If you were to look at available platforms for gaming, it should not come as a surprise to see custom-built PCs and gaming consoles at the top of the list.
Gaming laptops are also a thing, though they are not as popular as the two other options mentioned in the first paragraph.
One of the reasons behind it is the fact that gaming laptops are relatively expensive in terms of the hardware they offer. There is also the question of how long does a gaming laptop last.
It is hard to predict exactly how long you can expect a gaming laptop to serve you, even if manufacturers sometimes provide laptop expectancies in the descriptions.
Sure, some brands are known to be more durable, but it ultimately comes down to how well you take care of the computer.
In case you have a gaming laptop and want to find out how you can prolong its lifespan, this article should come in quite handy. Who knows, if you take advantage of all the information below, you can add as much as a few years and make more out of your device.
Signs of Overheating
Early signs of overheating are a good indication that something is wrong with the laptop and that you should not hesitate and get to fix the issue.
Even if a laptop is not meant for gaming, it can have problems with the internal hardware’s temperature. A MacBook Pro running hot might sound silly, given that Apple computers are used mostly for work, but the overheating problem is pretty universal when it comes to computers.
Note that ignoring the issue will lead to hardware damages, and the odds are that you will need to replace your gaming laptop with a new one.
A likely cause behind the overheating is too much dust inside. The clogging prevents the internal fans from cooling the internal hardware, so your best bet is to take the laptop apart and clean the dust inside.
An extra tip to prolong a laptop’s life is to get a cooling pad. An accessory works well in keeping the laptop cool. Thanks to an extra source of fresh air, you do not have to worry as much about overburdening the internal hardware.
Hardware Upgrades
Overall, hardware upgrades are not really a thing for gaming laptops. Whenever someone wishes to make a change to a gaming laptop, they usually go with an accessory. Besides the aforementioned cooling pads, it is also common to get an external computer mouse or a gaming keyboard, to name a couple of examples.
Of course, not all gaming laptops are strict when it comes to hardware upgrades. In some models, you have the option to modify the hardware by adding extra RAM or replacing a hard drive with a solid-state drive. External GPUs are quite popular as well.
When you consider the fact that a laptop can last as long as its hardware, it is natural to assume that modifications to the hardware are one of the best ways to prolong a gaming laptop’s lifespan.
Having said that, one could argue that such an approach would be cheating, not to mention that some hardware upgrades are quite expensive, and it might be worth buying a new computer instead.
Constant Malware Issues
The failure to prevent malware from affecting the laptop is another example of how things can go pretty bad for your gaming laptop.
Even relatively minor viruses can snowball and cause severe performance issues that affect the laptop’s hardware. As problems grow in severity, they become harder to manage.
As a rule of thumb, you should have reliable antivirus software on your laptop. An antivirus tool should be running in the background all the time so long as the laptop is on. It puts a toll on the overall resource consumption, but you should not expect to counter cybersecurity threats without antivirus software.
Overall Usage
The last thing to note in this article is your habit of using the laptop. Naturally, the more video games you play, the less time you can expect the gaming laptop to last.
Of course, leaving the laptop idle is not an option either. If you are not using it, it defeats the purpose of having a gaming laptop in the first place.
Do try to take breaks during your gaming sessions, however. And if possible, stick to video games that are not as demanding. It might not seem like much, but it will also add to the overall lifespan of a gaming laptop.
Summary
All in all, how long does a gaming laptop last is a tricky question to answer. Ultimately, your goal should be to try your best to prolong the device’s lifespan, especially if you do not want to spend money on a new gaming machine too often.