Gaming laptops are versatile laptops that can be used for more than just gaming. They come with extra features that make them appealing to most gamers and laptop users. Additionally, gaming laptops allow gamers to play both console games and PC games.
Gaming laptops come with powerful specs that promote optimal gaming performance. However, even with all its advantages and helpful tips and advice, gaming laptops come with many shortfalls.
Too Heavy
Gaming laptops are too heavy, typically weighing between four and six pounds. This is heavier than an ordinary laptop which usually weighs two pounds. There are several reasons why gaming laptops are bulkier than ordinary ones.
Battery
Gaming laptops are a force. They have dynamic components that need an equally intensive battery for them to run well. This means that the battery on a gaming laptop can end up being heavier than your everyday one.
Larger batteries allow the laptop to run smoothly and give more gameplay time.
Cooling
A gaming laptop can be bulkier as a solution to overheating. You see, many gaming laptops have to work harder than ordinary desktops. They contain different large components in one small space.
This makes them produce excessive heat, which many brands combat by adding an extensively cooling system. This cooling system contains fans, a thermal paste, and a heat sink.
Graphics Card
The graphics card is one of the most important components in gaming. A powerful GPU makes a game run more smoothly and gives it great visual quality. While it may be great for a gaming experience, this dedicated graphics card can make a laptop bulkier.
A powerful graphics card can also become too hot while running, resulting in an overheating laptop, which, as seen above, will need a cooling system. And cooling systems make gaming laptops heavier.
Ports
Many gaming laptops have more ports than ordinary ones. They usually have ports for USB, display, Ethernet, and HDMI as the standard. However, most include extra ports for other accessories that can enhance the gaming experience, which can increase the laptop’s size.
Display
Most gamers like a larger screen because this makes gaming better. Though some laptops have 14-inch screens, some are as large as 17 inches, and this can add weight to the laptop’s chassis.
Chassis
The chassis is the covering of a laptop. The chassis protects the laptop’s internal components, and for a gaming laptop, it is bigger and sturdier because the components are larger and require a bigger cooling system.
Additionally, some gaming laptops come with a metal casing instead of a plastic one, which can add to the overall weight of the laptop.
Laptop Design
Some gaming laptops are designed in a unique way to make them cooler and more attractive than ordinary ones. However, their design can add to the laptop’s weight.
Battery Life
Even though gaming laptops have larger batteries, they usually have a shortened battery life. This is because gaming can be quite intense and strain a battery making it degrade faster.
However, this poses a different problem. The reason why some gamers choose to go with a laptop rather than a desktop is because of its portability. If you can only game when the laptop is connected to power, you cannot game anywhere without a power supply.
To extend your laptop’s battery life, experts suggest gaming when it is plugged into power rather than using the battery itself.
Too Noisy
Gaming laptops can become pretty loud because they have internal cooling systems with multiple fans that allow airflow and prevent overheating. This can lead to a noisy machine. Thankfully there are certain measures you can take to reduce the fan noise.
Cost
You can find an ordinary laptop that costs well under $500. On the other hand, a budget-friendly gaming laptop will cost you $1,000. In fact, premium gaming laptops can make you part with up to $5,000.
Several factors make gaming laptops more expensive.
Higher Specs
Gaming laptops usually have higher specifications than ordinary ones. They have high-end graphics cards and higher-generation processors with multiple cores. The higher the specs, the better the gaming experience.
Cooling Systems
A gaming laptop requires a sophisticated and very expensive cooling system to ensure that the internal components are protected from overheating. If a laptop does not cool properly, its performance reduces, leading to thermal throttling.
Custom Parts
Gaming laptops require customized parts to perform better than ordinary ones. This means that manufacturers have to make these parts themselves rather than outsource them, which is a costly endeavor.
Accessories
Gaming laptops come with accessories that differentiate them from other laptops. These accessories enhance the gaming experience. For example, many gaming laptops are designed with a mechanical or membrane keyboard with RGB lighting. The more accessories a laptop has, the more expensive it will be.
In Summary
While gaming laptops are an amazing option for gaming, they come with several problems, some of which you can find solutions for. However, if you need a portable machine that can allow you to game anywhere, a gaming laptop will do.
