As a seasoned gamer and college alumnus, I wholeheartedly endorse these tips for crafting your ideal gaming setup in a dorm room. Trust me, I’ve been there – juggling academics, social life, and an unquenchable thirst for virtual adventures!
As some students prepare to return to school, while others have already started, it doesn’t necessarily mean you must part ways with your favorite gaming setup at home. After all, school hours don’t have to interfere with your love for gaming!
Equipping your gaming laptop with a keyboard and mouse for gaming is a solid beginning, yet by adding a few more components and some creativity, you can transform your dormitory into the ultimate gaming PC battlestation that has long been in your dreams.
6 Ways To Turn Your Laptop Into A Dorm Room Gaming BattleStation
- Get a USB-C hub or dock
- Use a portable monitor or a smaller desktop monitor
- Pick up a compact gaming keyboard
- Use a gaming mouse
- Invest in a quality headset or headphones
- Light it up
Get a USB-C Hub or dock
Due to the restricted input options in contemporary gaming laptops, it’s highly recommended to get a USB-C hub, or a Thunderbolt dock if your computer is compatible. This accessory will enable you to connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Moreover, certain models offer a one-cable solution, making it easy to plug and unplug your laptop for gaming sessions or when traveling.
Use a portable monitor or a smaller desktop monitor
As a gamer, I can tell you that using your laptop’s built-in display is fine if you’re cool with the screen size and refresh rate for gaming. But if you want to level up your gaming setup without investing in a new laptop for a better refresh rate, consider getting a portable monitor or a smaller desktop monitor instead. It’s a swift solution that can significantly enhance your gaming experience!
Opting for portable gaming screens will generally cost more than their desktop counterparts with comparable performance, however, in the long term, they provide greater adaptability, particularly if you frequently travel. Transporting a heavy, non-protected desktop monitor can be frustrating due to the risk of scratches or impacts during transit.
Pick up a compact gaming keyboard
If your dorm desk isn’t particularly spacious, you’ll likely find that desk space is at a premium when it comes to accommodating all your gaming accessories. This is where a compact keyboard can be incredibly helpful. Whether you choose a 60% or the slightly larger TenKeyLess (TKL) design, both options will provide ample room for mouse movement and significantly reduce the feeling of claustrophobia in your workspace.
Given that your laptop’s input/output might be limited with all your gaming accessories connected, it’s wise to consider your current situation before opting for a wired or wireless keyboard. A wireless keyboard, whether it uses 2.4GHz or Bluetooth technology, offers a sleeker appearance for your setup. However, the assurance that a wired keyboard is always ready to use gives a slight advantage when weighing the convenience of dealing with its cable.
Use a gaming mouse
It’s often overlooked by some gamers, but using a trackpad for gaming isn’t recommended, regardless of its quality. A gaming mouse will significantly improve your precision, and over time, your hands and wrists will appreciate it too.
If you’re looking for a high-end gaming mouse like the Asus ROG Harpe, but your budget is tight, consider the Logitech G305 Lightspeed as an affordable alternative. This mouse may not impress with its technical specifications, but it boasts a reliable wireless connection, ensuring a clutter-free workspace and minimizing the inconvenience of cable tangles. Additionally, its long-lasting battery life means less time spent on charging and more gaming sessions. At just $40, this mouse can last you through several years of college with careful handling.
Invest in a quality headset or headphones
No matter how good the rest of your setup is, a mediocre audio experience will detract from your overall gaming experience. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton of money on good audio, but something more than your Apple AirPods or the gaming headset you have been using forever will make the overall gaming experience a lot better.
Since you’ll likely be sharing a dorm room with someone else, it would be beneficial to invest in either closed-back headphones, inner-ear monitors (IEMs), or a gaming headset equipped with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). These will enable you to immerse yourself fully in the game’s audio without being disrupted by external noises that might interrupt your gaming experience. If an ANC headset is not within your budget, the KZ ZSN Pro X IEMs offer impressive passive noise isolation for just $25 and deliver outstanding audio quality as well.
Light It Up
A true gaming setup isn’t fully equipped without some RGB illumination. While many devices like keyboards, mice, and headsets often include RGB lighting, adding LED lights can really enhance the overall gamer vibe. If you’re not a fan of RGB lighting, smart light bars such as those from Philips Hue provide an excellent alternative for adjusting your room’s lighting temperature without resorting to harsh overhead lighting.
Keep in mind that it may be necessary for you to exercise caution when installing lights on your dorm room walls. While some lights might be suitable for rentals, dormitories can have strict rules about alterations made to the walls. However, opting for light bars should pose no problems at all; they’re also more convenient to set up and move around as needed.
FAQ
Q: What percent of college students are gamers?
It might appear that you need to adjust your gaming routine while attending college, but surprisingly, around 70% of college students still engage in playing video games at least once a week. Moreover, approximately 65% of college students identify as regular or occasional gamers.
Q: Can you do gaming in college?
An increasing number of educational institutions establish gaming clubs or even competitive e-sports teams. Though they currently don’t have the same status as traditional college sports, there is speculation that with e-sports potentially being recognized at an Olympic level, this could alter the landscape within a few years.
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2024-08-14 01:04