Gaming Laptop VS Desktop: Which Is Better For Gaming in 2022? Learn More Here

Gamers have typically preferred a classic tower PC, but gaming laptops have recently gained popularity.

It’s no surprise that portable gaming is now a viable choice.

They’re thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever before, and they’ve never been better for on-the-go gaming.

However, gaming laptops have their own set of benefits and drawbacks, just as a traditional PC has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

So now we’ve arrived at the debate of gaming laptop vs desktop: which is better for gaming?

Kurt expresses the preference he feels towards a set of gaming laptop:

Modern gaming laptops can be incredibly efficient and powerful!

Though desktops can still have a performance edge when it comes to high-end components and thermal considerations, the difference is much less pronounced than it used to be.

I like using a gaming laptop more because it’s portable and I travel a lot.

I can’t possibly bring my PC on a flight halfway across the world, now, can I?

So, what are the advantages of a gaming PC, and when would a gaming laptop be preferable?

Gaming Laptop vs Desktop

Even today, in the gaming laptop vs desktop discussion, a PC is still the best method to obtain the best gaming performance, even as laptops improve.

Graphics cards in PCs are still quicker than identical processors in laptops (despite the fact that some graphics cores are found in both PCs and laptops), and there are good reasons for this.

The lower the temperature, the better.

To begin with, PCs are larger and have superior cooling systems, allowing the same cores to run at much faster speeds.

Furthermore, because proper desktops have more thermal headroom, manufacturers can add overclocked graphics cards, which provide an even higher boost.

Better thermal conditions also allow PCs to use graphics cards that aren’t accessible in laptops, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti and Titan RTX.

However, graphics cards aren’t the only way to boost a PC’s performance.

Because of the improved thermal conditions, desktop processors have quicker speeds and more cores than laptop counterparts, and memory is often faster in PCs.

All of these powerful components improve game and application speed, which means you’ll be able to deal with a wider range of scenarios.

If you want to effortlessly run 4K monitors, widescreen panels, VR headsets, or titles on 144Hz or 240Hz screens, desktops will do so better than laptops – and with greater future headroom.

Apart from having better processing power, PCs have other advantages.

PCs are significantly more versatile in general.

To make your build, you can combine thousands of different components. You can also choose from a range of different form factors and patterns when it comes to cases.

Desktop gaming PCs are also superior for future-proofing, since they allow for upgrades such as new graphics cards, more memory, and more storage.

This is in stark contrast to the majority of gaming laptops.

You’ll be able to adjust the memory and storage at most, and you might be able to choose other basic components, but you won’t have as much flexibility as a desktop customer.

The final significant benefit for PC purchasers is pricing.

PCs are almost always less expensive than laptops.

This is due to the fact that PC manufacturers do not have to take in the cost of cramming everything into a small chassis, nor do they have to incorporate screens, keyboards, or mice.

However…

Desktop computers will always be bigger and heavier than laptop computers.

A PC will not be very portable if you don’t have much space at home or if you want to play at LAN events and esports tournaments – and this is true even if you choose a smaller form factor.

Gaming desktops can also be noisier than gaming laptops, depending on the components and cooling used.

There’s also the basic fact that some people won’t need a desktop since they don’t want to fiddle with it or upgrade it.

Furthermore, if you don’t want to play games at high resolutions, the performance improvements provided by more powerful desktop components are immaterial.

If you’re a casual gamer, content with 1080p, or play less-demanding esports games, a laptop will suffice.

There’s also the issue of peripherals to consider.

Even though your PC is less expensive than a laptop, you may still need to spend money on a display, keyboard, and mouse.

That will be more expensive, and it may include further research that you don’t want to perform.

Are you a fan of gaming laptops?

When comparing gaming laptops to desktop alternatives, there are several important areas where gaming laptops offer significant advantages, so don’t be shocked if you’re persuaded to buy one.

The most obvious benefit is portability.

Most gaming laptops are under 2.5kg and 2cm thick, and they’re entire bundles capable of running all of today’s top games at ultra-high framerates.

