That’s why we’ve put together some recommendations of what you should priotize here – this is a list of the best Dungeons and Dragons books for fans, by fans. You’ll get the most out of these suggestions regardless of whether you’re a newcomer inspired by the likes of Stranger Things or a longtime adventurer hoping to expand their collection, and they’ll allow you to dive into one of the best tabletop RPGs without getting lost.

Because the best Dungeons and Dragons books can be expensive, we’ve been sure to include the lowest prices as well. Our bargain-hunting software is always rooting out discounts, so keep your eyes peeled for price cuts as you browse the best D&D books. You’ll be able to see any current discounts by clicking on the button under each entry.

As for how we chose these recommendations, our team only includes products we’ve used extensively ourselves. We run and play D&D games in our spare time, and in our experience, these have been the most useful Dungeons and Dragons books to have on the shelf.

Best Dungeons and Dragons books

1. Player’s Handbook

The best Dungeons and Dragons book overall

Specifications

For: EveryoneFeatures: Core rules and character creation

Reasons to buy

+Everything beginners need+Extensive character creation options+A one-stop shop for all things D&D

Reasons to avoid

-Traits can be limiting

Of all the D&D books out there right now, this is arguably the most important. As a detailed guide on gameplay, rules, how to create a character, and more, it’s a one-stop-shop for everything you need in order to begin your tabletop adventure. That’s true no matter how experienced a player you are, too; along with entry-level advice, the Player’s Handbook is crammed with advanced mechanics for combat and spellcasting. In essence, this is the Dungeons and Dragons bible. It’s beyond useful for players of every stripe, and it’s always handy to have a copy close by.

Even though it doesn’t include every playable species or class in the game, the Player’s Handbook also has more than enough to give you countless hours of gameplay. With nine races to choose from (including the classic elves, dwarves, and halflings), numerous backgrounds you can use, and rules for almost every class, it’s the place to start when making an adventurer for your next campaign.

This is one the best Dungeons and Dragons books for Dungeon Masters as well. Besides featuring info on everything from gods of the multiverse to equipment stats, it provides a few ideas for what the party can do on the side. Do they have a job? Hobbies? The Player’s Handbook gives you plenty to chew on, and we can’t recommend it enough.

2. Dungeon Master’s Guide

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for DMs

Specifications

For: Creating adventuresFeatures: Campaign and world-building tools

Reasons to buy

+Inspiring tips+Extensive creation tools+Pages of advice on world-building

Reasons to avoid

-Left wanting more

If you’ve ever thought about creating adventures for your group, the Dungeon Master’s Guide is essential reading. Besides arming you with all the tools you need for overseeing a game, it covers everything from making an awesome quest to forging a world of your own. 

It’s not overwhelming, either. Regardless of what you want to do (be it crafting loot-filled ruins or getting tips on how to use miniatures in-game), the book’s advice is straightforward and easy to understand. Because there are so many helpful prompts, it’s practical as well.

The section on creating non-playable characters is particularly handy. It provides a wealth of traits, mannerisms, and quirks to choose from that can result in memorable individuals that are easier to roleplay. In addition, the fact that you can end up with countless permutations based on its suggestions is useful for time-strapped DMs.

3. Monsters of the Multiverse

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for new characters

Specifications

For: Players and DMsFeatures: 33 new playable races, 250+ monsters

Reasons to buy

+New races to play+Intriguing lore+Loads of unique monsters

Reasons to avoid

-We’ve seen a lot of it before

Tired of the same old character types? Monsters of the Multiverse should go straight onto your wishlist. It allows you to play something beyond traditional fantasy staples and offers 33 new races (ranging from fairies to owl-people) that can be used for your next hero. This makes it one of the best Dungeons and Dragons books by default; it lets your imagination run wild.

Crucially, all of the above will fit into any world. Although most started life elsewhere, they’ve been updated for this book with setting-neutral info. When combined with all-new lore and hand-written, pithy notes from existing characters, it’s a fascinating dive into D&D’s wilder side. 

In addition, it features a sprawling 282-page bestiary filled with unusual and powerful monsters. Whole chapters are dedicated to beasts we often see as cannon-fodder, and you’re given a broader, less black-and-white view that makes them more well-rounded than they have been in the past. This isn’t about pigeon-holing cultures into categories of ‘good’ or ‘evil’; it takes a more measured, thoughtful approach.

4. Monster Manual

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for DIY adventures

Specifications

For: Creating encountersFeatures: Rules for almost every monster

Reasons to buy

+Hundreds of entries+Fantastic artwork+Lots of backstory and lore

Reasons to avoid

-Almost TOO much choice

The Monster Manual is a must-have if you’re running your own game; it helps Dungeon Masters call upon a host of nasty creatures to use in battle. Featuring classic foes like goblins and more unusual entries such as the many-eyed beholder, it’s full of surprises with which to challenge your players. Basically? This is the ultimate collection of baddies. 

It’s one of the biggest Dungeons and Dragons books, too. There are over 350 pages to enjoy with lavish illustrations throughout, making it one of the most comprehensive fantasy bestiaries out there. Even if you don’t play D&D, it’s an inspiring read from start to finish thanks to the extensive worldbuilding inside.

However, it’s more than a curiosity for DMs. For them, it’s borderline-essential. With stats, abilities, and flavor text for hundreds of creatures, there’s something within the Monster Manual to suit every campaign you can think of. You’ll find useful context on where these enemies can be encountered too, not to mention why. That helps DMs weave monsters into the story naturally, making for a more immersive experience overall. 

5. Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for advanced players

Specifications

For: Advanced players and DMsFeatures: New subclasses, DM tools, and inclusive traits

Reasons to buy

+Inventive new subclasses+Playful, whimsical tone+Very accommodating

Reasons to avoid

-Origins section is too short

Few D&D books make bigger promises than Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. In fact, it sets out to fundamentally change the game. And you know what? It works. Although there are the usual spells and magical items you’d expect, this one adds the Artificer class (tech whizzes that let you play as a medieval Iron Man) to shake things up. New subclasses have been thrown in for good measure, too. These are almost universally excellent, ranging from psionic warriors that battle with the power of their mind to fungi-based Druid circles that feel as if they’ve been pulled from The Last of Us.  

What’s more, tweaked character traits are a revelation (even if they could do with more depth). Allowing players to escape rules that potentially force them toward one playstyle or another, it upends the table and lets you live your best fictional life. Want to be an academic orc who’d rather hit the books than smack someone with their axe? Now’s your chance.

In much the same vein, DMs are given more ideas, tools, and quest hooks than they’ll know what to do with. Tasha’s Cauldron winds up being the best D&D update in years as a result.

• Read more: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything review

6. Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for advanced DMs

Specifications

For: Advanced DMs and playersFeatures: New backgrounds, subclasses, and DM tools

Reasons to buy

+Excellent subclasses+Fun character backstories+Numerous DM tools

Reasons to avoid

-Some overpowered options

The title isn’t an exaggeration; this supplement provides players and Dungeon Masters alike with new rules for almost every part of the game. No matter whether you’re looking for fresh spells, unusual subclasses, or traps in which to catch unsuspecting adventurers, Xanathar’s Guide has you covered. 

However, we’d argue that DMs will get the most out of this Dungeons and Dragons book. There are dozens of encounter tables here to make exploration more exciting (and easier, for that matter) along with extensive rules on traps. Even downtime rivalries and pastimes are included, so the advice here should give your games additional spice.

Tying this esoteric knowledge together are asides from Xanathar (a beholder crime lord whose most prized possession is a goldfish), and these add flavor to proceedings. Wry notes are scattered throughout, leaving us with a memorable read.

7. Candlekeep Mysteries

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for oneshot games

Specifications

For: Short, one-off sessionsFeatures: 17 oneshot adventures

Reasons to buy

+One-off adventures+Fresh perspectives+Memorable storylines

Reasons to avoid

-Some adventures are better than others

Although prewritten adventures make up some of the best Dungeons and Dragons books, they’re a massive time commitment. Candlekeep Mysteries bucks that trend. Offering a series of one-off stories that can be plugged into any campaign, world, or setting, these quests can be completed in a single sitting. That makes them a great fit for groups that can’t meet regularly enough for weekly or monthly sessions.

More importantly, those adventures are great. Despite being united by some sort of mystery driving the plot (hence the name), there’s a tremendous amount of variety on offer. Traditional tales of derring-do, horror, satirical comedy, and more can be found within the pages of this D&D book, so there’s bound to be something to suit your party. 

There’s a refreshing variety of perspectives on offer throughout, too. Candlekeep Mysteries isn’t limited to classic European fantasy, either; adventurers will visit places inspired by mythologies and cultures from around the world. Because so many of the stories told there are sure to stay with you for a long time, it’s well worth a look.

8. Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

The best Dungeons and Dragons book for horror fans

Specifications

For: Horror fansFeatures: New horror settings and worldbuilding tools

Reasons to buy

+Over 30 horror settings to play in+Inspiring tips on worldbuilding+Intriguing quest ideas

Reasons to avoid

-Lacks fun in-character notes

This D&D book is unsettling, but that’s the point. A whistle-stop tour of horror tropes both old and new, it’s crammed with tips on how to inject the genre into your games. Based around the horror-tinged realms of Ravenloft (prison-worlds created to contain evil Dark Lords in their own personal hell), it provides a baked-in excuse to explore any kind of fear-inducing cliche you can think of.

Like Candlekeep Mysteries, it’s got creativity to spare as well. In spite of a brisk pace that rattles through over 30 realms in total, the worldbuilding of Van Richten’s Guide is second to none. You get a real sense of each domain even though they’re only given three to four pages each, and all of them contain numerous quest hooks to fuel your campaigns. Some of these are compelling enough to maintain full-length adventures in their own right, so there’s plenty of value for your money here.

The same can be said about the book’s suggestions for creating your own horror worlds and characters. Namely, it’s insightful while also being laser-focused on what makes the genre tick (if you enjoy creating your own homebrew settings, it’s hard not to come away inspired). Sure, the genre isn’t for everyone. But the tips in Van Richten’s Guide are. This is comfortably one of the best Dungeons and Dragons books as a result.

For some models to go with your Dungeons and Dragons books, check out the best WizKids miniatures. You can also get some advice on how to create your first character in D&D or the best D&D class for beginners via our guides.

