Hard to believe, but gamers are still lugging desktop PCs to LAN parties. Okay, I can sort of understand why LAN-goers prefer desktops over laptops for gaming: They're cheaper, for one thing, and easier to upgrade when a faster graphics card comes out. But is lugging all that bulk and loose parts worth the hassle?

I say the time is ripe for a gaming laptop.

LAN parties are large gatherings of gaming fanatics looking to annihilate each other in a multiplayer scenario, while at the same time taking gaming and social interaction to the next level. This certainly beats hiding in a bedroom or defeating the computer for the thousandth time. LAN-party newbies should consider using a gaming laptop. Portables can be just as capable as desktops; they're more affordable than ever; and best of all, they free you from all the heft associated with desktops. Think about it: a one-piece solution that eliminates clutter—no separate monitor or speakers, and only one power cord. Best of all, the whole affair doesn't take up much more desk space than a magazine.

Various accoutrements can help keep your gaming on the winning edge. For starters, you'll want an external mouse, because gaming with a touchpad is taboo (and downright impossible). Since many LAN parties may not provide extra network cables, bring your own or suffer the agonizing latency of a wireless connection. And since most of these games require the original game CDs for authentication, make sure you have those CDs, their ­respective CD keys, and the latest patches. A headset is also a handy peripheral, especially for in-game chats. Even a plain set of headphones can suffice, since many laptops have microphones built in (though using the laptop mic works only if you're close enough to the laptop to be heard over the general din). A USB flash drive or external hard drive comes in handy for exchanging files, such as demos, cheat files, and pictures.

How do you find a LAN party to attend? Check out www.lanparty.com for a list of up-to-date venues in your hometown, as well as product reviews and helpful beginners' tips. Once you find a friendly host, be prepared to stay at these parties for hours, since multiplayer games can get quite addictive. Bring some quick eats—candy bars, sandwiches, drinks—to keep your energy up. Finally, make sure you bring some money for donations. It's proper etiquette to subsidize some of the costs for organizing a LAN party, including food.