A 2-in-1 laptop is a great choice for gamers who love logging in and playing when they’re at home, commuting, or attending a LAN party. However, when it comes to gaming, not every 2-in-1 laptop is created equally. Look for these device features if you take your gaming seriously.

2-in-1 laptops

High-Definition Graphics Card: Better Graphics with Less Lag

The central processing units (CPUs) of most 2-in-1 laptops have a portion dedicated to graphics processing. But if you’re a gamer, you’ll want a device with an additional graphics card built in to add some extra processing power for the graphic-intensive task of playing your favorite games.

Many modern games render realistic, three-dimensional playing environments in real time, which takes some serious computing power. The limited processing power of your average CPU just isn’t up to the task of rendering shadows, reflections, and special effects for fluid gameplay. Even a standard graphics card will struggle to keep up with some of the most graphic-intensive games on the market, like Crysis.

The best high-definition graphics cards render more pixels with less lag. In other words, they do a better job of creating detailed textures and antialiasing (smoothing out those jagged lines) while delivering a seamless playing experience. Lenovo’s Yoga Series are some of the best 2-in-1 laptops with HD graphics cards available.

Large Screen Size: Enjoy an Immersive Gaming Experience

An HD graphics card is going to make any game look its best, but it takes a large screen to really notice the full impact. It’s a little like buying a big screen TV. When you compare two small sets you barely notice the difference between HD and regular SD. However, if you watch the same footage on larger screens you’ll notice the HD one has much crisper, clearer images than its SD peer. If you’re going to pay for an HD graphics card, it makes sense to choose a 2-in-1 laptop with a screen large enough to showcase it.

Of course a large screen size impacts portability, but the trade-off is a much more immersive game-playing experience.

A Solid CPU: More Processing Power

While the graphics card will take care of a lot of the game processing, the CPU is still a vital component of any 2-in-1 device. Make sure you choose at least an Intel Core i7 quad core processor, especially if you love multiplayer games like World of Warcraft or Starcraft. These games require more processing power, as the CPU needs to keep track of all the players without lagging.

Adequate RAM: All the Memory You Need

A gamer’s 2-in-1 laptop stores its game settings and other relevant files in the system RAM, so it’s important that yours is up to the task. Tech blog Tom’s Guide suggests that 8GB of RAM is required for intensive gaming. You typically won’t pay much more for 8GB than 6GB, and it’ll work much better.

Extended Battery Life: Play Longer

Few things will sour a gamer’s day quicker than losing battery power just before levelling up. The high-end components gamers look for and the graphic-intensive games they love sap power quickly, so it’s smart to choose a 2-in-1 laptop with a long battery life. Even then, you’re likely to find the battery drains quickly if you’re away from a plug for too long. If you’re using your 2-in-1 laptop to game in the great outdoors, consider purchasing a portable battery to give you some extra juice on the go.

A Stylish Device: Get the Look

Admittedly a 2-in-1 laptop’s looks won’t impact your gameplay, but no one wants to be seen gaming on an ugly device. Image matters, so the aesthetics of your chosen device are important to consider. You’ll probably want to avoid 2-in-1 devices in bold rainbow colors, and choose sleek machines in silver or black to project the right image.

Once you’ve chosen the right device, don’t forget to trick it out with peripherals to enhance your gameplay, including high-quality headphones for clear, crisp sound and a plug-in keyboard for easier navigation. With a top quality 2-in-1 laptop and superior accessories, you can enjoy a great gaming experience whether you’re at home or on the go.