Almasluffy, via Wikimedia Commons Buying a gaming laptop isn’t for everyone. Nevertheless, if you enjoy playing video games, you’ll love its portability and price.
Gaming Laptops Cost Less
In terms of price, gaming laptops are significantly more expensive than their desktop counterparts. They need more powerful and compact components and involve huge amounts of research and development. Because of these factors, they cost more than desktop PCs but can be a great value for money if you’re in the market for a gaming machine. If you’re not a serious gamer, but still want to play games on the go, gaming laptops can offer a lot of power and ease-of-use. Still, they’re not without their compromises.
Maintenance and Accessories
When comparing price, gaming laptops are also cheaper than desktop PCs, but only if you exclude screen costs and other accessories. They also cost less to maintain over time. A gaming laptop also comes with a built-in keyboard and trackpad, whereas a desktop owner must purchase a separate keyboard and mouse. In terms of performance, gaming laptops have better graphics, but desktops cost more to buy.
Storage
Moreover, gaming laptops generally support NVME SSDs, which are the best choice for gamers, as these provide plenty of space and speed for playing games. However, they may not be sufficient for storing large video files. When comparing price, make sure to factor in the cost of storage space. With a gaming laptop, you should consider how much storage you need. A good gaming laptop will be able to store your game and save a significant amount of money in the long run.
Performance
The difference in price is largely driven by performance. While desktop PCs are still the preferred option for gamers, gaming laptops tend to have more powerful parts. A desktop CPU typically has a 650-watt power supply while a gaming laptop requires a much lower 250-watt power supply. If you’re looking for a low-cost option, an Acer Predator Triton 500 can offer excellent performance and a budget-friendly price. Its slim and light design makes it an appealing choice for gamers.
Upgradeability
Another difference between desktop and laptops is the level of upgradeability. A desktop PC has the advantage of being upgradeable, as the CPU and graphics card can be upgraded. In a laptop, however, you cannot upgrade the CPU or GPU, which makes it less versatile. In addition, you can also upgrade the RAM, graphics card, and storage capacity if you want to. On desktop PCs, these upgrades are more difficult. Additionally, opening a laptop to install upgrades and replace parts is a violation of its warranty.
Gaming Laptops Last Longer
As you know, gaming laptops are not your typical everyday laptops. While they are meant to run media software, they also can be used for other tasks. However, some tasks place more stress on the CPU and graphics processor than others. This causes heat to build up and may even lead to premature hardware failure. For instance, casual gaming and browsing the web may only use a few percent of the laptop’s total capacity. However, heavy gaming can include anything from video editing to downloading torrent files over night.
Lifespan Factors
The lifespan of gaming laptops depends on several factors, including the frequency of use, software and games, and the overall condition of the machine. Some gaming laptops come with a warranty, which can protect you against future damage. However, even if you buy a new gaming laptop, you should consider how to prolong its lifespan. To get the best value out of your money, you should read a few reviews online and choose the model that suits your needs the best. As mentioned earlier, gaming laptops last longer than standard laptops. This is because the components are more expensive than those found in normal laptops. Additionally, these laptops get very hot, so replacing them is difficult. A single component failure can cause your gaming laptop to malfunction and even break. It is best to invest in a gaming laptop that you know you will use for at least five years. These systems are more durable than your typical laptops, so you should consider investing in a more expensive model if you intend to use it for a long time.
HDMI Ports
If you plan on using your laptop for work or for video editing, you should buy a gaming laptop with an HDMI port. If you have an external monitor, you should choose a laptop with HDMI ports. This way, you can still use the high-end CPU and GPU, but you will be sacrificing portability for quality. By doing this, you can delay your purchase until next year. If you can’t afford to wait until a new model comes out, you can always buy a high-quality gaming laptop with a long lifespan.
Gaming Laptops Generate More Heat
Aside from being convenient for heavy users, gaming laptops can also produce excessive amounts of heat. This is largely because of their powerful CPUs and dedicated graphics cards, which generate large amounts of heat when under load. Furthermore, gaming laptops are generally small, which restricts airflow, causing the heat to build up more quickly. Fortunately, the problem of excessive heat is not as big of a deal as many people make it out to be. To combat the extra heat, gaming laptops use thermal paste, which is a substance that is applied to the internal components of the laptop. This substance absorbs heat from the processor and GPU and transfers it to the heatsink on the laptop, keeping the entire system cool and safe. However, liquid metal can lose its effectiveness if it is not applied properly during manufacture. While liquid metal is an excellent alternative to thermal paste, you should ensure that it does not come in contact with other components of the motherboard.
Gaming Laptops Require More Maintenance
Since you’re using your gaming laptop for other tasks as well, it is important to regularly clean it to avoid dust and other particles from building up inside the system. Performing routine cleaning is recommended every six months. Additionally, keep the laptop away from direct sunlight and heaters. Regular cleaning is also necessary if you want your laptop to continue to run smoothly. Here are a few tips on gaming laptop maintenance. Continue reading to learn more about the steps you should take to keep your gaming laptop in tip-top shape. The most basic step to follow is to check the processes that are running. Gaming laptops often have a lot of fan noise and dust that can make the laptop overheat. If you’re not sure how to do this, Google it. Once you find any unwanted processes, stop them immediately and configure them so they don’t automatically start every time you restart the computer. Gaming laptops often have fragile processors compared to their desktop counterparts. More installations mean more loading and a more faulty operating system. If you’re considering a gaming laptop, make sure to read the service manual first. Many laptop manufacturers include instructions in the manual to explain how to properly maintain the system. Replace the thermal paste if necessary and clean the fans. Clean fans and replace thermal paste frequently - dirty thermal paste can cause performance degradation. Gaming laptops run at a high temperature and are not suitable for self-repairing. You can even check the lifespan of the components with the help of service manuals. While a gaming laptop is a great option for many people, it is important to be aware of the disadvantages of a gaming laptop. Some of these disadvantages include higher price, greater risk of noise and heat, and decreased reliability. As with all laptops, you should carefully consider the pros and cons of gaming laptops before making a purchase. So before making the purchase, consider the pros and cons of both types before you make a final decision. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2022 SRINIVAS VELAGANDULA
