After its sudden delisting from the Nintendo eShop last month, Square Enixs Triangle Strategy is available once more. Though it didnt affect game owners, who could re-download the title, the delisting prevented newcomers from purchasing the strategy role-playing game.Fortunately, its now resolved, even if the publisher didnt indicate what caused the delisting. A similar issue seemingly affected Octopath Traveler, causing its delisting. It was eventually revealed to have changed its publisher to Square Enix on returning. Sure enough, Triangle Strategy is now listed as published by Square Enix instead of Nintendo, which originally published the Switch version worldwide.Triangle Strategy is also available for PC and, more recently, for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 3. It crossed one million in digital sales and shipments worldwide in December 2022, with Square Enix yet to provide updated figures. As for developer Artdink, it recently released Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake for consoles and PC. Check out our review here.Triangle Strategy is once again available to purchase on Nintendo Switch eShop.Thank you for your patience. Square Enix (@SquareEnix) January 6, 2025

NetEase Games released the first trailer for Marvel Rivals Season 1, Eternal Night Falls. After Doctor Strange is waylaid by the Timestream Entanglement (the same phenomenon resulting in all the Marvel icons clashing), the Darkhold is scattered. And unfortunately, who should spread darkness to New York City but Dracula?Though vampires befall the city, its not defenseless as the Fantastic Four rise to challenge them. We get brief looks at The Thing, The Invisible Woman, The Human Torch and Mr. Fantastic as they briefly demonstrate their powers, but theres no gameplay yet. Its also unknown if Dracula will play some kind of role beyond looking menacing (and potentially providing voiceovers).Marvel Rivals Season 1 begins on January 10th, 1 AM PST, and lasts three months. The vampire-infested New York City seems to be the newest map, and fans can expect a full Luxury Battle Pass for $9.99. Stay tuned for more details on the cosmetics, including alternate outfits for the Fantastic Four members, alongside all the balance changes. You can also read our review of the game here.

Monday, January 6th, 2025Posted by Jim ThackerMaxon buys Laubwerkhtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"A scene created by architectural visualization firm Imminent Studio using Laubwerks 3D plant assets. Laubwerk has now been acquired by Cinema 4D and Redshift developer Maxon.Maxon has acquired procedural 3D plant model developer Laubwerk.A selection of Laubwerks trees and plants are now available to Cinema 4D users with Maxon One subscriptions, but the old Laubwerk e-store has been taken offline.An established developer of high-quality 3D plants for visualization and VFXFounded in 2010, Laubwerk develops procedural 3D plant models compatible with a range of DCC software.Although used by VFX facilities like DNEG, its core audience is in architecture and architectural visualization, where its clients include Foster + Partners, Perkins Eastman and The Boundary.At the time of its acquisition, it had 27 Plant Kits available for sale, each consisting of a set of 10 plant species, primarily trees, each with 36 age and seasonal variants.The kits were bundled with the Laubwerk Player software, which enabled users to drag and drop the assets into host DCC apps, and were priced at 119-149 each.Now available via Capsules for Maxon One SubscribersThose assets will now become available via Capsules, Maxons library of stock content for users with Maxon One subscriptions.Priced at $169/month or $1,265/year, Maxon One plans provide access to all of Maxons software, which includes Cinema 4D, Redshift, ZBrush, and the Red Giant tools.Maxon One subscribers already have access to a selection of Redshift-ready trees and plants within the Cinema 4D Asset Browser, with more due in future.No details on the future of Laubwerk plants for non-Maxon applicationsHowever, the old Laubwerk website (you can see a snapshot of it from December 2024 here) now redirects to Maxon, removing access to its e-store.That ends the sale of individual plant kits, at least for the moment, both for Cinema 4D users and users of the other DCC apps that they supported: 3ds Max, Maya, SketchUp and Vectorworks.Maxons blog post announcing the acquisition states, enigmatically, that existing Laubwerk customers for other products should keep watching this space for future developments.Weve contacted Maxon to see if we can get any more details, and will update if we hear back.Read Maxons official announcement of its acquisition of LaubwerkHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsMaxon buys LaubwerkLaubwerk's 3D plant models are now available to Cinema 4D users with Maxon One subscriptions, but are no longer for sale online.Monday, January 6th, 2025Tik Manager 4 is a lightweight, robust open-source pipeline toolPromising project management tool for VFX, animation and games is intuitive enough for non-TDs, but robust enough for bigger projects.Monday, January 6th, 2025Free add-on Paint System 'turns Blender into Photoshop'Intuitive add-on for painting non-photorealistic textures implements Photoshop-style layer painting inside the open-source 3D app.Monday, January 6th, 2025Photoshop render compositing add-on Post Manager is now freePulze's handy add-on streamlines the process of building and updating complex Photoshop files from V-Ray or Corona renders.Sunday, January 5th, 2025Tutorial: Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in HoudiniCreate a creature, environment and FX simulation entirely in Houdini with The Gnomon Workshop's beginner-friendly new tutorial.Saturday, January 4th, 2025Celsys unveils Clip Studio Paint 4Check out the new features in the digital painting software for comics, illustrations and concept art, including updates to the 3D toolset.Friday, January 3rd, 2025More NewsGet 95 free modular village assets for Unreal EngineThe Pixel Farm releases PFTrack 24.12.19Get unusual iOS digital painting app Flame Painter for freeFaceform releases Wrap 2024.11 and Wrap4D 2024.11DreamWorks Animation releases MoonRay 1.7Sparseal releases Uniform 1.3Happy holidays to all CG Channel readers!Tutorial: Introduction to Marvelous DesignerBlack Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday 2024 deals for CG artistsRandomControl releases Maverick Indie and Maverick Studio 2024Pilgway releases 3DCoat 2024.30Terragen Sky now lets you paint clouds into the sky directlyOlder Posts

LG kicked off the AI bandwagon today with a new set of AI services to help consumers in their daily tasks at home, in the car and in the office.Read More

Qualcomm unveiled AI technologies and collaborations for PCs, cars, smart homes and enterprises at CES 2025. At the big tech trade show in Las Vegas, Qualcomm Technologies showed how its using AI capabilities in its chips to drive the transformation of user experiences across diverse device categories, including PCs, automobiles, smart homesRead More

The Ulticam security camera brand has a new model out today: the Ulticam IQ Floodlight, an edge AI-powered home security camera.Read More

Xbox brings cloud gaming to LG Smart TVsGame Pass Ultimate members will be able to play games directly via the appImage credit: Xbox News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 6, 2025 Xbox has partnered with LG Electronics to bring the Xbox App to LG Smart TVs.From February 18, some LG Smart TVs will offer the Xbox App, enabling Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to stream selected games from their collections via the cloud."With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller, players will be able to play games through the Xbox app (available in LGs Gaming Portal) via cloud gaming," Xbox explained."Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can also play select games they own beyond the Game Pass catalogue.""This gives players even more choice in how they enjoy their favourite game," said Lori Wright, Xbox's corporate vice-president, gaming partnerships and business development.In related news, Microsoft's plan to enable Android users to buy and play console games via the Xbox app was recently delayed, seemingly due to the ongoing legal dispute between Google and Epic Games.

Dynasty Warrior M servers to shut just 15 months after launchStatement stops short of detailing reason for the closureImage credit: Koei Tecmo / Nexon News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 6, 2025 Koei Tecmo and Nexon have announced plans to shutdown their free-to-play action game Dynasty Warrior M just 15 months after launch.In a blog post, the team expressed its "heartfelt gratitude" to all "warriors who have supported Dynasty Warriors M with interest and feedback for over a year since launch", but said that "despite [the] continued support throughout our journey together, we regretfully inform you that Dynasty Warriors M will end its service on February 20th, 2025."The statement did not expand on why the game was being sunsetted but said the team would "do [its] utmost to provide the best service until the very end."It also advised players that there would be no refunds for any in-game currency or items.AppMagic intimates the game has generated around $11m in lifetime player spend. It is currently sitting on a 4.1 and 4.6 out of five rating on the Google Play and App Store, respectively.