The post Best Dungeons and Dragons books 2022 appeared first on Game News.

Earlier today on July 15, Blizzard published a brand new list of patch notes for Overwatch 2 over on the game’s official website (opens in new tab). This new patch seems to be aimed at Tank characters in particular, as Doomfist, Orisa, and Junker Queen have all seen changes to some degree.

For example, Junker Queen’s Commanding Shout ability has seen its radius reduced from 20 to 15 meters, and Orisa’s movement speed with the Javelin Spin ability has been increased from 40 to 50 percent. Elsewhere, Doomfist’s Rocket Punch ability now deals damage to all enemies knocked back by the ability, instead of only just the first target hit.

Additionally, Junker Queen’s Rampage ability has seen its radius reduced from six to five meters, and Orisa’s Fortify ability now disables critical damage. Finally, Doomfist’s Power Block ability has seen its speed penalty while blocking reduced from 50 to 35 percent, and the minimum damage mitigated to empower Rocket Punch has now been decreased from 100 to 90 damage.

Tanks might be the broad focus of this new patch for Overwatch 2’s Beta, but the patch has also hit Symmetra, Sojourn, and Zenyatta. The former has seen the Teleporter ability cooldown reduced from 16 to 12 seconds, while the latter has had his overall shield health reduced from 175 points to 150. Meanwhile, Sojourn’s Railgun fire rate has been reduced from 15 to 14 shots per second.

This is actually the second Overwatch 2 Beta patch this week, as a few days ago, Mercy’s Guardian Angel “super jump” ability was finally fixed with a new update. Elsewhere in the same patch, Moira actually got a full rework, seeing her Biotic Orb ability actually turned into separate abilities, each with different cooldown periods.

Check out our full Overwatch 2 beta impressions to see what we made so far of Blizzard’s upcoming sequel. 

The post Latest Overwatch patch targets tanks appeared first on Game News.

The best gaming laptops pack serious power while also going easy on your backpack, holding their temperatures well, and beaming everything up onto a gorgeous display. There are so many models vying for this title, however, that it can be difficult to work out not only which configurations are worth your time, but which gaming laptops are right for you. That’s where we come in. 

We’ve put a wide range of gaming laptops through their paces to find the best rigs in the business, testing performance relative to the specs on offer, efficiency in design and temperature, and overall value for money. We run each machine through a series of performance benchmarks, and live, play, and work with the models we review for an extended period of time – you can check out exactly how we test gaming laptops in our dedicated guide. You’ll find all our recommendations for the best gaming laptop on the market just below, and more information on choosing the right configuration for you and your budget as well. 

The world of gaming laptops (and gaming PCs in general) is changing rapidly, with Intel’s Alder Lake processors hitting some of the biggest models, and eyes on new GPU options as well. We’re keeping this page stocked with all the latest models to make sure you’re up to date with all the latest updates. 

The best gaming laptops available now

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1. Razer Blade 15 (2022)

The best gaming laptop overall

Specifications

CPU: i7-12800H | i9-12900HGPU: RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 TiRAM: 16GB | 32GB Storage: 1TB SSDDisplay: FHD at 360Hz | QHD at 240Hz | UHD at 144HzPorts: 3x USB-A Gen 2 | 1x USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 | 1x USB-C | 3.5mm audio jack | SD card slot | HDMI

Reasons to buy

+Cutting edge components+Excellent color and contrast+Luxury design with solid build quality

Reasons to avoid

-Proprietary charging connection

Our favorite configuration:

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Razer Blade 15 | RTX 3080 Ti | Intel i9-12900H at Razer (opens in new tab)
This is the best gaming laptop on the market right now, but you’re going to be spending a lot to get it. If you’ve got the budget to play with we’d really recommend going to the top of this spec and packing an RTX 3080 Ti GPU with an i9-12900H processor and helping it all shine with a 144Hz 4K display. Of course, there are cheaper models out there, but if we’re really talking about the best of the best, this is where you should start your benchmarks.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Fire Strike: 20,171
Time Spy: 9,690
PC Mark 10: 7,340

We got our hands on a beast of a Razer Blade 15, but it showed us just how powerful gaming laptops can be these days. The RTX 3080 Ti / i9-12900H configuration I had on my desk was a true monster in its performance. However, this rig’s ability to offer such performance while keeping the slimline chassis we’ve all come to know and love really cemented its top spot among the best gaming laptops on the market. 

Of course, this is no cheap machine. The 2022 Razer Blade 15 starts at $2,499.99 for an RTX 3060 configuration. You’re certainly paying for this luxury name here, but if you’re on the hunt for one of the most technically capable machines in one of the most portable form factors, the cash is well invested. 

That does mean this isn’t necessarily the best gaming laptop for everyone – those playing lighter games won’t need the horsepower on offer here, and if you’re just after a machine you can sign into every now and then you won’t get solid value by going all out. However, if you’re interested in a top of the range rig (and have the budget to throw at it), our testing speaks for itself. 

I managed to run Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 74fps in 4K with everything turned up to 11 here. While more demanding titles still struggled in that UHD resolution, though, I was still impressed with the 60+ fps in 1440p on Red Dead Redemption 2 as well as the 78fps in the same resolution on The Division 2. I only needed to drop some more taxing visual effects to hit higher framerates in 4K, and everything looked incredible while doing so.

You can’t beat the Razer Blade 15 for performance, component horsepower, and portability. After all, the only other machines offering RTX 3080 Ti graphics cards at the time of writing still can’t compete with that 4K 144Hz display for the price.

Read more: Razer Blade 15 review

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2. Dell G15

The best gaming laptop under $1,000

Specifications

CPU: Intel i5-12500H / i7-12700HGPU: up to Nvidia RTX 3070 TiRAM: up to 32GBStorage: up to 1TB SSDScreen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), up to 240HzPorts: 1x RJ45 Ethernet | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 / Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | 3.5mm

Reasons to buy

+Solid performance+Sensibly priced+More powerful configurations now available

Reasons to avoid

-Gets hot under duress-Chassis is a bit lacking

Our favorite configuration:

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Dell G15 | RTX 3050 | Intel i5-11260H at Dell (opens in new tab)
The Dell G15 works best when it’s super cheap, which is why this entry level RTX 3050 configuration is our favorite. Those on the hunt for a rig designed for lighter gaming and the odd Apex Legends session will find great value here, without needing to break the bank on gaming laptops over $800.

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The Dell G15 isn’t going to light the world of the best gaming laptops on fire, but it is at least a dependable choice of gaming companion. Performance in both gaming and general tasks is good considering the price point, and all the features we’ve come to expect from gaming laptops are present and accounted for – apart from that bank-busting price tag. You’ll often find these models on sale with RTX 3050 / RTX 3050 Ti graphics cards for well under $1,000 – sometimes as low as $699.99.

The appearance of this laptop could be a point of contention, though, as we found the chassis to feel a bit old-fashioned for 2022. A dark iridescent finish and thick central hinge feel like throwbacks to a forgotten age of tech design that should perhaps have stayed in the past.

The G15 also runs fairly hot when playing more graphically demanding titles, although not to a worrying extent; we’ve certainly reviewed laptops with noisier fans than this. As it stands, the G15 is a great all-rounder, ideal as a gift for a kid looking to break into PC gaming or the office employee consigned to remote working – and playing.

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3. Alienware M15 R7

The best gaming laptop for most

Specifications

CPU: i7-12700H | i9-12900HGPU: RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 Ti RAM: up to 64GBStorage: up to 4TB SSDDisplay: FHD at 165Hz / 360Hz | QHD at 240HzPorts: 3x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, and Power Delivery, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Killer E3100 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, 1x 3.5mm headset jack

Reasons to buy

+Incredible performance+Satisfying keyboard+Fast display+Some premium design features

Reasons to avoid

-Cheaper plastic body-Difficult to transport-Particularly loud fans

Our favorite configuration:

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Alienware M15 R7 | RTX 3060 | Intel i7-12700H at Dell (opens in new tab)
We tested the Alienware M15 R7 with an RTX 3070 Ti GPU at the helm, but considering that configuration comes in at over $2,000 right now, you’re getting solid value for money with this RTX 3060 build. You’re still getting that uber powerful 12th generation processor, and 16GB DDR5 RAM in here. We’ve opted to keep the 360Hz panel we tested in this build – it’s only $100 more for the luxury and it really was an impressive display, well worth the cash.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Fire Strike: 24,894
Time Spy: 10,722
PC Mark 10: 7,623

The Alienware M15 R7 is here to bring the now mid-range line of luxury laptops into 2022’s standards. With Intel’s new 12th generation processors and Nvidia’s Ti GPUs at the helm, there’s some serious power up for grabs here. While prices are looking a little higher than those of the predecessor (especially now that discounts abound on the outdated model), you’re getting enough new tech under the hood to warrant the splurge.

We were blown away by the performance of this machine. Our test unit featured an i7-12700H processor and an RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, and was easily sailing through our benchmarks and stress tests. This beast didn’t even flinch at heavier titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Metro Exodus – offering up 76fps in RDR2’s Ultra settings, and 72fps with all RTX set to max in Metro Exodus. Those are settings that would make the uber expensive RTX 3080 Ti Razer Blade 15 sweat.

However, it’s worth noting that this machine is built purely for power. It’s a stocky design, and a particularly heavy one at that – the charging brick alone nearly runs the full length of the keyboard. So no, this isn’t going to be a gaming laptop you’ll easily throw into a backpack – and those fans can certainly scream – but if you’re looking for an all-rounder that can level with machines far pricier than itself, these are easy sacrifices to make. 

Alienware is, after all, a luxury brand. With its M-series now falling to the middle of its range (thanks to the advent of the X-series last year), the Alienware M15 R7 is affordable by the brand’s standards. That means you’ll find far cheaper machines out there, but without that Alienware pedigree to speak of. Still, with performance to rival some of the best gaming laptops in the business, and only a few sacrifices to get there for a great price, this is an excellent option for most players. You could consider the X15 technically the best Alienware gaming laptop on paper alone, but when it comes down to price and the wider market, this is the winner. 

