How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last?

Chris Campbell17 Feb 2022

If you're on the market for a new gaming laptop or have already purchased one, you're probably curious how long it will last. You want to be sure you're getting the most bang for your buck, especially since gaming laptops are pricey and not entirely upgradeable.

Gaming laptops have an average lifespan of three years, but with appropriate upkeep and maintenance, you can anticipate them to last at least five years. Around the 4-year period, some components, such as the CPU and GPU, may become obsolete, while others, like the battery and fans, may require replacing.

Generally, gaming laptops are built to last, and it's not rare to discover a gaming laptop that has lasted more than ten years. When major components such as the CPU and GPU become obsolete, your gaming laptop does not become entirely useless.

It simply means that your laptop may struggle to play today's demanding games, or you may have to enjoy them at the lowest possible settings. This is due to developers' proclivity to accept new technologies to give gamers more features that improve their ultimate gameplay experience.

How Long Should a Gaming Laptop Last?

In a nutshell, a decent mid-range gaming laptop can last 3-4 years. It might last you 4-6 years for high-end versions. You may anticipate up to ten years of service from its physical components. The lengthy answer is that the lifespan of your gaming laptop is determined by its build quality, and how you use or maintain it.

Build Quality

The answer to the issue of how long a gaming laptop will survive is dependent on a variety of things. The most important factor is the build quality.

  • The GPU, or graphics processing unit, is in charge of video and graphics performance.  The graphic card is the most significant component of a gaming laptop. This is particularly true in newer games. Why? Because it necessitates the processing of 3D graphics, texture mapping, and the creation of high-resolution pictures, videos, and animations.
  • The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is responsible for processing all data in the system. It's the component that interacts with and executes tasks from your applications and programs. The CPU is referred to as the computer's "heart" or "brain." However, it is not as significant as the GPU for a gamer. Nonetheless, it is a critical component, and your games will not be able to operate with a faulty CPU. 
  • The term "hardware" alludes to all of your laptop's physical components. This includes items that you can see right away, such as the keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and display. However, it also comprises internal components like data storage, graphics cards, and so on. Depending on how you care for them, hardware components can live 5-6 years or more.

Usage and Maintenance

The answer to the issue of how long a gaming laptop will survive often comes down to your usage and upkeep. Here's how to extend your gaming laptop's life:

  • Keep your laptop clean. Cleaning your laptop is one of the simplest and most underutilized ways to extend the life of your gaming laptop. Make sure to regularly clean your laptop both inside and out.
  • Maintain the temperature of your laptop. Gaming is among the most taxing jobs that a laptop can perform. As a result, it's common for your components to run in overdrive and create heat. As a result, most laptops include built-in cooling solutions to help your gaming laptop live longer. A cooling pad or external cooler can also be used.
  • Maintain proper battery charging practices. The battery, like any other piece of hardware, has a lifespan. Maintaining excellent battery charging practices can definitely help you.  However, this can be difficult for players since the battery in gaming laptops drains quickly. And, after all, nobody wants their laptop to die in the middle of a game, do they? However, if you want to get the most out of your battery, avoid overcharging it. That is, always leaving your laptop hooked into the charger.
  • Use an external keyboard and mouse if possible.  Laptop gaming needs a significant amount of input from the keyboard and mouse. This frequently entails a lot of right- and left-clicking on your mouse, as well as repetitively tapping particular keys on your keyboard. If you're not on the go, it's ideal to play with an external keyboard and mouse.
  • Place your laptop on a firm, flat surface at all times. The air intake vents on most laptops are situated at the bottom. Duvets, for example, fold and curl, obstructing the air vents. If you must use your laptop in bed, invest in a portable lap desk or a cooling pad. By resting your laptop on a flat, firm surface, you enable unrestricted airflow into your system, which helps to cool it. This reduces overheating and increases the life of your gaming laptop.
  • Regularly update your software. Another thing to remember is to keep your software up to date. Even if you have the most recent operating system, your OS releases feature upgrades every few months. So, if you don't upgrade regularly, your operating system version will be well behind in a year or two. This also means you're losing out on security and performance enhancements that will affect your gaming experience.

How Long Do Gaming Laptop Batteries Last?

Gaming laptop batteries could last up to two years. Most laptops utilize lithium-ion batteries which have a limited amount of charge cycles before losing efficiency and ability to retain a charge. When playing a game, a gaming laptop battery can last 1-3 hours on a single charge. However, if you only use your laptop for light chores, the battery can last up to 8 hours. Gaming laptops consume a lot of power, therefore it is best to have your gaming laptop plugged in when playing.

The lifespan of your gaming laptop is determined by the state of the hardware, the tasks you perform with it, and whether or not you take great care of it. A new gaming laptop should last at least three years before needing to be replaced. You may extend its life to 5 years or more if you take proper care of it. Nevertheless, keep in mind that after four years, some of its hardware will be obsolete and may need to be replaced.

Chris Campbell

Chris Campbell

Thanks for reading! I'm Chris, an avid tech fanatic that enjoys keeping up with the latest laptop models. Hopefully my tips & tricks can help you out!

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