Summary<\/h3>\n\n\n- Gaming laptops offer the widest possible game selection for a portable device. <\/li>\n
- The right model can handle all of your entertainment and work needs. <\/li>\n
- Even if gaming is a sidetrack, you’ll still get better overall performance. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n<\/section>\n
\n<\/p>\n
We’re at an exciting threshold in PC gaming. It used to be that if you wanted power, you had to buy or build a desktop PC<\/a><\/span>. That’s still the best option for raw speed, but portable options have been narrowing the gap. On modern handhelds, like the Steam Deck<\/a><\/span> or ASUS ROG Ally X<\/a><\/span>, you can run many triple-A games without batting an eye. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Many people interested in PC gaming should be opting for a laptop, however. It’s not the ideal choice for everyone — there’s usually a higher cost involved — but there’s no need to break the bank, and laptops offer some distinct advantages, even if gaming is just a minor hobby of yours.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n\n How to turn a Steam Deck into a TV gaming console <\/a> <\/h5>\nYou can play PC games on your TV without buying a desktop or laptop.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
1 <\/span> Wider gaming options than consoles or handhelds <\/span> <\/h2>\n Find the games that are most authentically you <\/h3>\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2024\/11\/sid-meier-s-civilization-vii-press-image-5.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFiraxis Games \/ Pocket-lint<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As much as I enjoy my Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch<\/a>, some games are best played elsewhere, or simply won’t work on those devices. A prime example is the original battle royale, PUBG — Steam Decks are notoriously bad at handling anti-cheating tools, and the Switch doesn’t have enough horsepower. First-person shooters are also best played with a mouse and keyboard — once you’ve had a taste, you’ll never want to go back to a gamepad.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere are a number of genres that are best played on a laptop or desktop PC.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
In fact, there are a number of genres that are best played on a laptop or desktop PC, ranging from turn-based tactics games to flight sims and point-and-click adventures. If you want to sample all of what gaming has to offer, a laptop can help while retaining some portability.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Colorful](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/screenshot-2024-09-20-at-9-36-01-am.png\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n\n 2024 was a pretty bleak year for gaming, but there’s hope for 2025 <\/a> <\/h5>\nSurprise hits were paired with pain for the people who actually make games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
2 <\/span> Saving money with a do-it-all machine <\/span> <\/h2>\n If you play your cards right, that is <\/h3>\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/razer-blade-16-image-2.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
While it’s true that a good gaming laptop will cost you more than an equivalent desktop, it has the potential to satisfy all of your entertainment needs. If you want to relax on the couch, you can bring your laptop into the living room, maybe even hook it up to your TV. If you want to play Tactical Breach Wizards on a flight to Texas, you can do that too. And of course, when it’s time to get down to work, a gaming laptop should have no problem running apps like Office or Photoshop.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nStay at 16 inches or below if you plan to game on the road.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
You will have to make some strategic shopping decisions. Stay at 16 inches or below if you plan to game on the road, since anything larger tends to be cumbersome, especially when you’re unpacking during a TSA screening. For work purposes, you may want to buy some additional accessories, like a Thunderbolt\/USB 4 dock and an external monitor — but that’ll depend on what you do for a living. I usually don’t need anything more than a mouse and a full-sized keyboard, myself.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Spider-Man](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/8k-gaming-isnt-worth-the-effort-yet.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n\n 8K gaming isn’t worth the effort yet <\/a> <\/h5>\nIt’ll be the norm one day, but that day is years off.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
3 <\/span> Snappier performance for everything you do <\/span> <\/h2>\n Watch those Chrome tabs fly <\/h3>\n\n\n![\"Windows](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/2024\/09\/windows-11-feature-1.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