Read more: Alienware M15 R7 review

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4. Asus TUF Dash F15

The best gaming laptop for value hunters

Specifications

CPU: i5-11300H | i7-11370H | i7-11375HGPU: RTX 3050 | RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3060 | RTX 3070RAM: 16GB | 32GBStorage: 512GB | 1TBDisplay: FHD at 60Hz | 144Hz | 240HzPorts: 1x 3.5mm | 1x HDMI 2.0 | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x RJ45 LAN port | 1x USB-C / 1x Thunderbolt 4

Reasons to buy

+Great pricing+Slimline design +Solid performance

Reasons to avoid

-Soft membrane keys

Our favorite configuration

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Asus TUF Dash F15 | RTX 3070 | Intel i7-11370H at Amazon (opens in new tab)
The Asus TUF Dash F15 manages to pack some incredible graphics into a much smaller MSRP than you’d usually find because it sacrifices a little processing power. That i7-11370H processor will remain whichever configuration you choose, but it chugs along nicely and we never experienced any slowdown during everyday play on medium settings. Not only that, but this spec also sends you home with a 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM, and a 240Hz display to boot.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Fire Strike: 17,365
Fire Strike Extreme: 9,870
PCMark 10: 6,022

If you’re looking to grab an RTX 30-Series card but don’t want to break too far past $1,000 / £1,000, the Asus TUF Dash F15 is going to be your best bet. In our testing, we found this budget-friendly machine to charge through even some of the more demanding titles as if it sat in a much higher price bracket – despite the weaker 4-core i7-11370H processor at the helm. Plus, you’re still getting the super slimline form factor that has proven so popular over the last couple of years. 

The key here is that you can outfit it with the full 11th generation i7 / 1TB / 32GB RAM suite of turbo power – or you can pick up a more conservative spec for a little less cash. That means you won’t need to spend on high-end gear that you might not even get to use if you’re running less demanding titles.

We were particularly impressed by how well those more power-hungry components played together in a cheaper chassis. We didn’t notice any over-heating issues here, and while we did have to make some sacrifices to more demanding titles, we still managed to hit 60fps+ on an RTX 3070 with consistency. We also tested an RTX 3060 unit and found similar performance levels when dropping a few sliders down a fraction as well, which means you’re sorted at all ends of the budget here. 

As of CES 2022, there is a new Asus TUF Dash F15 on the way, featuring a larger touchpad, 12th generation Alder Lake processor, and a new cooling system. However, pricing and release date information is still unknown. 

Read more: Asus TUF Dash F15 review

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5. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

The best 14-inch gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: Ryzen 6900HSGraphics: Radeon RX 6700S / 6800SRAM: Up to 32GB DDR5Storage: 1TB NVMe SSDResolution: QHD+ 16:10 (2560 x 1600)Refresh rate: 120HzPorts: 2x USB-A 3.2 | 2x USB-C Gen 2 | 1x HDMI 2.0 | UHS-II micro SD

Reasons to buy

+Clean, compact design+Gorgeous 16:10 display+High quality speakers+Speedy processor

Reasons to avoid

-Poor thermals-Ray tracing heavily impacts performance

Our favorite configuration:

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Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | Radeon RX 6700S | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
There is a more expensive RX 6800S configuration on offer, but it’s not going to fix the performance under ray tracing conditions and we were still getting some excellent performance out of our 6700S. That means the cheaper option is our go-to for the G14, especially considering you’re still getting the same Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU whirring away under the hood as well.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Fire Strike: 21,728
Time Spy: 8,644
PC Mark 10: 6,706

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 long reigned over the slimline gaming laptop world. It was one of the first easily portable machines, built with a form factor that respected your backpack and your desk top. 2022 heralds in a new AMD future for this fan favorite, and despite some thermal concerns and ray tracing throttling, the G14 is all the more impressive for it.

That’s a serious amount of power to pack into this super small form factor after all, and we managed to squeeze some impressive numbers out of this compact design as well. While it does feel built for 1080p (framerates do cliff-dive at the native QHD+ resolution), we were getting some excellent scores in Fire Strike and in-game benchmarking considering the stress this machine is under. Metro Exodus was flying at High settings, hitting 82fps consistently, and The Division 2 managed to hold onto 78fps in Ultra settings as well.

Not only that, but the new 16:10 display was a sight to behold. Crisp and clean, the extra height offered in the display was easily welcomed over the cramped feeling Alienware and Razer offerings. You’ll also find an improved LED display running along the back, with sharper customizable animations for an extra personal edge. 

We did notice those temperatures creeping under intense workloads, though, so this will be one to keep on a desk rather than a lap. That said, not many 14-inch rigs can keep up with these specs, and even fewer can do so with the extra screen space afforded to you here. The G14 is the best 14-inch gaming laptop we’ve had our hands on so far. 

Read more: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review

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6. Alienware X17

The best 17.3-inch gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: i7-11800H | i9-11980HKGPU: RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 | RTX 3080RAM: up to 64GBStorage: up to 4TB SSD (2x2TB)Display: FHD at 165Hz / 360Hz | UHD at 120HzPorts: 1x HDMI | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 / Thunderbolt 4 | Micro SD | Mini Display Port | 1x RJ45 Ethernet | 3.5mm

Reasons to buy

+Fantastic gaming performance+Good keyboard and trackpad+Mechanical Cherry MX keyboard

Reasons to avoid

-More expensive than most-Gets hot

Our favorite configuration:

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Alienware X17 R2 | RTX 3070 Ti | Intel i7-12700H at Dell (opens in new tab)
The X17 is a beast, so you might as well push your investment. This RTX 3070 Ti configuration nestles itself neatly between the extraordinarily expensive RTX 3080 Ti model and the only slightly cheaper RTX 3060. With 16GB of DDR5 4800 MHz RAM as a baseline, there’s plenty of room to customize here, but that i7-12700H processor will see you through heavy releases all the same.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Firestrike: 18,061
Timespy: 8,040

If you’re after a larger display panel, the merits of the 17.3-inch Alienware X17 are obvious, but under the surface there’s plenty more going on here.  Although it might start at an already-whopping price and comes in models that go above the $3,000 / £3,000 mark, the Alienware x17 R1 works hard to earn its price tag and is one of the best gaming laptops to come out of 2021. The X-Series is Alienware’s latest and greatest selection of laptops, designed to appeal to the brand’s more premium customers looking for the very best gaming laptop money can buy. 

A choice of 1080p or 4K display, a variety of RAM and storage specs, and either a membrane or compact mechanical keyboard makes it easy to tailor this laptop to your personal needs. One of the best things about larger 17.3-inch devices is that they can pack considerably more power under the hood, without overheating. While we did experience some considerable warmth (and noise in performance mode) in our testing, but we never neared dangerous temperatures. 

With the ability to move up to an Intel i9 processor, 64GB RAM, 4TB of SSD storage and a 120Hz 4K display, it’s possible to create a real beast out of this machine. We tested an i7-11800H configuration packed with an RTX 3080 GPU and 16GB RAM, and even this more conservative spec managed to push 99fps on Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s Ultra settings, and 112fps with the same settings on The Division 2. Even more entry level configurations will still set you back a bit of cash, but that’s because of the premium additional features that make this one of the best rigs on the market.

A slimline design works nicely in this size, especially considering the additional bulk that a larger display usually brings with it. However, you’re also picking up a mechanical keyboard, plenty of ports, and a gorgeous display panel up top. If you’re looking to splash the cash on something that’s truly going to make a statement, the Alienware X17 is an excellent option. 

Read more: Alienware X17 review

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9. Alienware x14

The best slimline gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: i5-12500H / i7-12700HGraphics: RTX 3050 / RTX 3050 Ti / RTX 3060RAM: 16GB – 32GB DDR5Storage: : 512GB – 2TB SSDScreen:: 14-inch, 1080p, 144HzPorts: 1x USB Type-A | 1x USB Type-C | 2x USB Type-C / Thunderbolt | 1x 3.5mm | microSD

Reasons to buy

+Super slimline form factor+Impressive performance+More affordable than other Alienware rigs+Sleek aesthetic

Reasons to avoid

-Limited configurations available-Increased depth leaves larger footprint-Matte display can dull colors

Our favorite configuration:

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Alienware x14 | RTX 3050 | Intel i5-12500H at Dell (opens in new tab)
The Alienware x14 holds most of its value in its super slimline form factor and flexible (though still incredibly luxurious) design. While cheap by Alienware’s standards, though, it’s still a costly affair. If you’re looking for that super thin profile above all else, we’d recommend taking a look at the base RTX 3050 configuration. You’re getting that luxury chassis with Intel’s latest processing chip and DDR5 RAM for $1,499.99 here, the best value out of all the options.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Fire Strike: 17,408
Time Spy: 7,807
PC Mark 10: 7,123

The Alienware x14 is the thinnest laptop we’ve had on our desks, and it delights in its performance relative to the lower mid-range components under the hood. Of course, Intel’s latest 12th generation processors are helping those RTX 3050 / RTX 3060 graphics cards (as is that DDR5 RAM), but all together these specs are working particularly hard to offer silky smooth framerates in even more demanding titles.

We found that the overall build quality was particularly impressive here, with the x14 shrinking exactly what makes the Alienware x17 feel so solid and premium down into a super flexible form factor. This thing is only 14.4mm thick, and if it weren’t for the glowing RGB alien head on the top panel you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a slick business ultrabook.

In fact, there’s some serious gaming chops under the hood. Of course, we didn’t get numbers to threaten RTX 3070 or RTX 3080-toting machines in our testing, but with the Nvidia optimised Shadow of the Tomb Raider hitting an average of 108fps on Highest settings, there’s plenty we shouldn’t take for granted here. The Alienware x14 did struggle under heavier titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, but we could still draw 55fps in High settings. With a little tweaking, these more humble configurations can easily soar thanks to the engineering under the hood. 

During our testing, though, it quickly became obvious that the RTX 3050 / RTX 3050 Ti configurations would offer the best value for money here. We were a little disappointed by the 1080p 144Hz display considering the fact that our test unit was just knocking on the $2,000 price point. By contrast, this is a more than passable screen when placed on a $1,499 RTX 3050 rig. It feels like there’s diminishing returns heading up the price scale here. 

Still, if you’re looking for a super slimline, easily portable machine, the Alienware x14 is an excellent premium option. Not only are you getting that backpack-friendly form factor, but the USB-C charging makes it particularly easy to juice up on the go as well. 