Synthetic Data: The AI Gold Rush You Cant Afford to Miss 0 like January 6, 2025Share this postLast Updated on January 6, 2025 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Mukundan Sankar Originally published on Towards AI. How to Harness Game-Changing Tech and Leave Privacy Roadblocks BehindThis member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Photo by Claudio Schwarz on UnsplashImagine this: you have the tech to build the next big AI model, but youre stuck because real-world data is locked behind walls of privacy laws and ethical dilemmas. Sound familiar? Its the story of every innovator right now. But theres a way out, and its a game-changer. Enter synthetic data AIs way of saying, If you cant access real data, Ill create it for you.This isnt some vague future tech. Synthetic data is already changing the rules, especially in privacy-constrained environments where real-world data cant or shouldnt be used. If youre not paying attention, youre leaving opportunity on the table.Let me show you the cutting-edge breakthroughs happening right now and how you can use them to get ahead. I looked at many research articles and blogs and these are the 5 Research articles that stood out for me. I have also linked to them.Heres the problem: Privacy concerns are strangling innovation. Data regulations like GDPR and HIPAA make it impossible to freely use the massive datasets AI needs. But synthetic data lets you bypass these roadblocks. Think of it as Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

If you want a gaming PC that's able to follow wherever you may roam, the best gaming laptops are where you want to look. While desktop parts are usually still higher performance, the best gaming laptops offer excellent performance in the latest games. Best of all, there are even models that are able to offer peak performance while still remaining thin and light, like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 our No. 1 pick. And with CES 2025 happening this week, the latest improvements announced will make the next gen of gaming laptops even better. At the event, Intel has announced that Arrow Lake, the CPU powering the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is coming to gaming laptops.TL;DR These Are the Best Gaming Laptops:Best OverallAsus ROG Zephyrus G14See itBest on a BudgetMSI Thin A15 AISee itBest High-End Lenovo Legion 9iSee itBest for WorkHP OmniBook UltraSee itBest for StudentsAsus TUF Gaming A14See itWhen you're shopping for a gaming laptop, the first thing I always recommend people consider is what PC games they actually hope to play. The second is what settings they hope to play them at. These two questions can guide your purchase to higher- or lower-end hardware and what trade-offs you're willing to make. Now more than ever, gaming laptops come in every shape and size, from thin and light devices to moderately heavy powerhouses like the Lenovo Legion 9i. Larger, performance-driven laptops (like the ones that come with a 4K display) achieve their enhanced performance with more powerful, and power-hungry, components, which means sacrificing on portability, battery life, and fan noise. There are oodles to choose from a ton of different gaming laptop brands, and finding the best for you can be more than a little daunting. I've tested dozens over the years and have a deep understanding of what it takes for a gaming laptop to ascend to greatness. These are the best gaming laptops of 2025 I've tested so far.Additional contributions by Georgie Peru, Jaqueline Thomas, and Danielle Abraham. Looking for discounts on laptops like these? Check out our guide to the best gaming laptop deals.1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14Best Overall Gaming LaptopBest OverallAsus ROG Zephyrus G14The Zephyrus G14 balances performance, portability, and style for a great all-around pick for most gamers. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14-inch OLED 3K (2,560 x 1,600)CPU AMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUUp to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 RAMUp to 32GBStorageUp to 2TBWeight3.31 lbDimensions0.63 x 8.66 x 12.24 inchesPROSThin and light for exceptional portability Outstanding OLED displayPlentiful connectivity for gamingCONSNon-upgradeable memoryTops out with an RTX 4070The best overall gaming laptop you can buy right now is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA403, the 2024 edition). Its not the hands-down most powerful laptop, but its appeal lies in just how well it balances its different aspects. Between portability, performance, ease of use, and price, its the absolute best bet for most laptop gamers. We reviewed the 2022 version of this gaming laptop and thought much the same thing back then.This laptop has a lot to love about it. At only 3.31lbs, its remarkably lightweight for a gaming laptop. When you boot up a game and realize how great its performance is, its svelte size becomes even more impressive. Though its only available with an RTX 4070 as of this writing, it provides plentiful power to run modern games at high settings and afford you access to performance-enhancing features like Nvidia DLSS. Its also a joy to look at. Its screen is incredibly sharp and offers a tremendous HDR experience thanks to its