STACK #255 January 2026

BACK TO SCHOOL 2026

TECH FEATURE

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Gaming laptops were once a niche device, but in 2026 it’s more viable than ever to use one for everything you need. If you’re a student who also loves gaming, the appeal is obvious, but are gaming laptops actually a smart choice for school? Here’s what you need to know before taking the plunge. Words James O’Connor ONE POWERFUL DEVICE FOR STUDY & PLAY! GAMING LAPTOPS

What makes a laptop a “gaming” laptop? Put simply, a gaming laptop is designed with performance as a priority. That means a powerful processor and a dedicated graphics card (GPU) capable of running modern games smoothly. Compared to more traditional laptops, gaming models typically include more RAM and faster solid-state storage (SSD), helping everything load quickly and run smoothly. They’re also more likely to feature high resolution displays with fast refresh rates, delivering smoother gameplay and sharper visuals. While RGB lighting is common, it’s more of a style choice than a necessity.

What advantages do they offer students? Modern games are some of the most demanding tasks you can ask a laptop to handle. If a system can run new release titles at reasonable settings, it’s usually more than capable of tackling everyday schoolwork and creative tasks. That extra power is especially valuable for students working with video editing, 3D modelling, animation, programming, or game engines like Unity and Unreal – a system that can run cool new games can also be used to make cool new games! Engineering, data science, and other technically demanding courses also benefit

from the stronger processing and graphics performance a gaming laptop offers. In short, a gaming laptop doesn’t just play games well – it can comfortably support advanced school workloads too. What subjects are gaming laptops best suited for? Gaming laptops are particularly well suited to visual and technical subjects. Secondary students studying digital technologies, visual design, or art that involves 3D work will benefit from the extra graphical power. At a STEM-focused school or at university, you’re more likely to encounter specialised software that places heavier demands on hardware. In those cases, a gaming laptop can be a practical long-term investment rather than overkill. Which specs matter the most? The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the most important component in a gaming laptop. Many modern devices use NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, and while higher numbered GPUs are more powerful, you don’t need the absolute top tier for study. Always check the recommended specifications for the software and games you plan to use.

14 JANUARY 2026

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