Getting a laptop made for gaming is extremely exciting. With a better laptop, you can play more advanced games at higher graphical settings, and you'll get access to superior speed and performance that you can use for other computer activities.
But what peripherals and accessories should you get for your gaming laptop?
The Centerpiece: Your Gamer Laptop
You'll need to start with the right gamer laptop. Whether you're buying a game or laptop for yourself or someone else, you'll need to consider a wide variety of different specs and features. The higher your budget is, the more advanced components you can get for your gaming laptop; those advanced components can help your computer run faster and more reliably for a wide range of different tasks.
You'll need to keep in mind core processing elements, including the CPU (the central processing unit) and the GPU (the graphics processing unit, which assists in rendering graphics), and RAM (random access memory). You'll also need to think about what type of hard drive you want, the size of that hard drive, battery life, screen size, and more. Write down a list of your main priorities, shop around, and remain patient as you look for the perfect fit.
What Peripherals Should You Get for a Gamer Laptop?
Once you have the right gamer laptop, you can begin shopping for accessories like the following.
- Mouse. Most laptops come with a trackpad by default, enabling basic mouse functionality without compromising the portability of the laptop. But in many cases, games are easier to play and master when you have a dedicated mouse. When buying a mouse for gaming, you'll need to consider a wide range of factors - including technical factors like latency. You can also choose between wireless mouses and wired ones; wireless mouses are more convenient, but wired mouses often have a faster response time, which is critical in games that require a quick reaction time.
- Keyboard. Similarly, most gamer laptops have a built-in keyboard, enabling basic functionality, but this keyboard may not be comfortable or as responsive as you would like it to be. Getting a separate ergonomic keyboard designed for gaming can help you get a competitive edge in some games. Of course, you can always use the built-in keyboard as a backup as well.
- Headphones and microphone. There are many good reasons to want headphones and a microphone. Your gamer laptop will probably have a built-in microphone and set of speakers, but purchasing a peripheral can help you get higher quality. Headphones can provide you with a much more immersive gaming experience and minimize external sound for the comfort of the people around you, and a microphone can help you sound clearer to the people you play games with. A better microphone is also indispensable if you plan on streaming any games.
- A stand. In some cases, it pays to get a stand for your laptop, so it can sit higher when you play games. This can help the laptop stay cool and give you more room for storage underneath it.
- A second monitor. Most games can be played on your gaming laptop using only the built-in screen. However, if you want a bigger screen, a screen with a better refresh rate or higher resolution, or just another screen to give you more room for multitasking, you may want a second monitor.
- A gamepad. When playing a game, you can typically choose to play with a mouse and keyboard combination or with a gamepad. There are advantages and disadvantages of each, but it ultimately boils down to personal preference. If you like the idea of using a dedicated gamepad for at least some games, consider getting one for your laptop.
- An upgraded webcam. These days, most laptops come with a webcam by default, enabling you to stream, video chat with other people, and more. However, if you plan on professionally streaming or video chatting regularly, it may be worth upgrading to a higher resolution one.
- Extra batteries and charging cables. Battery life is critical, especially if you're gaming on the go. Accordingly, you may want to buy a backup battery for your laptop as well as additional charging cables for different locations.
- Lighting. While strictly aesthetic in nature, many gamers find their experience improved with the right lighting. Consider getting secondary sources of lighting for the room where you plan to do most of your laptop gaming.
Peripherals and accessories aren't strictly necessary to enjoy your gamer laptop, but they can improve the experience and entitle you to a wider range of activities. Thankfully, gaming laptop peripherals and accessories are usually much less expensive than the laptop itself, so even if you have a strict budget, you should be able to afford your top priorities.
