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Gaming Laptops: The Basics

Buying a laptop specifically for gaming can be a daunting task. High-powered machines can be pricey! But depending on what you want to play, you might not need one of those workhorses. The most important thing you need to consider when purchasing a gaming laptop — aside from budget, of course —  is "what kind of games will I be playing?"

Once you know that, you can begin shopping around for the best gaming laptop deals out there.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good laptop for gaming?

There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a gaming laptop, but as a general rule of thumb, Alienware and Razer both make notable gaming laptops.

Are gaming laptops worth it?

You don't have to spend a fortune on a gaming laptop. Depending on the games you want to play, you can absolutely stick with a budget machine. Things like Minecraft or indie games can run on more basic machines easily.

What are good cheap laptops for gaming?

“ Cheap” is a relative term. While you can probably get away with spending $500 on a budget machine for games like Minecraft and indie titles that are less intensive, anything with "gaming" in the name will probably set you back at least $900.

Are gaming laptops good for everyday use?

Gaming laptops can definitely be used for everyday tasks, and can be good for them. At the same time, we advise not buying an expensive gaming laptop if all you need is a budget machine for everyday use.

Are gaming laptops better than normal laptops?

Gaming laptops are very different from "normal" laptops in that they're specifically designed to deliver high powered performance for PC games. This could come in the form of graphics cards, SSDs, and a better resolution, all of which are typically unnecessary in a "normal" everyday laptop.

What Makes a Good Gaming Laptop?

When all is said and done, a gaming laptop is different from a normal laptop in four key ways:

  • A Discrete graphics card
    • A built-in GPU means your laptop simply can’t handle more graphics-intensive games.
  • More RAM
    • 8GB may be enough for a work laptop, but you need at least 16GB for a gaming rig.
  • SSD Storage
    • A traditional hard drive is much slower, leaving you waiting and waiting for games to load.
  • Accessories
    • For the best experience, you should definitely get a gaming mouse.
    • A cooling pad if your laptop runs very hot.
    • You may want a second monitor to display your games in all their glory.

What are the Most Popular PC Games to Play on a Gaming Laptop?

Gamers don't have to settle for highly rated point-and-click adventures to play games on a laptop these days! There are plenty of options that cater to a variety of tastes that won't have your laptop running hotter than a sauna.

  • Cuphead
  • Stardew Valley
  • Untitled Goose Game
  • The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
  • Broken Age
  • Half-Life 2
  • Civilization V
  • The Sims 4
By: Julie Ramhold, Senior Staff Writer

Julie joined DealNews in 2015. Her work has been featured on MSN, Business Insider, Lifehacker, The Motley Fool, GoBankingRates, and Moneyish.

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