Whether to buy a gaming PC vs gaming laptop will largely come down to your gameplay style.
With PC Gaming being more accessible than ever, many are going to be looking at getting a new device this Black Friday thanks to all of the deals and new models going on sale with next-gen components. But whether to buy a gaming PC vs gaming laptop will be most gamers‘ number one question.
The best gaming PC should feature blistering power with room to push performance even further. Meanwhile, some of the best gaming laptops available balance portability with the potential for respectable visual fidelity in games.
To make the decision about which to buy a bit easier, we’re breaking down some things to consider when choosing between a gaming desktop and gaming laptop so you can make the right choice for your needs and budget.
When deciding on whether to get a gaming desktop or laptop, one should keep their budget in mind. At the lowest end of the spectrum, gaming desktops built from scratch are usually cheaper depending on how an individual gets their components.
Two years ago, building a gaming desktop that could run current-generation console quality games at 4K resolution at 60 frames-per-second would cost a small fortune. Now, a similar set-up can cost a little less than half of that if one can find some good deal on parts.
Pre-builds from manufacturers like Alienware and Origin are going to cost significantly more due to factors ranging from build design besides labor to extras like warranties. These are great for people who don’t want to think too much about their gaming desktop setup. Depending on the various options for CPU, GPU, storage, cooling and manufacture-specific features, some of these prebuilt PCs can start lower than $1,000 and skyrocket well above $6,000, especially if they come loaded with the best graphics card and best processor on the market.
Gaming laptops that are in the 4K/60fps range are usually more expensive than their desktop counterparts due to their portability. Then there are other things to consider including display resolution, refresh rates, battery life and warranties as well.
