What is a gaming laptop?
A gaming laptop is a specialised device aimed at fulfilling the high paced requirements of a gamer by offering high versatility and excellent portability. If you are someone who stays at home for most of the time, then going for a gaming monitor is a better option. But if you are someone who likes to game while on the go, then a gaming laptop is a much better choice. However, one of the top considerations for carrying a gaming laptop is its heavy weight. As compared to standard laptops, which are used for business or work, a gaming laptop weighs significantly more. For instance, most of the 15-inch gaming laptops weigh around 5 to 7 pounds, and on the other hand, some of the latest standard laptops weigh only a few grammes. However, there are a multitude of reasons behind this, which are explained below.
Heavier Cooling Systems
A cooling system is one of the most substantial components of a gaming laptop. The weight of the laptop is significantly increased by the air blades, cooling fans, and (in some cases) liquid coolants. High-paced games such as first-person shooting, racing, real-time strategy, or esports consume a lot of energy, due to which the CPU and the GPU of the laptop can become easily overheated. To address this challenge, gaming laptops come with bigger and heavier cooling systems that help in the instant thermal dissipation of the generated heat. For instance, the ASUS TUF A15 gaming laptop comes with 84-blade fans with a thicker design that helps reduce turbulence even during the most demanding games. These bigger cooling systems help with faster air flow, a bigger heat sink, and more space for air circulation, enabling the gamer to enjoy their extended gaming sessions without worrying about the extra CPU or GPU heat.
Larger Batteries
Games use more battery power than most standard laptop functions. This is because when you are playing a game, you are using the CPU, the graphics card, the audio system, and a much higher brightness level, which altogether leads to faster battery drainage. You can think of it as driving a car at 120 mph with a constant gear of acceleration, which gives a higher adrenaline rush but also consumes way more fuel than consistent driving. Thereby, a gaming laptop always comes with larger batteries, which are enough to keep the system running even at high energy consumption levels. For example, the MSI Raider GE66 Deluxe has a 99.9 Wh battery capacity, allowing the gamer to play for as long as possible without needing to recharge. These batteries alone can weigh up to 500 grams, or 1.1 pounds, which is 40% to 50% heavier as compared to standard laptops. Thus, batteries are the second most significant factor contributing to the heavier weight of a gaming laptop.
Display Size
The display size of the laptop is also a major driving factor. Standard laptops can have a display size smaller than even 10 inches. However, gaming laptops usually come with bigger display sizes (approximately 15 to 17 inches) to help the gamer enjoy every edge and detail of their gaming sessions. These displays also come with higher resolutions and stronger graphics chips, which are just as important as having the right processor for a gamer. All these characteristics assist the gamer in bringing their imagination to life and fighting with much higher productivity levels. The larger display sizes, also increase the body volume of the laptop, ultimately leading to heavier weight and larger scale.
Backlit Keyboards
On a gaming laptop, keyboards are analogous to a warrior’s sword. The size and type of the keyboard are also major additions to the overall weight of the device. Currently, RGB backlit keyboards are extremely popular, and gamers also prefer to buy ones that have backlit keyboards. This immediately enhances the gamer’s productivity levels, providing them with an extra motivational boost. The illuminating keystrokes shine with every touch, making them ideal for nighttime gaming. However, as these keyboards use extra lights, they use much more energy as compared to standard keyboards. Moreover, their differently designed structure and additional lighting also add to the weight of the laptop.
Thicker Chassis
It is obvious that having a very sleek or thin body style in a gaming laptop with a larger display, a heavier cooling system, and larger batteries is impossible. Thereby, gaming devices usually have a thicker chassis, which is also designed in a battle station shape to attract the gamer’s attention. Some advanced laptops, additionally, choose metal bodies, which help with more efficient cooling and increased durability, but add even more weight to the total structure.
FAQs
Is it possible to get a lightweight gaming laptop?
The heavy weight of gaming laptops is certainly one of the top stressors for a gamer. The heavy weight reduces the mobility of these laptops, as it becomes difficult for the user to always carry the device with them. However, in the current technological era, some top laptop brands such as ASUS and MSI have developed a range of lightweight gaming laptops for the convenience of their users. Some top recommendations for gaming laptop UK are given below.
- Medion Erazer Specialist P10
- ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Laptop
- MSI Raider GE 66 Deluxe Edition
- MSI Vector GP76
- MSI Crosshair 17 B12UGZ
Can I get an affordable gaming laptop?
Gaming laptops are available at various price points; however, those with a lighter weight and all of the innovative features are usually more expensive. If you are looking for a solution that provides you with cutting-edge technology but is also pocket-friendly, then going for refurbished laptops might be the best solution. A refurb can be defined as a cheap laptop that comes with more than 50% off the original prices, and if you get an A-category refurb, it will be as good as new. For B and C categories, it is recommended to go for the laptop that comes with the manufacturer’s warranty or insurance. Overall, refurbished laptops are the best way to get an ideal gaming laptop within your budget range
