Are gaming laptops good for everyday use? Since most run Windows, they're much like your everyday portable computer, but with better components, more power, and the ability to do far, far more. They might even be better for general tasks, but they come at a premium price point that might be difficult to swallow if gaming isn't your main goal.
The best gaming laptops are impressive machines and while arguably not as powerful as their desktop equivalents, they pack a punch when it comes to performance.
We know they're great for gaming and handling a number of graphically demanding titles, but how do they do with everyday usages, such as watching content, design work, writing, or just browsing?
Let's take a closer look.
Gaming laptops and everyday use
Let's break this down a little by the type of usage and how gaming laptops will handle it.
Are gaming laptops good for browsing?
Gaming laptops usually have a ton of RAM, in many cases above 16GB. This is typically over double the amount of RAM when compared to a regular laptop, which usually has around 4GB - 8GB.
More RAM helps with having multiple tabs open at the same time, making them great for browsing. The same goes for general work, where you need more than one tab open at a time, without the computer buckling under the pressure.
Are gaming laptops good for video editing?
Video editing is quite a challenging task for most devices, so having a powerful gaming laptop can really stack the odds in your favour.
Not only do they pack powerful processors and graphics cards, but they also have excellent screens with high refresh rates.
Most gaming laptops are 1080p and have refresh rates of around 144Hz to sometimes 240Hz, in the case of the Gigabyte Aorus 17.
click to enlargeHigher refresh rates allow for higher frames per second, which works well with fast-paced video.
You'll also find that the displays are sometimes HDR certified, meaning you can enjoy deeper contrast and a wider colour range too.
Are gaming laptops good for travel?
Gaming laptops can be a little heavier than you'd expect, due to having more components and better cooling systems. Typically speaking, gaming laptops tend to be a bit bulkier than regular laptops, with some of the best Chromebooks providing a stark comparison.
That said, laptops like the Razer Blade 14 are quite low profile, so there's a mid-ground if you're wanting to game on-the-go.
Read More: Are gaming laptops worth it?
The best laptops for travel need to have long battery lives, and since gaming laptops can use an immense amount of power to handle everything they have thrown at them, battery life can be a little on the short side when using them as intended.
If you're travelling a lot, you may find yourself preferring something lighter weight with a longer-lasting battery. Or, you could pair it with a sizeable power bank, but carrying an extra item doesn't exactly tick a box in the portable column.
Are gaming laptops good for everyday use?
We'd say they are, as they're purpose-built to handle seriously demanding tasks. Everyday usage should be a breeze, but you may find that travelling with a gaming laptop and using it unplugged may not be optimal from a size and battery life perspective.
Their fantastic screens with better panels from IPS to MiniLED to OLED, and features like HDR make them much better for watching media, however. The adoption of 16:10 aspect ratios also gives them more screen space than most to work with. If you're looking for something with tons of RAM, and a great graphics card so you can play any of the AAA titles available for PC, then we'd say going for a gaming laptop is practically a no-brainer.