While you’ll only experience the full potential of a gaming laptop by playing 3D games, the added performance can translate into an overall smoother experience versus non-gaming PCs. A laptop equipped with a high-end CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a fast M.2 SSD will load Windows 11 in a matter of seconds. You can say goodbye to worrying about how many browser tabs you have opened, or closing non-essential apps to prevent things from chugging.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Even if you only get 16GB of RAM, some non-gaming apps support GPU acceleration, which can improve responsiveness and reduce the burden on your CPU. Without the dedicated (i.e. non-integrated) graphics chips found in gaming systems, you may not see much benefit from that acceleration.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/162326-games-news-feature-how-to-optimise-your-pc-for-gaming-image1-bhtbdpc2mo.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n\n 11 must-try optimization tips for a better PC gaming experience <\/a> <\/h5>\nThere are a few things that you can do to optimize your PC for gaming. Here’s how, from using Game Mode to setting your monitor’s refresh rate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4 <\/span> Aesthetic flair in your office (or gaming den) <\/span> <\/h2>\n Just don’t go overboard <\/h3>\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/pc-gaming-set-up-razer.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nRazer<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Although I personally prefer subtlety, there’s no denying the flash a lot of gaming laptops bring to the table. Some of them have elaborate logos or other artwork, and many models have multicolored LED lighting. It can add a sense of personality that’s often missing in tech — even if some designs are a bit gaudy, and might as well be flying a giant “steal me” banner at a coffee shop.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is some practical value to LED lighting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
There is some practical value to LED lighting. It makes typing and trackpad scrolling easier in dim rooms, and in some cases, you can sync lighting with games and other apps. A red burst might let you know when your character is hit, for instance, while a music app might make lights pulse in time to the beat.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"difference-between-wi-fi-6-6e-and-7\"](\"https:\/\/static1.pocketlintimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/difference-between-wi-fi-6-6e-and-7.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n\n Wi-Fi what…? The difference between Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 <\/a> <\/h5>\nWi-Fi 7 offers the best performance, but it’s not always worth paying for the privilege.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Trending Products<\/strong>
\n\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Added to wishlist<\/span>Removed from wishlist<\/span> <\/span><\/span>0<\/span> <\/div> \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n <\/i>Add to compare<\/span><\/span> \r\n <\/span>\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ![\"15.6”](\"https:\/\/convertingmarkets.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rehub-theme\/images\/default\/blank.gif\")
\r\n \r\n <\/a> \r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n <\/figure>\r\n
- \n
- Gaming laptops offer the widest possible game selection for a portable device. <\/li>\n
- The right model can handle all of your entertainment and work needs. <\/li>\n
- Even if gaming is a sidetrack, you’ll still get better overall performance. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n<\/section>\n
\n<\/p>\nWe’re at an exciting threshold in PC gaming. It used to be that if you wanted power, you had to buy or build a desktop PC<\/a><\/span>. That’s still the best option for raw speed, but portable options have been narrowing the gap. On modern handhelds, like the Steam Deck<\/a><\/span> or ASUS ROG Ally X<\/a><\/span>, you can run many triple-A games without batting an eye. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Many people interested in PC gaming should be opting for a laptop, however. It’s not the ideal choice for everyone — there’s usually a higher cost involved — but there’s no need to break the bank, and laptops offer some distinct advantages, even if gaming is just a minor hobby of yours.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHow to turn a Steam Deck into a TV gaming console <\/a> <\/h5>\n
You can play PC games on your TV without buying a desktop or laptop.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
1 <\/span> Wider gaming options than consoles or handhelds <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Find the games that are most authentically you <\/h3>\n
\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFiraxis Games \/ Pocket-lint<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As much as I enjoy my Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch<\/a>, some games are best played elsewhere, or simply won’t work on those devices. A prime example is the original battle royale, PUBG — Steam Decks are notoriously bad at handling anti-cheating tools, and the Switch doesn’t have enough horsepower. First-person shooters are also best played with a mouse and keyboard — once you’ve had a taste, you’ll never want to go back to a gamepad.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n \n\nThere are a number of genres that are best played on a laptop or desktop PC.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
