Are you curious about how gaming laptops stack up to gaming desktops? Do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops? After all, these portable PCs for gaming can get quite pricey. You don’t want to spend a ton of your hard-earned money on one, only for it to go kaput within a year of your purchase.
We’ve compiled a list of all that you need to know before you go out and purchase your first portable gaming PC.
How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last?
Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question. On average, gaming laptops will last anywhere from three to ten years. What’s driving this disparity? One word: quality.
The higher up you go in quality, the longer your portable gaming PC will last. Of course, as you move up in quality, you will also move up in price as well. How much you’re able to budget for your gaming laptop is going to have a big impact on how long it’ll last, before you’ll need to replace it.
What Affects the Life Span of a Gaming Laptop?
Let’s dig a little deeper into the question of what affects a gaming PC’s overall quality. Some of the qualities that will impact your portable gaming PC’s lifespan are the amount of RAM it has, its CPU, and GPU.
Higher-quality gaming laptops will have better graphics and memory, making them ideal for a better play experience. An external hard drive and large display can also hike up the overall quality of your build.
Other important factors relate to how well you maintain and clean your portable PC. Remember to regularly clean it (or get it cleaned regularly if you lack the expertise), and perform routine maintenance. While gaming laptops offer fewer opportunities to swap out malfunctioning parts, you can course correct some minor problems.
Finally, it would help if you treated your portable PC with respect. Remember that gaming laptops are sophisticated tools that require careful treatment. Dropping your gaming PC on the ground can severely impact your PC’s lifespan. Always pack your portable PC in a hard shell case.
So while you may be wondering, “Do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops?” you must also understand much of its lifespan comes down to you.
Do Gaming Laptops Have Shorter Life Spans?
Unfortunately, yes. While gaming desktops have more flexibility when it comes to swapping out old or malfunctioning parts, a portable PC is far less customisable.
While you can change your PC’s storage and RAM, pretty much everything else will be off limits. This includes your cleaning options which can become a big deal as dust accumulates within your laptop.
Remember when we talked about the overall importance of a good cooling system? Well, excess dust is going to mess with said cooling system, and your equipment will respond by throttling your power, resulting in inferior performance.
By way of contrast, a gaming desktop not only accumulates less dust, but it’s also easier to clean. So even if you’ve owned a desktop before, you may not be as prepared for caring for a portable system.
Does a Gaming Laptop Last Longer Than a Normal Laptop?
The question of “do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops?” is tricky because a few different variables will come into play here. While gaming laptops are generally distinguished by their superior builds and overall higher quality, they’re also often subjected to greater use than your average PC.
Provided you take care of your laptop, regularly clean it, and perform regular maintenance, your portable PC should last longer than one that isn’t meant for gaming.
What Is the Average Lifespan of a Gaming Laptop?
The average lifespan of a gaming laptop is four to five years. However, quality will impact your laptop’s longevity. Higher-end models can hold on for as long as a decade, while bottom-tier machines might only last you three years.
How Should I Treat my Laptop?
Due to their portable nature, laptops oftentimes aren’t treated with the same respect and care as desktop computers. This can lead to wear and tear that will reduce your PC’s overall lifespan.
The less stress you put on your PC, the longer it’ll last. This can save you thousands of dollars over the long term. You should treat your portable PC with care and respect. Follow the tips below for the best results.
Five Ways to Increase the Life Span of a Gaming Laptop
- Don’t eat in close proximity to your equipment. Keep your PC and keyboard clear of food. Wipe down any tables or counters before you put down your PC.
- Regularly clean your PC at least twice a year. Make sure to use canned air to get those nasty dust motes out, and don’t be afraid to hire a qualified technician if you lack the requisite skills and knowledge to adequately clean it. The money you pay for a professional cleaning will be more than made up by the years you’ll add to your PC’s lifespan.
- Keep your PC in a hard shell carrying case or backpack. To add to this, be mindful of your equipment when you’re setting the case down.
- Leave your equipment plugged in as much as possible. This will save your battery from inevitable wear and tear.
- Use your PC on a hard, flat surface to help spread out the heat it generates.
Wrap Up
So, do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops? The average PC meant for playing will last four to five years when treated with respect, although a lower quality build might only last three years, while a top-end model could hang around for as long as ten years.
If you want your PC to stick around for the long haul, it’s important to keep it safe on the road, clean it biannually, keep it away from food, plug it in as much as possible, and always game on a desk or table. Now that you know all about gaming laptops, it’s time to go out there and get your own.
