Many gaming enthusiasts have declared the PC to be the superior gaming platform; however, this is a vastly oversimplified and debated point. Now, the debate is less about whether a PC is the superior gaming platform and more about whether a gaming laptop stands a strong chance of taking the cake.
The one advantage that laptop holds over PCs is portability and ease of access. Gamers did not have to worry about manually connecting to huge cords and batteries to move around their gaming device and could take their setup anywhere. PCs have been from the start a static gaming device, and many gamers like that, but the idea of being able to take it anywhere was not a big part of the equation.
However, for gaming laptops, configuration is the biggest issue. As laptops have to work with smaller components, and consumers want it to run as well as a regular gaming PC, the companies try to keep all the configuration options as open as possible. Some laptops are not powerful enough to play intensive games, unlike PCs which offer almost limitless options when it comes to hardware selection and modification.
Similarly, one cannot ignore the fact that compared to PCs, laptops have a higher price tag. Not only are the gaming laptops expensive but they are also difficult to repair and upgrade, unlike PCs. Even with their higher cost, gaming laptops cannot compete with the PC when it comes to providing the very high-end gaming experiences. Higher-end PCs can have more efficient cooling and more powerful processors, allowing for a smoother gaming experience.
But as time progresses, gaming laptops are slowly catching up with PCs when it comes to graphical performance and performance overall. Some gaming laptops feature the same GPUs as regular PCs, and laptops come with higher refresh rates, more memory and more powerful processors. Along with improved cooling, gaming laptops now outperform PCs in many games.
Many companies have also engaged in what is commonly referred to as ‘high end laptop gaming’. As the name suggests, this is when companies take their laptops to the highest possible level, with higher end hardware and cooling solutions. These laptops also come in an extremely slim form-factor, making them very desirable in the eyes of gamers.
Finally, a lot of the gaming experience depends on the preferences of the individual. If you are someone who prefers to stay in one place while gaming, then a gaming PC is the best choice. But if you are someone who likes to move around while gaming, then a gaming laptop is the right choice for you.
Battery Life
The battery life of gaming laptops is considerably less than that of a PC. Gaming laptops are notorious for draining their battery rapidly, often lasting only an hour or more before needing to be plugged in again. As such, gaming laptops are not as practical when it comes to long gaming sessions and many prefer to have a stationary setup with a PC instead.
It is worth noting that there are some gaming laptops which come equipped with higher capacity batteries, allowing them to last for several hours with extended gameplay. However, these types of gaming laptops tend to be more expensive than their standard counterparts and the extra battery power does come at a cost.
It is important to remember that gaming laptops are designed to be used mainly indoors, and as such they are not as suitable for traveling as they can quickly run out of battery power in transit.
Overall, gaming laptops are not as practical as PCs when it comes to battery life, and the fact that the higher capacity battery models come at a higher price makes the cost-benefit analysis even less in favor of gaming laptops.
Inputs and Outputs
Though gaming laptops are usually equipped with the same types of ports and buttons as PCs, the size constraints of laptops mean that there is always less room for extra inputs and outputs. This is especially true when it comes to the type of peripherals that gaming laptops can support, such as gaming controllers and separate keyboards.
Additionally, some games may require the use of multiple monitors, which is something that gaming laptops cannot support. This means that for those with more demanding gaming needs, PCs would be the better choice.
Lastly, gaming laptops have a tendency to overheat, due to their confined spaces. This can cause issues with certain games, as they may not run as smoothly as they would on a PC due to the heat.
Overall, gaming laptops are not as suitable for those with more demanding gaming needs such as using multiple displays or using controllers and gaming keyboards, these gamers should stick to PCs.
Storage
Storage is another area where gaming laptops are not as suitable as PCs. As storage is a limited resource on laptops, gamers are typically limited to either a small hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD). As SSDs are faster and can provide smoother gameplay, they are the preferred option by gamers but they are usually quite expensive.
Moreover, to get the best performance out of a laptop, gamers will sometimes need to sacrifice storage in order to get the most out of their computer. As such, many gaming laptops are not equipped with as much storage as their PC counterparts.
For those gamers that want maximum storage and performance, a PC is the best choice as they can fit multiple hard drives and SSDs into their systems, providing gamers with a massive amount of storage. As such, PCs are the best choice for those that need the most storage for their games.
Price
Price is doubtless one of the most important factors when it comes to making any purchasing decision, and for gamers choosing between a gaming laptop and a PC, price is no different. Gaming laptops are, generally speaking, more expensive than gaming PCs due to the extra cost associated with making an already powerful device portable.
However, some gamers would argue that the convenience provided by a gaming laptop is more than worth the extra cost. Additionally, many gaming laptops are now starting to become more affordable and can sometimes even be cheaper than a similarly powered desktop PC.
Ultimately, the decision is up to the individual, and they will have to weigh the cost against the convenience, performance, and customizability that go along with it.
Features
When it comes to features, gaming laptops are usually at a disadvantage when compared to PCs. PCs are more versatile as they can integrate a range of features that aren’t available on laptops, such as custom cooling setups, powerful GPU’s, and more. This makes them more suited for more intensive gaming, as their hardware is more flexible and customizable.
That said, gaming laptops have been improving in terms of the features that they are equipped with. Many now have powerful GPUs, cooling solutions, and the ability to upgrade certain components such as storage and RAM. This makes them more suitable for more intense gaming, though they still have some limitations compared to PCs.
Ultimately, the decision of whether a gaming laptop or a PC is better for a gamer depends upon their gaming needs. Those with more intensive gaming needs may find that a PC is the better choice, while those after a more portable gaming experience may find that a gaming laptop is their best option.
