Tech / Black Friday 2026 Laptops in the UK: The Department Guide
Black Friday 2026 Gaming Laptops UK: What to Check Before You Buy
Shopping for gaming laptops this Black Friday in the UK? Check graphics cards, screens, cooling and weight first, with live UK listings to compare.
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Before buying a gaming laptop, read the exact graphics chip, then find the graphics power figure, because laptops with the same chip can perform differently. Next compare the screen, cooling, memory and weight against how and where you will play. On a used machine, check the battery and that it can run Windows 11.
Graphics chips on gaming laptops
The graphics chip sets the limit on what a gaming laptop can run, and Nvidia’s RTX names appear in most listings. Nvidia’s UK page covers its RTX 50, 40 and 30 series laptops, so an older model can look similar to a newer one in a title.
Nvidia also lists a range of graphics power for each laptop chip. That range is the detail many listings leave out.
| Laptop chip | Graphics memory | Graphics power range |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 5050 | 8 GB GDDR7 | 35 to 100 W |
| RTX 5060 | 8 GB GDDR7 | 45 to 100 W |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 12 GB | 60 to 115 W |
| RTX 4060 | 8 GB GDDR6 | 35 to 115 W |
| RTX 4070 | 8 GB GDDR6 | 35 to 115 W |
A laptop can sit anywhere in that range, so one RTX 5060 laptop need not match another. Check the laptop’s specification page for the figure, and ask the seller if a listing does not give it.
Screen, cooling and fan noise
A gaming laptop screen deserves the same attention as the chip. Check the resolution and refresh rate, since a sharper screen asks more of the graphics chip. Read whether the listing gives the size in inches, and look at reviews of the exact model for brightness and colour.
Cooling decides how long a laptop holds its performance under load, and fan noise comes with it. Vents need clear space, so a laptop used on a bed or sofa will run hotter. Reviews of the specific model tell you more than any spec line here.
Weight, battery and portability
Portability is the main reason to choose a laptop over a desktop, so check the weight and the charger. Nvidia describes its Max-Q designs as its thinnest and longest-lasting RTX laptops. Thicker machines usually have more room for cooling, so weigh that against how often you will carry it.
Gaming on battery alone usually gives shorter sessions than general use. If you will play away from a socket, look for battery tests on that exact model. Also check that the listing includes the charger and that it has a UK plug.
Windows, memory and storage upgrades
Windows support matters on any older gaming laptop. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, so a used machine should run Windows 11 or be able to upgrade.
Upgrade options vary by model, and some laptops have soldered memory. Check whether the memory and storage can be changed, and compare the memory with the requirements of the games you want to play.
Used gaming laptops and returns
Used gaming laptops can have worked hard, so ask a few extra questions. Ask how old the battery is, whether the fans are loud at idle, and whether the screen has marks or dead pixels. Citizens Advice says online purchases from a business usually carry a 14-day cooling-off period, but items from private individuals are not covered.
More in the laptops department.
Frequently asked questions
Do all laptops with the same RTX chip perform the same?
Not necessarily. Nvidia lists a range of graphics power for each laptop chip, such as 45 to 100 W for the RTX 5060. Two laptops with the same chip can be set differently. Look for the graphics power in the specifications.
How much graphics memory does a gaming laptop chip have?
Nvidia lists 8 GB for the laptop RTX 5050, RTX 5060, RTX 4060 and RTX 4070, and 12 GB for the RTX 5070 Ti. Check the laptop's own specification sheet, since it is the machine you are buying.
What should I check on a used gaming laptop?
Ask about the battery, any fan noise and whether the screen has marks or dead pixels. Check that it runs Windows 11 or can upgrade, because Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025.
Sources
Found in the Black Friday 2026 Laptops in the UK: The Department Guide department.