A midrange gaming laptop with solid components will stick around for anywhere between three to five years, while a high end can last as long as six to ten.
I’m a long-time laptop user and avid gamer. Those interests have led me to own many gaming laptops over the course of my life. That firsthand knowledge allowed me to figure out the lifespan of personal computers, as well as how to get the most from them.
Throughout the following guide, I will take a deep look at how long any user can expect their laptops to last, why they might want a gaming laptop in the first place, and what steps they can take to keep it around as long as possible.
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Key Takeaways
- If taken care of properly, gaming laptops can easily last five-plus years.
- Lowering stress, routine cleaning, and playing the right games are all ways to make sure your laptop sticks around a while.
- Gaming laptops are great for anyone who doesn’t mind a higher price point and wants to play on the go.
The Lifespan of a Gaming Laptop
For most people, laptops last a long time. The average lifespan of the devices sit right around three to four years. That’s true for gaming laptops too. As long as you get a strong model from a reliable company, you’ll have it for a long time.
However, that number can go up. While most laptops will give you a few years, a high-end model made from premium parts can give you a few extra years (four to six). Some can even last longer than that, as long as you know how to properly care for them.
In some specific cases, laptops can last for nearly a decade. Gaming models won’t have the same internal components that they come with at that point, but if you replace the parts and keep it updated, there’s no reason you can’t have the hardware for a decade.
What Reduces A Laptop’s Life Expectancy?
Many users assume that heavy gaming can damage a laptop over time. That can be true, but not always. What matters more than the amount of gaming, are the games themselves.
When using a gaming laptop, it’s critical to only use games that your laptop can handle. If your machine doesn’t have the proper requirements it may slow down when playing games. That can then cause your components to overheat, which leads to extra stress as time goes on.
Other elements that can add stress to your machine are dirt, dust, or crumbs. Those small particles, when gathering on keyboards or the case, can penetrate into the machine and cause problems with the hardware.
Keeping your laptop plugged in all the time can also harm the battery, while using it with dirty hands can also lead to more gunk building up on the device.
Best Ways to Increase Gaming Laptop Lifespan
As mentioned, there are many external aspects that can harm your gaming laptop’s lifespan. That means there are many steps you can take to give your laptop some extra years as well.
One of the best is cutting down on the aforementioned stress. Only playing games that your machine can handle is a big part of that. It’s also important to get the fastest GPU possible, as that will enable your laptop to play or run just about any game you throw at it.
In that same vein, other ways to prevent any overheating is to reapply thermal paste once every few years and use a cooling pad. Both of those are effective ways to reduce heat.
Also note that the more you use a laptop, the more wear it’s going to get. If you’re serious about extending a gaming model’s life, you can simply use it less. Any external objects, such as a mouse, keyboard, or monitor, work towards that end.
Is It Worth It to Get a Gaming Laptop?
Gaming laptops are extremely useful devices, but they are extremely specific as well. That means their features and benefits are only useful to people who can take advantage of them. If someone doesn’t game, a gaming laptop isn’t worth it. If they do, it’s a good purchase.
However, it’s not that simple. Just because someone games doesn’t mean they need a gaming-specific machine. That comes down to their individual budget, how serious they are about their hobby, as well as how much they like to upgrade and customize their CPU.
Portability also matters. Traditional PCs have a ton of power and make modern games look amazing, but they are stationary. If you’re on the move a lot or like to game on the go, then a gaming laptop makes sense. If you don’t, it might be better to get a more traditional device.
FAQs
This section covers a few of the top gaming laptop-related questions and succinctly answers them.
Can a Laptop Last 10 Years?
While you may have to do a few updates over the years, there’s no reason a gaming laptop’s hardware can’t last 10 years. Just keep it clean and don’t ever let it get too stressed.
Do Gaming Laptops Degrade Faster?
No. If used wrong or put under too much stress they can break down more quickly than a traditional laptop, but if used properly they won’t break down any faster (or slower) than any other personal device.
Should I Leave My Laptop Plugged In While Gaming?
This comes down to personal preference. There’s no harm in leaving a laptop plugged in while gaming, but it doesn’t do much to lessen wear either.
Final Words
Gaming laptops are just like any personal computer. That means they are susceptible to normal wear, but will stick around if they’re properly cared for. If used frivolously they will last three to five years, but you can get much more out of them with the right steps.
Do you have a gaming laptop? What model do you use and what do you do to keep it clean? Let us know in the below comments!