bright OLED panel and crisp 2560x1600 (3K) resolution. Its chassis exudes a classiness that reminds me of nothing more than Apple, so you can enjoy it for gaming or even an office or classroom. HDR gaming and movies are a treat, with vivid colors and exceptional smoothness thanks to its 120Hz display.For most tasks including video editing, content creation, and digital art the G14 is able to offer snappy performance. Its Ryzen 9 8945HS processor is a beast, offering eight cores and 16 threads and a fast 5.2GHz clock speed. Plus, it has AI enhancements for things like background blur and AI noise removal in Nvidia Broadcast. It also comes with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD so you can download and run lots of different games without worrying about space. The biggest downside is that the memory isnt upgradeable, but if you opt for 32GB, which is what were recommending here, it will be enough to last most multiple generations into the future. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 will set you back around $2,200, but its well worth the investment for a gaming laptop as good as this. 2. MSI Thin A15 AIBest Budget Gaming LaptopBest on a BudgetMSI Thin A15 AIThis laptop packs plenty of performance for around $1,000. There are some trade-offs, but it's a good deal. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay15.6 QHD (1,920 x 1,080), 144HzCPUAMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM16GB DDR5 Storage1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDWeight4.1 poundsDimensions14.13" x 9.99" x 0.85"PROSVery good processor and GPU at a reasonable price144Hz screen Plenty of memoryCONSCan't change keyboard RGBHigh temps and loud fansThe MSI Thin A15 AI offers great FHD gaming performance at a reasonable price. At less than $1,000, it offers an impressive array of specs that are more than up to the task of 1080p gaming and even open the door to streaming and content creation. Best of all, as you might have guessed from the name, it does this in a package that's comparatively thin and light for a gaming laptop. Its portability might lead you to believe it wouldn't be able to keep up with the latest games, but in fact, the opposite is true. By going for a 1080p screen (that runs at a smooth 144Hz), its Nvidia RTX 4060 is perfectly suited to dialing up settings and enjoying the bells and whistles your games have to offer. It also comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 8845HS processor that includes eight cores and 16 threads and is able to hit a peak clock speed of 5.2GHz. The laptop also comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, ensuring that you won't run short on memory or storage.It's a killer machine that I recommend for anyone on a budget, but there are some trade-offs you make to bring home this kind of performance sub-$1,000. Foremost is cooling. More to the point, noise. Thin gaming laptops often have roaring fans to dissipate the heat and the A15 is no exception. It also has static backlighting for the keyboard, so your customization options are more limited. In my opinion, the hardware you're getting in exchange is more than worth the sacrifices it takes to get there. If you go for it, I recommend pairing it with one of the best laptop cooling pads.Lenovo Legion 9i Photos3. Lenovo Legion 9iBest High-End Gaming LaptopBest High-End Lenovo Legion 9iNo holds barred performance, the Lenovo Legion 9i is the gaming laptop to choose if you demand the best of the best -- and money is no object.See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay16 (3,200 x 2,000) Mini LED 165HzCPU Intel Core i9-14900HXGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 - 4090RAM32GB 6,400MHz DDR5 (Up to 64GB 5,600MHz DDR5)StorageUp to 2TBWeight5.51 poundsDimensions0.75-0.89 x 10.93 x 14.08PROSIntegrated liquid coolingBreathtaking RGB lightingFantastic displayCONSGets noisyThe Lenovo Legion 9i is one of my all-time favorite laptops. In my review, I was absolutely smitten with its balance of performance and killer aesthetics. It's not exactly light, but it's a full-fledged desktop replacement that's more than up to the challenge of playing the latest games. Given its somewhat staggering price that begins well above $3,000, it should come as no surprise that it features top-tier specs. It runs a high performance 14th-gen Intel processor that routinely tops performance charts in gaming benchmarks. It can also be outfitted with either an RTX 4080 or 4090 to push high settings even on the most demanding games (and the GPU is liquid-cooled to ensure peak performance). It supports up to 64GB of memory and comes with either 1TB or 2TB of storage to hold a large game library. Simply put, this laptop is absolutely beastly.Its gaming prowess doesn't stop there. It features a mini-LED screen for next-level HDR and brightness that I found to be stunning for a gaming laptop. It features an extended keyboard with a numpad, perfect for games with lots of skills and abilities (I'm looking at you, World of Warcraft), and sports multiple sources of RGB lighting to illuminate your desk. The biggest downside, outside of price, is that it tends to get loud, so you might want to pick up one of the best gaming headsets to block out the noise.4. HP OmniBook UltraBest