Essential Tech for Student Gamers

With a new college and school semester almost upon us, it is time to start thinking about buying new tech equipment for the next academic year. At the top of your list is probably a decent laptop and/or tablet, but what else do you need to invest in if you are an avid gamer?

Gaming is a great hobby for students. You don’t have to leave your dorm and once you have all the kit you need and a Steam account, you won’t need to spend much more. As long as you don’t spend every waking moment logged into an online game, you will still be able to make friends and get your coursework completed on time.

If you are into gaming, here is the tech you need to ensure you win all your gaming tournaments and don’t alienate your roomies.

Gaming Laptop

Desktop PCs have traditionally been the gaming rig of choice, as it is rare to find a laptop with the right specifications for online gaming. However, if you have some money to spend, a gaming laptop is better for you. For one thing, a laptop is portable, which is essential when you are a student living in dorms and you need to carry your laptop to lectures. Secondly, a laptop takes up less space and can slide under a bed or be locked up in a cupboard when you are out of your room.

Xiaomi laptops are a great brand if you want to invest in a top-level machine, but there are other models out there, including OMEN by HP, Asus ROG, and Razor Blade. If you want your machine to cope with awesome graphics, it will need a high specification. Get the best graphics card and processor you can afford. A Nvidia GeForce GTX/Intel Core i7 Combo is a good place to start.

Gaming Headphones

Gaming headphones are a must-buy. Otherwise, you risk upsetting your roommate when you’re up playing Fortnite at 3 AM. The price of gaming headsets has come down quite considerably in recent years, so you can afford to buy a great headset for less than you think. A good quality gaming headset means you don’t need a speaker system, as all audio is channeled through your ears. Look for a gaming headset that offers privacy, is comfortable to wear for long sessions at the keyboard and offers great sound quality. Watch out for the microphone position, too.

Top choices include HyperX Cloud Revolver S, SteelSeries Artcis Pro, and the Logitech G Pro Gamer Headset.

Keyboard and Mouse

Don’t underestimate the importance of an external keyboard and mouse, as gaming versions are more responsive and have shortcut keys that make all the difference in a fast-paced game. Razer does excellent gaming keyboards and mice, which come with backlighting and cool colors. Backlighting is very useful for nocturnal gaming, as it won’t disturb your roommate.

Money spent on gaming tech is never a waste. But remember, if you overspend, you may have to live on Ramen noodles for the rest of the semester.

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