Did you know that there are over 19 million college
students in the
United States alone? If you're one of those 19 million students, you know that,
in today's day and age, you can't get through college without a laptop
computer.
But with so many laptop computers to
choose from, finding the right one for you can be tricky. And what about gaming
laptops? Are gaming laptops good for college students or are they just a waste
of money?
In this article, we'll give you a
detailed breakdown of all things gaming computers. We'll tell you what all
they're good for, besides gaming, and help you determine if getting a gaming
laptop for your college computer is the right choice or not.
We'll also talk about some of the
downsides to owning a gaming computer while in college. That way you can make
sure that you're giving yourself all the tools that you need to succeed without
creating any issues in the process.
What
Makes Gaming Laptops So Special?
If you're new to the idea of gaming
laptops, you may be asking yourself one simple question: what makes gaming
laptops so special in the first place? After all, you know that they're not
your regular old laptop just by looking at the prices for them online.
Well, what makes gaming laptops
worth the extra price doesn't have anything to do with gaming. What makes them
worth more money has to do with the gear that is found inside of the laptop
that makes the laptop much more powerful than a normal one.
When it comes to things like core
processors, graphic cards, and RAM, gaming laptops are much more powerful than
traditional laptops. That power is great for playing demanding video games,
sure, but it's also useful for a wide variety of other tasks.
Are
Gaming Laptops Just for Gaming?
Now that you know what makes gaming
laptops worth having, it's time to ask another question: are gaming laptops
just for gaming? The short answer is absolutely not, as again, all of that PC
power is useful for tons of computer tasks.
That means that, even if you don't
like playing games, a gaming laptop could be worth purchasing.
For example, if you're a YouTuber who makes travel
vlogs, and
you're always on the go, a traditional desktop computer isn't an option for
you. With a gaming laptop, you can have all the power that you need to edit and
process large video files without waiting hours on slow rendering times.
Even if you never play a game on
your gaming laptop, having all of that power with you wherever you go can be
quite appealing. It is worth noting however that if you don't do a lot of
traveling, you can get a desktop PC with similar specs to a gaming laptop for
half the price.
With a gaming laptop, you're paying
a hefty price for the portability factor. As a college student, you need a
computer that you can take with you to class, your dorm, and even back home.
But if you're somewhat stationary, going with a desktop PC is often a much
smarter purchase, especially if you're working with a tight budget.
Do
I Need a Gaming Laptop for College?
To determine if you need a gaming
laptop for college, there are 5 questions that you need to ask yourself. Once
you have your answers to these 5 questions, you should have a clear idea of
whether or not a gaming laptop is right for you.
Below we've broken down each
question into its own section in this article. We've also provided some useful
information that you can use to help you find your own answers to these
questions.
Also, when you're shopping for a
computer, make sure to look for the best deals online. If you
shop smart, you can save a few hundred bucks on a name-brand PC, which of
course is a good thing.
1.
What Is My Major?
It's important to remember that
every major in college isn't the same. That means that what a journalism major
is going to need computer-wise is much different than what a graphic design
major is going to need.
So, take a look at your major, and
the classes that you need to take, and determine how much PC power you truly
need. If you realize that you don't need a ton of power to get the job done, a
gaming PC might not be the right purchase for you.
Of course, if you love video games,
and want one for that reason, it's still not a bad decision. But there can be
some pros and cons to owning a gaming PC in college, all of which we'll break
down throughout this article.
2.
What Do I Use My Computer for Now?
If you're currently in college, you
most likely already have a good idea as to what you need a computer to do on a
daily basis. Basic things like checking emails and turning in assignments are a
given for almost every college student.
But some people need their computer
to do much more demanding tasks, and thus, need a PC that can keep up to do so
efficiently.
A pro tip? Take a second and write
down everything that you use your PC to do on an average day. That way you can
get a clear idea as to what kind of PC you need to get your work done without
having to deal with a computer that can't keep up.
3.
What Will I Use My Computer for in the Future?
When you purchase a computer, you're
expecting to have it for about 5 years or so. That means that you could be
finished with college and still be using your new PC on a regular basis.
While plans change, there's a good
chance that you already know what you'll be doing in the future. That means
that you should be able to determine what you need a computer for once you're
done with college for good.
Again, take a second to write down
everything that you expect to use your computer for once you're out of school.
The list is probably pretty similar to your current-day list, but again, it's
always smart to plan for the future.
4.
Do I Play Computer Video Games?
Now that we've gotten all the
school-related questions out of the way, it's time to talk about something more
fun: video games. If you're interested in a gaming laptop, odds are you enjoy
playing video games on a regular basis.
If you mostly play video games on
consoles, like the PS5 or the Nintendo Switch, a gaming laptop might not be
worth the costs. After all, what good is a PC that can play AAA video games if
you don't plan on ever using it to do so?
If you do play video games, and you
like PC gaming, having a laptop that you can play them on is a nice luxury.
Just make sure that you check the spec requirements online for your favorite
game before you make a purchase.
Not all laptops can handle the most
demanding games. That means you could end up buying a laptop that you can't use
to play your favorite games, which isn't what you want to do.
5.
Am I Worried About Distractions?
As a college student, you're
surrounded by tons of distractions that can prevent you from spending as much
time on your studies as you should. If you're someone who struggles with these
distractions, perhaps working on a gaming laptop isn't the best idea.
After all, when you're writing a
paper, and you can see the desktop icon for your favorite game on the screen,
it can be tempting to procrastinate. That procrastination can lead to you
struggling in school, which is the last thing that you want to have to worry
about.
Our advice? If you're someone who
struggles to focus on your studies, avoid gaming laptops and desktops at all
costs. Having a computer that you associate with school and school only can be
the key to you finding the success that you're looking for.
Are
Gaming Laptops Good for College: A Breakdown
So, are gaming laptops good for
college? Or can you get by with a traditional laptop? As you can see, a lot of
different variables go into answering those questions.
With that in mind, using this guide,
you should be able to determine if a gaming laptop as your college computer is
right for you or not.
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latest tech gadgets? What about helpful tips and tutorials? Check back with our
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