Introduction

Coding often requires a robust laptop that can quickly compile the code and debug it smoothly. To undertake these tasks smoothly, you require a laptop with a good processor and memory, usually found in gaming laptops. On the other hand, gaming laptops come with several advanced features such as a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU, a good amount of RAM, and good displays to provide a smooth gaming experience.

Since both coding and gaming require the use of high-performance components for a smooth experience, you may think of using the same laptop for both purposes. However, you need to understand that while there are certain advantages to using the same laptop for both, there are some disadvantages too. In this blog, we will be helping you understand these pros and cons to answer the query, ‘Are gaming laptops good for coding?’

Table Of Contents

Requirements of Coding Laptops

When we refer to coding laptops, certain minimum requirements need to be fulfilled by these systems to ensure a smooth coding experience. For example, you will require at least a quad-core CPU or more if you need to compile your programs quickly. Similarly, if you are researching and have a lot of internet browser tabs open simultaneously, then it will be ideal to get a laptop with at least 8 GB & 16 GB of RAM.

Additionally, you should also get a laptop with at least 256 GB of high-speed SSD storage to get an overall smooth performance while coding. Similarly, it is essential to have a laptop with an ergonomic keyboard since coding requires you to constantly type the code and edit it for debugging.

Graphic Card and Coding

Another important factor which is required for gaming is a graphic card or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Laptops generally come with an integrated GPU, while gaming ones are equipped with a dedicated GPU. The integrated GPUs are a part of the CPU and use the system’s memory to undertake simple graphics-related tasks, making them cost-effective and energy-saving.

On the other hand, dedicated GPUs are separate hardware with their video memory called VRAM, as well as dedicated cooling systems, since they are required to undertake heavy-duty graphic activities like gaming and video editing. Hence, if you are programming in specific programming languages, you need not have a discrete or dedicated GPU. However, if you program in CAD or are a 3D programmer, you can opt for a laptop with a dedicated GPU, which will help in undertaking coding-related tasks quickly.

5 Reasons to Code on Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops have several features which make them ideal for coding, as well as undertaking coding-related tasks such as debugging. Hence, you can decide to use a gaming laptop for coding too. Some of the basic features that make a gaming laptop ideal for coding are:

High-Performance Processors

Processors are the brain of the laptop which undertakes all the computer processing required to handle the tasks it is required to do. Hence, gaming laptops usually have a powerful processor since the laptop is required to let the player see fast visuals in a 3D environment. As a result, it can easily handle various programming-related tasks since it is already a powerful one.

Graphic Card

Like CPU, gaming laptops have high-end GPUs which undertake heavy tasks related to graphics such as calculating the details of the graphics, displaying the images on screen by rendering them accurately, and more. However, since these features are not related to coding, you can get away with a laptop with integrated graphics. However, coding on a gaming laptop will provide you with additional horsepower to render the details if required.

More Memory

Memory or RAM is what helps the programs store their data while running on the laptop. Hence, the laptop you are coding on must have an adequate amount of RAM to help you run your final software smoothly. However, the same philosophy applies to games, which require a higher amount of RAM for running the games smoothly, making it ideal for both.

Additional Storage

Since games are massive in size nowadays, gaming laptops often come with larger storage sizes. Additionally, most of these laptops lack a hard disk. Instead, they ship with faster SSD storage, which makes working on the laptop very smooth. Hence, coding on such a laptop would also result in a very smooth experience.

Less Overheating

Furthermore, gaming laptops are meant to get hot and cool down. That is why they are usually larger in size with bulky chassis, compared to a normal laptop. As a result, gaming laptops face fewer overheating issues. Hence, you can easily run all kinds of programming languages on the system without having to worry about any kind of heating issues.

Reasons not to Use a Gaming Laptop for Coding

The most important factor for not using a gaming laptop for coding is that it is expensive since gaming requires more processing power than coding. Additionally, since gaming laptops come with powerful components, it also uses more electricity to run. Hence, they have shorter battery backups. Moreover, gaming laptops require heavy cooling components such as a huge fan, extra ports, and an airy chassis to cool them effectively. This extra hardware adds to the bulk of the laptop, lowering its portability factor.

Furthermore, due to the heavy cooling systems used in most gaming laptops, its fans spin almost constantly, which could cause disturbance in a professional setup where coding is usually undertaken. Gaming laptops also come with fewer port selections than normal laptops since they are meant for gaming only. All these factors make gaming laptops a bad value proposition for coding. However, depending on your industry and the coding language, as well as whether you are a gamer and a coder, you can choose a gaming laptop to be your daily driver.

Conclusion

To conclude, we would suggest that you get a dedicated laptop for coding and another dedicated one for gaming. While gaming laptops can easily be used for coding, there are certain pros and cons to using the same system for both tasks, which we have listed in this article.

If you are a gamer who loves to code, or vice versa, it may be an enticing prospect to get a gaming laptop for undertaking both tasks at once. However, consider the pros and cons discussed in this article to understand whether you will be able to undertake your tasks well with a gaming laptop.