Can you build a laptop for gaming?
A gaming laptop is great when youre on the go, but with the right hardware and accessories, you can also have a desktop-like experience at home.1 Show
A gaming laptop is great when youre on the go, but with the right hardware and accessories, you can also have a desktop-like experience at home.1 A gaming laptop is easy to snap open and use on the go. When youre at home, though, you may want to take advantage of additional hardware, and have a more desktop-like experience. With the right setup, you can immerse yourself in games with a bigger screen, enjoy more precise control using gaming peripherals, and use a Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect to a docking station that serves as a permanent anchor for all your accessories and screens. In other words, youll get many of the advantages of a gaming desktop while still enjoying the portability that a gaming laptop provides. The first step to building a laptop setup is finding the right laptop. How to Select the Best Gaming Laptop: The BasicsFinding an appropriately balanced system is the main challenge when picking out a gaming laptop. Youll want to take a close look at the hardware, the design, and the connectivity options to ensure your new system can provide the experience you want.
Learn more about how to pick the best gaming laptop. Choose Essential AccessoriesThe right peripherals can help turn a gaming laptop setup into a desktop equivalent when using it at home, but selecting the right space is a hugely important step in the process. Use this opportunity to plan out a desk layout that doesnt just meet your needs, but functions as a fun place to spend time. Choose a location you like, and plan ahead for considerations such as power placement, proximity to your router, and anything else unique to your living situation. When building your setup, make sure youve got space for accessories you want, such as large mouse pads or audio equipment. Also, consider where youll be using your display. Youll want to position your desk to avoid glare and reflections on the screen from windows or other light sources. External DisplaysOne simple way to upgrade your gaming experience is by moving from a laptop screen to a larger monitor. Hooking your gaming laptop up to a stand-alone display has a number of potential benefits:
For more information about what to look for when selecting an external display, see our complete guide to choosing a monitor. Gaming Mice and KeyboardsGaming laptop touchpads and keyboards have improved dramatically over the years, with some models featuring full-size key layouts with numeric keypads, and customizable lighting. However, when youre connected to your home setup, a specialized keyboard or mouse can change up your laptop gaming experience in some exciting ways. A full-size mechanical keyboard offers a wealth of style optionscomputer-lab retro, neon backlights, or minimalistas well as high-quality keycaps and a satisfying typing experience. Choose between switch styles to find the right feel and tactile experience. Different options require differing levels of force to actuate, and can vary in volume, so youll want to find the switch type that best suits you. Laptop touchpads are excellent for some tasks, but a good gaming mouse is hard to beat when playing at home. Customizable buttons and sophisticated optical sensors can improve the gameplay experience substantially, and the wide selection of mouse options allow for an experience catered to just about every preference. The right mouse pad can also help improve a gaming setup by providing a surface engineered specifically to work with a mouses sensor. Mouse pads can allow for more precise cursor movement in games like Counter-Strike, where players often set their sensitivity low and move their hands farther to compensate. High thread counts and friction-reducing finishes can also impact precision, while textured backing can help keep things stable as the mouse moves. As with most PC accessories, there is a huge variety of options available, from mouse pads with built-in wireless charging capabilities to specifically engineered texture and friction profiles designed to cover your entire desk. Finding the input devices that cater to the gaming experience you want is one of the strengths of gaming on a PC, so exploring the available options is highly recommended. AudioExternal speakers and headsets can significantly enhance a gaming laptops built in audio options. Speaker systems can provide theater-like surround sound. Some laptop designs have innovative ways to outperform the physical limitations of their smaller size, but sometimes theres no substitute for surface area, especially for louder music or immersive soundscapes. Systems with a subwoofer and tweeters can provide deeper bass and clearer highs, and that can help with audio immersion. Headsets allow for a detailed sound stage that can help pinpoint the sources of in-game noise, or adjust the balance of voice chat and game sound using physical controls. Adjustable mics can easily pick up voice chat while isolating it from background noises like keyboard clicks as well. Most audio accessories connect via Bluetooth, USB, or the 3.5mm jack on a laptop. Thunderbolt 3 Ports and Docking StationsAn example of a laptop docking station that supports Thunderbolt 3 ports High-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports allow you to build impressive multi-monitor setups, connect to a multitude of USB devices, and transfer files to external storage at speeds up to 40Gbps. Another advantage of the Thunderbolt 3 port is that it allows for streamlined connection to a compatible docking station. Here are a few more reasons to think about adding a dock with Thunderbolt 3 ports to your setup:
Upgrading Your SpaceThe final step in designing your laptop setup is to customize with the furniture and accessories that tie it all together.
Designing Your Dream Laptop Streaming SetupIf youre planning to start streaming or editing gameplay videos, professional accessories can give your content the polish it needs to stand out.
Maximizing Your Laptops PotentialBuilding the right setup at home enables your gaming laptop to function as both a commuting machine and a desktop-like gaming station. Once youve designed the right spacecomplete with external monitors, a full-size keyboard, and useful accessoriesall you need to do is plug in your gaming laptop to get lost in the latest titles. Still looking for the ideal centerpiece for your setup? Check out our guide to picking the right laptop, or compare the strengths of new laptops and desktops before making a decision. How to Select the Best Gaming Laptop: The BasicsFinding an appropriately balanced system is the main challenge when picking out a gaming laptop. Youll want to take a close look at the hardware, the design, and the connectivity options to ensure your new system can provide the experience you want.
Learn more about how to pick the best gaming laptop. External DisplaysOne simple way to upgrade your gaming experience is by moving from a laptop screen to a larger monitor. Hooking your gaming laptop up to a stand-alone display has a number of potential benefits:
For more information about what to look for when selecting an external display, see our complete guide to choosing a monitor. Gaming laptop touchpads and keyboards have improved dramatically over the years, with some models featuring full-size key layouts with numeric keypads, and customizable lighting. However, when youre connected to your home setup, a specialized keyboard or mouse can change up your laptop gaming experience in some exciting ways. A full-size mechanical keyboard offers a wealth of style optionscomputer-lab retro, neon backlights, or minimalistas well as high-quality keycaps and a satisfying typing experience. Choose between switch styles to find the right feel and tactile experience. Different options require differing levels of force to actuate, and can vary in volume, so youll want to find the switch type that best suits you. Laptop touchpads are excellent for some tasks, but a good gaming mouse is hard to beat when playing at home. Customizable buttons and sophisticated optical sensors can improve the gameplay experience substantially, and the wide selection of mouse options allow for an experience catered to just about every preference. The right mouse pad can also help improve a gaming setup by providing a surface engineered specifically to work with a mouses sensor. Mouse pads can allow for more precise cursor movement in games like Counter-Strike, where players often set their sensitivity low and move their hands farther to compensate. High thread counts and friction-reducing finishes can also impact precision, while textured backing can help keep things stable as the mouse moves. As with most PC accessories, there is a huge variety of options available, from mouse pads with built-in wireless charging capabilities to specifically engineered texture and friction profiles designed to cover your entire desk. Finding the input devices that cater to the gaming experience you want is one of the strengths of gaming on a PC, so exploring the available options is highly recommended. High-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports allow you to build impressive multi-monitor setups, connect to a multitude of USB devices, and transfer files to external storage at speeds up to 40Gbps. Another advantage of the Thunderbolt 3 port is that it allows for streamlined connection to a compatible docking station. Here are a few more reasons to think about adding a dock with Thunderbolt 3 ports to your setup:
Upgrading Your SpaceThe final step in designing your laptop setup is to customize with the furniture and accessories that tie it all together.
|