If you have been thinking about buying a gaming laptop instead of a PC, you’re probably wondering, “are gaming laptops worth it?”
The answer to this question:
Gaming laptops are ideal for avid gamers who’d like a gaming device that’s portable, that doesn’t consume much space, and useful while traveling. They are also ideal for users who’d love a high-performing laptop they can use for everyday uses such as programming, graphic design, watching movies at high resolution, etc.
Understanding the pros and cons of a gaming laptop can help you make an informed decision, especially if you are planning to buy one. To find out more on this, we invite you to read this article until the end.
Let’s go, gamers!
Why Are Gaming Laptops Worth It? (Benefits)
A few years ago, many gamers would not recommend buying a gaming laptop because most of the ones available in the market failed to offer quality performance.
However, I was looking at a few threads on Quora and Reddit; this has changed over the years. More gamers (both casual and competitive gamers) are opting to go for gaming laptops because they are becoming more powerful in terms of performance and durability.
Some of the main reasons why you can rely on a modern gaming laptop include:
1. They Can Run Modern Games at High Resolutions
Conventionally, people would use gaming laptops to play games that didn’t require a high-quality graphics card (GPU). But now, the best gaming laptops in the 2023 market are ideal for playing games because:
- They have better CPUs (processors)
- The best laptops come with high performing graphic cards
- Most laptop screens offer better resolutions and better refresh rates
An example of a good gaming laptop we can recommend (at the time of writing August 2023) is the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. (We’ll review it later in the article)
2. They are Compact
If you are to buy a gaming PC, how much space do you think it would take to set it up? You need to find space for its tower and large monitors.
Gamers with limited space prefer buying a gaming laptop because it’s compact. This is because these laptops have smaller but efficient designs, processors, screens, and GPUs. Manufacturers have found ways to create efficient components that are similar to that of a gaming PC.
This means: Your workstation or desk doesn’t have to be big to accommodate it. Additionally, if you don’t have a large house or room, you don’t have to worry about where to place your gaming laptop.
Which brings us to the next point…
3. Portability – You Can Game from Anywhere
Portability is one of the others reasons why gaming laptops are worth it and becoming popular nowadays. Gaming laptops – although it depends with the model – are lightweight. A good example is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, whose weight is less than 5 pounds. (We’ll review it later in the article).
With a gaming laptop, you don’t have to use it from your desk only. You can play your favorite games on your bed, couch, balcony, outdoor spaces, in a hotel room, library, in a vehicle, aeroplane, restaurant, among other places.
4. Gaming laptops are versatile
Are gaming laptops worth it? Yes, because gaming laptops are versatile. You don’t have to be an avid gamer to buy a gaming laptop.
Actually, people invest in these gaming laptops because they have high-end components that contribute to the device’s high performance. Hence, you can use it for everyday use. For instance, you can use the laptop for:
- Programming
- Video editing
- office work
- Watching movies at a high resolution
- Online streaming
- Students, too, can use it for class work
5. You Can Connect Your Laptop with Most Devices
Just like a gaming PC, you can connect gaming laptops to a larger monitor or a TV screen incase you enjoy playing your First Person Shooting games (or any other games) on a big screen.
However, just ensure that the monitor you select matches with the laptop’s GPU frame rate (FPS) to maximize on it. Otherwise, the monitor might become slow in displaying images, giving you a less competitive advantage.
By the way, you can also connect your gaming laptop to a console such as a PS5 as long as your laptop has a 2GB RAM and a 1.5 GHz processor.
Cons of a Gaming Laptop – Why People Don’t Think They Are Worth It
Although gaming laptops are worth it (quite efficient and useful) in many scenarios, they are far from being perfect.
Here are some of the most notable issues that gamers raise when using a gaming laptop.
1. Low Cooling Efficiency
The first problem I see with most gaming laptops is overheating. Of course, it’s normal for gaming laptops to overheat during gaming because the CPU and the GPU have to work fast to render high quality graphics when playing the game.
However, when comparing the cooling efficiency of a gaming laptop to that of a gaming PC, the PC wins in this case. The PC tower case in which you place both the processor and the graphics card has adequate ventilation, which makes the cooling process easier.
I also see many people complaining that laptop fans are quite loud and distractive. Hence, you need to find a good gaming headset to listen in while playing the game.
2. Laptops Can be Fragile
Talking about overheating makes me think about the fragility of a laptop. In my opinion, laptops can be a bit fragile even though most gaming laptops have a strong chassis to prevent them from breaking when they fall down.
Our concern -on the other side – is that if a vital component breaks or burns due to overheating, in most cases, you might need to buy a new laptop, especially if you cannot find the exact spare part that you need.
This may not be the case with a gaming PC. If there’s a problem with the monitor -for instance, you can simply get a replacement since most parts are brought in separately. Hence, you don’t have to find a new computer.
3. Small Screen Size
Another issue that gamers have with gaming laptops is their small screen size. Most gaming laptops have screen sizes that are between 14-17 inches. This is meant to maximize on portability (weight and thickness).
If you are gamer that loves playing games using bigger screens, gaming laptops may not be your cup of tea – unless you don’t mind connecting it to a large monitor.
4. More Expensive Than a Gaming PC
If you want a good gaming laptop, you might need to pay between $1200 and $1700 (as at the time of writing). Any laptop cheaper than this might not have the needed performance to play high-end First Person Shooting games or car racing games.
It’s the reason why most gamers would prefer building a gaming PC because you have control over the components, price, and customization options. Hence, it becomes affordable.
5. Battery Life
Most gamers also complain that gaming laptops have a poor battery life. Most of these high-quality games will consume a lot of power, which can lower the battery’s durability and quality.
Furthermore, playing games on your battery also can limit the graphics power of the laptop. You have to either low the settings on your game or keep your laptop plugged in all the time if you want to maintain high-quality settings.
Recommended Gaming Laptops You Should Buy
We’ll only recommend two in this article.
It offers high gaming performance since it comes with:
- A 16-inch screen with a 1600p resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio
- A Core i9 processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Graphics Card
- 99.99 Watts/hour Battery – Means a long time playing if you are outdoors – for instance
- Offers up to 32GB DDR5 RAM
We do recommend this laptop if you are a gamer that’s looking for a lightweight laptop (it weighs about 3.64pounds). Some notable features of this laptop include:
- 1080p resolution on its 14-inch screen
- Up to 16GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics card
- I TB SSD card
FAQ
1. How much does a good gaming laptop cost?
From our research, good gaming laptops can cost anywhere from $1200 going upwards. Laptops that cost less than this can still be useful but not be efficient in playing high end games or for using in the competitive leagues. However, as you buy, consider what games you’ll be playing most and what specs they require to make a decision on how much money you should use.
2. Should I buy a gaming laptop or a normal laptop?
Buy a normal laptop if you’ll be using it for less power and graphic intensive tasks such as browsing and writing. On the other hand, if you are a casual gamer or a student that’s looking for a laptop that can edit videos, hold programming software, or watch movies at high resolutions, a gaming laptop would be the best option for you.
3. Which one is better: Gaming Laptops vs. Consoles?
With a gaming console, you’ll be limited to gaming only. For people who want something they can use for a variety of purposes, a gaming laptop would suffice.
Wrapping it Up – Are Gaming Laptops Worth it?
In our opinion: Buying a gaming laptop can be worth it depending on your gaming preferences. If you are a casual gamer, or a competitive gamer that’s looking for a laptop they can use for practice, buy one.
Thanks for reading the article and good luck!
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