The trends in the gambling industry have increased significantly in recent years and are now more important than ever. Game preferences vary greatly from person to person and even the smallest details are important. While PC gaming is best performed on desktop computers, portability is a factor that is changing the path for most users. So what is the better choice then? Gaming laptops vs desktops, let's compare the two.
Honestly, gaming laptops have come a long way since their inception. Mobile CPUs and GPUs are getting more powerful every year, narrowing the big gap between laptops and desktops. With the joys of a gaming laptop, however, come greater horrors.
Debatte – Gaming-Laptop vs. Desktop
There are several factors that most buyers think about when choosing a slot machine. Everyone has different preferences, and you should only pick the device that ticks most of them. Here are some of them to help you get started on the gaming laptop vs desktop dilemma.
portability
Portability can sometimes be a deal-breaker for gamers who travel often. Usually, choosing a desktop PC is a no-brainer if you only play at home or don't care about gaming when you travel. For college students and young adults who travel frequently and play wherever they can, nothing beats a slot machine that fits in your pocket.
While most modern laptops are fairly light, powerful gaming laptops can weigh up to 3 kilograms. Yes, the massive 17-inch gaming laptops that most brands offer are heavy compared to regular laptops. However, that doesn't make them any less portable in front of PCs.
Gone are the days of LAN parties where gamers would meet up with their PCs for competitive gaming sessions. Current-gen PC builds are bulky enough to discourage people from carrying them around. However, if you're an extremist, you could try using a mini-ITX build. It's too big a risk. Therefore, regardless of weight, laptops are the game of portability.
It's pretty obvious that laptops own the portability game as it's just not feasible to travel with a PC.
expandability
Upgradability is one of the core factors that drives most users to build their rig. You can't customize your laptop part by part, but you can do it all (if compatible) with a PC. You can plan your PC to fit your needs, buy future-proof parts, and have room for upgrades while staying on budget (Ignore the hiked GPU prices now).
A desktop PC for gaming is great, a fixed setup, just enough power to run what you want and the ability to upgrade at any time. Want more RAM? Shop for compatible RAM sticks and plug them in. No matter how "upgradable" your modern laptop is, it can't offer you better graphics or processing power despite the upgrades. Most core components in a laptop are soldered onto their motherboard and cannot be modified.
While newer Intel laptops with Thunderbolt support can be usedexternal graphics cards, the option is not very economical. As such, desktops are high on the list of options for users who prefer long-term use and upgradeability.
Certainly, desktops win the upgradeability game as there is a chance for as many upgrades as one wants.
perfomance
This is where it gets interesting, and there are many fallacies when comparing the performance of gaming laptops and desktops. While all manufacturers have similar nomenclature for mobile and desktop CPUs and GPUs, what you see isn't exactly what you get.
Of course, when comparing the performance of laptops to desktops, it comes down to specs. If you go for a powerful, premium laptop, it will outperform an entry-level desktop build. However, all things being equal, desktops have an edge over laptops.
Intel's and AMD's mobile CPUs aren't as powerful as their respective desktop versions, with a few exceptions. However, gaming laptops have come a long way and can pack a lot of power in a compact design. The mobile versions of NVIDIA and AMD GPUs don't come close to their respective desktop variants either.
For example, while the latest mobile GPUs like the RTX 3060 in laptops feature the latest technology, they perform on par with desktop variants that are two generations older. It's unfair to compare these without the numbers, but it's just to demonstrate the gap.
Consequently, one of the reasons PCs offer tremendous performance is that they have no performance limitations. Better and more powerful CPUs and GPUs require more power to function and this can easily be remedied by using a higher rated power supply.
However, desktops are superior in terms of thermal management: larger chassis, more airflow space, and lower temperatures. Ultimately, better thermals translate to better performance. Therefore, desktops are the right choice for performance-oriented users.
This is where desktops have a slight advantage, as they offer a lot more power than anything else.
value and cost
If it were 2019 there would be no room for concern and desktops would be the winner. However, the current situation requires a careful needs and budget assessment. weconfigured a PC build on PCPartPicker, a mid-range or mid-range PC build to give you a clear idea.
I choose the six-core Ryzen 5 5600X with an RTX 3060 Ti, 1TB M.2 SSD, 16GB RAM, case, motherboard, and a 650W PSU. This build alone costs ~$1700. Considering the increased GPU prices due to thesemiconductor shortageand for other reasons, building a PC has become expensive.
Well, that's not the full cost of building the above PC. When you first build a PC or create a new setup, you also need to spend it on peripherals. With the added cost of a monitor, headphones, mouse, and keyboard, the total budget jumps to ~$2200.
Additionally, the laptop equivalent (on paper), Lenovo's Legion 5 Pro with Ryzen 5 5600H and RTX 3060, 512GB PCIe SSD, 16″ IPS display, 8GB RAM costs $1699.99. To make it fair, add another 8GB RAM stick and the grand total will set you back just under $1750.