Read more: Alienware x14 review

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8. Razer Blade 14

The best looking gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXGPU: RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 | RTX 3080RAM: 16GBStorage: 1TB SSDDisplay: FHD at 144Hz | QHD at 165Hz Ports: 2x USB-A 3.2 | 2x USB-C 3.2 | 1x HDMI 2.1 | 1x 3.5mm

Reasons to buy

+Great components+Tangible benefits of a Ryzen CPU +Excellent compact build quality

Reasons to avoid

-A little small-Temperature can climb

Our favorite configuration:

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Razer Blade 14 | RTX 3080 | Ryzen 9 5900HX  at Razer (opens in new tab)
The Razer Blade 14 really needs a GPU that can put that screen to work. This RTX 3080 configuration comes in around $700 cheaper than the RTX 3080 Ti model, and strikes that perfect balance between power and value for money. In our testing, that RTX 3080 / Ryzen 9 5900HX offered an incredible performance in itself, but if you are interested in pushing this thing to the max, it’s worth noting that the Ti configuration does also come with a 6900HX processor and DDR5 RAM these days.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Firestrike: 21130
Timespy: 9432
PCMark 10: 6792

The Razer Blade 14 sold the idea of smaller, 14-inch gaming powerhouses to us in our testing last year. With some of the most powerful components on the market and an almost impossibly slim form factor, this is a rig to be reckoned with, and the best 14-inch gaming laptop on the market right now. That’s because you’re blending the best of both worlds here, with an AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU playing nicely together to create an incredible final experience. 

The 1440p display and RTX 3080 GPU sung in our testing, blowing us away with impressive handling of High and Ultra settings across a range of games. We were especially impressed by just how much power was up for grabs considering the lightweight, slimline chassis. 

The 14-inch form factor makes the power on offer all the more impressive, but we did notice ourselves wanting a slightly larger screen during certain moments, and having all that gear packed in did get a little warm at times. Still, we loved the 1440p / 165Hz pairing on the display – this machine doesn’t feel like it would benefit from a costly 300Hz panel and, considering the size, it’s easy to be blown away by the quality overall. 

We managed to push Red Dead Redemption 2 to near-consistent 60fps on maximum settings in 1440p resolution – astounding considering the form factor here. While Metro Exodus did present more of a challenge (generally hitting 48fps with RTX Ultra settings), a few tweaks still saw us through to 66fps on High. 

All of that means you’ll easily get a better response from the Razer Blade 14 than you would the similarly designed Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. However, this is certainly a model reserved for those willing to pay for that premium quality. If you don’t want to break $2,000 we’d recommend you head a little further down the page.

Read more: Razer Blade 14 review

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7. Acer Nitro 5 (2021)

The best gaming laptop for component value over aesthetics

Specifications

CPU: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / Intel i7-11800HGPU: RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 TiRAM: 16GB | 32GB Storage: up to 1TB SSDDisplay: FHD at 360Hz | QHD at 240Hz | UHD at 144HzPorts: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x HDMI, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x RJ45

Reasons to buy

+Good gaming performance at 1080p+Solid chassis and keyboard

Reasons to avoid

-Battery life is quite poor-Display is unexciting

Our favorite configuration:

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Acer Nitro 5 | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | RTX 3060 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
The Acer Nitro 5 provides plenty of balance in this configuration, and the best part is we often see this model on sale at Amazon as well. Balancing some solid components under the hood, and a 144Hz display up top, there’s some nice horsepower for your cash here. We often see it at between $1,049 and $1,329.

View Deal (opens in new tab)Scores

Firestrike: 17,524
Timespy: 7,456

It’s not about to blow anyone away with flashy features or top-tier performance, but the Acer Nitro 5 is a very respectable choice of gaming laptop for the busy gamer who doesn’t want to break the bank. A good full-scale keyboard with numpad makes this laptop appropriate for both work and play. That means it’s a great replacement for a full-tower desktop PC at home that also offers portability thanks to its relatively low weight as gaming laptops go.

The RTX 3060 GPU paired with a Ryzen 5800H processor offered up strong performance in our testing, hitting 86fps in High settings on The Division 2, and only dropping to 77fps in Ultra. While the SSD could be a bit speedier, it’s not going to cause any major headaches. Most games will run above 60fps at maximum settings, and ray-tracing is also an option, though it does come with an associated performance hit.

We found the screen to be somewhat dull compared to other laptops in the same price range, and the battery life is decidedly unimpressive, but given the budget cost, these do feel like fair tradeoffs. Especially since the display does retain an excellent 144Hz refresh rate. At $1,129 (with other models varying from $700 to $2,100), the RTX 3060 Nitro 5 manages to pack some impressive components into a budget price tag by dropping nice-to-have features. That makes it perfect for anyone after raw power without all the fancy extras that can sometimes bloat gaming laptop costs.

Read more: Acer Nitro 5 review

• Back to top

How we test gaming laptops

Every gaming laptop that we review is stress-tested against a series of benchmarking processes and everyday use. We run a standardised series of performance tests on each rig, benchmarking on both High and Ultra / Highest across: 

• Shadow of the Tomb Raider 
• Total War: Three Kingdoms (Battle)
• Metro Exodus
• The Division 2
• Red Dead Redemption 2

We carry out these benchmarks at both 1080p and other native resolutions offered by each individual system. 

We then test gaming laptops against 3DMark Firestrike and Firestrike Extreme (for 1440p rigs), using Firestrike Ultra for our 4K machines. We also use PC Mark 10 tests (including battery performance), as well as Sky Diver, Cinebench, and Crystal Disk Mark. 

Of course, we also live with these machines. We find the best gaming laptops by playing, binge-watching, and working with them for as long as we can, using them as we would our own machines (while pushing them a little further for the sake of science). 

Read more about how we find the best tech with our full Hardware Policy and find out exactly how we test gaming laptops.

How to find the best gaming laptop for you

Not sure what screen size you’d ideally want and what minimum spec you’d ultimately like to get in your search for the best gaming laptop? If you need help working that out, we’re here to help. 

In our opinion, the key is to opt for something with a balance between performance, budget, and components – you want something that will play your favorite games now, but still have enough bandwidth to help you find a new favorite in the future.

So what’s your first step when you start browsing for the best gaming laptop? You can start by having a budget or total price ceiling in mind, but generally (and somewhat predictably), you’ll want to prioritize the hardware in the machine. As you’ve made it to this page, you’re looking for a gaming-focused portable powerhouse and, as a result, want to aim high in the graphics card department, like a GPU from the RTX family of cards from Nvidia. 

This can be an excellent starting point to refine your search – but don’t forget to look at laptops with a 16-series card in too as they offer incredible value when complemented by other, well-balanced components. A quick note on components: availability, as everyone knows, has been incredibly unreliable and volatile in recent months. As a result, it might be that when you visit retailers or makers of these machines, only some configurations are available at the time.

If you’re unsure of which components you need, it’s wise to consider the CPUs and GPUs on offer in tiers. If you only play lighter games that aren’t too demanding, you might fall into the entry level tier, if you’re looking to hit High settings with a few tweaks and still hit 60fps, it’s worth looking in the mid-range. However, if you’re going all-in on Ultra settings for the most demanding titles, the best gaming laptop for you might be a more premium option. 

If you’ve managed to find the right rig for you, it’s worth investing some thought into the best laptop backpacks to get you out and about. Or, check out our guide to the latest cheap gaming laptop deals if you’re looking for more savings. Or, check out all the cheap Alienware laptop deals and Razer laptop deals currently on sale for some serious discounts. 

The post The best gaming laptop 2022 – all the latest models compared appeared first on Game News.

The cheapest RTX 3080 PC deal we’ve been able to find is the Alienware Aurora R10 for only $1,672.98 (was $1,790) (opens in new tab). This is one of the cheapest RTX 3080 PCs that we’ve seen in some time, featuring a Ryzen 9 CPU, whereas Ryzen 7s are far more common in this price range. In the UK, we’ve found the Vibox VII-47 for  £1,774.95 (was £1,900) (opens in new tab) that comes with a 12th gen i7 CPU and 32GB RAM. 

For those interested in portable power, we’re also rounding up the best RTX 3080 laptop deals as well. We’re seeing some of the more competitive rates on some of the best gaming laptops that money can buy, so don’t delay if you’ve had your eye on a portable powerhouse. Alternatively, hunt for GPUs for less with the best cheap graphics card deals, too. 

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Save on Alienware RTX 3080 PCs at Dell (opens in new tab)
Fortunately, you can save some cash on our favorite gaming PC featuring the RTX 3080 (both Intel and Ryzen configurations). It’s a great way to get into high-end PC gaming with the reliable build quality and a small enough form factor for desks and home entertainment system setups. 

Best RTX 3080 PC deals in July 2022

RTX 3080 PC deals – US

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Alienware Aurora R10 | $1,672.98 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
This is one of the cheapest RTX 3080 PCs that we’ve ever seen, as this Ryzen 7-powered PC comes in at well under the $1,700 mark. Simply put, we don’t see many machines selling at this price. Features: AMD Ryzen 7 5800, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

CLX SET | $2,330 $1,899.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $430 – The CLX SET machine is outstanding value for money at just over the $2,000 mark. It’s worth remembering that CLX is one of the higher-end boutique brands with a price tag to match, so this discount is certainly appreciated. Features: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD + 2TB HDD.

