How long do (gaming) laptops really last?

Mystic Twilight said:
The issue with some gaming laptops is that they have minimal air vents so that the incoming air is focused on the intake fans to cool the heatsinks, leaving the others parts of the laptop to not be cooled.
Click to expand...

Why would they design it that way if it will impact cooling. It must have cost Dell a small fortune over the last 3 years to keep on sending out a tech to service my machine. Yes, I do pay a small fortune for the warranty, but even then it is not even a 10th of what it cost Dell to service and replace. Do they do it to lower the lifespan so once the warranty ends the machines get replaced. For XPS it is often just a year warranty, precision is min. 3 year and then another 2 years extended warranty.
 
RedViking said:
Why would they design it that way if it will impact cooling. It must have cost Dell a small fortune over the last 3 years to keep on sending out a tech to service my machine. Yes, I do pay a small fortune for the warranty, but even then it is not even a 10th of what it cost Dell to service and replace. Do they do it to lower the lifespan so once the warranty ends the machines get replaced. For XPS it is often just a year warranty, precision is min. 3 year and then another 2 years extended warranty.
Click to expand...

No idea, ask the laptop makers.
 
RedViking said:
I don't use cafe wifi due to security risks and not always fast enough due to all the people using it. I have Telkom Fixed LTE I take with me (second sim in phone) and it is pretty consistent if there are no technical issues somewhere. Moonlight I find very temperamental when not on the same network and doesn't always want to connect remotely. I end up just using Chrome Desktop Connection. But yeah, need to look into something more reliable, even Windows RDP. Mobile costs are not a concern as I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and these Telkom Fixed LTE is fairly affordable. As it is not gaming the bitrate doesn't have to be high.

But the reason I haven't considered it permanently is that WifI and Mobile consistency has left me disappointed a couple of times
Click to expand...
Other topic, I highly recommend setting up Tailscale on your machines: https://tailscale.com/
Basically wireguard (VPN) as a mesh/p2p VPN, more info here: https://tailscale.com/kb/1151/what-is-tailscale

Use it for VPN access, and you can set it up so that all your traffic from your laptop is routed to go back to your home network, basically acts as though you're on the same LAN.

Personally using it as well, have it on my home assistant, phones, and set up at some family members places so they can access some of my stuff. Works really well and very easy set-up. Can't wait until even more traction and can finally have those stupid cisco/forti/other VPN providers basically die out.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Other topic, I highly recommend setting up Tailscale on your machines: https://tailscale.com/
Basically wireguard (VPN) as a mesh/p2p VPN, more info here: https://tailscale.com/kb/1151/what-is-tailscale

Use it for VPN access, and you can set it up so that all your traffic from your laptop is routed to go back to your home network, basically acts as though you're on the same LAN.

Personally using it as well, have it on my home assistant, phones, and set up at some family members places so they can access some of my stuff. Works really well and very easy set-up. Can't wait until even more traction and can finally have those stupid cisco/forti/other VPN providers basically die out.
Click to expand...
Cheers! Thanks for this.
Edit: bonus that it also support Synology.
 
Last edited:
RedViking said:
Only see the screenshot now. But confirms my experience, cooling pads make no difference and therefor will have little impact on the lifespan of the device in terms of heat. A laptop stand is all one needs.
Click to expand...
About 2C average
 
I got an alienware m17 in 2018/2019 can't remember, used it for work, gaming, hash cracking and a bit of mining. After three years we get the option to buy so my sister bought it for her kid who abuses that thing playing games non stop.

Have only had to open and clean her up and replaced thermal paste when it went to my sister. So 5 years going strong.

A guy at work who is a heavy guy managed to break all his keyboards keys but mine were perfect.

Got another alienware m17 after that and get my new m18 as soon as there is stock.

I remember Dell used to have the unlimited warranty maybe back in 2014ish and remember sending in a laptop which screen stopped working and they just replaced the entire thing. Not sure if that is still a thing.
 
This should solve your cooling problems, just requires a bit of tinkering :

 
RedViking said:
Although the thread turned into a how to cool thread, I am trying to get an idea on the lifespan of modern notebooks. 😅
Click to expand...

MyBB FTW...

But from my experience on relatively high end workstationy type laptops, 3 or so years before they start giving issues seems to be about the industry norm.
 
My Dell M4700 is still functioning. Though it's not really a gaming laptop but it could do it from 2012 to around 2018 maybe a bit beyond.
 
My 2018? XPS 15 was problematic. It had a high wattage CPU and 1050ti. The battery died twice and I think it eventually died altogether after I passed it on to another colleague. It was also pretty useless at gaming even though it was very expensive at close to R50k (big companies don't buy from wootware).
 
Brawler said:
My 2018? XPS 15 was problematic. It had a high wattage CPU and 1050ti. The battery died twice and I think it eventually died altogether after I passed it on to another colleague. It was also pretty useless at gaming even though it was very expensive at close to R50k (big companies don't buy from wootware).
Click to expand...
So far my Precision 5690 replacement has been behaving. (still early days though). But I'll probably extend the pro warranty for another 2 years anyways. Think it will take me into 2028.

The Precision 5550 had endless issues. Think it was the same as the 2018/19 XPS besides for the GPU which was the T2000. Battery was dead by year 3. I will probably have to replace the 5690 battery before then though as it draws more power than what the power supply can supply. Even though it is a workstation card RTX 2000 Ada , so far it has been pretty amazing for the games I play with DLSS support. It runs hot and loud though when both the CPU and GPU is maxed out. ANC earphones comes in handy.

I am still blown away by the technology and power they can push into such a thin device. But nothing can escape heat, the silent (or loud) killer. I'll be surprised if it survives till 2028 without needing another replacement.

I do think it is better to stick with thicker form factors though if you want good mobile gaming performance. Until Apple has caught up with gaming support anyways.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X