Looking at the value and prices of 2019 gaming laptops, the gap has indeed narrowed in the present. As we move up, the gap in premium gaming laptops narrows while the performance gap remains.
Long story short, a desktop PC will still have better value if you ditch the peripherals. However, this is not something everyone does. As such, gaming laptops sound more viable at the moment unless you're looking for maximum performance.
Therefore, it's a tie when it comes to the cost effectiveness of both.
Which one would you buy?
The eternally long debate between gaming laptop and desktop can only end where you want it to. The final choice depends on the settings highlighted above. Weigh the pros and cons and choose based on your needs.
Each category needs to be looked at from a broader perspective; If you plan on staying in one place most of the time, consider choosing a PC to bring out the gamer in you. If you are planning to move or change location, no gaming device is more portable than a gaming laptop.
Preferences change over time and differ from person to person. In addition, the value and performance among the masses must be very different. In the end, it is the end user who can judge what is right. The bottom line is you can play games on a PC or a laptop, whichever you prefer, but it's clear why people think of desktop PCs when they hear games.
FAQs
Is gaming better on a laptop or desktop? ›
In most cases, a gaming desktop is the better choice.
Gaming desktops provide more bang for your buck, are less expensive to upgrade and repair, and last longer before they go obsolete. The wildcard is portability. There's no getting around the fact that gaming laptops are portable and gaming desktops are not.
Simply put, desktops are more powerful than laptops. This is due mainly to the computer's size, heat output, and power consumption. Additionally, desktops simply have better specs and run faster and smoother than laptops.
When might a desktop be a better choice than a laptop? ›Desktops have a wide variety of ports, and this allows you to connect as many peripherals as you want. If a specific port isn't available, it may also be possible to add one. Laptops do not offer this level of flexibility. Due to space restrictions, there's a limit to how many ports can practically be installed.
What's the difference between a gaming computer and a regular computer? ›Most gaming PCs will have a dedicated graphics card. This comes with additional resources and processing power that your system will dedicate exclusively to visual quality. This has an obvious impact on the quality of video games, delivering smoother frame rates with far less graphical lag.
Why are gaming laptops better? ›Gaming laptops, meanwhile, often have high-end hardware that allows for competitive and AAA gaming wherever you are. Laptops run on a battery and have a built-in display, along with an onboard keyboard and trackpad, but you can also have a desktop-like experience at home with the right peripherals.
What is the difference between desktop and laptop answer? ›...
Difference Between Desktop and Laptop.
| DESKTOP | LAPTOP |
|---|---|
| Connected externally to devices that help it to function completely | All-in-one system |
- Desktop computers are more powerful than laptops and can handle more memory-intensive applications.
- Desktop PCs are much faster than laptops. ...
- They also have bigger hard drives which can store more data. ...
- Easier to upgrade with more storage.
One of the biggest advantages of a laptop over a desktop computer is portability. Laptops are designed for those on the go, which is why they're often compact and lightweight.
Why do people prefer laptops? ›Convenience
We all hate stress, one of the many reasons to buy a laptop is because they are portable, you can take them almost anywhere — they are convenient to have. Plus, having a laptop with you helps you manage your time productively if you have work that needs to be done.
Gaming PCs typically differ from mainstream personal computers by using high-performance video cards, a high core-count central processing units with raw performance and higher-performance RAM. Gaming PCs are also used for other demanding tasks such as video editing.
Can a gaming laptop be used for work? ›
As we've mentioned, gaming laptops are especially helpful if you're doing any demanding work. Their big promise is powerful graphics performance, which isn't just limited to games. Video editing and 3D rendering programs can also tap into their GPUs to handle demanding tasks.
Can a gaming desktop be used for work? ›You can do school work on a gaming PC as it is just an ordinary computer but with better specifications – faster speeds, better graphics, and more powerful processors. In addition to gaming, you can use a gaming PC for anything, including office work, school work, graphic design, and video editing.
Is gaming laptop good for students? ›Is it worth getting a gaming laptop for college? Its totally worth it. The Name Gaming Laptops Given to Them is Because of Their capability to Handle High End Games, They Can be used for Any Purpose, They Are All rounders.
What are the differences between laptop computer to desktop computer Brainly? ›Expert-Verified Answer
1) The desktop computer are always on the table and they need such a big itoms like cpu,speaker,mouse, keyboard etc. 2) The laptop computer are able to move one place to another but not the desktop computer and these computers are very easy to use.
If you want a computer with a lot of versatility, a desktop PC is for you. Desktops can store huge files and run games with high quality graphics easily. Desktops can also be changed to fit your needs. You can add more storage, RAM, and a better graphics card to improve your computing experience.
What is the main purpose of the desktop? ›When referring to an operating system or GUI (graphical user interface), the desktop is the primary place to display and organize icons on a screen. The Microsoft Windows desktop was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and has been included with every version of Windows since then.
Are desktops faster than laptops? ›Desktops tend to run faster than laptops; and more expensive PCs tend to run faster.
What are the benefits of laptops for students? ›- Supplements Obsolete Textbooks. ...