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Acer Predator Orion 5000 | $2,300 $2,099.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $200 – This is a stellar rate on the latest Acer Predator Orion 5000 machine at a very competitive price. You’re getting amazing build quality of this machine, as well as the latest 12th Gen i7 processor, DDR5 memory, and a superfast Gen 4.0 drive. Features: Intel Core i7-12700, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

CUK Continuum Micro Gamer | $2,200 $2,099.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save $100 – This is the cheapest price that we’re able to verify on the CUK Continuum Micro Gamer, and an overall stellar offer for the high-end machine of this spec. You’re getting double the RAM than what is seen at this rate. Features: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3080, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme | $2,299.99 at Best Buy
(opens in new tab)Though not a deal, the biggest strength of this CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme build is the addition of the super powerful Ryzen 9 5900X processor. We rarely see this processor in rigs of this price range. Features: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

ABS Legend (RTX 3080 Ti) | $3,900 $3,229.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save $670 – As far as RTX 3080 Ti builds go, this is one of the better ones we’ve found online from a reputable brand. Considering how powerful this PC is, this is a great rate with the discount factored in. Features: Intel Core i9-11900KF, RTX 3080 Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

UK RTX 3080 PC deals

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Vibox VII-47 | £1,900 £1,774.95 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
This is an exceptional rate for the Vibox VII-47 and a great machine all round for the money. We think this RTX 3080 is certainly worthy of your time and attention. Features: Intel Core i7-12700F, RTX 3080, 32GB RAM, 480GB SSD + 2TB HDD.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

HP Omen 30L | £1,944 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Although this isn’t strictly an RTX 3080 PC deal, the sub-£1,950 price point makes this HP Omen 30L configuration a very tempting value-for-money offer in 2022. You’re getting powerful components inside, too, including the 5000 series AMD Ryzen CPU. Features: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD. 

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

OcUK Gaming Gallium | £2,500 £1,999.99 at Overclockers UK (opens in new tab)
Save £500 – This is the starting price for the OcUK Gaming Gallium build which comes shipped with respectable hardware as standard. You have the option to spec the build to order at an additional cost should you desire a faster CPU, more RAM, etc. Features: AMD Ryzen 5 5600x, RTX 3080, 16GB RAM, 500GB NVMe SSD.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

And if you’re looking to try your luck with individual components, these are the best prices available on the RTX 30 series in all its various forms. 

Graphics card stock
RTX 3050 prices | RTX 3060 prices | RTX 3060 Ti prices | RTX 3070 prices | RTX 3070 Ti prices| RTX 3080 prices | RTX 3080 Ti prices | RTX 3090 prices | RTX 3090 Ti prices 

Laptop deals and stock
RTX 3050 laptop | RTX 3060 laptop | RTX 3070 laptop | RTX 3080 laptop

PC deals and stock
RTX 3060 PC | RTX 3070 PC | RTX 3090 PC

Upgrade the rest of your setup with the best gaming chairs, best gaming desks, and best gaming monitors. 

The post Best RTX 3080 PC deals in July 2022 appeared first on Game News.

That’s where we come in. We’ve been tracking gaming laptop deals for years now, so we know a good price when we see one. You’ll find all our top picks for the best RTX 3050 laptop deals just below, and we keep this page well stocked with new models every week. It’s important to note that picking up an RTX 3050 laptop means you won’t exactly be getting the best gaming laptop configuration on the market. This is Nvidia’s entry level card, so you won’t be getting the best possible visuals out of your games. 

However, RTX 3080 laptops and RTX 3070 laptops can run up quite a bill, so if you’re happy with dropping your fps a little, you can find some excellent value a little further down the price bracket. Plus, you’re still picking up the latest generation here, so you’re future proofed for updates to come. 

• Best in the US: Gigabyte G5 | $999 $699 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
• Best in the UK: Asus TUF | £799.99 £649.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

RTX 3050 laptop deals in the US

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Gigabyte G5 RTX 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $999 $699 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $300 – You can save $300 on this Gigabyte G5 machine at Best Buy right now, a massive discount over the original $999 sales price. $699 is the cheapest price we’ve seen for an RTX 3050 laptop recently, and you’re getting a solid spec here indeed. These machines almost never offer up the 16GB RAM on offer here, or the 512GB SSD. You’ll also find a solid i5-11400H processor under the hood as well.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

MSI Katana GF66 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $799 $749 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save $50 – The MSI Katana has taken a $50 discount at Amazon this week, which might not sound like much by itself but is in fact a record low price. You’re still picking up a 144Hz display, i5-11400H processor and 512GB SSD with this RTX 3050 laptop, but sticking to the entry level 8GB RAM.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Asus TUF 17.3-inch gaming laptop | $999.99 $799.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $200 – There’s a $200 discount up for grabs on this massive 17.3-inch Asus TUF RTX 3050 Ti laptop at Best Buy this week. That’s excellent news if you’re looking for a little more grunt in your machine without breaking the bank. You’ll also find an i5-11400H processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD inside as well.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Dell G15 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,168.99 $799.99 at Dell (opens in new tab)
Save $369 – This is one of the best RTX 3050 laptop deals we’ve seen at Dell recently, with the G15 offering a boosted Ti version of the card with a solid i5-11260H processor and 512GB SSD for just $799.99. That’s a total saving of $369 – perfect if you’re looking for a little more power in your starter rig.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

HP Victus 16.1-inch gaming laptop | $929.99 $839 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save $90 – Amazon has a $90 discount on this slightly larger 16.1-inch HP Victus RTX 3050 laptop right now, bringing it down to $839. That’s slightly more than its $769 record low price but we haven’t seen that offer for a few months now. You’re getting an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD here.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Dell G15 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,368.99 $849.99 at Dell (opens in new tab)
Save $519 – If you’re looking for a more sophisticated version of the Dell G15, you’ll find a $519 discount on this RTX 3050 Ti model. That brings the price down to $849.99 on this 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD model, sporting a speedy Ryzen 7 5800H processor.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

MSI GF63 Thin 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,056.99 $849.99 (with $100 rebate) at Newegg (opens in new tab)
Save $207 – Packing 16GB RAM and an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, this MSI GF63 offers a spec list that’s comfortable in the lower mid-range, but at an entry level price. If you’re after that MSI flair, with a 144Hz refresh rate and i5-11400H CPU no less, this is worth a look.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

HP Omen 16.1-inch gaming laptop | $1,329.99 $899.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $430 – Best Buy has a massive $430 discount on this 16.1-inch HP Omen this week – stunning value considering there’s a boosted RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and 16GB RAM under the hood. Not only that, but you’re also picking up an Ryzen 7 processor and 512GB SSD to boot.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Lenovo Legion 5 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,199.99 $899.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $300 – Packing an RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, Ryzen 7 5800H processor, and a 512GB SSD, this Lenovo Legion 5 is looking particularly good value at just $899.99. You’re saving $300 at Best Buy here, from an original $1,199.99 MSRP.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

RTX 3050 laptop deals in the UK

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Asus TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £799.99 £649.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save £150 – There’s an excellent £649.99 price tag on this Asus TUF gaming laptop at Amazon right now, all thanks to a £150 saving. You’re certainly not skimping on the specs here either, with a 144Hz display, 512GB SSD, and i5-11400H processor. Of course, at this price, that 8GB RAM is to be expected but will still see you through plenty of games.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Gigabyte G5 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £849 £749 at Currys (opens in new tab)
Save £100 – We rarely see 16GB RAM in RTX 3050 laptops under £800, but this Gigabyte G5 model is doing just that this week at Currys. You can pick up this i5-11400H configuration, with 512GB SSD to boot, for just £749 right now – £100 down from the £849 RRP.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

MSI Katana GF66 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £1,199 £899 at Currys (opens in new tab)
Save £300 – This is one of the first RTX 3050 Ti laptop deals we’ve seen sporting the latest i7-12700H processor. That means you’re getting some serious value for money here, with a lightning fast CPU and turbo charged version of the 3050 card. All that grunt is supported by 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, and wrapped up with a 144Hz refresh rate display.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

• US RTX 3050 laptop retailers: Best Buy (opens in new tab) | Amazon (opens in new tab) | Dell (opens in new tab) | Newegg (opens in new tab)
• UK RTX 3050 laptop retailers: Amazon (opens in new tab) | Currys (opens in new tab) | Ebuyer (opens in new tab) | Laptops Direct (opens in new tab)

While not as fierce around the RTX 3050, many are wondering where to buy RTX 3060 graphics cards these days, as well as where to buy RTX 3070 GPUs as well. RTX 3080 stock is particularly difficult to get your hands on. 

That makes building your own machine a little tricky, which is why we’re also rounding up all the latest RTX 3060 PC, RTX 3070 PC, and RTX 3080 PC deals on the shelves right now. If you’re really looking to push the boat out, you’ll also find a selection of RTX 3090 PC deals up for grabs. 

The post The cheapest RTX 3050 laptop deals in July 2022 appeared first on Game News.

Netflix is also always adding new films to its platform, with the action-comedy The Man From Toronto the latest to drop. However, while some viewers loved the John Wick-style movie, critical opinion was mixed so it doesn’t quite land a spot on our top list. Our comprehensive guide is reserved for the best of the best to make sure you enjoy whatever you select to stream. 

So if you’re looking for the best Netflix comedies to stream right now, look no further. We’ve trawled the streaming platform to select 23 of its best side-splitting movies. And rest assured, it doesn’t matter if you’re watching in the US or the UK as all of these picks are available in both locations. Ready for some giggles? Let’s get stuck in…

• The best Netflix movies
• The best Netflix shows

The best Netflix comedies to watch right now

Jackass 4.5

Sometimes, you feel like watching a comedy with a decent plot that’s going to draw you in, make you care for the characters, and leave your cheeks hurting and your heart all warm and fuzzy. Other times, you just want to see a bunch of grown-ups willingly put themselves into uncomfortable, often painful situations and laugh at their misfortune. Enter Jackass 4.5, which pulls together deleted scenes from Jackass Forever. Johnny Knoxville, Danger Ehren, Steve-O, Dave England, Rachel Wolfson, Zach Holmes, Chris Pontius, Jasper Dolphin, Eric Manaka, Sean ‘Poopies’ McInerney, Wee Man, and Preston Lacy all feature. 

Don’t Look Up

The starry, Oscar-nominated dark comedy Don’t Look Up sees two astronomers trying to spread the message that a giant comet is going to wipe out life on Earth. Unfortunately, nobody seems to be listening. 

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence star as astronomers Randall and Kate, while Meryl Streep is President Orlean, and Jonah Hill is her son and Chief of Staff. Mark Rylance, Timothée Chalamet, Tyler Perry, Cate Blanchett, and Ron Perlman co-star. Adam McKay directs. 

Inside

We haven’t included any of Netflix’s many stand-up comedy specials in this list of the best Netflix comedies, instead focussing on proper movies. However, Bo Burnham’s Inside falls into a very weird place of being both a comedy special, but also bordering on being a proper movie. 

