Awesome Gaming Laptop Tips

Traditionally, laptop computers have been used for business and academic applications. But as laptop technology has advanced, video game lovers have been generating demand for high-powered gaming laptops for portable PC gaming. Using a laptop PC for video games is a fantastic way to play your favorite games anytime, anywhere. Especially when gathering with your friends in a multiplayer LAN party.

If you're shopping around for a new laptop with gaming in mind, there are some things that you need to be aware of in order to give yourself the best laptop gaming experience possible. We've put together some ideas for you to help you along!


MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Every PC game comes with a list of minimum system requirements needed to play the game. If your specs don't make the grade, then it's game over before you've even begun!

Video games will also list the recommended system specifications that the developers suggest for the best results for playing their games. It's best to look at some of the newest titles that are out right now and look for a laptop with hardware specs that are just above the games' recommended requirements. Not only will you be ready to play the hot new titles, but you'll also have invested in being prepared for games coming out in the near future.


At the time of this writing, we recommend a laptop that has at least a dual-core CPU of 1.6Ghz, 60GB of available hard drive space, and as much RAM as you can get!


PRICE

Naturally, the price of a laptop weighs heavy into how you shop. If you're looking for a laptop that you know you'll want to use for video games, then you'll have spend a bit more. Realistically, low-priced netbooks and "red tag sale" laptops will only frustrate you if you try to use them for video games.

The only exception being if you have a more casual attitude toward gaming and intend to use your laptop to play PC games that are older than 7 years or Flash games found on the web. Otherwise, expect to pay at least $1500 for a machine capable of playing current popular game titles.


VIDEO PROCESSOR

A computer's GPU (or Graphics Processor Unit) is the keystone of a PC video game's performance. What you definitely don't want is a graphics processor that's integrated with the motherboard. A separate graphics card is best since it takes care of the whole video workload by itself, freeing the laptop's system resources.

ATi and nVidia make the best laptop graphics cards on the market right now with 128MB-256MB of video memory.


SCREEN SIZE

How you view your video games is a crucial part of how you interact with them. Luckily, laptop LCD screens have come a long way in quality over the past couple of years. While smaller displays come with the territory of smaller, more portable laptops, size matters for video games.

For the best view of your PC games, you'll want a laptop screen that's at least 15 inches. We recommend a screen that's closer to 17 inches just so you don't have to squint as much while trying to concentrate on a PC game's finer graphical details. A screen with a natural resolution of 1280x800 pixels is also best for getting the clearest quality of picture.

You may need to consider whether or not you prefer a laptop with a standard or widescreen LCD display. More computer monitors and laptop LCD screens are being produced in widescreen format to keep up with trends in high-definition television.


However, not as many PC games are being developed with widescreen displays in mind. Playing a PC game in fullscreen mode on a widescreen display may cause the game to appear stretched out or fuzzy. We recommend a widescreen display because of its advantages outside of gaming and in expectation that more PC game developers will adopt widescreen display options.

Of course there are details like contrast, viewing angles, etc., but that’s a whole different topic in itself! The best idea is to go to your local retailer’s laptop displays and let your eyes be the judge. Note the specs of whichever ones look the best to you and shop around for laptop models with similar displays.


PERIPHERALS

There's always more gadgets that you can add to your laptop to enhance your gaming experience! Most laptop owners that use a laptop at home prefer to connect a full-sized USB keyboard and mouse, as well as connect their laptop to a docking station or port replicator to expand their audio/video options.

Whether you're at home or on the go, we recommend at least using a USB optical mouse with your laptop for the best possible control of your game.

The #1 killer of computer hardware is heat and laptops are notorious for overheating, due to their compact design. Of course, nothing heats up a system more than a CPU/GPU generating high-quality 3D graphics! For this, you should look into picking up a cooling fan for your laptop. If for no other reason than to keep from cooking your legs from resting your laptop on your lap! Ouch!

Most PC games come with the option to play with a gamepad or joystick, which is great for people who aren't used to playing on a keyboard. Arguably, the gamer's favorite controller design of all-time is Sony's Dual Shock controller for its PlayStation consoles. By using a PlayStation-to-PC USB adapter, you can connect any PSone or PS2 controller to your laptop.

This includes any other controller accessory made for PlayStation, like steering wheels and dance pads. The most popular use is for connecting arcade-style joysticks for playing classic arcade games or competitive fighting games like Street Fighter IV.


For all of our available video game accessories, please browse through our online store. If you have any questions about PC gaming or for more gaming laptop advice, please feel free to send us an email!