- Improves Writing Skills. ...
- Increases Familiarity With Computers. ...
- Facilitates Quicker Learning. ...
- Allows for the Use of Learning Resources. ...
- Helps With Teaching "Modern" Concepts. ...
- Assists With Tutoring.
Desktops are easy to upgrade and repair and you can customize or change GPU, CPU, fan, motherboard, etc. Besides, the price-to-performance ratio of a desktop is great. But for laptops, they are not easy to upgrade and the only upgradeable parts are storage and RAM.
Why laptop is better than desktop for students? ›Although both desktops and laptops serve the same purpose as personal computers, most college students will opt for a laptop due to its portability. Some others who enjoy games or media junkies will, however, go a desktop because of the screen size, storage, and power usage it provides.
Why is laptop important in life? ›
A laptop computer is now all but essential for any business student. From registering for classes, to communicating with professors and classmates, to accessing notes and taking exams, a laptop provides necessary resources to be a successful Business Rocket.
What are 3 benefits of gaming? ›- Healthy brain stimulation.
- Development of problem-solving skills.
- Stress relief.
However, the benefits of videogames include improved powers of concentration, creativity, memory, languages and teamwork. Videogames can make it easier to learn educational contents and develop cognitive skills.
What are 5 benefits of gaming? ›- Improved cognitive abilities.
- Improved problem-solving skills and logic.
- Increased hand-to-eye coordination.
- Greater multi-tasking ability.
- Faster and more accurate decision-making.
- Enhanced prosocial behaviors.
- Better eyesight (attention to detail)
- Buying a Gaming Laptop. As hyperbolic as it sounds, buying a gaming laptop instead of a regular desktop gaming PC is the single biggest mistake most gamers make. ...
- Gaming on Battery Power. ...
- Failing to Undervolt CPU and GPU. ...
- Not Cleaning the Vents. ...
- Poor Laptop Placement.
Another question that we get asked is 'Are gaming laptops good for everyday use? ' Yes, as long as its one of the top guns like those from Alienware, Lenovo Legion and ASUS TUF Gaming.
What is the life of a gaming laptop? ›This blog was updated in November 2022. Performance-wise, you can expect a good gaming laptop to last around five years. Pick up a laptop that matches or exceeds the performance of a console. The GPU affects a gaming laptop's lifespan the most.
Does gaming count as a job? ›Gaming as a career is always a viable choice. There is plenty of jobs in the gaming market in various fields. Game developers employ thousands of people, so do esports tournament companies and esports teams. There is plenty of jobs in gaming and all the industries tied to playing video games.
Is a gaming desktop necessary? ›We've already learnt that you don't need a gaming computer to play PC games, but do you need a gaming computer to play the PC games that you really want to play? Quite possibly. Gaming PCs come equipped with more powerful hardware, typically processors and graphics cards.
What should you not do with a gaming PC? ›- Don't do this! Your PC can take a lot of abuse. ...
- Forget to clean it. ...
- Plug it into the wall. ...
- Clean your display with solvent. ...
- Shove the CD tray closed. ...
- Power it down while it's in the midst of saving your game. ...
- Mix your recyclables. ...
- Install drivers, or do anything, without restarting.
Are laptops really good for gaming? ›
No laptop is a true gaming machine unless it comes with a dedicated graphics processor (GPU), as opposed to the integrated graphics built into most laptops' main processor (CPU). For us—and for sellers of laptops—that's the bright line that divides a gamer from a pretender.
Is it worth gaming on a laptop? ›A gaming laptop is absolutely worth buying for a specific kind of user. If you have the money to spend and prize portability overpower or the ability to upgrade, then we can recommend a gaming laptop without hesitation.
Is 8GB RAM good for gaming? ›8GB of RAM is the minimum amount of RAM for any gaming PC. With 8GB RAM, you will be able to play most released games without many problems, but some games might not play at the highest quality, and you might have to shut down other applications.
How much RAM do I need for gaming? ›For gaming, 8GB is considered the baseline for AAA titles. However, RAM demands are increasing. Red Dead Redemption 2, for example, recommends 12GB of RAM for optimal performance, while Half-Life: Alyx requires 12GB as a minimum.
Do gaming laptops last long? ›On average, mid-range gaming laptops tend to last for around 3-4 years, while high-end ones can last between 4-6 years. However, with effective care and maintenance, they can last longer. The physical components can last up to 10 years but they may not be able to support the software of a decade's time.
What are the disadvantages of buying a gaming laptop? ›- Expensive. PC gaming doesn't come cheap and that's especially true with gaming laptops, which tend to be more expensive than their desktop counterparts. ...
- Poor Battery Life. ...
- Prone to Overheating and Noise. ...
- Difficult to Upgrade. ...
- A Touchpad Is Bad to Game On.
If you like to game with your friends, travel a lot or live on campus, being able to carry your computer in a regular backpack is a big plus. Second, portability means gaming laptops can be your one and only computer. If you have a gaming desktop, you also probably need a laptop for work or school.