How do I convince my strict dad to buy me a gaming laptop for college?

I’m not an extreme gamer, but I’d like a gaming laptop mainly to play Hogwarts Legacy. However, my dad is quite strict and focuses heavily on my upcoming college studies, so he’s hesitant. How can I persuade him that a gaming laptop could also be beneficial for my studies? Are there any advantages of gaming laptops over regular laptops for academic purposes?

Consider earning the money yourself since you’re entering college soon.

Zinn said:
Consider earning the money yourself since you’re entering college soon.

I wanted to get a job, but my dad is strict about not allowing me to buy such laptops even with my own money.

@Jesse
There are gaming laptops that don’t look overly flashy. If your dad isn’t very tech-savvy, he might not notice if it doesn’t stand out as a gaming machine.

Bailey said:
@Jesse
There are gaming laptops that don’t look overly flashy. If your dad isn’t very tech-savvy, he might not notice if it doesn’t stand out as a gaming machine.

Unfortunately, my dad works in IT and is very tech-savvy.

I saved up and bought a used one during school. Sometimes you have to adjust based on your budget.

You might want to frame it as needing a ‘powerful laptop’ for ‘engineering or software development tasks’ that might require high performance, which a gaming laptop can provide.

Maybe try calling it a ‘creator laptop’ instead of a gaming laptop. Focus on the specs you need for productivity, not just for gaming.

Explain to him the benefits of having a powerful laptop for your studies, especially if your coursework might involve software that requires more advanced specifications.

Beckett said:
Explain to him the benefits of having a powerful laptop for your studies, especially if your coursework might involve software that requires more advanced specifications.

I’m actually going into a vet tech diploma course, so I’m not sure if that would require intensive software.

Advocate for a laptop with good GPU for intensive tasks like video rendering or software simulations that are common in many technical fields of study.

If you start your studies well, perhaps you can convince him by showing that you’re responsible and managing your time effectively between studies and leisure.

Ultimately, you may need to save and buy it yourself to have full control over your choices.

Consider laptops like the HP Victus, which are powerful but don’t visually scream ‘gaming laptop’, making them more palatable for strict parents.

Rebrand the gaming laptop as a ‘productivity laptop’ that’s necessary for various creative and technical tasks beyond gaming.

Maybe try earning the money yourself through a part-time job, which could give you more autonomy in your purchasing decisions.

Hollis said:
Maybe try earning the money yourself through a part-time job, which could give you more autonomy in your purchasing decisions.

That’s what I was planning, but my dad is really strict about how I use my money too.

As a last resort, remember that Hogwarts Legacy is also available on platforms like Xbox Cloud, which could be a workaround if a new laptop isn’t possible.

Try comparing the specs of a gaming laptop to a regular one and show him how the gaming laptop could potentially handle more demanding academic software.

Look for laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro, which offer solid performance suitable for both gaming and academic needs without a flashy gaming aesthetic.