It’s appealing to have that power combined with a screen, keyboard, and trackpad in one box, especially if you don’t have a lot of space at home or want to game at LAN events or on the go.

Small and light gaming laptops now have more customization choices than ever before.

Chillblast’s machines may be customized with different processors, memory upgrades, storage upgrades, and graphics card upgrades.

Although you won’t have the same level of customization as you would on a desktop, you may still customize a gaming laptop to fit your budget and gaming goals.

Gaming laptops, on the other hand, have a lot of power.

Modern GPUs are more than capable of handling 1080p and 1440p gaming, as well as high refresh rates and esports games with triple-digit framerates.

Also, if you pay enough money, you may obtain a nice gaming laptop that can play 4K games.

Furthermore, gaming laptops frequently combine high-end GPUs with powerful CPUs, plenty of RAM, and quick storage, making them ideal for content creation and productivity.

If you prefer a portable, all-in-one computer to a traditional desktop, the current range of machines offer enormous power and amazing ease-of-use, making it simple to see why people choose them over a traditional PC.

The RGB keyboard on the Chillblast Phantom gaming laptop is seen up close.

The High-End Laptop?

Gaming laptops also have sacrifices everywhere, which is understandable given the amount of power jammed into such a compact space.

Because of thermal sacrifices, you get less gaming power than you would with an equal PC.

Even if a laptop’s GPU is identical to that of a desktop, the quantity of heat generated means it won’t be able to function at the same pace as a PC.

You’ll also lose gaming power if you use a laptop because laptops often don’t have processors that can compete with desktop PCs, and their RAM works at slower speeds as well.

All of this has an effect on performance. So, while a laptop will deliver good framerates, a desktop will deliver speedier results.

Gaming laptops have various drawbacks in addition to lower performance.

Because batteries can only be so big, and graphics cores require a lot of power, battery life is often low.

Once you’ve bought a computer, you won’t have many upgrade options; you’ll probably be able to adjust the memory and storage, but that’s it.

There are also limited customization and upgrade options available before purchasing.

While Chillblast laptops have a lot of customization possibilities, they still can’t compete with the versatility of a PC.

Laptop screens will be smaller as well, with the most popular sizes being 15.6in and 17in.

Those figures can’t compete with PC gamers’ 24in, 27in, and 32in screens, however laptop users do have the advantage of being able to sit closer to their screens when playing games.

Unless you use your own USB gear, you’ll have to settle with a keyboard and trackpad that don’t equal the quality of desktop peripherals.

To top it off, gaming laptops are nearly typically more expensive than their desktop counterparts.

It’s simple to see why: building thin, light, and portable devices that can handle the thermal needs of high-end gaming components is more expensive, and adding displays, keyboards, and trackpads to the equation adds to the cost.

Final Verdict

It’s irritating, but the multiple advantages and disadvantages of both a gaming laptop and a gaming desktop make it impossible to pick one type of computer to always win.

Instead, consider exactly what you want from your new equipment and make your decision based on that information.

There are a few instances where purchasing a desktop makes sense.

A PC is the ideal option if you want the highest level of performance.

A PC will also provide greater value if you don’t need to move your computer very often, and a desktop is ideal if you wish to upgrade in the future (or if you just like to tinker.)

If you’re on a budget, a PC will be less expensive than a comparable laptop.

Just keep in mind the additional costs of the screen and peripherals.

If you want to gaming on the go, travel a lot for work, or attend a lot of LAN events, a laptop is a better option.

A laptop is also more convenient if you don’t have much space at home because its tiny size makes storing it as simple as putting a book on a shelf.

If you’re a less-demanding gamer or don’t plan to upgrade in the future, a gaming laptop might be a better option.

After all, why get a desktop if you’re not going to take advantage of its benefits?

So, while gaming desktops still deliver top performance, that doesn’t necessarily imply they’re right for you.

What we can say is, whatever emerges for you from this gaming laptop vs desktop PC debacle, the choice is all yours!