Why Are Gaming Laptops So Expensive? (Explained Here)

Most laptops are made for daily users who do low-capacity tasks all day. Jobs like data entry, writing, bookkeeping use minimal processing power. For users like this, the need for an advanced laptop might never cross their minds.

Now there is another category of pc users. This set of people runs high-end games, apps, data testing, programming, and video editing. For people like this, normal laptops are not sufficient. There is a need for something more powerful. That’s why they opt for specialized and expensive laptops that can provide the features they need.

So, if you’re wondering and probably asking, why are gaming laptops so expensive? Read this article as we explore the reasons.

What Are Gaming Laptops?

Gaming laptops are pc systems made to perform high-performance tasks. Your day-to-day laptop is made to be light, portable, and efficient. Gaming laptops are fitted with premium components that contribute to their high-performance output.

They carry software and programs requiring functions like dedicated graphics or super-fast processors. But they are not just for gamers. High-profile graphic and video editing can’t be done on normal laptops; this is where advanced laptops come into play.

Desktop computers are notoriously known to be easily upgradable and very powerful. But they can’t be carried around, nor do they function without being plugged into a power supply. Gaming laptops provide a healthy solution to this problem by being portable yet powerful. So what should one look for in a gaming laptop? Watch this video to learn more.

Why Are Gaming Laptops So Expensive?

Gaming laptops come with high-end features that differentiate them from normal laptops. These features contribute to the high cost of these laptops. Let’s consider them briefly below.

• Top-end processors.
• Dedicated graphics card which can cost up to 1500$.
• SSD hard disks.
• Increased ram size.
• High-quality screen display.
• Backlit keyboard

Processor (CPU) type

Normal pc is fitted with a range of medium-range performance processors. These are more than enough for day-to-day tasks but are insufficient for advanced pc needs. You should consider the processor type and generation when shopping for a pc.

For the Intel processor variants, Intel core i7 and i5 are known to be the most powerful. Also, note the processor’s generation; recent generations are more powerful than earlier generations. Processors with smaller value generations, such as 1 and 2, are older, while those with higher values, such as 10 and 11, are more recent.

We also have the AMD processor variant; the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is currently the most powerful AMD processor. It features a whopping 12 cores and a max processor speed of 4.8 GHz.

Dedicated Graphics Card

Having a dedicated graphics card is a must for any gaming pc. You see, mid-range and low-end laptops have one thing in common; they use an integrated graphics card. This means when playing high-performance games, your pc has to use the same graphic card for the game and normal pc operations.

With dedicated graphics, your gaming laptop can use a “dedicated” graphic card for high-performance tasks while the integrated graphics are kept on standby. This means more performance power and amps available for laptop usage.

RAM

Ram (Random Access Memory) is very important in computers’ daily operations. They store information temporarily to be called upon at a moment’s notice. When you have multiple programs running, Ram is being used to enable you to minimize and switch easily.

More Ram is always better. Ram storage of 8GB should be the lowest you should consider when looking for a gaming laptop; 12-16GB of Ram will give you the best performance.

It is important to note that laptops have a maximum amount of Ram that can be loaded onto them. So when upgrading your gaming laptop’s ram, be sure to find the accepted Ram type and maximum usable storage.

Hard disk type

There are two types of Hard disks, HDD (Hard disk drive) and SSD (Solid-state drive). The fundamental difference between these two drives is in the way they retain information. Hard disks use mechanical moving parts and a magnetic coating to store your data. Because it needs to read your data per second as the magnetic disk spins, it means there would naturally be a delay in feedback.

SSD drives, as the name implies, don’t have mechanical parts. Instead, they use a flash memory stick that is interconnected; this allows for a near-instantaneous release of desired files. In summary, laptops with SSD drives will always be faster than their counterparts.

Backlit keyboard

A backlit keyboard is standard for very recent gaming laptops, but there are still some without this feature. When choosing a gaming laptop to buy, you should consider its usage in different lighting conditions. A laptop with a backlit keyboard allows you to type and play games in low lighting conditions.

