Are gaming laptops worth the price of admission?
For years, the idea of a proper gaming PC has conjured up the image of a hulking desktop system, one that towers over the gamer and hums with the sound of fans needed to cool its powerful components. Laptops have always been seen as the “little brothers” to their desktop counterparts: great for general computing, word processing, and web browsing on the go, but not powerful enough to run the same software as your computer. desktop.
Much of this perception has changed in recent years due to the overwhelming advances in microcomputer technology. Laptops have become increasingly powerful and advanced, even as their size and cost have shrunk. Today, the idea of a true gaming laptop is feasible, and many companies have offered their units on the market as proof of this. While it may not be as convenient as playing on a dedicated desktop computer, it is now possible to enjoy the latest computer game releases on a portable system.
What are some of the benefits of gaming laptops?
Why, you might ask, should you bother with gaming laptops when desktop systems are so widely available? Gaming laptops have their decisive advantages. Obviously, its small size can be a great advantage for players. When you factor in the computer case, monitor, keyboard and mouse, speakers, printer, and other peripherals, a full-size desktop system can fill the entire surface of a desk or a table. Today’s laptops have become so advanced that they can realistically be seen as replacements for desktop computers. Since everything from the speakers to the keyboard is built into the body of a laptop, the space required in your home is comparatively minimal. In fact, a dedicated computer desk becomes largely unnecessary when talking about a system as small as a laptop; any table or surface will do.
The smaller size of laptops also lends itself to portability, which is another obvious advantage. There’s something to be said for having the ability to use your computer anywhere you want. Laptops let you work or surf the web wherever you want, and gaming laptops take that idea even further by letting you play the latest games wherever it’s convenient. After all, Unreal Tournament is probably a more valuable distraction for many people than Hearts. Also, the portability of laptops makes them ideal for community gaming. As anyone who has dragged their desktop system into a LAN party can attest, playing with other people locally isn’t always the easiest or most convenient thing to accomplish. Having a smaller scale autonomous game system makes this process exponentially easier. Plus, the wireless capabilities of many laptops make connecting to other systems locally or online a piece of cake.
Which gaming laptops are the best?
Given the advantages of portable gaming systems, then what are some of the most successful entries on the market? When taking a first look at a laptop’s specs, it’s not always immediately apparent whether or not it’s suitable for gaming. CNET (cnet.com) is widely regarded as an industry leader in terms of computer and technology reviews, listing several models as the best gaming laptop picks.
– Dell XPS M1710: Dell’s line of XPS laptops was built specifically for high-end gaming, and the M1710 is proof of that. The XPS M1710, when configured to the highest level, boasts such high specs as a 2.13GHz dual-core Intel processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 512MB nVidia mobile video card. Dell even takes the unprecedented step of throwing an internal subwoofer into the mix. In terms of raw power, this is one of the most powerful gaming laptops on the market today, and one of the most expensive, coming in at just over $4000 fully configured.
– Toshiba Satellite P105-S921: Toshiba’s offering in the gaming laptop fray is priced considerably lower than the Dell XPS, but its performance is admirable. For just $2,000, the S921 packs in features like a 1.83GHz Intel dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 256MB mobile video processor. While the S921’s performance pales in comparison to the Dell M1710, it packs more than enough power to run the latest games on medium to medium-high graphics settings, and represents substantial value at $2000 less than Dell.
– Alienware m7700: Although this Alienware model isn’t featured on CNET.com, and although Alienware was recently acquired by Dell, its name has long been synonymous with high-quality gaming hardware. This laptop model is no exception. For about the same price as the Dell model, you can take advantage of features like a 64-bit dual-core AMD processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 256MB nVidia mobile graphics card. Also, the external casing on Alienware models is usually a bit more interesting than most companies’ offerings. As with the Dell M1710, you’ll be able to run most games at their highest graphics settings.
So what’s the deal with gaming laptops?
Surely there are some drawbacks to gaming on laptops, right? As you’ve no doubt noticed above, the cost associated with a high-quality gaming laptop is usually quite a bit more than a corresponding desktop. For what the Dell M1710 costs, you can buy a monstrous gaming powerhouse powered by a dual graphics card. And in most cases, you can easily find a proper desktop gaming rig for under $1000.
Another drawback to packing such advanced technology into such a small package is that gaming laptops tend to be a bit heavier than their non-gaming counterparts, and battery life is generally not as long. It’s not uncommon for gaming laptops to clock in at eight pounds or more, and when you carry this weight around for a long time, it can be prohibitive. Also, it’s rare for a dedicated gaming laptop’s battery to last more than a couple of hours; the internal technology drains the battery so much that it usually drains itself in a short amount of time. If you plan to use a gaming laptop specifically as a desktop replacement, this is no longer an issue. However, anyone who plans to use their laptop exclusively on the go may find the reduction in battery life a bit off-putting.
