If you’re looking for a laptop but can’t decide whether to choose a gaming laptop or a regular laptop, this article is for you. Understanding the difference between gaming laptops and regular laptops will help you make an informed decision.
Additionally, if you own a laptop, knowing the differences between the two will help you know if it’s a gaming laptop or not.
So, what’s the difference between a gaming laptop and a regular laptop? Read on for an in-depth look at their differences.
Contents
What is a Gaming Laptop?
A gaming laptop is a small and portable PC that comes with its own built-in screen. Gaming laptops are similar to business or standard laptops but with upgraded features. A good gaming laptop has huge memory, high speed, impressive graphics, and fast processing power. In simple terms, a gaming laptop is specially manufactured and designed with advanced gaming needs in mind.
What is a Regular Laptop?
A regular laptop is a portable personal computer specially designed for lighter everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and watching videos. They have a unique chassis that’s clean and simple to suit a professional environment. Unlike gaming laptops, a regular laptop lacks components such as dedicated graphics cards, which makes them light and have good battery life.
Gaming Laptops vs. Regular Laptops
The main difference between the two laptops is that regular laptops handle daily tasks like creating presentations and browsing. In contrast, gaming laptops are built to handle heavier gaming tasks, which require a strong GPU and CPU.
Here are some of the key differences between a gaming laptop and a regular laptop.
Operating System
A gaming laptop should have a supportive operating system that’s highly optimized and efficient and can support more games. Although most gamers choose Windows, other options can offer you a unique and more tailored overall experience.
The operating system in a regular laptop depends on your need and wants. Operating systems in regular laptops are designed to handle basic tasks like web browsing, watching videos, and word processing.
Memory (RAM)
RAM is responsible for storing data for programs that are open on your PC. Gaming laptops have between 8GB and 16GB of RAM, and other high-end gaming laptops come with up to 32 GB RAM, but the more RAM it has, the more expensive it is. On the other hand, regular laptops have between 4GB and 8GB of RAM. Regular laptops have less RAM because they are designed to handle less demanding tasks like web browsing and word processing.
Processing Power
Gaming laptops are designed to handle processor-intensive tasks which require high-performance processors. Regular laptops are built to handle simpler tasks like web browsing and running Microsoft apps and don’t require very powerful processors.
A regular laptop and gaming laptop can use the same processor, but the internal architecture is a bit different. Additionally, gaming laptop processors aren’t power restricted, and some are even overclocked if you require high processing speeds.
Graphics Cards
The graphics card is also called the GPU or video card and is responsible for rendering the images and videos you see on your screen. Gaming laptops come with dedicated GPU, while normal laptops have integrated graphics cards.
A dedicated graphics card is separate from the CPU and has its own memory (VRAM) and processor (GPU). This makes it better and faster at handling complex graphics-related data. An integrated graphics card is limited in terms of memory and power allocated to it and is ideal for PowerPoint presentations, watching videos, and viewing photos.
Screen Size
Gaming laptops have a bigger screen size that allows you to play earth-shattering games with impressive graphics and sound effects. Although you can link a bigger screen to your laptop via an HDMI cable, the performance may be affected. On the other hand, regular laptops do not need a big display, and any size will suit your needs.
Cooling System
Both gaming and regular laptops come with cooling mechanisms to keep your laptop’s interior at the most favorable temperature. However, regular laptops have less powerful cooling systems than gaming laptops. This is because they don’t produce excessive heat.
Conversely, gaming laptops are equipped with powerful processors and graphics cards that produce a lot of heat and require several high-speed fans and large air vents to cool down the interior.
Keyboard
Most gaming laptops come with RGB backlit keyboards because they like playing games in low-lit areas. This design is not common in regular laptops because average users won’t have much use for it. Some gaming keyboards are programmable to allow gamers to assign distinct colors to some keys when running various apps.
Pricing
Price is another key difference between the two laptops. Gaming laptops have a higher price tag than regular laptops. Mostly, regular laptops cost under $1000, apart from the very high-end ones, but gaming laptops may cost much more. The high cost is associated with advanced cooling systems, backlit keyboards, and designs.
FAQs
Can I Use a Gaming Laptop as a Regular Laptop?
Yes, it’s possible. Gaming laptops have all features found in normal laptops with additional features like dedicated graphics cards. However, gaming laptops are less portable and have low battery life due to their high-performance parts.
Can I Turn My Regular laptop Into a Gaming Laptop?
No. The only things that can be upgraded in a laptop are the RAM and storage (HDD). Parts like the graphics card are soldered onto the motherboard, so you won’t be able to upgrade it. The best way is to trade in and acquire a new one.
Conclusion
Evidently, a gaming laptop is more powerful than a regular laptop and offers great performance in gaming and also in daily computing tasks. If you’re not operating on a budget, and you won’t move a lot with it, choose a gaming laptop.