Made and released during the Coronavirus pandemic, Inside is unlike anything else made across the same period. It starts off laugh-out-loud funny, with some great songs about white women’s Instagram profiles and Facetiming with your parents. However, it soon looks inward, with Burnham addressing depression and a growing discontent with the internet. We won’t spoil anything more, but the overall experience is a thought-provoking film.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

From the producers behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse… need we say any more? Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s fingerprints are all over this animated movie from Gravity Falls alumni Mike Rianda. The movie follows the titular family of four (plus pug), as teenage daughter Katie (Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson) prepares to leave home for film school. She’s content to fly, but dad Rick (Danny McBride) spies a chance to mend their ailing relationship by driving her, cross-country, to her dorm room, along with mum Linda (Maya Rudolph), and brother Aaron (voiced by Rianda).

While some gags will whoosh over the heads of younger audience members, but amid the apocalyptic chaos, there’s plenty that families will relate to, from dysfunctional disagreements to screen-time addiction to irritatingly perfect neighbors. Plus, there’s a genius use of a licensed product to rival anything in The Lego Movie. When it comes to The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, everyone’s a winner.

Moxie

Moxie is actor and comedian Amy Poehler’s second time in the director’s chair. The comedy-drama follows Vivian (Hadley Robinson), a shy 16-year-old, who’s fed up with the sexist and toxic status quo at her high school and decides to take inspiration from the rebellious past of her mother (Poehler). She anonymously publishes a zine that sparks a school-wide, coming-of-rage revolution as it condemns sexism and the behavior of the school’s boys. 

There are jokes aplenty, but Moxie’s also a sweet story that, while maybe not having quite the satirical bite Poehler was after, is an uplifting, modern message. The Morning Show’s Marcia Gay Harden and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Clark Gregg also star in the Netflix release.

Deidra & Laney Rob A Train

When Deidra and Laney’s mother, a frustrated box store employee, unleashes holy hell at work and winds up behind bars it’s up to Deidra to figure a way to feed them and their younger brother. The best caper comedies are born from dire situations such as these. That’s the burning idea at the heart of this warm chuckle fest from director Sydney Freeland and screenwriter Shelby Farrell. Deidra’s (Riverdale’s Ashleigh Murray) life is upended, making her typical schemes like flipping papers for cash seem humdrum in comparison. 

Her ambitious mind now free to explore more extraordinary circumstances, the plot surges forward as she opts to loop her sister into the plan to rob not just a train, but several. What makes this such a winning pic is the sharp, snappy dialogue and its commitment to placing the story in the hands of a racially-diverse cast. Part of Netflix’s more recent foray into edgier teen content, Farrell’s script drops a slew of one-liners that make this comedy both sweet and sharp.

Set It Up

Part of Netflix’s comedy refresh, Set It Up twists every typical romcom trope into something new. Zoey Deutsch and Glen Powell star as Harper and Charlie, personal assistants to two of New York’s busiest execs, played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs. With no social lives, due to their hectic schedules, the underpaid and overworked duo concoct a genius plan; set their bosses up with the hopes of getting some time off. 

We’re in the midst of a romantic comedy resurgence if you hadn’t noticed, and Set it Up is one of the very best to emerge. The plot may hit along similar beats – hey, that’s what you *want* from a rom-com – yet it pushes at the boundaries, and breathes some fresh air into the formula. Powell and Deutsch have ridiculous chemistry that’s easy to champion from the minute they join forces.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Part of ‘flix’s attempt to reboot the rom-com, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is a refreshing, lighthearted tale that revolves around the love life of one Lara Jean Covey (Lara Condor). After her older sister moves away to college, Lara Jean’s life changes when five secret love letters she had kept hidden somehow find their way into the hands of their recipients. One of the boys, Peter, enters into a fake relationship with Lara Jean – to wind up HIS ex, and to prove Lara Jean doesn’t fancy her sister’s ex. Confused? You won’t be, but you’ll love the optimism and John Hughes-esque atmosphere.

For a high school rom-com set in 2018, it’s surprisingly light on teen tech. The kids use their cell phones (obviously), but the central conceit here revolves around a surprisingly sweet one – handwritten love letters. The rest of the movie’s charm spirals off from that notion, making this a rom-com likely to leave a lasting impression.

The Edge of Seventeen

Non-Netflix original available in US/UK

Starring Hawkeye’s Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen follows Nadine, a high school student who struggles to see eye to eye with her mother and brother, and considers her father her only ally. Things in her life take a turn for worse, though, when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her seriously annoying sibling.

Haley Lu Richardson, Hayden Szeto, Kyra Sedgwick, Blake Jenner, and Woody Harrelson also star. Kelly Fremon Craig directs.

Bad Trip

Eric André and Lil Rel Howery star in this road trip comedy, playing two best friends traveling from Florida to New York City so one of them can confess his love for his high school crush (Michaela Conlin), all the while being chased by the other’s criminal sister (Tiffany Haddish), whose car they have stolen for the trip. The movie is filmed using hidden cameras and, like André’s previous work, there’s plenty of surreal comedy and absurd situations. Prepare to be surprised by some very funny and cringe-worthy skits.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams co-star as a pair of small-town Icelandic songwriters who go by the name Fire Saga. Clamoring for the fame and glory that comes from winning the titular music competition, they wind up representing their country through an amusing early sequence that wipes out the actual Iceland team. This hammy send-up of the Eurovision Song Contest plays like an extended Saturday Night Live skit. It manages to avoid the tedium you might expect from that setup by sharing its comedy gold throughout the cast. This isn’t JUST Ferrell’s show. 

McAdams brings much merriment via her deadpan deliveries. Yet the best laughs hail from Dan Stevens, who deftly steals the entire movie as ostentatious Russian Alexander Lemtov, keen to sabotage and save the Fire Saga duo. This spoof is ridiculous, runs long, and is responsible for far too many memes yet you’ll be laughing along merrily and thoroughly warmed by the love story at its centre. 

Always Be My Maybe

A trio of Asian American talent from Fresh Off The Boat join forces for a thoroughly refreshing love story. Ali Wong and Randall Park, who wrote and appeared in the aforementioned show respectively, co-star as childhood sweethearts who reconvene 15 years later under drastically different circumstances. The fact it’s also directed by Nahnatchka Khan, Fresh’s showrunner, is what shapes this Netflix Original into a feature that’s far better than you’d expect. 

Always Be My Maybe skirts barfy saccharine territory despite the homeliness of its story. Wong’s character, Sasha, has struck it big as a successful chef who returns home to San Francisco to help open a new restaurant while Park’s Marcus has barely moved on at all. Despite the gap in their living circumstances, the pair rekindle their relationship, and comedy hijinks ensue. The warmth of the setup hails from the deeply-explored subtleties between Sasha’s Vietnamese upbringing and Marcus’ Korean-American family (it was his mother who taught Sasha to cook, after all). Throw in a dynamite A-list cameo, truly awful rapping from Marcus’ musical troupe, and Wong on top form, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

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Someone Great

Someone Great sounds like a sentimental romantic comedy you’ve seen countless times before. Heck, even the promo and marketing materials paint it as such. But despite its vague title it’s a sweet and funny farewell, as three friends spend one last day together in New York City. Eager to shed her Jane the Virgin persona, Gina Rodriguez snags the meatiest role as Jenny, a music journalist whose 9-year relationship with Nate (Lakeith Stanfield) ends the night before she leaves for a Rolling Stone job in California.

This prompts her two besties (DeWanda Wise and Brittany Snow) to blow off their workdays to help her source tickets for a must-see show before she departs. Thankfully, the film flits to and from the love story, instead of focusing mostly on the friendships The Someone Great of the title turns out to be the friends that help her through the hardest time in her life and the person that Jenny never believes herself to be when she’s beholden to Nate. Although the movie shines when Jenny’s off-screen and Wise and Snow’s hijinks take centre stage.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian

Non-Netflix original available in US/UK

Having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, Life of Brian still stands as one of the funniest films ever made. To prove that Holy Grail wasn’t a fluke, and eager to craft a winning follow-up, the Monty Python crew got together and gave us Life of Brian. Another period film, another set of ridiculous circumstances blended together to be as offensive as possible. This time, the focus is on a young Jewish man named Brian, who, through an unfortunate mixup, is heralded as being the Messiah. But he’s not. He’s a very naughty boy.

Razor-sharp dialogue, witty one-liners, daft slapstick scenarios; there isn’t a type of comedy that Life of Brian doesn’t wrangle into its story. This is a classic comedy which will no doubt still be topping ‘best of’ lists in another forty years.

Werewolves Within

Non-Netflix original available in UK

After proving his horror-comedy chops with 2020’s Scare Me, which starred himself, Chris Redd, and The Boys’ Aya Cash, filmmaker Josh Ruben released Werewolves Within last year – and it’s just as much of a hoot. Or should we say howl?

Featuring the likes of Harvey Guillen (What We Do In the Shadows), Anni Krueger, Milana Vayntrub, Cheyenne Jackson, and Sam Richardson, it follows forest ranger Finn, whose first few days working in a sleepy mountain town quickly become a nightmare when he and the other residents discover that a vicious creature is terrorizing the community. Due to a nasty snowstorm, hey can’t escape, or call for help… will they survive?

Dolemite Is My Name

Launching his career with raunchy standup, Eddie Murphy’s subsequent dive into family-friendly comedies didn’t exactly leave his hardcore fans pleased. When might we see the return of his no-holds-barred former self? His comeback movie, the Netflix Original Dolemite is My Name, is a damn fine start. While it might not pack quite the same R-rated punch as Raw it’s not supposed to. 

Murphy stars as Rudy Ray Moore, an entertainer desperate to strike it rich. His humble musical beginnings soon make way for his foray into the movie business, where he charts his own path as blaxploitation icon, Dolemite. In the title role, Murphy excels, stealing every scene he’s in, proving that he’s got dramatic and comedy chops. His supporting cast, including Wesley Snipes, Tituss Burgess, Craig Robinson, and Keegan-Michael Key absolutely slay. 

The Fundamentals of Caring

Based on the novel by Jonathan Evison, this buddy road trip movie walks the line between poignant drama and sharp, observational comedy perfectly. Paul Rudd stars as Ben, a failed writer who takes a wholly different approach to life after the tragic death of his son. He adopts a new livelihood as a caregiver which leads him to meet the brusque Trevor (Craig Roberts), a teen with muscular dystrophy who asks his new caregiver a simple request: to take him on a road trip. 

