There are a lot of reasons why people opt to buy gaming laptops. It is either because their work or studies require them to have a powerful computer with high specifications.
But you might wonder why not just build a personal computer at home? Desktops might be practical as you can modify each piece according to your needs. But, gaming laptops can provide portability with qualities close to a gaming set-up at home.
If you get this but have no idea what to consider in buying a gaming laptop, it can be not easy, given how many options are out there. So, this article will show you how to find the best one.
Table of Contents
What will you use the gaming laptop for?
From the name itself, it is obvious that you use it for gaming. However, many people may seek one because of work or studies. For example, some softwares may be required for those who study architecture, engineering, or technology-related programs. Designers who use heavy applications but want portability or smaller machines also tend to use gaming laptops.
You might want to assess your purpose for using one because the specs you might need depending on what work you will use it for. Additionally, it would help if you remember that higher specs cost more.
Specifications
When shopping for laptops and gaming laptops, it is important to look for specifications. Some choose to go to the store, while others prefer searching through an online shop. The reason could be the convenience of seeing a full list of the specs of each brand and model ahead of time.
One of the main reasons for purchasing a specific gaming one is probably because its specs tend to be a match for desktops already. It is a given that a gaming laptop can be the best of both worlds. Below is a list of specs you might want to look for.
1. RAM
Gaming can consume a lot of RAM, so 8GB should be good even for tasks requiring ordinary productivity. If you can, choose a gaming PC with 16GB of memory. Typically, a laptop with a GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti has 8GB of memory. The higher it gets, the bigger the RAM should be.
2. GPU
The GPU can be one of the most important selections when purchasing a gaming notebook since even while some games utilize the CPU, the bulk are still GPU-bound. If you could, you should look for ones that use Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX GPUs.
3. Storage
For storage, you can either choose between HDD or SSD. Some say that you should always go for an SSD. But, you can also get both. Most gaming notebooks additionally feature a tiny SSD to act as a boot drive, while some affordable gaming laptops will have a hard drive (often 1TB). If you can purchase a bigger SSD, your machine might be faster.
4. Battery Life
Although portable, it might be unavoidable to keep the laptop plugged in often. It is because gaming requires full performance out of your GPU, which costs battery life. Additionally, it might last longer if you use it for work or things other than heavy gaming. But a growing number of gaming laptops support USB Type-C and barrel charges. So, that is also something you might want to consider.
Will you need or want to upgrade?
As said above, one advantage of a desktop is upgrading it piece by piece. But there are also laptops that enable you to do so. Storage and RAM usually are the ones you can upgrade. However, not every gaming laptop lets you upgrade. So, taking note of these is important.
Conclusion
You can always get high-end ones if you have the money. However, there is a lot to consider, but it all depends on choosing the best one for what you do. You may consider it a success if you find one that will last you for years. It can get expensive, but getting the most out of it might also mean getting the most out of your money.
