The online gaming market is set for significant growth in the coming years. Between 2021 and 2030, its value is expected to increase from USD 57 billion to a whopping USD 153 billion.
Online poker is a significant contributor to this growth due to the advantages it gives players over real-life poker. One can play online poker for real money through a format that’s as exciting as the real thing, but with some additional, unique features. For example, the gameplay on online platforms of PokerStars and WSOP.com is faster and much more dynamic. Online, a diverse range of games are also more accessible to players–from Badugi to single-draw no-limit, you can expose and hone your skills in various poker setups.
Yet the only way to enjoy the online poker experience is with the right equipment. If you prefer laptops, we’ve prepared a list of the best ones for you to choose from.
Best for your wallet: Acer Aspire F5
We’ve noted that The Acer Aspire F5 is one of the best gaming laptops under USD 1,000 because it packs all the essential features you need in a cheap gaming laptop. It uses a fast Intel i5 processor, helping support a smooth gaming experience. With it, your matches won’t lag, especially when you’re about to make a decision. Acer Aspire F5s also have a graphic capacity powered by NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, so you can play any poker game at 720p resolution. You can get all this for ₹ 28,290–a low price considering its extensive essential features.
Best for next-level gaming: Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop
To elevate your gaming experience, invest in an advanced gaming laptop like the Razer Blade Pro 17. Priced at ₹ 319,999, it features a 120Hz 4K UHD resolution and a 17-inch HD screen that delivers crisp visuals and precise colors. With these features, you can easily play games with rich graphic displays like Prominence Poker and ICE Poker. You can even try multi-tabling with this laptop, as its screen (and processor) can handle at least four poker tables. That’s not to mention that the Razer Blade Pro 17 operates with Intel’s 2.4 i7 Quad Core processor–a super fast CPU to support your multi-tabling professional poker game experience.
Best for streaming: MacBook Pro 2021 M1 16-inch
Like online gaming, streaming is set to grow in the coming years. To kickstart your streaming career, consider nabbing Apple’s M1 MacBook Pro for around ₹239900.00. It has a webcam that can capture you in crisp 1080p for your streams. This is alongside the 60% signal-to-noise capacity of the MacBook’s microphone that can record your in-game commentary on decisions and hand analysis in crystal clear audio. The M1 MacBook also offers a compact streaming setup with studio-quality output.
Best for on-the-go gaming: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
For those who travel a lot, ASUS ROG Zephyrus lets you play online poker tables wherever you go for ₹147,990. It uses an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, so you don’t have to worry about lags. Despite the heavy lifting its processor does, this device is portable as a gaming laptop can be. It weighs below 17 kilograms and boasts a respectable 14-inch display.
With how exciting things are for the poker industry, it’s only fitting to get in on the fun. We factored in various gaming preferences and setups to ensure you find the right laptop that can help you win and have fun while playing poker.
