Why Are Gaming Laptops So Heavy? Explained: 10 Surprising Reasons!


Activities like gaming require laptops that are capable of withstanding so many things. For instance, you would not like a laptop that overheats after playing one or two games. You would like a machine that withstands the heat and gives you the entire gaming experience. Now, why are gaming laptops so heavy? Let us find out.

Usually, gaming laptops are always heavy since they have been designed with two fans. Since airflow is essential for cooling, the thickness will be slightly larger. Also, on the inside, they have more robust heatsinks, which results in additional weight. The laptop has been designed with these features because it will generate heat during gaming activity.

Here are ten reasons why gaming laptops are so heavy:

1. Large Screen and Overall Size

One of the many reasons gaming laptops are so heavy is the large screen feature. Usually, they are designed with larger screens to provide the best display to suit the user’s needs. Most of them are usually 15 to 19 inches long. Since the screen is large, that type of model may result in an increase in additional weight.

2. They Have a Processor Cooler

Gaming laptops usually have higher chances of heating up, and as a result, are built with a CPU cooler. This cooler is usually large enough to offer good ventilation. This will bring about an increase in size and weight. Therefore, you must install the cooler for the processor to be well ventilated.

3. Large Battery

A laptop’s battery usually plays a significant role. Typically, it acts as the life of the whole device. Gaming laptops usually have larger batteries, contributing to an increase in size and weight. No one, not even you, would like to play for a minute while the battery goes down. So, that is also a reason why gaming laptops are so heavy.

4. Larger Motherboard

The motherboard of a gaming laptop differs greatly from that of a normal laptop. For instance, the size of a gaming laptop is large due to a lot of components. Some of these components include RAM, graphics cards, and other components that are not present in normal laptops. A larger structure will be required since the components are many and larger.

5. Resistance Structure

Gaming laptops are different from other laptops, which are designed with plastic materials. Usually, they have been designed with metallic structures like the frame to offer more resistance. That becomes an advantage, and as a result, additional size and weight increase.

6. Graphics Card

The graphics card is one of the many main components of a gaming laptop. Usually, the card is robust and of considerable size. For the graphics card to fit well, there is always a need to make a bigger laptop to fit the card inside. The graphics card has fans, contributing to the device’s general weight.

7. Additional Accessories

Gaming laptops have a lot of additional accessories. For instance, some of them are fitted with larger speakers, larger keyboards, RGB LED lighting, and some peripherals that are not available on other machines. When combined, the mentioned structures will add weight and size, making gaming laptops heavy.

8. Cooling Devices

Besides the processor and graphics card sections, gaming laptops have additional cooling devices. Usually, they require a more powerful ventilation system to run efficiently. As a result, the laptops are fitted with two fans. Since they are two, they will result in additional weight, which will make them heavy.

9. Extra Ports

Compared to regular laptops, gaming laptops have additional ports. For instance, laptops may have the usual HDMI/VGA, audio, and USB ports. For the sake of gaming laptops, they may have extra ports. These extra ports will, therefore, significantly impact the laptop’s general weight, making it heavy.

10. Multiple Storage Units

Usually, you would not like to game on a laptop with a small storage system. If that is the case, your game will definitely hang, and you will not have that incredible experience. Now, that makes it a reason why gaming laptops need multiple storage units. Storage units like SSD may be lighter and may not seem to increase weight; however, when combined with HDDs, they may end up compact, resulting in additional weight.

How Heavy Should a Gaming Laptop Be?

Usually, a 15-inch gaming laptop will weigh 4 to 6 pounds on average. On the other hand, a 17-inch gaming laptop will weigh about 5 to 7 pounds on average. That is how heavy a gaming laptop should be. The laptops may be that heavy depending on the features they have. Most of these features differ, which is why the weight also differs.

Are All Gaming Laptops Heavy?

Yes. All gaming laptops are heavy and bulky. It is normal for them to be heavier than the regular ones. Because they are that heavy, they may not be ideal for work or college. This means that they have to be used when one is in their home. So, carrying the laptop around may cause pain, and as a result, it is not recommended.

Is five pounds heavy for a gaming laptop? Yes. Five pounds for a gaming laptop is very heavy and hence makes it not portable. However, anything under four pounds is ideal for carriage, thus making it portable.

Does Heavy Gaming Damage a Laptop?

No. Heavy gaming doesn’t damage the laptop. The laptops themselves have been designed to suit gaming needs, making them well compatible with different games. As a result, gaming cannot damage the machine.

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Kevin Roose

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