Gaming

The unequal duel. Nvidia offers two different versions of its latest high-end GPU GeForce GTX 860M. Besides a version based on the Maxwell architecture, there is also a GPU from the old Kepler generation. We compared the performance of the two DirectX 11 chips and found a winner.

All-rounder. Nvidia’s Tegra Note 7 is a well-equipped 7-inch tablet for just 209 Euros (~$287). SoC is an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor with a clock of 1.8 GHz, which is supported by a GeForce GPU as well a 1 GB RAM. Furthermore, you get 16 GB storage, a powerful battery and Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Is that sufficient for a top-ten position?

Appearances are deceiving. You could think that the M504 is just an usual office notebook when you look at the case. But you couldn't be more wrong: Underneath the IPS display are many powerful components. Main attraction is Nvidia's price-performance miracle GeForce GTX 850M.

Austerity package. Samsung introduces its new and affordable ATIV Book 8 featuring the latest Haswell CPU and an Nvidia graphics card. Instead of a glossy touchscreen, Samsung now relies on a matte and bright display. Are those the only differences? We took a closer look.

Potent rivals. The next round in the fight between the two graphic cards manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD, has begun. After the GeForce GTX 880M showed its capabilities, we now look at the also very powerful GTX 870M in this article. Can the high-end model excel the Radeon R9 M290X?

Race for the summit. Although Nvidia's new premium model is still based on the Kepler architecture, no other laptop GPU currently comes close to the GeForce GTX 880M. The "green giant" demands a corresponding price for the high-end chip. After Alienware, MSI, and Asus, Schenker Technologies is one of the first companies to offer the luxury model. Clear the stage for the XMG P704...

Old chassis, new technologies. Buyers looking for a speedy gaming laptop that does not excessively burden their wallet might find something at Schenker Technologies. The base configuration of the XMG A504 with a GeForce GTX 860M "only" costs 949 Euros (~$1305). We sent a somewhat lusher version through our benchmark tests to answer pressing performance questions.

Small and powerful. Small and/or thin gaming notebooks have become increasingly popular amongst notebook users. Besides the Alienware 14, Razer Blade 14, MSI GE40 and Gigabyte P34G, the Schenker XMG P304 targets the same customers. A strong argument for the 13-inch device is Nvidia's brand-new GeForce GTX 860M.

A little fun on the side. Violent multiplayer battles with parkour interludes and mechs armed to the teeth? That is how the former Call of Duty developers envision the future of the action genre. We took a closer look at the graphics demands; so read on to find out which graphics card you will need.

Repeater. With the Radeon R9 M290X, AMD competes with old technology. Learn in our review whether the deluxe model can keep up with high-end products from Nvidia. Is AMD still competitive or have they already been pushed aside?

Stagnation. While Nvidia at least manages a small performance leap with its GeForce GTX 880M, AMD is going around in circles with its Radeon R9 M290X. However, this does not stop many laptop companies from selling the "new" GPU. The Guru Earth V sports two AMD chips that operate in Crossfire mode. Is the existence of this GPU array justified?

Inexpensive all-around laptop. With the Pavilion 15-n213eg, HP offers a gaming capable 15.6-inch notebook. The buyer will not only get powerful hardware, but also a big storage capacity and 8 GB of RAM for 600 Euros (~$832). Our review will reveal whether the notebook can deliver in practice what it promises in theory.

Treading quietly. The underrepresented stealth-adventure genre gets a fresh wind with the new Thief game. This article will not cover whether the series-reboot attains to the quality of its predecessor. Instead, we will investigate how much performance the title demands of a variety of hardware components. Will owners of weaker notebooks be able to enjoy this game?

All-round laptop. The Pavilion wants to be a gaming capable all-round notebook for the small budget. The 17.3-incher with Core i5 processor and Radeon GPU costs about 650 Euros (~$892). Our review reveals whether you will get a decent device for this price.

Grab bag. A thin 17-inch chassis with a dual GPU solution: This is how the Taiwanese manufacturer imagines the perfect gaming notebook. We have a closer look at the exciting concept. Does the unusual hardware combination reveal any drawbacks?

Make new from old - it is possible with external graphics cards. Once a laptop gets old, you can upgrade RAM and sometimes even the CPU, but it is only rarely possible to replace the graphics card.

Now featuring Haswell. HP's ProBook 470 is an office laptop for both the private and professional field. Its price range of approx. 700 Euros (~$959) and the installed hardware also make the device interesting for users who want to replace their desktop PC at home with a 17.3-inch laptop. Our test report reveals whether the laptop is convincing.

