The Pros And Cons Of Using A Laptop For Gaming

For decades, people have appreciated video games as more than just a niche hobby. Video games are now relatively mainstream, with hundreds of millions, if not billions of people around the world playing them on a regular basis.

Gaming consoles are incredibly popular because of their affordability, widespread availability, and intuitive, all-in-one setup. However, you can often get better graphics and better performance from a specialized computer.

If you’re interested in such a computer, you might want to get a gaming laptop. But what exactly is a gaming laptop, and what are the pros and cons of using it?

What Is A Gaming Laptop?

A gaming laptop is very similar to a traditional laptop, but it has many upgraded components that are designed for video gaming. There are countless models of gaming laptop available, and you can customize your own, but there are some things that most gaming laptops have in common.

For example, gaming laptops usually come with an advanced CPU, specialized graphics processing unit (GPU), extra RAM, a bigger and faster hard drive, and even a screen with a superior refresh rate to enable quicker reaction times.

Many gaming laptop manufacturers also modify elements like the screen, the keyboard, the trackpad, and available ports for the convenience and gaming pleasure of their target demographic.

Pros Of Using A Gaming Laptop

Why would you choose a gaming laptop over some other kind of gaming PC or console?

Portability. Many people choose a gaming laptop, rather than a desktop, because of the portability. Instead of being confined to a single room of your house, you can take your gaming machine almost anywhere you go.
All-in-one capabilities. Gaming laptops aren’t just for gaming. They function like any other laptop and have impressive specs, allowing you to work, study, and entertain yourself in ways other than video games.
Slim profile. Compared to a desktop PC, laptops are slimmer and they occupy less space overall. This is especially valuable if you have a small desk or minimal room to work with.
No technical knowledge necessary. Building a gaming PC from scratch is tricky for someone who isn’t a technical expert. And even if you order a desktop PC that’s pre-assembled, you may not know about all the components included or how to choose between them. Gaming laptops are simpler and more straightforward, which is a major advantage for people without technical knowledge.
Support for most modern games. Gaming laptops are designed to provide a comprehensive experience for most gamers. Even if you’re on a budget, you should be able to get a gaming laptop that can support most modern games. You may not be able to achieve peak performance at the highest graphical settings for the most resource-intensive games, but you’ll still be able to have a great experience.
Relative inexpensiveness. Gaming laptops are more expensive than other types of laptops, due to the components included in them. That said, they tend to be relatively inexpensive compared to desktop PCs and certain gaming consoles.
Plenty of options. There are gaming laptops that can serve almost any conceivable video game enthusiast. Whatever your priorities are and whatever your budget is, there’s something that can work for you.

Cons Of Using A Gaming Laptop

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

Limited power/capabilities. With a gaming computer, you must consider the specs. The more powerful the components of the machine are, the faster it’s going to perform, the better the graphics are going to look, and the better your overall experience will be. Unfortunately, many hardware components are bulky, so gaming laptops are somewhat limited in power and capabilities. The best gaming laptops on the market rival desktop PCs in terms of performance, but desktop PCs will always have an edge.
Difficulty upgrading. With a desktop PC, you can upgrade and swap out components individually with relative ease, provided you know what you’re doing. It’s still possible to make upgrades with a gaming laptop, but the process is a bit trickier and harder for a novice to handle.
Practical issues. There are also some practical issues that can arise when using a gaming laptop. For example, the built-in keyboard and trackpad may not be sufficient to support your gaming needs, and because gaming laptops are sometimes bigger and heavier than other laptops, they can be somewhat less portable.

Is a gaming laptop the right move for you? If you love playing video games on the go, if you plan to use your laptop in many different ways and in many different places, or if you’re just looking for something more convenient, the answer could be yes. Just make sure you do your due diligence before making a final decision.