If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that will last, focus on models with solid build quality, good cooling systems, and easily upgradeable components (RAM, storage). Brands like Alienware, ASUS ROG, and Lenovo Legion are solid options. For longevity, avoid budget models and aim for higher-end CPUs (like Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9) and at least an RTX 3060 or better for the GPU.
However, gaming laptops often have a shorter lifespan compared to desktops due to heat and wear. If portability isn’t a big concern, building a desktop might be a better long-term investment.
For laptops, an alternative could be a business or workstation laptop (e.g., Dell XPS or Lenovo ThinkPad) with a decent GPU for gaming. These often last longer and require less maintenance.
This is a crucial matter. Investing generates income (or at least safeguards your wealth). The laptop is not an investment in the same way as the lunchtime burger. That is all you purchase it and utilize it. Unless there is another worldwide epidemic (which you definitely wouldn’t want to sell it at that point), you won’t get anything back for it.
Unless you travel a lot and want to play games on the fly, I don’t think gaming laptops are worth the money. That being said, be prepared to pay twice as much as you would on a similar desktop setup if you really want to acquire a future-proof gaming laptop. The lowest price I would suggest paying for a laptop configuration with a 4070 is between $1.5 and $2.5k, provided it is expected to endure for at least four years.
Edit: Since a gaming laptop needs the same maintenance as any other laptop or computer, I am not sure what extra work he had to do. You’ll need to do monthly dustings and window reinstallations on periodically (I do this every couple of years). Wishing you luck.
Gaming laptops are flawed. For the sake of portability, they sacrifice cooling and cost more than an equivalent desktop. However, they are not good at being portable either, battery life is generally terrible and they are so heavy. I think building a desktop makes more sense
It sounds like you are suggesting prioritizing build quality over raw performance when choosing a laptop, especially for longevity. Laptops like the MSI GF66 Katana offer strong specs but may have weaker build quality, leading to issues like broken hinges. Gaming laptops often focus on squeezing out performance, but that can compromise durability.
For something long-lasting, it might be worth sacrificing top-tier specs especially if you are just running older games like GTA V and opting for a metal build or business-class laptop. Your HP ZBook’s durability over 7 years shows how a solidly built laptop can outlast higher-performance machines with lesser build quality.
It is easy to play games on the go when you want to, but if you travel a lot like I do as a military person, you also have to work on a screen that runs at 165 Hz.
I think it’s worth the investment. I have had a gaming laptop for 7 years now, not even top-of-the-line, with just a GTX 1060 GPU, and it still performs well. I don’t play the latest games, but even on my desktops, I never played day-one releases. I do want a new laptop, but not for gaming—it’s for more computational power, especially for local AI tasks. However, it’s hard to justify replacing a laptop that still works fine.
For context, I have a Lenovo Legion Y720 with an i7 7700HQ. It’s easy to maintain, like cleaning out dust. The battery lasts about an hour on full power, which is normal for a mid-range 2018 gaming laptop. Since it doesn’t officially support Windows 11, I switched to Linux but kept a Windows 10 dual boot for games. It still runs great (I am currently playing Just Cause 3), but it’s a bit underpowered for AI work.
Portability has also become important to me. Taking my laptop on short trips or vacations is a big advantage. When I had to travel for work recently, I was glad I could use it for games and AI work in the evenings.
For my next laptop, I will probably go for a Tuxedo with max specs. I have realized it’s worth spending more on non-replaceable components like the CPU and GPU for long-term use.