Mobile Phones becoming more and more capable means that there are very few things you need a computer for and one of them is gaming. Even though there are various options such as PlayStations, Xbox, Gaming Phones (or any flagship in general), desktops, and laptops to quench your gaming appetite. However, in this post, we are going to talk about devices with the same Operating System (Windows); we will compare both of them and see who will win in the battle of Gaming PC vs Gaming Laptop.
Gaming PC vs Gaming Laptop comparison
No device is perfect as they are made to fulfill the demands of certain nices of people. That is why, Gaming PC vs Gaming Laptop, should be contested on various parameters. We are going to do just that, we will be comparing these two devices on the following parameters.
- Performance
- Portability
- Upgradability
- Price and Value
Let us talk about them in detail.
1] Performance
Right off the bat, the first thing you want to know about a computer is how well it performs. How good a gaming system is if it can not handle the AAA titles that you through at it? That is why we will see which device performs better and how it handles thermal throttling.
If we compare hardware to hardware, there is no doubt that the PC will win. That is because, to fit all those components in a smaller form factor Laptop, a lot of their original power is lost as there is a lack of space.
Not the initial performance takes a hit, but also, because of lack of space, the manufacturers are unable to put a best-in-class cooling system as a result of which, your system will experience thermal throttling, and you will experience frame drops. However, a lot of laptop manufacturers are trying to tackle this problem with their own solutions, they have external cooling solutions that do a great job of dissipating heat.
But when it comes to raw and sustainable performance, the Gaming desktop takes the lead; keep in mind that most people don’t need this insane level of performance. Most Gaming Laptops can play AAA titles at the highest 120 FPS.
Read: Improve Windows 11 Performance by tweaking these five settings
2] Portability
Even though Gaming Laptops are not the most portable devices by any means, they are certainly easy to carry when compared to PCs. It is pretty self-explanatory, to carry a gaming laptop, you need a laptop, a cable, and maybe some external cooling systems. But to carry a gaming PC, you need Monitor, a chunky CPU, mouse, keyboard, and other things. So, there is not really a competition, gaming laptop is the way to go if you need to carry it everywhere. Also, if this is going to be your only computer, then certainly go for a gaming Laptop.
3] Upgradability
The ability to upgrade your computer is very important, especially when you plan to game on it for 4 to 5 years. As the game becomes more and more demanding, you will feel the need to keep your internals up-to-date. Generally speaking, Gaming Laptops does not have a lot of degradation. Most of the parts are soldered and the only things that can be upgraded are the RAM and Storage drive.
On the contrary, a desktop PC is all about upgradability. It not only gives you the option to add more RAM and faster storage but also allows you to add a better CPU and GPU. However, one thing to keep in mind, your motherboard plays a huge role in dictating which version of CPU and GPU you can use. If a new CPU is meant to be connected to a new socket, you can not use it because your motherboard is incompatible. But there will still be room for better internals in the Gaming PC realm.
Read: Find out Computer RAM, Graphics Card/Video memory
4] Price and Value
Last but not least, we need to know which one gives us a better value. If we compare similar spec devices from the two corners, the Desktop will become a more inexpensive option. The reason is pretty simple, it is easier to make a desktop suitable for gaming as all you have to do is add suitable components, whereas, the same can not be said for Gaming laptops. The manufacturer must keep the space and battery in mind while building a gaming laptop.
But value is more complex than price, so let us boil it down for you. If you have a laptop and all you need is to game on a computer, then go for a Gaming PC. Whereas, if it is going to be your only computer, then Gaming Laptop is what you need because it not only allows you to run games but can also be used for business purposes.
Read: All-in-One PC vs Desktop – What’s better for you?
Are gaming laptops worth it?
If you are a gamer, don’t have a computer, or want to get a system that you can game on, then yes, gaming laptops are worth it. Most of the laptops that you will find in the market are ultrabooks, that look good but have a relatively inferior underclocked CPU. On the other hand, Gaming Laptops don’t have a long-lasting battery, are lightweight, and are less suitable for a professional environment. So, if you are ready to make these tradeoffs for the sake of performance then Gaming Laptops are the way to go.
Read: Laptop vs Desktop – Which is better? Differences discussed
Are gaming laptops good for gaming?
Yes, Gaming Laptops are capable enough to play most AAA titles are the highest settings. They have good heat dissipation and cooling system and a powerful chipset to run most games for a long period of time.
However, if you are confused about whether to buy a gaming laptop or desktop, read the comparison guide from this post.
Read: Chromebook vs Laptop – What are the differences?
