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A Gaming Laptop Buying Guide for Beginners

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Gaming laptops have become increasingly popular in recent years. These laptops are designed for gamers, with powerful processors, graphics cards, and high-resolution displays.

Technological advancements make gaming laptops a great alternative to traditional desktop gaming setups.

In this gaming laptop purchasing guide, we will explore what you need to look for when buying a gaming laptop and some tips for finding the best gaming laptop for your needs.

Gaming laptops are designed specifically for playing video games. They have powerful processors, graphics cards, and high-resolution displays designed for playing games.

A gaming laptop is the perfect way to bring your gaming experience to the next level.

These laptops are also portable, which means that you can take them with you wherever you go. This makes them perfect for gamers who want to play games on the go or need more space for a traditional desktop setup.

The benefits of owning a gaming laptop are numerous. Firstly, gaming laptops are portable, so you can take them wherever you go.

This makes them great for gamers who want to play games on the go or don’t have much space for a traditional desktop setup. Secondly, gaming laptops are designed specifically for playing video games.

They have powerful processors, graphics cards, and high-resolution displays that are specifically designed for playing games. This means you can play your favorite games without lag or stuttering.

What to Look for when Buying a Gaming Laptops

a woman wearing a VR headset
  1. SIZE AND WEIGHT

Gaming laptops come in a variety of sizes and weights. The size and weight of the laptop are essential factors to consider when choosing a gaming laptop.

If you plan on taking your laptop with you on the go, choose a lightweight and easy-to-carry laptop. If you plan on primarily using your laptop at home, you can choose a larger and heavier laptop.

A good gaming laptop will be slightly larger and heavier than a standard laptop. The added size and weight can be attributed to the powerful components housed within the laptop.

  1. PROCESSOR

The CPU processor is the computer’s brain, and it is responsible for processing all input data into the computer. The processor is an essential factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop.

You will want to choose a laptop with a powerful processor that can handle the demands of modern video games.

Intel and AMD are the two most popular processor manufacturers, and both offer various processors suitable for gaming. Gaming laptops typically have Intel Core i5, i7, and i9 processors.

  1. RAM

The amount of RAM that a computer has is an essential factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it is used to store data that is being used by the computer temporarily. You will want to choose a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM, ideally 16GB or more.

Gaming laptops can be laden with 4GB of RAM or more, which is more than enough for running most games.

Remember that the amount of RAM your computer has affects not only the speed of the computer but also how much game data you can run on the computer at once.

  1. GRAPHICS CARD

The graphics card or GPU is responsible for rendering the graphics that are displayed on the screen. A powerful graphics card is essential for playing modern video games.

NVIDIA and AMD are the two most popular graphics card manufacturers, and both offer a range of graphics cards suitable for gaming.

Also, be sure to check the power and price rating of the laptop, as these factors affect the graphics card that is installed on the laptop.

  1. TYPE OF STORAGE
hands holding a gaming controller

The type of storage a laptop has is an essential factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. There are two types of storage: hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).

SSDs are faster and more reliable than HDDs but are also more expensive. You will want to choose a laptop with an SSD, but if you are on a budget, then an HDD will suffice.

A gaming laptop with an SSD will be slightly more expensive than a laptop with an HDD, but it will be worth the price.

  1. BATTERY LIFE

Battery life is an important factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. Gaming laptops tend to have shorter battery lives than traditional laptops due to the demands of the powerful hardware.

You will want to choose a laptop with a battery life of at least 6 hours, and ideally more than 8 hours. This means that you won’t have to worry about battery life when gaming on the go.

  1. DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

Design architecture is an essential factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. You will want to choose a laptop with good ventilation and cooling systems, as gaming laptops generate a lot of heat.

You will also want to choose a laptop with a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, as you will be using these for extended periods.

Gaming laptops are typically very thin, so uncomfortable trackpads can cause your hand to cramp.

  1. BRAND AND MODEL

Brand and model are important factors to consider when choosing a gaming laptop.

Some gaming laptop brands are known for their quality and reliability, while others are not. You will want to choose a reputable brand that has a good track record for producing high-quality laptops.

  1. MONITOR SIZE

Monitor size is an essential factor to consider when choosing a gaming laptop. A larger monitor size will provide a better gaming experience, but it will also make the laptop heavier and less portable.

You will want to choose a monitor size that is comfortable for you to use while also considering the weight and portability of the laptop.

A good gaming laptop should be lightweight and portable enough to be carried around with you.

You can also choose a laptop with multiple screen sizes to use the screen size that best suits your needs.

Tips for Finding the Best Gaming Laptop

When you are searching for the best gaming laptop, there are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that you find the best available laptop.

A. RESEARCH AND COMPARE

Researching and comparing different gaming laptops is essential when choosing the best one for your needs.

You should read reviews and specifications for different laptops and compare them to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Doing your research properly will ensure that you find the best laptop for your needs.

B. TEST THE LAPTOP BEFORE BUYING

Testing the laptop before buying is also important when choosing a gaming laptop. Try out the keyboard, trackpad, and monitor to ensure that they are comfortable and easy to use.

You should also test the laptop’s performance by running a few games to see how they perform. Testing the laptop before buying will ensure that you don’t end up with a lemon.

C. CHECK THE RETURN POLICY

Checking the return policy is essential when buying a gaming laptop. You should ensure that the store has a good return policy so that you can return the laptop if it is not suitable for your needs.

D. ASK ABOUT THE WARRANTY

Asking about the warranty is essential when buying a gaming laptop. You should ensure that the laptop comes with a warranty and that it covers any defects or problems that may arise.

It is always wise to buy gaming laptops from reputable sellers. Stay away from sellers offering suspicious discounts on gaming laptops, as these could be scams.

Only buy from reputable sellers, and you will be safe from buying counterfeit products.

Warranty is essential when buying any product, as it ensures that you will be able to get a replacement if the product is not working properly.

E. UPGRADE OPTIONS

someone playing a game on a laptop

Upgrade options are essential when choosing a gaming laptop.

Gaming laptops tend to be more expensive than traditional laptops, so it is important to find a laptop that allows you to upgrade the hardware as needed.

You should ensure that the laptop has upgrade options for RAM, storage, Wi-Fi card, and video/sound card so that you can upgrade the laptop in the future.

F. SOFTWARE INCLUDED

Included software is also an important factor when choosing a gaming laptop. Some laptops come with pre-installed software that can be useful for gaming, while others do not.

You should ensure that the laptop comes with the necessary software for gaming.

G. HELPFUL ACCESSORIES

Helpful accessories can also enhance the gaming experience. Consider purchasing a gaming mouse, headset, or external monitor to enhance your gaming experience.

Gaming laptops are typically very thin, so purchasing a laptop with an attractive appearance is important.

It is also important to include a gaming mouse, as it can be much more comfortable to use than the trackpad on the laptop.

Additionally, if you intend to game regularly, a gaming mouse is highly recommended, as it will make your gaming sessions less frustrating and more comfortable.

Want to learn more about feature and benefits? Check out this post I wrote about “Gaming Laptop Benefits“.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a gaming laptop can provide a great alternative to traditional desktop gaming setups.

Owning a gaming laptop can provide numerous benefits, such as portability, high-performance hardware, and a great gaming experience.

When buying a gaming laptop, it is important to consider factors such as size and weight, processor, RAM, graphics card, type of storage, battery life, design architecture, brand and model, and monitor size.

Researching and comparing different laptops, testing the laptop before buying, checking the return policy, asking about the warranty, considering upgrade options, and helpful accessories are all essential when choosing the best gaming laptop for your needs.

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