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“Gaming laptops and PCs are the same”, dare say this to a professional gamer and you’ll be delivered a whole lecture on the subject!
Obviously, to someone who isn’t aware of the specificities of the gaming industry, the two may appear to be the same, but in actuality, the two are quite different, and the one you use heavily impacts your position in the gaming community.
When it comes to making a choice between the two, the decision can be a very tough one to make.
If you are one of those who have to take a similar decision right now, you’ve landed on the right page, as we bring to you a comprehensive guide on which one is the best for you based on multiple factors.
Customizability
The gaming industry is ever-evolving, be it graphic cards or GPUs, manufacturers keep rolling out better versions of their products which enhance the performance of the device.
For the best gaming experience, it is imperative that you have the highest specs installed in your device, or you’ll see it lagging and the latest games will show resistance running in it.
When it comes to customizability, gaming PCs simply outweigh the laps. Custom-built gaming PCs are a thing alien to none.
You can get a combination of the best RAM, GPU, Graphics cards, and CPUs made into one PC.
This makes this beast a worthwhile purchase. The best part is that any of the components can be easily changed as well, so you don’t have to worry about your PC getting outdated.
The customizability on gaming laptops, though not impossible, is quite a difficult task, and you’ll likely come across many restrictions while trying to do so.
So, for instance, changing the motherboard on the laptop is nearly impossible.
With regards to the GPU, RAM, and CPU, they can be upgraded but only if they have the same chipset as the laptop.
Additionally, when it comes to the customizability of the display system, desktops are far ahead, as you can choose to connect your PC to the highest quality monitors.
The experience of gaming on a 4K, the curved monitor is unmatchable and it is possible only with the PC.
The sound system that you connect to a PC is a variable subject; get a couple of Atmos speakers and indulge yourself in the fictional world of a game.
All of these perks aren’t easily available to laptop owners.
Portability
It is pretty apparent; laptops take the lead as far as portability is concerned.
You’ll find a lot of lightweight gaming laptops in the market, therefore carrying them along with you isn’t going to be a big problem. Aftermarket products, such as cases and bags, are available in a plentiful amount, so you can search and purchase the best one for yourself.
All in all, if you don’t want to be bored on a long day at college or are going to a boring family gathering, sneaking in your little beast isn’t too much of an issue.
Many people give up on the idea of gaming PCs simply due to their cumbersome size and inability to be moved around.
They are placed on a table very carefully and designated slots are made for their wiring and plugs, therefore you don’t want to do the effort every day.
Whereas you can get a smaller PC, if the bulky and weighty body was the only problem, the portability issue would still pertain because of the great amount of effort and special arrangements required to set it up.
Cost
The cost of a machine will depend heavily upon its specifications and components; however, it is generally observed that laptops are slightly costlier than PCs.
This higher price, however, is mostly justified, as laptops are ready to be used as-is, whereas you need to purchase several other accessories before getting your hands on the PC.
This includes a monitor, sound system, and other optional doodads such as fancier keyboards and mice. All of these purchases will eventually take the bill to more or less, the same amount.
The Verdict
And here comes the tough part, choosing between the two. Honestly, you cannot opt for either of them based on the specs or the customization options only, the ball comes back to your court as you need to choose one based on your preferences.
For newbies, who are just coming into the industry, it is better to get a slightly older gaming laptop or budget gaming laptops under $500, not only would it cost less, but you can learn a lot about the hardware and technicalities of these machines on the laptop.
Setting the machine up isn’t going to be a big hassle, and you can get yourself comfortable on a laptop before you move to a full-fledged, updated PC.
The maintenance of a laptop is also substantially easier; therefore, they are the best deal for all beginners out there.
For people who are short on space, and like to travel a lot, the higher-end gaming laptops are the best deal.
Even if you have a designated room for gaming, it must have a proper ventilation system to prevent it from heating up, therefore if you think you’ll not be able to cope up with the necessities of a PC, the laptop is the best deal.
For the travel enthusiasts: of course, the portability of the laptop is the most decisive factor as they can simply hand-carry it anywhere they go.
But when it comes to hardcore gamers, who never wish to settle for anything but the best, there’s no way a gaming laptop will be able to quench their thirst.
So, if you need the best performance, gaming PCs, and particularly custom-built PCs are your thing.
Regardless of which option you choose, make sure you do thorough research on the internals of the machine you’re going to buy since that is the thing that matters the most.
Happy Gaming!