for WorkBest for WorkHP OmniBook UltraThin, light, and offering an all-day battery, this laptop also has a cutting edge integrated GPU for light to moderate gaming.See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14 (2,240 x 1,400), IPS, 60Hz CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 365GPUIntegrated: AMD Radeon 880M GraphicsRAM16 GB LPDDR5x (7,500MHz)Storage1TBWeight3.47 poundsDimensions12.41" x 8.96" x 0.65"PROSThin, light, and highly portableCutting-edge integrated graphics for moderate gamingIR camera and fingerprint readerCONSLimited performance in demanding gamesDisplay is limited to 60HzJust because you're a grown-ass adult doesn't mean that you have to give up on gaming once you're through with your day job. If you need one laptop that can see you through your work day and load up your favorite games in the evening, the HP OmniBook Ultra is the laptop for you. The reason it's such a good pick lies with its excellent Ryzen 9 AI HX365 processor. It's more than capable for productivity applications and even demanding apps like Adobe Premiere or Photoshop. It also includes one of the highest performance integrated GPUs currently available. You won't be able to play the latest games on their highest settings, but thanks to AMD's intelligent upscaling and frame generation technologies, FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Fluid Motion Frames, you can enjoy playable frame rates on most games available today just don't expect it to match a laptop with a dedicated graphics card. But since the display maxes out at 60Hz, you don't need to hit triple-digit frame rates to max out its potential.For productivity, you'll be able to enjoy a sleek, business-first exterior that exudes class and excellent portability. At only 3.47lbs, you can carry it throughout your work day without getting home with sore shoulders. It also sports biometric login with an IR webcam and integrated fingerprint sensor for extra security on the job. Asus TUF Gaming A14 Photos5. Asus TUF Gaming A14Best for StudentsBest for StudentsAsus TUF Gaming A14The perfect laptop for the on-the-go gamer. It's supremely portable, understated enough for class, and quiet enough for late night gaming sessions without disturbing your dormmate. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14 (2560 x 1600), IPS, 165HzCPUAMD Ryzen 7 8845HS to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM 16GB to 32GB (7500MHz) Storage1TBWeight3.2 poundsDimensions12.24" x 8.94" x 0.67" 0.78"PROSExceptionally portableSolid gaming performanceRuns quietCONSSoldered memory can't be upgradedIf you're a student, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent pick that I simply adored in my review. It's surprisingly thin, exceptionally quiet, and offers impressive battery life. If you need a notebook you can carry between classes, and that also lets you sneak away into the library to play your favorite games (shh!), look no further: This is the laptop for you.While "thin and light" might be the watch words for productivity laptops, the design pays dividends for students that want to enjoy some games in their downtime. At only 3.2lbs and 0.78" at its thickest point, it's compact enough to fit into any bag without weighing you down. When it's time for gaming its 8th-gen high-performance AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU are well-matched to its 1600p display, though I'd recommend dropping the resolution to 1200p to push the frame rate even higher. The picture stays crisp on its 14" display and the higher fps really make the most of its 165Hz screen.The biggest nitpicks I made about this machine really had to do with its expandability and relatively high price for the level of hardware it features. While you can't expand the memory, the overall balance between performance, portability, and noise that Asus struck here is pitch perfect for on-the-go students.How to Pick the Best Gaming LaptopGaming laptops have come a long way in relatively little time. Power, portability, and price have all seen dramatic improvements in just the last five years, and somehow gaming laptops are getting thinner and adding even more features.PortabilityWhere will you be taking this gaming laptop? If you imagine yourself taking it out every day, youll want something portable, such as a 15-incher or something smaller. Users who just want a laptop to live at home as more of a desktop replacement should go for a 17" rig or bigger for the larger screen size and greater power.PowerThe newest gaming laptops come equipped with the latest Nvidia RTX or Radeon RX graphics chips. These mobile chips are nearly as capable as their desktop version, plus they support the latest ray tracing and DLSS technologies. Choosing the latest processor isn't quite as necessary, but it's nice to have.When shopping for a gaming laptop be sure the Intel processor has a model number of Intel Core ix-14xxxH (i.e. Intel Core i7-14700HX or Intel Core i9-14900HX). This denotes it's one of Team Blue's Raptor Lake H-series processors. If the gaming laptop you're eying has an AMD processor, ensure its model number has a seven or eight at the start of it such as AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS as it lets you know it's one of AMD's latest 7000-series or 