The duo hit the road after convincing Trevor’s mom (the brilliant, and sadly underused, Jennifer Ehle) to let them visit “The World’s Deepest Pit”. Their jaunt is of course not about the destination. It’s about the gags – and revelations – they make along the way, many of which revolve around Ben having to help Trevor pee. Selena Gomez’s achingly-hip Dot jumps in on the action, with cheeky throwaway lines oozing crush-worthy cool, giving this fun, heart-warming comedy a little added bite.

Carrie Pilby

Non-Netflix original available in US/UK

Bel Powley continues her streak of compelling performances in this criminally-underseen New York City dramedy from To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before director Susan Johnson. As the precocious Carrie, who graduated Harvard at the tender age of 19 and towers over those twice her age, Powley is, understandably, a tad bratty. Somehow her own preternatural thesp skills temper Carrie’s precociousness. While she echoes Woody Allen’s nervous Manhattanite nerds, she’s a wholly likable protagonist, a book smart woman who places her own value ahead of those in her orbit. 

The movie opens with Carrie’s therapist suggesting that she craft a five-point plan. With no friends, no partner, and few interests, the goal is for her to integrate people back into her life. So begins her journey to open herself up to a world she believes herself superior to, which, understandably yields rather amusing results. 

The Forty-Year-Old Version

Radha Blank’s own life is the inspiration for her directorial debut, The Forty Year-Old Version. She plays Radha, a woman whose biggest creative accomplishments lie nearly a decade in her past. Initially reluctant to change, she eventually snaps and decides she can’t trudge through more of the same. Emboldened, she hits up a local beat boy to support her rapping aspirations, while seeking a theatrical home for her new play. 

Movies about the creative process can feel a little inside baseball at times, yet, Blank’s debut is more inclusive. Uproariously hilarious without being alienating, the concept of trying to making it against all odds is a universal one Blank handles with aplomb. The Forty-Year Old Version is an authentic and painfully-funny dive into how we handle dissatisfaction later in life, and the endless rewards that can bring if we’re willing to be brave and change our circumstances. 

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The Lovebirds

One of 2020’s first big post-lockdown successes, The Lovebirds sees Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play two lovebirds who are anything but. Their relationship is on the rocks and their breakup plans are interrupted by a car crash that spirals into a world of conspiracies and criminals. It’s a comedy, honest.

Following on from that climatic incident, The Lovebirds becomes pure farce, flitting between hilarious set-piece after hilarious set-piece, each designed to make you cringe and wince. 

The Eternals fans could also do a lot worse than seeking out the film. With Marvel’s cosmic caper likely to flex Nanjiani’s dramatic (and very real) muscles, this is the perfect starting point for those looking to see what he has to offer.

The Lovebirds, like so many rom-coms, revels in the chemistry between the two leads as their situation slips further and further out of their control. No spoilers here, but let’s just say you won’t see a certain form of torture coming. It also cements Nanjiani as one of the most interesting and necessary actors when it comes to modern-day relationships. A perfect double bill with The Big Sick, if you ask us. One of the best Netflix comedies you can really laugh along with.

The Prom

One of Ryan Murphy’s many, many projects over the last few years at Netflix, The Prom is a Golden Globes-nominated, star-studded musical extravaganza that combines the talents of Hollywood leading lights such as Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman in a comedy designed to bring a smile to your face.

Streep is joined by James Corden as a pair of Broadway stars fallen on hard times, perked up by a plan co-concocted by Kidman’s Angie and unemployed actor Trent (Andrew Rannells) that sees the foursome attempt to revive a schoolgirl’s prom night with her girlfriend.

What follows is a glitzy, cheesier-than-cheese romp filled with showtunes and all the trimmings of a big stage musical. The sort of scale and scope for something so niche is a Netflix hallmark at this point – and Ryan Murphy makes the most of the bigger budget with a series of showstoppers. At its heart, it’s ultimately a LGBTQ+ movie that brims with optimism and a sense of belonging. It may have divided critics, but you’ll be singing and dancing by the time the credits have rolled.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

The Coen brothers bring their unique style to a series of short tales told throughout the Old West. Over the course of six stories, the American frontier serves as a backdrop for a range of characters to come to the fore, to reveal their own truths about life in the American West. Sharpshooters, bank robbers, prospectors, and more lay bare their lives in these wildly different stories. 

Coen fans tend to vary wildly on which is their favourite movie from the duo – and that’s why Buster Scruggs is a winner. It steals from across their career, snagging bits and pieces from their entire repertoire, linking together the six-part anthology flick through their signature style of black comedy and compelling drama. And the cast? To die for.

The Incredible Jessica James

Another stand-out Netflix Original comedy that embraces the cliches and makes them palatable thanks in large part to its spot-on casting. Jessica Williams stars as Jessica James, a twenty-something New Yorker reeling from her split with Damon (Lakeith Stanfield, who, yes, is playing another ex-boyfriend). The movie opens as she launches back into dating, her scathing, take-no-prisoners schtick an apparent turn off from the get-go. 

Enter Boone. Chris O’Dowd trots out his loveable Bridesmaids persona again as a fellow recent dumpee who immediately hits it off with Jessica. The fun explored between this pair is the shared heartache they each experience, that’s a neat story trick that works to unite them. Williams and O’Dowd’s chemistry is terrific, and their humour infectious.

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The post Best Netflix comedies: 23 funny movies to stream right now appeared first on Game News.

Design

The RodeCaster Pro II is a sleek bit of kit which is comprehensive yet understandable on the face of it. From a top-down point of view, you’ve got a 5.5-inch HD touchscreen with haptic feedback, six channel fading sliders with corresponding channel buttons above them (with dedicated mute and monitoring below), as well as a rotary encoder dial, dedicated recording button, and eight physical smart pads on the right-hand side. Suffice to say, you’re certainly getting the full gallery experience here, with this setup proving immediately familiar to anyone who has ever been inside a recording studio or radio desk. 

Turning the RodeCaster Pro II around and you’re presented with all the connectivity options that you would hope to find in a premium mixing desk / interface combo such as this. Power is delivered through USB-C, and there are two dedicated further USB-C ports for connectivity for devices such as your computer, and phone as well as iPad or other gaming tablets.

There’s also an Ethernet port for those wanting a wired connection. As far as outputs are concerned, you’re spoiled for choice here with 4x 1/4-inch outputs for headphone monitoring and left and right outputs for speakers or external devices. You can even record directly to Micro SD.

The aesthetics of the RodeCaster Pro II match the overall clean and straightforward design language that the Australian audio brand is known for and, on the surface, isn’t immediately too different from the first model from nearly four years ago. My particular review unit came with a specially engineered plastic hard cover that lightly sits on top of the interface (which retails for $50). While certainly a nice to have and non-essential add-on, I’d recommend the cover to anyone wanting to keep the various buttons, dials, pads, and sliders dust-free.

Features

Living up to the promise of being the ‘world’s most powerful all-in-one audio production solution’, you won’t be surprised to hear that the RodeCaster Pro II is full to bursting with features for just about any use you can think of. The quad-core audio engine, complete with 512MB of internal flash memory, powers the Studio-grade Aphex audio processing and Resolution preamps for low noise to high gain pickup which I’ll explain in detail a little further on.

For PC streamers, you’re also to connect to two computers at once through USB-C running separate audio sources which will no doubt be ideal for the hardcore streamers using the main rig and a laptop for chat monitoring, too. This is also useful for those wanting specific control over their volume mixers for the likes of Discord, Apple Music, your game audio, and microphone input, but more on that later. 

One of the most useful features of the Rodecaster Pro II is how it integrates with the Rode Central desktop application which can be used to tweak your settings, customize the RGB lighting, and save your specified presets as well as download firmware updates. New features are coming all the time, with a major update being released in my time testing the unit, so you’ll want to be connected to the internet if possible here for the best software version possible. For maximum compatibility, the device is also MFi certified for iOS devices, and can connect through Bluetooth as well.

Performance

In my extensive testing with the RodeCaster Pro II, I’ve been continuously impressed with what this all-in-one production interface can do. I should clarify that while the main purpose of this device may be aimed at podcasters, I have been using it in everything from streaming across Twitch and YouTube, to recording music, and as my main setup for voice calls alongside the Rode NTH 100 and Rode PodMic. If you’re already immersed in the Rode ecosystem for any of the Australian brand’s gear, then you’ll be well catered to with this interface. 

There’s a level of versatility and control to the RodeCaster Pro II that makes it ideal for streaming, and that’s perhaps going to be the greatest strength of this device when compared to some other audio interfaces. For example, while the unit has six physical sliders which can be dialed to your desired level, you can then further fine-tune more specifically with options in the touchscreen interface. I found in my testing that using the specifically engineered ‘PodMic’ setting in the operating system made by mic be picked up cleanly with strong control over the pre-amp and dampening settings. It’s worth noting that other Condensor / cardioid microphones, such as the Shure SM7B are included, too, so you’re not just limited to Rode-only gear here. 

You can make things as easy or as complicated as you want here, and for me, that meant moving the gallery-style slider up roughly 3/4 of the way to avoid any clipping, and then scaling back the sensitivity in the software. This is where those Revolution preamps come into their own, with an accurate, and clean sound profile meaning I didn’t have to use a booster or crank the gain to be heard accurately. A small touch, but one that in all my years of using interfaces and XLR microphones is certainly appreciated here as a quality of life upgrade. 

We’ve briefly touched on Smart Pads above, innovating on the original’s sound pads with a new level of customizability here. Not unlike the Elgato Stream Deck and other powerful live streaming shorthand bits of kit, these colored pads can be programmed to do a wide range of different things. Through the Rode Central software, you can upload and program your own sound effects, modulation, and sound bites onto these. While I cannot speak as to what other people will use them for, I used these pads with a fade-in and out feature as well as utilizing the Back Channel Mode to cleanly check in on my feed without having to mess around with my physical settings. You could very easily use them as hotkeys for donation notifications, bits, subscriber jingles, or whatever else appeals in a pinch. 

