Gaming PC VS Gaming Laptop – Which Should You Buy?
Following are the different factors you should consider while deciding between a gaming laptop or a gaming PC:
1: Performance
Laptops and PCs both are efficient and powerful devices, but gaming PCs prove to have higher performance as one can add more storage capacity, bigger size GPU and an efficient cooling system. Laptop on the other hand has a space constraint which makes it low on performance as compared to the gaming PC.
So, if we talk about the performance factor, then gaming PCs will win over gaming laptops; although they both have the power full hardware components, there are differences between the capabilities and performance.
2: Peripherals
Laptops are portable devices that come with built-in peripherals such as display, keyboard and trackpad. A gaming desktop is useless until you connect it with the monitor, keyboard and mouse. You cannot upgrade the components of the laptop but upgrading the components of the PC is easy. They are quite similar in terms of equipment and features, laptops come with all the components, but the PC is more customizable.
| Gaming Laptop | Gaming PC |
| Built in the display, keyboard, touchpad | No keyboard and trackpad |
| Integrated battery | No battery |
| Limited wired connectivity | Not easy to move |
| Hard to upgrade | Easy to upgrade |
| Limited customization | Modular design |
3: Portability
The primary strength point in the debate of gaming laptop and PC is portability. Laptops are more portable, but desktops are not. Desktops require a constant power supply to run; however, you can take the gaming laptop anywhere you want without hesitation.
4: Power Consumption
Gaming laptops consume less power compared to gaming PCs. On the other hand gaming laptops run hotter than desktops because they don’t have enough space to release the heat. The gaming PC generates more heat as well but a better cooling system keeps it cool. Laptops consume approximately 200 to 300 watts, contrary to this gaming PCs require approximately 500 watts while gaming.
5: Cost
The gaming PC costs less than gaming laptops; a laptop has everything in a single package like a display, keyboard, speakers, and camera, and combining all these components in a very compact size will obviously cost you more money than a gaming PC. Along with that, a gaming laptop has nanotechnology-based components that are not only expensive but are also not available anywhere easily. Gaming PCs have simple and easily available components.
6: Upgrading
The two main components of the gaming are CPU and GPU; the upgradation of these components of your laptop is not possible on the other hand you can easily upgrade these components of a gaming PC. Upgrading the RAM and storage of the gaming laptop is limited and difficult to upgrade.
Upgrading a gaming PC is only limited to your budget; the motherboard of the CPU tells the generation of the CPU so you can upgrade it.
Gaming PC
Pros
- Available at a lower price
- Easily upgradeable
- Better cooling and airflow
- Have better performance
Cons
- They are bulky and hard to move
- Hardware can go out of stock
Gaming laptops
Pros
- They are portable
- Battery powered
- Come with built-in keyboard, display and trackpad
Cons
- They are expensive
- They have limited upgradability
- They have small screen size
- Not perform good
Final Thoughts
Well, both devices are unremarkable and perform fast, no matter whether you want to play heavy-duty games or run software for video editing and music production. So, it depends upon your choice as both the machines cost you approximately the same amount, you just have to keep the portability factor in mind. If you are a traveler and want to play games and perform tasks anywhere you are, then gaming laptops are best for you, and if you want to perform all these tasks at your home or office, then gaming PCs are unmatchable.
