How to Create the Ultimate Gaming Laptop Setup

June 30, 2009 at 04:06:04 AM, by Blair Mathis

Non-gamers don't understand. They see you, they see your obsession, they say they understand, but only you and your kind really know, really see the truth: they are clueless to what it means to be a gamer.

As with any passion, you're not satisfied with a mediocre setup. Some people pimp out their cars, other obsess over knickknacks, why shouldn't you treat your passion with the same respect? Below are several tips on creating the ultimate gaming setup.

Pick a Location

Do you have an entire room available? If so, that is ideal, but even if you don't, a nice setup can be created anywhere with the right tools. Locate an unused location in your home or apartment: whether it is a basement, guest bedroom, corner of the living room, or even the garage, there are a few things you should consider.

Safety: are your items safe from flooding, heat, and theft? Of course you can't guarantee these things, but don't put your setup in the basement if it usually floods in heavy rain, or in the garage if your door can be pried open with little effort.

Cooling: When you're running a mega-computer or a bunch of consoles, as well as a TV (or two), and other random electronics, the heat tends to build up. You'll want at least a vent to circulate the air, but in all reality, you'll want a window or two, where you can put an exhaust fan, or even a small air conditioner to keep things from overheating.

Comfort: You want your gaming room, your retreat, to be peaceful, not marred by discomfort. If you're commonly use explosive surround sound speakers, for example, then you want your gaming location to be on a part of your living quarters where the neighbors are least likely to hear the sounds and complain.

Load Up On Peripherals

This might seem like an obvious step, but that makes it no less essential. Haven't you ever heard the saying, you're only as good as the company you keep? The same sort of philosophy applies here: your m17x is only as good as the peripherals you use.

So what kind of accessories does a decent setup need to become the ultimate gaming area?

1: A Wireless Mouse - A wireless mouse lets you move it anywhere you need to, and keeps your desk free of wire-related clutter. If you're a console gamer, then a wireless controller can be found fairly cheap online. TIP: use NiHM batteries, they last far longer than your average alkalines. Also, it should go without saying, but use rechargeable batteries, it will save you hundreds of dollars.

2: Ergonomic Keyboard - If you're a computer gamer, protect your wrists and hands from the perils of carpal tunnel syndrome by using a posture-friendly ergonomic keyboard. Many of these can be found wireless, which is a plus.

3: Second Monitor - Two monitors is an ideal setup. My personal preference is to place a 20"+ monitor above the laptop LCD to avoid neck strain, and use the laptop monitor below it to have an open browser, chat, and other important apps. If you have additional monitors, you can place them side by side to make a nice panoramic game.

4: High-End Headphones - Or, if you're an online player that likes to chat, get a headset with a good microphone that won't project sound from all over the place. These are ideal for users who can't afford a quality speaker system but want high-end audio, with deep base and strong audio. TIP: the Sennheiser EH 150 headphones are cheap at $25, and offer excellent sound quality for gamers.

5: Surround Sound Speakers - For those times you can toss aside the headphones and let the sounds roar, a surround-sound setup will take your gaming experience to a new level.

Keep it Cool

A gaming machine is like a burning ember in the bottom of the fireplace. Once the processor starts, it will heat up like a mini furnace, the fan will start cranking away and, if it can't get enough air, the machine will begin running poorly. To remedy this, always use a cooling pad under your laptop, even if you're not going to be putting much demand on it. By doing so, you'll keep the air moving, your machine running smoothly, and your processor just might last a few additional years.

Create an Ergonomic Workspace

This is an important one: you don't want your body to suffer from your passions. You'll want to set up an ergonomic playspace that doesn't lead to carpel tunnel, neck strain, and perpetual migraines. This is, of course, more of an issue for computer gamers that sit at a desk over console gamers that often lounge on a couch.

The attached image shows an ideal ergonomic workspace, which would serve any gamer well. The basics, however, are as follows:

Large Enough Screen: If you're having to squint and strain to see the screen, you're going to end up with eye problems. The display you use, whether monitor or flat panel TV (there's not much a difference between them), needs to be large enough to adequately see from whatever distance you sit.

A Comfortable Chair: you'll need three things in a chair--good head support, back support, and arm support. When you lean you head back, can you comfortably see the TV/monitor, or you do you have to strain forward? Are your arms comfortable where they rest on the sides of the chair, or do they feel too high/too low? With everything arranged in their correct order, is your back straight, or is it rounded?

A Gun Controller: Gun controllers had been around for quite a while but none has taken it as far as Novint´s gun controller. We had the chance to test it at the CES beginning of the year and were amazed how much fun it is to play Left4Dead and other FPS with it.

Secure Your Data

When you purchase hundreds of dollars worth of games, you've made a major investment. While the DCMA insists that it is both illegal and possible evil for you to make backups of the games you both legally purchased and own, many people use their common sense and realize that on both a moral and logical level, backing up ones own games is not wrong.

The best way to make backups of your games is to rip them to ISOs, place them in a file with their relevant info (registration numbers, etc), and place them on an external hard drive. Invest in a hard drive that is fire and water proof, so in the unfortunate event that your gaming room goes up in flames, you can rest easy knowing your data is (hopefully) safe on the drive.

Conclusion

While you probably can't afford a gaming setup like Jeremy Kipnis, with the tips above, you can still have an awesome setup for both yourself and your friends. An isolated room with an ergonomic setup, essential peripherals, secure data, and all the comforts of home will make for hours of fun.

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