8000-series processors.PriceIf you're set on a gaming laptop and just need to decide which one to get under a certain price point, then your choices will be narrowed down based on your maximum budget. If that's you, you'll probably want to explore our full list of cheap gaming laptops we'd recommend instead, but here's our top budget pick right now:Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000:MSI Thin GF63MSI Thin GF63Affordable gaming laptop delivering a 12th-gen Intel CPU, RTX 4060 graphics, and plenty of RAM in a relatively lightweight form factor. Most gaming laptops are only as portable as the nearest electrical outlet. All that power comes at a price, though. After all, there are a few exceptions like our top choice, but the general rule of thumb in gaming laptops is their battery life stinks.Another consideration when choosing a gaming laptop versus a gaming desktop is its price. It costs quite a bit more to stuff all those components (i.e. the built-in trackpad, keyboard, speakers, and display) into an easy-to-carry shell. From our experience, it's always better to stick with the least amount of memory and storage on checkout, and then upgrade it yourself with higher capacity components that are much cheaper to buy on their own. A 1TB SSD might sound tempting as it'll help get your system boot instantly and store all your games, but a high-end upgrade like that can often cost half or a quarter as much as the whole machine.However, upgrading leads directly to another consideration: How easy is it to swap out components? Whereas it's usually a snap to add or replace a component in your desktop rig, upgrading anything in your gaming laptop, other than RAM, will often mean having to buy a whole new computer.Gaming Laptop FAQShould you buy a gaming laptop or a gaming PC?When considering a gaming laptop over a gaming desktop, ask yourself: Is the premium in price worth it for the luxury of portability?Gaming desktops provide more bang for your buck, are less expensive to upgrade and repair, and last longer before they go obsolete. However, if you're looking for portability, then a gaming laptop is certainly your best bet. See our guide to gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops for more info.When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?A gaming laptop is an expensive purchase, but there are a few times throughout the year where you can find some really good discounts on these devices. The most obvious times are Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school sales in the summer. For more details, see our advice on the best time to buy a laptop.Should you buy a Steam Deck or a gaming laptop?One of the biggest advantages to a gaming laptop over a gaming PC is that it offers portability. Which is also the greatest advantage of the Steam Deck over a gaming laptop. Gaming handhelds are portable and have enough power to run just about any PC game you need to. Of course, they're also less useful as a computer, due to the smaller screen size and lack of keyboard. Check out our guide on the Steam Deck vs. gaming laptops for a deeper analysis or checkout some of the best handheld gaming PCs.Are MacBooks good for gaming? Dont get us wrong, MacBooks are exceptional laptops that excel in many areas, but gaming isnt one of them at least not yet. Apple simply hasnt designed its devices for this purpose, with many of its most powerful Pro models focused on professional and creative use. That being said, the Apple-developed silicon in these machines is mighty powerful and graphically capable of handling many gaming titles. However, you cant easily make upgrades like PC gaming laptops allow for. While you can play some games on a Mac, one of the biggest drawbacks to MacBook gaming is MacOS lack of support for many of the most popular games out there, which often run on the Windows platform. Apple has introduced a porting toolkit to bring more PC games to Mac, and a new Game Mode on MacOS Sonoma. Its clear Apple is making strides in the gaming world, but at the present moment, theres a ways to go before MacBooks become a go-to portable gaming option. Do you need a laptop cooling pad? Many modern gaming laptops come with ample cooling solutions baked into the chassis. But given their much smaller form factor than traditional desktop gaming PCs, thermal throttling can occasionally be an issue. If you are experiencing a downgrade in performance or your device seems a little too hot to the touch, a laptop cooling pad could be a simple, affordable solution. Laptop cooling pads often feature fans and ventilation slots or mesh for better airflow than when your laptop rests on a gaming desk or your lap, helping to ensure your device is working to its full potential and can even increase its longevity. If you're looking to keep your gaming laptop cool on the cheap, the Havit HV-2056 is an excellent option.Christopher Coke has been a contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been covering games and technology for more than a decade. He has covered tech ranging from gaming controllers to graphics cards, gaming chairs to gaming monitors, headphones, IEMs, and more for sites such as MMORPG.com, Toms Hardware, Popular Science, USA Todays Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.