Is It Better to Have a Gaming Laptop Than a Gaming Desktop?

Gadgets by  Mashum Mollah 18 November 2020 Last Updated Date: 12 March 2021

Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop

If you are interested in getting into gaming, no doubt one of your biggest difficulties is trying to find a great computer. At first instinct, you are probably considering a gaming desktop. But gaming laptops have also made their way and can match up to the standards of desktop computers. Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop is an old controversy that many youngsters often gets indulge in.

So what type of gaming computer do you choose?

What are the pros and cons of a gaming laptop vs. desktop?

This guide will show you the differences and similarities between these two options so that you can choose for yourself.

Gaming Desktops Can Be Prebuilt

One thing that can turn off many first-time gamers is having to build a gaming computer from scratch. But this doesn’t always have to be the case as there are many prebuilt gaming PCs. You should research the best prebuilt gaming PC to see if any appeal to you.

Gaming laptops also have features that make them suitable for gaming. However, many hardcore gamers find that they need to upgrade their laptop to meet the requirements of the games they play.

This is less likely with prebuilt gaming PCs. They are made with reliability and speed in mind.

Gaming Laptops Are Portable

The biggest pro of gaming laptops is their portability. If you travel often and always need to play your games then the obvious choice is a laptop.

A gaming PC is not the most portable. These are larger computers and are often heavier than an average computer.

If you ever move to another location, you have to take extra precaution in packing a gaming desktop. You would need to pack it in a separate box and with a protective material such as styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap.

Gaming Laptop Vs. Desktop For Sound

Part of the great experience of gaming is the sound. If you opt for a gaming laptop, you won’t get the best sound experience from your laptop speakers. As a result, gamers who use gaming laptops always invest in a pair of gaming headsets.

With a gaming desktop, you have to invest in a great pair of computer speakers. You can invest in surround sound for gaming computers to really enjoy the experience.

If you want to ever host a gaming party, then your fellow gamers will love the experience of surround sound. For this, a gaming desktop is the best option. If you only plan on playing games on your own and don’t need an enhanced experience, then a gaming laptop works best.

At What Cost?

The budget is something you always have to consider as an avid gamer. You have to consider how much money you want to spend or how much money you want to save. The tussle between the choices of gaming laptops vs. Desktop is not an old one.

For example, if you aren’t willing to shell out for expensive speakers then you can opt for cheaper headsets. Some games might not require the audio experience at all, eliminating the need for speakers/headphones.

You also have to consider the games that you want to play. Some games, such as first-person shooters will require compatibility for advanced graphics. They might also require in-game upgrades to enhance the gaming experience.

The cost of these games can break your bank so you want to think if you are willing to play them. If you do, you might need a gaming desktop as a gaming laptop might not suffice for such games.

Even a prebuilt gaming PC allows for upgrades. These upgrades can enhance your gaming experience and make it easier when playing advanced games that have greater compatibility requirements. You have to consider if you are willing to spend extra money on upgrading when necessary.

A gaming laptop doesn’t work well with upgrades. You might find that you need to put away your gaming laptop and buy a gaming desktop if you want to play advanced games.

What About Performance?

As a general rule, gaming desktops have a superior performance over gaming laptops. But this doesn’t mean that this will necessarily be the best option for you.

You might also find that a premium gaming laptop will bring you superior performance over a gaming desktop made for beginners. If you pay $2,000 for a gaming laptop and $700 for a gaming desktop, most likely the gaming laptop will give you a better performance.

If you are on a budget you might want to consider a gaming laptop over a cheaper gaming desktop. If you want to get a gaming desktop, you should consider shelling out a few hundred dollars more to get the best performance.

Gaming desktops can carry more fans to help with the cooling during gameplay. If your computer overheats then it will slow down. Overheating is something you can expect from advanced games, so if you want to play such games make sure that you have a gaming desktop with adequate cooling.

If you still prefer to get a gaming laptop, you can invest in a separate cooling stand that cools your laptop as it overheats.

The Final Review

Let’s have a final look at the pros and cons of gaming laptops vs desktops. Laptops usually come with a touchpad that isn’t suited for most games. You will have to invest in a great gaming mouse as an addition.

You might also find that the keyboard on a laptop doesn’t suffice and you’ll have to invest in an external keyboard. As a result, gaming laptops require extra equipment. Regardless, the portability and affordability factor is a major attraction for beginner gamers.

Gaming PCs generally cost a lot more. They usually come with the appropriate mouse and keyboard for gaming. They are also made specifically for handling more advanced games. However, they take up so much space and can break your bank.

If a gaming desktop gets damaged, you might find it much harder to repair it. If the damage is severe, you might have to buy a new gaming desktop altogether. However, for avid gamers, this is always the better option.

Start Playing Games

Now that you know the pros and cons of a gaming laptop vs. desktop, you can decide which is best for you. Choose the ideal computer and start playing games today! Make sure to share this guide with other amateur and avid gamers.

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Mashum Mollah

Mashum Mollah is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO at Viacon, a digital marketing agency that drive visibility, engagement, and proven results. He blogs at thedailynotes.com/.

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Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

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