In fact, there are a number of genres that are best played on a laptop or desktop PC, ranging from turn-based tactics games to flight sims and point-and-click adventures. If you want to sample all of what gaming has to offer, a laptop can help while retaining some portability.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n
\n2024 was a pretty bleak year for gaming, but there’s hope for 2025 <\/a> <\/h5>\n
Surprise hits were paired with pain for the people who actually make games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
2 <\/span> Saving money with a do-it-all machine <\/span> <\/h2>\n
If you play your cards right, that is <\/h3>\n
\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\nWhile it’s true that a good gaming laptop will cost you more than an equivalent desktop, it has the potential to satisfy all of your entertainment needs. If you want to relax on the couch, you can bring your laptop into the living room, maybe even hook it up to your TV. If you want to play Tactical Breach Wizards on a flight to Texas, you can do that too. And of course, when it’s time to get down to work, a gaming laptop should have no problem running apps like Office or Photoshop.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n \n\nStay at 16 inches or below if you plan to game on the road.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
You will have to make some strategic shopping decisions. Stay at 16 inches or below if you plan to game on the road, since anything larger tends to be cumbersome, especially when you’re unpacking during a TSA screening. For work purposes, you may want to buy some additional accessories, like a Thunderbolt\/USB 4 dock and an external monitor — but that’ll depend on what you do for a living. I usually don’t need anything more than a mouse and a full-sized keyboard, myself.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n
\n8K gaming isn’t worth the effort yet <\/a> <\/h5>\n
It’ll be the norm one day, but that day is years off.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
3 <\/span> Snappier performance for everything you do <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Watch those Chrome tabs fly <\/h3>\n
\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
While you’ll only experience the full potential of a gaming laptop by playing 3D games, the added performance can translate into an overall smoother experience versus non-gaming PCs. A laptop equipped with a high-end CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a fast M.2 SSD will load Windows 11 in a matter of seconds. You can say goodbye to worrying about how many browser tabs you have opened, or closing non-essential apps to prevent things from chugging.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Even if you only get 16GB of RAM, some non-gaming apps support GPU acceleration, which can improve responsiveness and reduce the burden on your CPU. Without the dedicated (i.e. non-integrated) graphics chips found in gaming systems, you may not see much benefit from that acceleration.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n
\n11 must-try optimization tips for a better PC gaming experience <\/a> <\/h5>\n
There are a few things that you can do to optimize your PC for gaming. Here’s how, from using Game Mode to setting your monitor’s refresh rate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
4 <\/span> Aesthetic flair in your office (or gaming den) <\/span> <\/h2>\n
Just don’t go overboard <\/h3>\n
\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nRazer<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Although I personally prefer subtlety, there’s no denying the flash a lot of gaming laptops bring to the table. Some of them have elaborate logos or other artwork, and many models have multicolored LED lighting. It can add a sense of personality that’s often missing in tech — even if some designs are a bit gaudy, and might as well be flying a giant “steal me” banner at a coffee shop.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n \n\nThere is some practical value to LED lighting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/section>\n
<\/p>\n
There is some practical value to LED lighting. It makes typing and trackpad scrolling easier in dim rooms, and in some cases, you can sync lighting with games and other apps. A red burst might let you know when your character is hit, for instance, while a music app might make lights pulse in time to the beat.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/picture> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>Related<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWi-Fi what…? The difference between Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 <\/a> <\/h5>\n
Wi-Fi 7 offers the best performance, but it’s not always worth paying for the privilege.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Trending Products<\/strong>
\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAdded to wishlist<\/span>Removed from wishlist<\/span> <\/span><\/span>0<\/span> <\/div> \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n \r\n <\/i>Add to compare<\/span><\/span> \r\n <\/span>\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/a> \r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n <\/figure>\r\n
![\"15.6”](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/513AnCrnJ+L._SS300_.jpg\")
\r\n \r\n <\/a> \r\n \r\n