screen.
It does not shy away from a good build; it has a polished aluminum body, which is great for maintaining temperatures, and it has been designed to regulate air during high performance. Its selling points are price and aesthetics, which is what most people are concerned with.
Bottom Line
In short, if you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a laptop just for the sake of high-end specifications, but you still crave a good performance laptop, this is your best bet. Predator Triton 700 comes with the best graphics at an affordable price.
Comparison Overview
It can often be difficult to see what an upgrade has to offer unless you compare it with previous versions. To help you see how GTX 1080 is better, we have compared it with a desktop variant and with its previous version below;
Laptop 1080 vs Desktop 1080
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 for laptops is the portable version of the desktop GeForce GTX 1080. It has the same GP104 chip, and the performance is a bit better than Desktop 1080. Other technical specifications are almost identical.
Nvidia has the Max-Q version of GTX 1080 for lightweight laptops, but it comes with lower TDP and performance rates. The Laptop 1080 is ten percent slower than the Desktop 1080 and is only suitable for larger laptops that can handle high performance and have built-in cooling technology.
Gtx 1070 vs 1080 Laptop
Speaking of the specifications, the GTX 1070 and 1080 Laptop both embody 8GB of VRAM and are compatible with Nvidia's G-Sync, Battery Boost, Optimus, and Ansel technologies. However, there are some differences; the GTX 1070 (2,048 and 1,442 MHz) has lesser CUDA cores and clock speed as compared to the 1080 Laptop (2,560 and 1,556 MHz).
Performance-wise, the 1080 Laptop has more powerful components, but both have 2.9-GHz Intel Core i7-7820HK processor, which places them at the same level of GPU spectrum. This means they fall in the same price range, and that is not the affordable one.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
High-performance laptops are very different from normal laptops and call for higher inspection levels when one is being considered for purchase. They have a multitude of components, which is why they don’t come cheap. This is exactly why users should know what they are in for and what to expect from a good GTX 1080 laptop;
Portability
This is a tricky feature because a powerful laptop is quite heavy and, therefore, less portable. For example, a 17 or 18-inch laptop is only good for those who intend to use it usually in one place and not move it around too much. They also require constant charging, needing a power source nearby. This means you can’t expect to use this kind of a laptop at a café.
Graphics Card
A good graphics card allows for the smoother transmission of data, which, in turn, results in better image quality on the laptop screen. GTX 1080 laptops already have a good graphics card, which allows for a high-end gaming experience.
Display
Look for good resolution as it will impact your overall user experience. To get smooth frame rates, go for a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080.
This will make the images turn out crisp. You may also get to choose between matte and glossy screens, but this is more of a personal preference thing.
Perks of Getting a New GTX 1080 Laptop
Investing in a top-of-the-line model such as the Asus ROG can reap numerous benefits at a good price point. Some unique advantages that a user can expect to get out of it include;
Good-Quality Audio
For activities such as gaming, Asus ROG has features such as bass boost and voice clarification software, which are top-notch.
Ergonomic Keyboard
The design of the keyboard accounts for half of the user experience. Manufacturers pay special attention to keyboards to make sure the users don’t experience anything unpleasant when using it for extended periods.
GTX 1080 laptops also come with backlighting, which is great if you are a nighttime laptop user.
Good Storage
Most GTX 1080 laptops can cater up to a 1TB hard drive so you can save all the important things on the SSD as a backup, and the hard drive will be responsible for managing the usual software.
Conclusion
Gaming laptops have been around for the longest time, and they have helped improve specifications for normal laptops. Even if you are not a gamer and wish to purchase a GTX 1080 laptop for using programs like Adobe Photoshop or AutoCAD, you would want powerful software combined with a sturdy body. Just ensure that you are getting the laptop of your choice at a reasonable price point as often high-end specs are found in mid-range GTX 1080 laptops too.