The four Neutrik combo inputs on the front (either for XLR or 1/4-inch jack) proved to be very effective for tracking electric guitar. I was surprised to find specified settings for running instruments through the RodeCaster Pro II, and the same extent in volume, gain, and level control very much applies to direct signal as well. The suite of preamps and post-processing effects can be tailored to your preferences, but in my testing, I choose to keep things as clean and ‘dry’ as possible. I did notice that the Revolution pre-amp made by guitar sound a fair bit brighter and louder without coming in too hot when tracking through Cockos Reaper and using plugins like Bias FX 2, Bias AMP 2, and EZ Mix 2. My previous interfaces to the RodeCaster Pro II, a Behringer U-phoria UMC202 HD, and before that the Focusrite Scarlett Solo really do pale in comparison here.

What’s particularly powerful about the Rodecaster Pro II for musicians is how you can use the deck’s physical and software-based mixing features to delicately balance the sound of your instruments and vocals being tracked at the same time. While many audio interfaces do give you options to plug both (or more) in at once, I’ve never felt the confidence to mix on the fly so effortlessly as what I’ve heard through this unit.

Should you buy the Rode Rodecaster Pro II? 

If you’re someone who wants to take content creation in any form to the next level then the Rode Rodecaster Pro II is an easy recommendation for musicians, podcasters, live streamers, and anyone else who wants more control over their audio. If you’re someone who already has experience with the original Rodecaster Pro from December 2018, I personally believe that there’s enough new here to justify an upgrade to the latest and greatest, too. 

How we tested the Rode RodeCaster Pro II

I’ve been using the RodeCaster Pro II for around three weeks in everything from producing music in programs such as Reaper using plugins from Bias and Toontrack, to live streaming in OBS Streamlabs. I have also been using the RodeCaster Pro II to power my PodMic microphone through the 48V Phantom Power to talk with friends on various desktop applications as well as speak to colleagues through Google Meet. 

Complete your setup with one of the best webcams, best green screens, and best ring lights on the market. 

The Verdict

5

5 out of 5

Rode Rodecaster Pro II

The RodeCaster Pro II innovates on the original model as an all-in-one powerhouse interface and audio production studio. Whether you’re a streamer, musician, or podcaster, the brand’s latest effort is an encompassing solution for all creators.

The post Rode RodeCaster Pro II review: “An encompassing solution for all creators” appeared first on Game News.

That’s where we come in. We’ve been tracking gaming laptop deals for years now, so we know a good price when we see one. You’ll find all our top picks for the best RTX 3050 laptop deals just below, and we keep this page well stocked with new models every week. It’s important to note that picking up an RTX 3050 laptop means you won’t exactly be getting the best gaming laptop configuration on the market. This is Nvidia’s entry level card, so you won’t be getting the best possible visuals out of your games. 

However, RTX 3080 laptops and RTX 3070 laptops can run up quite a bill, so if you’re happy with dropping your fps a little, you can find some excellent value a little further down the price bracket. Plus, you’re still picking up the latest generation here, so you’re future proofed for updates to come. 

• Best in the US: Gigabyte G5 | $999 $699 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
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RTX 3050 laptop deals in the US

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Gigabyte G5 RTX 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $999 $699 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Save $300 – You can save $300 on this Gigabyte G5 machine at Best Buy right now, a massive discount over the original $999 sales price. $699 is the cheapest price we’ve seen for an RTX 3050 laptop recently, and you’re getting a solid spec here indeed. These machines almost never offer up the 16GB RAM on offer here, or the 512GB SSD. You’ll also find a solid i5-11400H processor under the hood as well.

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MSI Katana GF66 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $799 $749 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save $50 – The MSI Katana has taken a $50 discount at Amazon this week, which might not sound like much by itself but is in fact a record low price. You’re still picking up a 144Hz display, i5-11400H processor and 512GB SSD with this RTX 3050 laptop, but sticking to the entry level 8GB RAM.

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Save $200 – There’s a $200 discount up for grabs on this massive 17.3-inch Asus TUF RTX 3050 Ti laptop at Best Buy this week. That’s excellent news if you’re looking for a little more grunt in your machine without breaking the bank. You’ll also find an i5-11400H processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD inside as well.

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Dell G15 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,168.99 $799.99 at Dell (opens in new tab)
Save $369 – This is one of the best RTX 3050 laptop deals we’ve seen at Dell recently, with the G15 offering a boosted Ti version of the card with a solid i5-11260H processor and 512GB SSD for just $799.99. That’s a total saving of $369 – perfect if you’re looking for a little more power in your starter rig.

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Save $90 – Amazon has a $90 discount on this slightly larger 16.1-inch HP Victus RTX 3050 laptop right now, bringing it down to $839. That’s slightly more than its $769 record low price but we haven’t seen that offer for a few months now. You’re getting an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD here.

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Save $519 – If you’re looking for a more sophisticated version of the Dell G15, you’ll find a $519 discount on this RTX 3050 Ti model. That brings the price down to $849.99 on this 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD model, sporting a speedy Ryzen 7 5800H processor.

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MSI GF63 Thin 15.6-inch gaming laptop | $1,056.99 $849.99 (with $100 rebate) at Newegg (opens in new tab)
Save $207 – Packing 16GB RAM and an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, this MSI GF63 offers a spec list that’s comfortable in the lower mid-range, but at an entry level price. If you’re after that MSI flair, with a 144Hz refresh rate and i5-11400H CPU no less, this is worth a look.

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Save $430 – Best Buy has a massive $430 discount on this 16.1-inch HP Omen this week – stunning value considering there’s a boosted RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and 16GB RAM under the hood. Not only that, but you’re also picking up an Ryzen 7 processor and 512GB SSD to boot.

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RTX 3050 laptop deals in the UK

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Asus TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £799.99 £649.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Save £150 – There’s an excellent £649.99 price tag on this Asus TUF gaming laptop at Amazon right now, all thanks to a £150 saving. You’re certainly not skimping on the specs here either, with a 144Hz display, 512GB SSD, and i5-11400H processor. Of course, at this price, that 8GB RAM is to be expected but will still see you through plenty of games.

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Gigabyte G5 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £849 £749 at Currys (opens in new tab)
Save £100 – We rarely see 16GB RAM in RTX 3050 laptops under £800, but this Gigabyte G5 model is doing just that this week at Currys. You can pick up this i5-11400H configuration, with 512GB SSD to boot, for just £749 right now – £100 down from the £849 RRP.

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MSI Katana GF66 15.6-inch gaming laptop | £1,199 £899 at Currys (opens in new tab)
Save £300 – This is one of the first RTX 3050 Ti laptop deals we’ve seen sporting the latest i7-12700H processor. That means you’re getting some serious value for money here, with a lightning fast CPU and turbo charged version of the 3050 card. All that grunt is supported by 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, and wrapped up with a 144Hz refresh rate display.

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• US RTX 3050 laptop retailers: Best Buy (opens in new tab) | Amazon (opens in new tab) | Dell (opens in new tab) | Newegg (opens in new tab)
• UK RTX 3050 laptop retailers: Amazon (opens in new tab) | Currys (opens in new tab) | Ebuyer (opens in new tab) | Laptops Direct (opens in new tab)

While not as fierce around the RTX 3050, many are wondering where to buy RTX 3060 graphics cards these days, as well as where to buy RTX 3070 GPUs as well. RTX 3080 stock is particularly difficult to get your hands on. 

That makes building your own machine a little tricky, which is why we’re also rounding up all the latest RTX 3060 PC, RTX 3070 PC, and RTX 3080 PC deals on the shelves right now. If you’re really looking to push the boat out, you’ll also find a selection of RTX 3090 PC deals up for grabs. 

The post The cheapest RTX 3050 laptop deals in July 2022 appeared first on Game News.

Square Enix has posted a brand new developer interview blog to their official website (opens in new tab), this time focusing on Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s fifth chapter with those who helped create the RPG. In the game itself, this is a chapter where the player can control a variety of characters in battle, including Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, and Aerith.

When asked if Tifa was a difficult character to balance for the remake, Teruki Endo, battle director for Final Fantasy 7 Remake, confirmed as much. “It was comparatively easy to differentiate Cloud, Barret, and Aerith,” Endo explains. “But we had to think extremely hard about what defining characteristics we should give Tifa,” the battle director continued. 

However, Endo believes Square Enix ultimately succeeded in giving added depth to Tifa in the remake’s combat system, by tying her abilities to the ‘Burst’ system. This core pillar of Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s combat governs how much damage enemies can take before they’re stunned, and Tifa has key abilities that massively boost the amount of stagger damage dealt to an enemy.

In our Final Fantasy 7 Remake review from 2020, we heaped praise upon the remake’s overhauled combat system, writing that the combat was “satisfyingly varied” thanks chiefly to each character feeling distinctly different and entertaining to play. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the sequel to Remake and part two of a planned trilogy, should keep the party-based combat going when it arrives next year in Winter 2023. 

Here’s why the Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core Reunion remaster is a must-play ahead of Rebirth launching near the end of next year. 

The post Tifas fighting style was the hardest to build for Final Fantasy 7 Remake appeared first on Game News.

In a new interview with GQ UK (opens in new tab), the actor – who recently reprised the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time onscreen since 2005 in the eponymous Jedi’s Disney Plus series – suggested that those tasked with reviewing the trilogy simply “didn’t get” what they thought they were going to.

“I think the critics just wanted to feel like they were seven or eight again,” McGregor explained, reflecting on the negative reception to The Phantom Menace and its two follow-ups. “So I was left with that [reaction] for years and years, and it took [until I started] meeting people, and I realized how important our films have been to them.

“To begin with, all we heard really was the critical side of things,” he recalled. “That was the only voice I remember hearing, and they were not liked. I admire George for having tried to do something different with them. He didn’t just set out to make another three Star Wars films that felt like the original ones. I respected him for that. I think that’s ballsy and interesting.”

Set ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi catches up to the titular hero as he watches over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. Before long, though, Obi-Wan finds himself looking after Leia Organa, as the pair try and evade the clutches of Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader.

It is available to stream on Disney Plus now. While it’s unclear whether a second season is on the cards, the show has sparked enthusiasm for a couple of spin-offs, mainly centered on Reva and Darth Vader – and you can read our argument for the latter here. While we wait for more news, check out the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows currently in the works.

The post Ewan McGregor thinks he knows why the Star Wars prequels were panned appeared first on Game News.