Screen size and quality

Unless you plan on using an external monitor with your gaming laptop, screen size is a subject that can’t be overlooked. Your laptop screen is what you would be looking at all day; a widescreen size will provide a more immersive gaming experience.

Another thing to consider when choosing a gaming laptop is the quality of images produced. You would want a laptop with display ratings of at least 1080p and 4K, as this offers the best gaming experience.

Watch this video to learn more.

Key Difference Between a Gaming Laptop and Normal Laptops

Normal Laptops	Gaming Laptops
Use an integrated graphics card.	Use a dedicated graphics card for better performance.
Have better battery life due to their low-performance components.	Have a lower battery life because of the high-performance components that need to be powered.
Have 4-8GB of ram storage	Have 8- 32GB of ram storage
Normal laptops do not need advanced fans and cooling systems because they don’t produce much heat.	The advanced processors and graphics cards get hot after prolonged use. They use advanced cooling systems to regulate this.
You would often find medium-range screen quality in normal pcs.	Gaming laptops are typically equipped with high-end screens
It costs less to replace the parts.	It costs more to replace the parts.
Uses low-end processors that are sufficient for daily tasks. The processors are normally 2-4 cores.	Uses high-end processors to handle heavy tasks. Processor cores are between 8-32.

Best Gaming Laptops to Buy in 2022

1. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15

If money is not an issue, you should look into the ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15. What’s not to love about this amazing gaming rig?

Gaming laptops are generally known for their bulky and heavy characteristics, which is perfectly normal because of all the components used. At 1.9kg (4.19lbs), it is the lightest laptop you can find with such performance ratings.

This pc comes equipped with a Chiclet backlit keyboard,  AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HS Processor, and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 GPU. With specs like this, this laptop can run AAA games easily. This laptop has a RAM capacity of 32GB; video lag is a thing of the past.

The only downside is that ASUS ROG does not have a webcam camera. You would have to use an external camera for your video needs. It also comes equipped with a fingerprint scanner and a screen that displays 165Hz QHD (1440p) resolution. The screen is also IPS anti-glare enabled; light reflections will never be an issue while gaming.

2. RAZOR BLADE PRO 17

If you’re looking for an ultra-thin gaming laptop, RAZOR BLADE PRO 17 is what you need. At 0.8 inches, this laptop promises portability without losing performance.

You would spend a decent amount if you wish to acquire this laptop; it has a starting price of 2500$ on amazon. The price varies as hard disk and rams sizes increase.

This gaming laptop is packed with high-end performance features. It runs on a 10^th generation i7 and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card. 16 GB of ram is standard, and the backlit keyboard allows for individual RGB color customization. It’s a little heavy, weighing around 6 pounds.

3. MSI GE76 RAIDER

When it comes to high performance, MSI is well known for delivering the best quality laptops; the GE76 RAIDER is no exception. What you would notice about this laptop is its immersive backlight system; even the laptop’s body is backlit. There are tons of customization options for the lighting system.

MSI GE76 RAIDER is far from being cheap. This laptop costs 2400$ for the base model, but it is worth it with the features it comes with. The GE76 RAIDER was not built with portability and weight management in mind; it has your typical gaming laptop bulky look.

This laptop has two fans designed to keep it at optimum performance temperature, they can be a little loud, but that is to be expected with gaming laptops. You can choose between the Intel Core i7 and i9 processors, the i7 comes in 10^th generation mode, but i9 has a 10^th and 11^th generation version.

There are three graphic cards options, GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile 6GB, GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile 8GB, and GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile 16GB. The price varies with each type. You can also choose between the 16GB,32GB, and 64GB RAM packages, affecting the price.

Conclusion

With little additions like; dedicated graphics cards, high-end processors, and more, it’s easy to see why gaming laptops are expensive. If you’re on a budget, there are cost-efficient gaming laptops for you.

You might have to go for a laptop with a lower graphic card and ram size, but it should be sufficient. It all depends on the type of program you intend to run on your pc. There’s no point in getting a laptop you won’t use to its full capability.