u/BarnabyLaptopOutlet

I feel like new buyers get pulled toward the highest GPU/CPU combo, but long term comfort is a different thing.

A laptop that gets slightly lower FPS but stays cooler, quieter, and more stable might actually feel better after a year.

For people who’ve owned gaming laptops for a while, what would you choose now?

A. More FPS
B. Better cooling
C. Better screen
D. Better battery
E. Better build quality

Curious what people regret prioritising.

Before spending money on a cooling pad, check a few basic things first because a lot of overheating laptops are actually just clogged up, running something heavy in the background, or sitting on a blanket cooking themselves.

Things you can go through first:

1. Is it sitting on a bed/sofa/blanket? Sounds obvious but this is probably the most common one. A lot of laptops pull air from underneath, so soft surfaces basically choke the airflow.
2. Check the vents/fans If you can already see dust around the vents, there’s probably way more inside. Even a basic clean can drop temps quite a bit.
3. Open Task Manager Sometimes it’s not the laptop itself, it’s Chrome with 40 tabs open, Windows updates, Discord, game launchers, antivirus scans, etc. Something in the background might be smashing the CPU.
4. Check your power mode If it’s permanently set to performance/turbo mode, the fans are naturally going to be louder and hotter. Balanced mode is usually fine for normal use.
5. Update drivers Especially GPU/chipset drivers. Weird fan behaviour and random heat spikes can sometimes just be driver issues.
6. Gaming laptop users: check temps while gaming Some gaming laptops just run hot by design, but if FPS suddenly tanks after a while, it could be thermal throttling.
7. Older laptop? Could be thermal paste If it’s a few years old and suddenly much hotter than before, dried thermal paste or clogged fans are pretty common.

Cooling pads can help a bit, especially for gaming laptops, but most of the time they’re not fixing the actual problem.

If you want help checking your own laptop, post the model, specs, what temperature you’re seeing, and when it gets hot.

I’ve been looking more closely at refurbished laptops lately, and I feel like the listings can be really hit or miss. 

Some refurbished laptops are genuinely great value, especially business models that still have decent build quality. Here are the red flags that would make me pause or walk away: 

1. The listing only says “i5” or “i7” without the full CPU model 

“i7” sounds good, but it could be an old chip that performs worse than a newer i5. I’d want to see the full processor name, like i5-1135G7 or Ryzen 5 5500U, not just the badge. 

2. No clear battery information 

A refurb laptop can look clean and still have a tired battery. I don’t expect a used battery to be perfect, but I’d want some idea of battery health, expected runtime, or whether the battery has been tested. 

3. 8GB RAM with no mention of upgradeability 

8GB can still be okay for basic use, but if it’s soldered and not upgradeable, that could become annoying quickly. I’d want to know whether there’s a spare RAM slot or if the laptop is stuck at 8GB forever. 

4. Tiny SSDs being presented like they’re fine for everyone 

A 128GB SSD can fill up fast once Windows, updates, apps, downloads, and a few files are added. It’s not always a dealbreaker, but I’d want the price to reflect that. 

5. Vague screen descriptions 

If a listing just says “HD display,” I’d be cautious. That could mean 1366×768, which can feel cramped and outdated. I’d rather see the actual resolution and panel type if possible. 

6. No photos of the actual condition 

Stock images are fine for showing the model, but for refurbished laptops I’d want to see real photos or at least a clear condition grade. Scratches are one thing; cracked hinges, screen marks, or missing feet are another. 

7. No mention of keyboard layout 

This is easy to overlook. Some refurbished laptops come with US, EU, or mixed keyboard layouts. That might not bother everyone, but it should be stated clearly. 

8. Missing charger details 

I’d want to know whether the charger is included, whether it’s original or compatible, and whether it provides the right wattage. Especially with USB-C laptops, the wrong charger can be a pain. 

9. BIOS password, admin lock, or management lock risk 

This is a big one. I’d avoid anything that might be BIOS-locked, company-managed, activation-locked, or not properly reset. A cheap laptop isn’t cheap if you can’t fully use it. 

10. No clear returns or warranty info 

Even if the laptop looks like a bargain, I’d rather pay slightly more for a clear return window and some kind of warranty. With refurbished tech, after-sales support matters. 

 

Buyers should be more concerned by missing information than by a few scratches. What refurbished laptop red flags would make you walk away immediately? And are there any things people worry about that you think are actually not a big deal? Let’s discuss.  

It could be combat, traversal, parries, webswinging, stealth, whatever... just that one mechanic that never gets old no matter how many times you do it. 

For me, it’s the Leviathan Axe recall in God of War. It’s such a small thing, but it feels insanely good every single time. 

What’s yours?