There comes a time in every gaming enthusiast’s life when they have to sit down and ask themselves, “Should I get a gaming laptop or desktop?” Luckily, I am here to get you as close to the answer as possible. There are many things to consider when it comes to both platforms, so today we are going to talk about laptops, desktops, and which one could be the best solution for you. So come with me as we delve into this vast topic!
Gaming Desktops
We all know what a desktop computer is: a box that sits under your desk that allows you to use Microsoft Excel. When it comes to gaming though, the average desktop just won’t do. Sure, gaming-focused desktops can still run spreadsheet applications, but they are mostly used to experience high-fidelity gaming. We are talking about vast digital landscapes, adrenaline-pumping multiplayer matches, and the occasional city management simulator. These tend to require the type of desktop PC that has the performance to run at high resolutions with smooth frame rates. While many gaming enthusiasts do build their own, there are various OEMs and system integrators that can do the building for you. Otherwise, it is seen as a rite of passage to build your own using various components.
Gaming desktop systems are incredibly popular due to the ability to pick and choose your components. It requires some research, but there are ways to narrow down the components you want as well as the ones you need. Building also makes you familiar with the various components so that if something stops working, you know how to get into the case and swap out the part or perform some basic maintenance.
Perhaps the biggest reason why people love gaming desktops is because of how you can easily upgrade various components. Want more memory? Simply buy some and throw it in there! More storage? Better graphics card? These are all pieces that can be swapped out, ultimately setting yourself up to have your own very computational version of the Ship of Theseus.
Gaming desktops do have a few drawbacks that might not work out in your favor. First, you’ll still need a monitor or two, a keyboard, a mouse, and various other peripherals. Some system integrators will give you a keyboard and mouse, but they are typically barebones style without any extra flair.
Desktops also need some form of desk to sit under or on top of and could get rather big! Airflow becomes a huge topic of conversation when it comes to desktop computers, and if your home doesn’t allow you to have a dedicated space for your desktop computer, then things could get rather tough. Small form factors do exist and can save a ton of space, but those also tend to be more expensive than building your own standard gaming desktop computer.
Gaming Laptops
Because gaming desktop computers can be rather large and heavy, they don’t make a good companion piece to travel with. That is why most people lean toward the convenience of a solid gaming laptop. It has everything you really need to get into gaming. Components, keyboard, a screen, and a neat little trackpad to navigate your system—it’s all there! Now, there are a few reasons why a laptop might not be right for you and a ton of reasons why a good laptop would be the choice for you!
Unlike custom desktops, you have to buy a laptop from some sort of OEM. Companies like ASUS and MSI are just a few reputable companies that make some real solid gaming laptops. You can actually read all about a few of the best laptops here. Depending on the model, you may have some options for some DIY upgrading. In most cases, you won’t be able to modify the CPU or the graphics card as they are often soldered to the motherboard. Memory and storage on the other hand can be upgraded, giving you some wiggle room when it comes to improving your experience.
Gaming on a laptop also happens to eat away your battery’s lifespan depending on the games. For argument’s sake, a small indie game with modest graphics could give you 4 to 5 hours of lifespan while graphically intensive games may shorten play time down to 2 hours. If you really want the most out of your gaming laptop, you’re going to need to bring your charger with you no matter where you go.
Another great aspect of laptops is how versatile they are. Sure, you can play games on your commute, but if you are a designer or someone who uses CAD software, you can also run it on a gaming laptop. This is because there is such a thin line between a gaming computer and a drafting computer. The necessary technical specs that are needed to run advanced software suites very much run in line with what a gaming computer uses. Even game developers operate on similar hardware to make the games that others play.
Another versatile aspect is how some users can treat their laptop as their daily driver. Thanks to hub devices, you can easily transform your gaming laptop from an “on-the-go” device to a more stationary one. If you have a newer laptop with a decent hub, you can plug in a single cable and transform your gaming laptop into a full-fledged workstation! This means you can play a game away from your desk and come back to continue it without sending files up to the cloud and then redownloading them onto another system.
Your Considerations
Okay, we went over a few pros and cons of each type of computer, but now it is time to really go over what could be the best solution for your particular scenario. The easiest way you can figure this out is by asking some questions and making some observations.
Space is going to be one of the most impactful aspects you’ll have to consider. Do you have a decent sized desk or an area that you could dedicate to one? This can determine if you choose a desktop or a laptop. If you have a wide enough desk, you can have your desktop tower under the desk with ample room for a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor or two. Otherwise, if it is small, it might be suitable for a laptop.
Do you like building and having more choices when it comes to developing something yourself? A desktop might be the answer for you there. While I did say that laptops may have some customization options, they are limited as we have covered before. Most of your main decisions like CPU, GPU, and laptop display must be thought of beforehand. Sometimes, some extra research may be needed to ensure the laptop you have your eye on offers some sort of memory and storage expandability.
The main reason to get a gaming laptop is to play games while you’re on the move, so is bringing a laptop with you something that you can see yourself doing? College students might find laptops to be incredibly convenient as they can be used in somewhat social situations. To age myself slightly, we used to have LAN parties back in the day that consisted of us dragging our towers and ole CRTV monitors to a friend’s house to play StarCraft for hours. These days, gaming laptops can do that very thing without driving your dad crazy. If you prefer the comfort of your own home, like I do these days, then a desktop will do the trick.
Utility is another great aspect to consider. Do you see yourself working on big projects that are either gaming adjacent or beyond that? Maybe a desktop is the best option. Laptops that have powerful graphics cards built in have limits to an extent where an RTX 5090 in your desktop doesn’t exactly match up with the laptop variant. They are comparable, but not an exact match. This is often due to cooling capabilities and power requirements. Laptops are built with a particular balance where the screen tends to match whatever the GPU is to better optimize your experience, but electrical throughput is also a major design consideration. So, if you are looking for raw power over anything else, a desktop might be the way to go.
Within the same vein, connectivity and flexibility are two other considerations you may need to think about. If you happen to use a lot of devices, such as devices used for live streaming like mics, webcams, interfaces, and so on, you might want to think about getting a desktop. Laptops can use various peripherals with ease, but they can sometimes be overloaded. By using a desktop for these devices, you have a much better foundation. Granted, you can also get external hubs to help alleviate the device bloat.
When it comes to picking between gaming desktops and gaming laptops, there is no real out-the-gate answer that I can give. It all comes down to what best suits your needs and your scenario.
