Planning to set up a new gaming platform, but confused between Gaming Laptop and Desktop? Then this article is for you because the Querry "Gaming Laptop Vs Desktop" has no Single and straight answer. Buying a gaming device depends upon the expectations and conditions of the user under which he wants to do gaming.
1. Portability: Whenever it comes to our gadgets, Portability matters a lot. Everyone who travels a lot, wants his/her devices to be light and portable. The laptop being Lighter and Compact(all thanks to the circuit integration at such a large scale) in size makes it easy to carry around wherever you go. While Gaming PCs having Bulkier and Bigger parts than a laptop, which makes it difficult to carry, but if you love your machine a lot then you can load it into your vehicle and carry it anywhere.
If you want your Gaming device to be Portable, then you should go for a gaming laptop, but if portability doesn't matter to you then Gaming Desktop is the best option.
Pun: Since gamers do not step out of their rooms while hardcore gaming sessions, so for gamers Desktop Computer is the straightaway choice.
2. Performance: There used to be a time when PC was only an option for gamers because laptops were not able to deliver performance up to the expected levels, but with the advancement in technology, Laptops are performing somewhat the same or better in some cases. For Gaming Performance, GPU(Graphics Processing Unit) or the Graphic Card plays a major role and modern days laptops come packed with Top-Notch GPUs, but there are a lot more other factors such as Cooling, Hardware Expansion, Ventilation, etc. that boost gaming performance. Since Laptops are compact and light in size, so they do not offer great Ventilation options due to which cooling remains an issue. There are also limited expansion options due to which, you can not extract much from your device.
Note: Gaming Laptops deliver their best performance only when they are continuously plugged in with a charger.
Nowadays, Laptops and Desktops deliver almost the same gaming performance, but still, there are some factors like Cooling, Overclocking, Performance Tweaking, etc. which limits the use of Laptop in Hardcore Gaming. But if the user is not targetting Hardcore Gaming then, he is free to choose any of them.
3. Upgradability: Whenever we plan to buy a Gadget, we look for its future customization options because it saves us a lot of money. But in the case of Gaming, customization or upgradability is focused on achieving the best performance rather than saving money. The modern-day gaming platforms should have the following upgradability features:
GPU: With the increase in the size and details of the Games, powerful GPUs are required to run the game. But many of laptop due to their complex design does not have a dedicated slot for GPUs(have an integrated GPU) while those who have does not offer much upgradability options. On the other hand side, Desktops offer GPU upgradability to a large range while keeping compatibility in mind. It is easy to install a GPU on a PC than on a Laptop.
Storage: To store the large-sized game and make them load quickly, faster memory options such as SSDs are needed. Both the Laptops and Desktop offer good Storage Expansion options, but still, the Laptop offers us limited options. Let's assume that, you have already filled your Laptop's SSD or HDD with Games or Movies and you want more space for gaming, but due to the limited hardware space, you won't be able to install an extra memory stick. You will have to replace the existing SSD or Harddisk to expand and after that, you will have to transfer the data from old storage devices to the newer ones. But if the same happens with your PC, then you can add more SSD's or Hard disks while keeping the previous ones intact.
Memory: Memory refers to everything that stores data and improves the efficiency of the system. Cache Memory, Read-Only Memory(ROM), and Random Access Memory(RAM) are the different types of Memory, but since RAM is the only one that can be changed so we will talk about it. Laptops have complex designs, to save space some laptops have their RAMs soldered on their motherboards which are not easy to remove while some have a Dual-channel RAM structure where one RAM might be Soldered onboard and the other might be removable which limits the expansion capability of the device because Motherboards generally have per slot expansion Capability. On the other hand, desktop motherboards have generally 2 to 4 RAM slots available for RAM expansion which can be easily stocked with a new RAM stick. Also, damage to the onboard soldered RAM in the laptop can sometimes cause damage to the motherboard, but in the case of Removable RAM, the motherboard remains safe.
Processor: Like GPU, the processor plays a major role in gaming, and to keep up with the best gaming performance, you need a good processor. Modern Gaming Laptops come with the best processors but if you want to upgrade your laptop's processor then it is not possible in the case of a Laptop. While if you want to upgrade the processor of your Desktop computer then you only have to look for compatibility between the motherboard and processor or you can change the motherboard according to the processor.
Screen: Screens having higher refresh rates offers a great experience in gaming if you have the best GPU attached to your system. Gaming laptops do come with screens that offer higher refresh rates, but if your gaming laptop screen does not offer a higher refresh rate then there is no option. While if you are having a desktop, you can simply switch to a monitor offering a higher refresh rate.
The desktop is the clear winner because, on a desktop computer, you can add Graphics Card, RAM, increase Storage, switch monitor screen, and install a new Processor according to your need while on a Laptop you only have limited storage and memory expansion options.
NOTE: If you have a PC that is running on an old Motherboard that does not have a slot for M.2 SSD then you can install it by plugging it into the PCI-E card in the PCI-E slot.
4. Cooling: Both Desktop Computers and Laptops come with the preinstalled stock cooler which does its job very well. But whenever it comes to pushing the limits of your CPU by overclocking(Increasing the clock frequency of the Processor for attaining the best performance while Gaming) it then the Heating issue kicks in, which needs a better cooling mechanism for smooth functioning. Cooling options include Water cooling, installing powerful fans in a large number, etc. The heating problem can be easily dodged in Desktop computers because it offers a large space to install those extra fans or coolers but the laptop being compact doesn't offer you great cooling options. Also, the laptop being Compact in size does not have that much space in them to offer great ventilation, but that's not the case with the desktop.
Since the Desktop computer has a better ventilation structure and more space to install extra coolers, so that's why it is the clear winner.
5. Aesthetics: Gaming Laptops look pretty much premium these days and also they have RGB keyboards installed on them, but whenever it comes to making your device look aesthetic then PC offers a better option. Nowadays, everything like RAM to the Cabinets comes in great lighting options such as RGB or a constant color light. The colorful parts are little a bit expensive but add more aesthetics to your device.
Some Gaming laptops offer a premium material touch and an RGB lighting keyboard on them while in the case of PC different parts like RAM, Cooler, Cabinets, etc. are available in RGB lighting options, which can be added at an extra cost. So considering the Aesthetics in mind, PC is the best option for an eye-soothing experience.
6. Cost: Different devices have different specifications due to which their prices vary. Whenever it comes to PC there are a lot of extra costs included such as the purchasing of Mouse, Keyboard, cabinet, etc. While on the other hand, laptops come embedded with all the features which make them equally expensive. Also, the addition of new parts into the desktop computers adds up to the extra cost.
There's not a clear answer to this question because different specifications cost differently. Also adding new features to your device costs you extra, so in case of cost, none of these is a clear winner. Here, in this case, comparing the cost after summing up the other parameters will be a better way.
Final Verdict
Since Desktop PCs have better performance, great customization options, better Aesthetics, and best cooling options as compared to laptops so it is suggested to go for Gaming desktops. While if you are looking for something portable and light in weight then you should blindly go for the laptop because gaming laptops these days are also very powerful. If you are not looking for a hardcore gaming device and other features do not matter to you then again Laptop is the best option for you because it will also serve other purposes in the future if needed.
We hope you liked this article about Gaming Laptop vs Desktop.
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