Serious. After Microsoft more or less abandoned the flight simulator market following the release of their Flight Simulator X, Laminar Research has the only viable and constantly updated alternative with their X-Plane Flight Simulator. Our review will focus on the hardware requirements and show which notebooks and desktops handle the simulator smoothly.

Superb display. Acer's Aspire E1-772G is an inexpensive 17.3-inch multi-purpose notebook which ships without a Windows OS and sells for just under 600 Euros (~$800). It comes with a matte Full HD display, a Haswell Core i5 processor, plenty of storage, and is suitable for gaming as well. At least on paper, the notebook looks like a compelling package. How the E1-772G fares during everyday operation is the subject of our review.

Brilliant white. Toshiba clads the Satellite C75-A-13A in innocent white. Technically, it does not at all look bad with a Haswell Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive. The laptop is available for approximately 700 Euros (~$951). Our test report shows whether it is worth its price.

Powered by AMD. The top version of the Inspiron 17R is equipped with the rare Radeon HD 8870M. How well does the DirectX 11 chip harmonize with a ULV processor and is the performance high-end or average? Our review gives the answers.

Quiet and strong. Lenovo furnishes a 17.3 inch casing with a Haswell Core i5 processor and a GeForce GPU, and sells the bundle for just under 700 Euros. The installed components suggest a powerful, all-round laptop. Our test report reveals whether this is really true.

Premium gaming device. The Asus N56JR is no cheap machine. Shipping with an Haswell Core i7 CPU, a GeForce GTX 760M, a Full HD display, metal surfaces, a backlit keyboard and an external subwoofer this is one premium package at a premium price point of around 1100 Euros ($1504). Our review will reveal whether the laptop keeps its promises in real life, competing with the best of the best.

Well-designed AMD all-rounder. Acer demands approximately 500 Euros (~$683) for its slim Aspire V5-255G all-rounder. The list of equipment sounds promising: Quad-core processor, AMD dual-graphics, matte screen, aluminum components, backlit keyboard. Our test report reveals whether the Aspire convinces in everyday use.

Little powerhouse. MSI takes a lot of risk with their GE40. Lightning-fast high-end hardware from Intel and Nvidia come in a compact and comfortably lightweight 14-inch case. How does that combination affect the notebook's temperatures and noise level? Read on to find out.

Showing true colors. Gaming laptops not only stand out through enormous power; they also want to win over the hearts of gamers with a daring design. Gigabyte also follows this path with its P25W, and creates a gaming machine with a bright yellow surface along with a metallic wrist rest. Does courage plus power add up to perfection?

A step forward? Gigabyte belongs more to the unknown mobile end device suppliers in some countries. Too bad actually, considering that the Taiwanese manufacturer has a few very exciting laptops in its product line. For example, the U24T is seen as a compact multimedia all-rounder.

Average. The Vaio comes with all components that a versatile laptop should have in form of a Core i7 processor, GeForce GPU, Blu-ray burner, and a 1 TB hard drive. Our test report reveals whether Sony has placed a recommendable 15.5-inch all-rounder in its product line.

Power boost. Lenovo has enhanced the graphics performance of its successful IdeaPad Y510p. The device is now available with either a GeForce GT 750M (SLI) or a GeForce GT 755M (SLI). We grabbed the brand new dual-GPU version and compared its performance with genuine high-end models.

A wolf in sheep's clothing. Gaming notebooks do not necessarily have to be big, bulky and heavy. Razer shows that you can also put a lot of performance into a thin case.

New ground. HP is the first manufacturer to equip its media-focused flagship with Leap Motion capability and a touchscreen, but is this worth the extra cost of 60 Euros (~$82)? Additionally, the internals of the laptop have been refreshed, including a Full HD touchscreen, an Nvidia GT 750M GPU and an i7-4702MQ CPU.

Thwarted gamer. An affordable notebook (699 Euros; ~$950) for computer gamers is what MSI offers with the GP60-i740M245FD. A Core i7 processor and a GeForce GPU, topped off with a matte Full HD display, create a lot of power under the bonnet. Our test review reveals if the computer is convincing in the field.

Slim all-rounder. It's a slim 15.6-inch all-rounder including a touchscreen that Hewlett Packard has with its Pavilion TouchSmart 15. A Core i7 and GeForce core provide enough computing power. Owing to the ULV CPU, the laptop should also offer long battery runtimes. Our test report reveals whether the laptop sticks out from the crowd.

Second fiddle. Brace yourselves, PC gamers. Need for Speed: Rivals has a serious shortcoming: It doesn't play perfectly on any PC, not even the most powerful ones. Read about the 30 fps cap and the game's (mobile) hardware requirements here.