Gaming Laptop Vs Desktop: Which One Is Better For Gaming

If you have been a part of the PC gaming landscape for some time, then you must know that slowly and surely, laptops are becoming more and more powerful, and almost performing the same as desktop gaming PCs.

This all started 2 years ago when Nvidia released the GTX 1000 series and announced that there will no longer be laptop variants of those graphics cards.

Instead, Nvidia decided to provide full desktop variants for the laptops as well. This was a huge step in the right direction which allowed the laptop manufacturers to make gaming laptops that were powerful and packed the right punches as well.

However, this did come with a few caveats. The battery life suffered greatly, and some of the laptops from the likes of Asus, and MSI were just too big to be called laptops.

We are in the first quarter of 2019, and the situation has changed a lot. With companies like Razer bringing in a lot of innovations and making the gaming laptops thin and light while keeping them powerful.

However, in order to see if a gaming laptop can actually rival a desktop. In order to properly clarify the situation, we are looking at the benefits, or reasons to consider either of those things to help us draw a proper conclusion.

Why Choose a Gaming Desktop

Honestly, there are so many reasons to buy a gaming desktop instead of a gaming laptop, that it becomes a no-brainer to go with them. Still, we are going to explore some of the reasons.

  • Easy Upgradability: The first and the biggest reason why anyone would want to go with a desktop rather than a laptop is that desktops offer easy upgradability. Sure, the laptops are moving in that direction as well. However, aside from some basic components like RAM, and storage, not much can be upgraded.
  • Performance: While gaming laptops are certainly catching up with the PCs, the performance difference is still a big gap. Now the thing that you must know is that with PC, you get higher performance across the board. So, that certainly is a good thing.
  • Lower Temperatures: Another benefit here is that when you buy a gaming PC, you get lower overall temperatures. Even if there is an issue with temperatures, you can easily get rid of them by making some improvements.
  • Cheaper: Yes, believe it or not; a gaming desktop PC would cost you a lot less than gaming carrying the same specs.

With all the main reasons aside, there is no denying that the case for desktop gaming is a lot better.

However, do keep in mind that the biggest trade-off with the desktop PC is the fact that you cannot carry them around like you can carry your laptops around.

So, now is as good as time as any to transition ourselves into the benefits, or the reasons to buy the gaming laptop. Let’s have a look.

Why Choose a Gaming Laptop

Honestly, if you are wondering, that this section would largely be empty, do not be. Sure, in the past, gaming laptops were counter-intuitive, but that no longer applies as they have become a lot better than they used to be in the past.

With that out of the way, let’s have a look at the reasons why gaming laptops are so tempting.

  • Portability: One of the biggest reason why you should buy a gaming laptop is the portability factor. I know that the gaming laptops that are both powerful and portable are not easily available in the market just yet but they are becoming more and more common, so the good things are definitely heading our way.
  • No Hassle: This is a huge benefit for those who are looking for buying a computer, and using it right away. With gaming laptops, you do not have to worry about it. You can simply buy the laptop, boot it up, install the games you want, and be on your way.

Okay, all things aside, you can see that there are not many reasons why you would want to go with a gaming laptop.

Still, they are becoming more and more popular. Companies are also bringing in newer models, which only goes to show that the demand is certainly there.

Keeping that in mind, we cannot forget that there are some trade-offs as well.

For starters, the battery life is going to take a hit. Additionally, upgrading is not an easy thing. Very few gaming laptops will allow you easier upgrading ability.

Conclusion

Keeping all these things in mind, do you think a gaming laptop is better for gaming or a desktop?

Well, that depends on whom you are asking. If you are asking a student who lives in a hostel with not much space to put a full-sized PC, then definitely, a gaming laptop is the way to go.

However, if you are asking someone who has enough space to put a PC, and a professional who can buy a non-gaming laptop, then the gaming PC is the way to go.

In terms of the sheer performance factor, perhaps the gaming laptops will catch up with the gaming PCs in a few years.

I say this with complete conviction because, from the past few years, gaming laptops are becoming more and more powerful, and more importantly, they are becoming just as capable.

So, in conclusion, if you rephrase the original question and ask which type of computer is best. In terms of its performance, and flexibility, desktop gaming PCs are far better than the laptops.

However, if you are looking for portability, then beating a gaming laptop is simply not possible.