Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop PC

We tell you what is better for gamers to choose: a gaming laptop or Desktop computer.

Laptop and Desktop Structure

The basis of a gaming computer is a system unit, which contains the CPU, graphics card, motherboard, RAM, data storage and power supply. Most often they are “packed” into a Middle Tower case, which is 18-22 inches (45-55 cm) long, 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) high and 5-8 inches (15-20 cm) wide. A bulky machine needs peripherals – a monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, speakers or microphone must be connected to it.

In a gaming laptop all the components are collected in a case 0.5-1.2 inches (1,5-3 cm) thick. However, touchpads in laptops are not always handy, and you need to buy a mouse. Gamer laptops are faster from the socket, as they go into power-saving mode during standalone operation and limit performance.

The pros of gaming desktop computers are

1. Power. Requirements for size, power consumption and heat generation are much more lenient than laptops. Large size improves cooling, allowing for high performance, better graphics detail and smooth movements in games – frame rate is 20-30% faster. But it also costs more to maintain – a computer power supply consumes 600-800 watts, while laptops consume 100-200 watts. With 4 hours of work a day, the difference is $100-$120 per year.
2. upgrading. Computers are built on a modular principle – most of the components can be changed, like parts of a construction set. For example, replace the video card and add RAM to play a powerful game in 2024. However, the moment may come when you have to build a new computer from scratch – the life of the motherboard is exhausted after 4-5 years of active work.
3. Convenience. The computer is the perfect gamer’s station, where you can adjust the distance from your keyboard to the monitor, hide the system unit and choose the right screen size. The cooling system in the computer is quieter – 40 dB compared to 50-55 dB in a laptop. The hum of the fans can be compared to the sound of a working refrigerator, while in portable devices it is the level of an air conditioner at full power. However, the computer needs a separate corner with a comfortable table and chair. We wrote earlier about how to choose a comfortable chair. You can also choose the color of the computer’s decorative panels, add backlighting or install transparent side doors. However, to put multicolored LED strips in the computer, you will have to learn how to work with controllers or even solder them yourself.
4. Price. Stationary computers are cheaper than laptops with similar characteristics by 10-15%. Manufacturers are not limited by the size of processors, graphics cards and memory modules – so they choose the best. A gaming computer with a 27-inch monitor, mechanical keyboard and mouse is cheaper than a 17-inch gamer’s laptop in the basic configuration by $150-$300.

The advantages of gaming laptops

1. Mobility. You can take your laptop with you – this is its main advantage. Usually the battery lasts for 1.5-3 hours of gameplay. Laptops have shock and vibration protection, but they also need to be handled carefully – do not drop and do not squeeze. Also for laptops you can always find a place – just do not put it on your lap. In games the processor and graphics card heats up to 70-90 °.
2. autonomy. Sudden power outages and unsaved gaming are a perennial problem with computers. The laptop battery will withstand a couple more hours of gaming and automatically switch to mobile Internet. However, laptop batteries reduce their power reserve by a third after a couple of years, and after 4-5 years they need to be replaced.
3. minimal accessories. When buying laptops, you can do with a minimum amount of peripherals – the starter kit includes only a mouse. The all-in-one layout fee is an inflexible design. In it you can replace only the RAM and data storage. All other components are unsoldered on the motherboard and cannot be replaced.
4. Minimal wiring. Laptops have one vital cable – for power supply. You can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi – standard a/c allows you to get speeds up to 867 Mbit/s, and standard ax – up to 1700 Mbit/s. The laptop’s mouse also works without a cord. But therein lies the danger – just a millisecond delay between action and response – and you’ve lost.

See also: the best processor for a laptop

Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop PC: Real Battle

Take gaming desctop computers:

• HyperPC Crystal with a six-core Intel Core i5-10400 processor, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti graphics card and 16GB of RAM;
• HyperPC Lumen with six-core Intel Core i5-10600 processor, GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card and 16 GB of RAM.

And powerful gaming laptops:

• ASUS TUF Dash F15 with a quad-core Intel Core i7-11370H processor, GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card and 16GB of RAM;
• MSI GP66 Leopard 10UG-400RU with six-core Intel Core i7-10750H, GeForce RTX 3070 and 16GB RAM.

Test results of games with the highest possible graphics settings and Full HD resolution – speed figures:

games	gaming laptops	gaming desctops
Battlefield V	87–113 FPS	152–174 FPS (+63%)
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla	56–63 FPS	72–89 FPS (+35,2%)
Metro Exodus	80–91 FPS	85–97 FPS (+6,4%)

At a similar cost, computers outperform laptops by 30%. But laptops also allow you to run top games with maximum graphics settings, getting realistic images and vivid special effects.

What to choose?

If you play only at home, then it is recommended to choose a gaming computer. It is more powerful, cheaper, easier to upgrade and allows you to arrange a comfortable gaming station (desctop).

If you play games between work, then a gaming laptop is ideal. You can take it with you on trips, it works autonomously and makes do with a minimum of wires.

If you don’t have budget constraints, you can combine the two platforms. The computer will allow you to run Shadow of Tomb Raider, Battlefield V, Call of Duty Cold War and other games with maximum graphics settings. And the laptop is good for travel.

If you limit your purchase budget to $800-$1,200, your best choice is a PC. With this configuration, you will be able to run Fortnite with medium graphics settings, while the gaming laptop will only pull the minimum settings.

Desctop ot Laptop: What Gamers Say

Josh: Laptops CPUs, HDD and the like lack the physical specifications from a hardware viewpoint to even take on a desktop. The laptop parts can not even take the power that desktops can put out. It’s truly a no brainer. In order to game on your laptop, you will need to secure the battery and play it with the power cable plugged in. Otherwise, the battery will get fried/overheat, etc. And if you game with simply the battery, you will not get almost the efficiency.

Antony: I am a laptop gamer because portability is more crucial to me than anything else, if protability is not a concern than I don’t get what you are having trouble deciding. SImple fact is desktops are constantly more effective than a laptop of the same price, if you have 1k to spend and do not care about bringing your video gaming with you than buy a desktop.

Ross: If you require portability, then clearly a laptop. If you need power, then a desktop, also much cheaper. Also if you purchase a laptop, you will not have the ability to repair, upgrade, or change parts in it almost as easily as a desktop. Is a desktop better than a laptop for gaming? Yes.