Gaming laptops have become increasingly popular, as more and more people are looking for a way to enjoy their favourite games while on the go. However, with so many features to comb through, it can be tough to know which ones are truly essential and which ones are not that relevant. Now there are tons of guides on the internet that can help you find the right gaming laptop. But, in this article, we are going to take a look at some features that you can skip and safely ignore when buying a new gaming laptop.
RGB lights
RGB lights on gaming laptops can be a fun and visually appealing feature, but they may not necessarily be worth it for several reasons. First of all, gaming laptops with RGB lighting usually cost more than those without, and the cost can be significant depending on the quality and complexity of the lighting system. Additional lighting also significantly drains the battery life of a laptop. While you can turn off the lights to conserve battery life, the feature loses its appeal if you can’t use it for extended periods without plugging in.
Similarly, you don’t really need an RGB backlit keyboard. Sure, it might be useful in dimly lit environments, but it’s not required for gaming and can sometimes be distracting, especially if the lighting is too bright or flashy. Instead, a single-colour backlit keyboard should be more than enough.
If you value the aesthetics of your laptop and have the budget to spare, then RGB lighting may be a worthwhile feature. However, if you prioritise performance, battery life, and durability, you may want to consider a laptop without RGB lighting.
Touchscreen
Touchscreen displays can be useful in some situations, especially on 2-in-1 machines. However, they’re not really necessary for gaming as there are hardly any PC games that are optimized for touchscreen use. In fact, having a touchscreen on a gaming laptop can sometimes be a hindrance. Apart from potentially adding more weight, it also increases the cost of the laptop without providing any real benefit for gaming. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop, it’s best to stick with a traditional non-touchscreen display.
4K resolution displays
High-resolution displays can be visually stunning and provide a high level of detail, but they may not be worth it for gaming laptops for several reasons. Firstly, gaming laptops with a 4K display are significantly more expensive than those with lower-resolution screens. The cost can be a significant factor, especially for those on a budget. One also needs to consider that running games at 4K is quite taxing on the hardware and may impact the performance of the laptop. To run games smoothly on a 4K screen, you need a powerful graphics card, which can drive up the cost of the laptop even further.
The screen size of a laptop also affects the perceived benefits of a 4K screen. While 4K resolution can be impressive on larger screens, on a smaller laptop screen, the difference may not be as noticeable, and it may not provide a significant improvement in visual quality. Additionally, running games on a 4K screen can drain the battery life of a laptop faster than running them on a lower-resolution screen.
Overall, a 4K screen may not be worth it for gaming laptops because it can be expensive, impact performance, reduce battery life, and may not provide a significant improvement in visual quality on smaller screens. Gamers can still enjoy a great gaming experience on a lower resolution screen with a high refresh rate, and they may be better off investing in other features like a high-quality graphics card, a fast processor, and sufficient RAM.
High-end audio
High-quality audio can definitely enhance your gaming experience, but again it’s not essential for gaming. While high-end audio components can provide superior sound quality, the benefit may not be noticeable for gaming. In-game sound effects and music are often compressed, so the difference in quality may not be apparent, especially in noisy environments. Most gamers prefer to use a gaming headset to get better sound quality and communication with other players. The built-in speakers on a gaming laptop are unlikely to match the sound quality of a high-end headset, and using the laptop’s speakers can also disturb others around you. Thus, it is always suggested to invest in a good pair of headphones/earphones rather than falling for terms like immersive audio, High-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, etc.
Long battery life
Having good battery life is important for laptops in general, but that is not the case with gaming laptops. Featuring high-end processors and graphics cards, gaming laptops are optimised for performance rather than energy efficiency. Thus, they need to be plugged in to maintain the highest level of performance, especially while gaming. That being said, you can find certain gaming laptop models from various brands that offer up to a 99.9WHr battery which is also the biggest size permissible on airplanes. It is also important to note that AMD-based laptops in general offer better battery life thanks to improved efficiency compared to Intel. Especially with the upcoming Ryzen 7000 series mobile processors, we advise you to go team red if you seek better-than-average battery life.
Portability
Gaming laptops tend to be larger and heavier than standard laptops. That is because they are designed to offer high-performance gaming capabilities, which often requires larger components and more powerful cooling systems, resulting in a heavier and bulkier device. They are still portable in the sense that they can be transported from place to place, especially compared to desktop computers. However, as mentioned in the above point, they need to be plugged in to unleash their peak performance. In short, gaming laptops can be transported, but they usually require a desk and a power outlet to use effectively.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying a gaming laptop, it’s important to focus on the features that really matter. While some features like touchscreen displays, high-resolution displays, fancy lighting, longer battery life can be nice to have, they’re not essential for gaming. By skipping these features, you can save some money and get a laptop that’s more focused on the features that really matter for gaming.
