Gaming Laptop Or Desktop: Which Is Better In 2021
Gaming is a long standing pastime within the computer world. With hundreds of thousands of games to choose from and new gaming technology coming out everyday, now is an exciting time to be a PC gamer. On top of all the other choices presented to PC gamers, is the choice between a laptop or desktop for their gaming.
The answer really comes down to what you want your gaming experience to be. Gaming laptops offer mobility along with astounding amounts of power, while desktops offer extreme performance and a well rounded gaming experience.
Whats The Difference Between A Desktop And A Laptop
A desktop PC is one that will reside on a desk in your office or bedroom. It will come with separate parts usually a tower, which contains the brains and muscle of the PC alongside a display monitor, keyboard and mouse.
On the other hand, a laptop is an all-in-one device that is portable – that is to say it can be carried with you from room to room. Laptops don’t require a fixed power source or desk, meaning they can be used between home, work or even while on the go .
Laptops have a built-in monitor, a built-in keyboard and a trackpad to replace the mouse, and they can vary in size from 10 inches to 21 inch curved-screen gaming behemoths.
The biggest difference between a desktop and laptop is that laptops are limited by the size of the battery inside them. Most laptops have a battery that can today last anywhere between an average of six hours going up to twelve or more, depending on the type of programs you use. In some ways, the portability granted by the battery inside a laptop is also the form-factor’s most significant limitation. The larger the battery, the heavier the laptop and the less portable it becomes.
Are Desktop Computers Good For Work
Most workspaces that employ computer operators will provide their employees with desktop computers. But how efficient are they for work-related projects? The answer depends entirely on your profession and the work that entails.
Desktops are enough to perform the majority of office work such as making spreadsheets or presentations, sending or receiving emails, storing data, organizing files, etc. Here, the stationary nature of desktops is beneficial as it provides consistency. You simply set it up in one place and return to it day after day to do your tasks.
If your work does not involve much travel, you will be better served by using a desktop computer. Since they are cheaper than laptops, companies can afford them for all of their employees.
But desktops will need a dedicated space in your office and sometimes that can be hard to provide. They can also generate an irritating level of noise, especially if the computer is old or has not been cleaned properly. This is why many offices house all the computers in a separate room so that their employees can work peacefully.
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Differences Between Laptop Vs Desktop
A desktop PC is a static, stationary computer that will stay on a desk in an office or bedroom. It usually consists of various parts: a tower, a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse.
PCs are generally more customizable than laptops as well. You can put together top-of-the-line parts for every aspect of the PC when you choose a desktop computer, whereas your choices are more limited with a laptop.
Check out our pick of the best desktop PCs to see what this form factor has to offer.
A laptop is a portable, all-in-one device that usually has USB inputs on the sides for optional peripherals. Laptops have a built-in screen, a built-in keyboard, a trackpad that acts as a mouse, and can vary in size.
Laptops are generally limited by their size but many modern batteries are big enough to provide 12 or more hours of power before needing to recharge.
We’ve collected together the best laptops as well.
What About Using A Laptop As A Desktop
There is, of course, a third way: the laptop-as-a-desktop. If youre trying to get the most value and functionality out of your computer, this is an excellent way to go. Until fairly recently, this type of setup involved heavy compromise, as support for an external display could be finicky, power constraints would leave a laptop feeling less powerful and, as mentioned above, port availability would be an issue. Depending on the manufacturer, some of this is still true, but using a laptop in place of a desktop machine can generally be almost indistinguishable from the real McCoy.
Modern laptops are great machines that can handle heavy workloads and, apart from many RGB-laden gaming laptops or low-end general purpose alternatives, often have batteries that can last an entire workday, sometimes with power to spare. Properly configured, these machines can easily turn into desktops when you plug a monitor into them, and for people with light workloads who also need to be able to take their work with them, something like the 14-inch MacBook Pro is like getting two computers in one.
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Screen Size And Resolution
When buying a laptop, you will need to decide what size screen will be suitable for your needs.
Laptops between 12 and 15-inches in screen size offer a good balance of portability and power, with 15-inch laptops today providing enough space to pack powerful parts into a relatively lightweight frame.
Smaller 10 to 12-inch netbooks provide all you need if youre after a small and light laptop for browsing the Web, accessing social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and streaming video. Most laptops today will have a full HD 1080p display, with the option to go up to 4K for fantastic quality video without having to plug the laptop into another display. This usually costs extra.
For a desktop PC, monitors today begin around 22-inches, with 24-inch and even 27-inch models being the standard, going up to 31-inches and beyond if you want something even larger. It’s usually worth spending a bit more on a quality monitor and upsizing to fit your desk space and needs if you can afford it, because the monitor is the one device that you will have to look at every time you use your PC.
Gaming Laptop Vs Desktop: Which Should You Buy
All in all, your decision between a gaming laptop and a gaming desktop will come down to how you want to use your machine. If you already have a setup ready and waiting for a tower PC, for example, it makes sense to save some cash and grab a pre-built desktop. However, if you’re on the move regularly and don’t mind missing out on the top end of the market, a gaming laptop is going to fit much better into your everyday use. You’ll find a quick breakdown of the gaming laptop vs desktop market below.
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What Are The Advantages Of Laptops
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, laptops can easily travel with you. They are light, dont occupy much space, and can fit into a relatively small bag. They are perfect for in the office or at home, and everywhere in between such as on the train, in a café and generally on the move. Plus, if you feel the urge, you can also work from the comfort of your bed! Or if youre not working, you can use your laptop for watching TV or playing games.
Sitting at a desktop for hours can be very tiring and also has the potential to cause back problems and generally niggly health issues. Of course, whatever computer youre working on, you need to have a comfortable and supportive chair to sit on, otherwise youll soon find that those aches and pains can appear.
And Theyre Simpler To Sit Down And Use
The ease of adding storage to a desktop ties into a broader point, which is that desktops can feel less cumbersome than laptops, especially when youre bringing in external monitors, webcams, speakers, mice, and keyboards. You dont have to deal with finding your laptop and plugging in power cords and peripherals before you can get comfy at your desk.
That might sound sort of sillyits not that hard to plug in a few cables, after allbut sometimes removing tiny bits of friction can make a big difference. Even using a fancy laptop docking station isnt the same as being able to sit down at your desk and immediately start computing.
Whether those upsides are worth sacrificing the portability of a laptop is something I cant answer for you. But theyre worth keeping in mind next time youre in the market for a new computer.
This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jareds newsletter for making sense of technology. to get practical tech tips in your inbox every week.
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Lets End The Foolish Debate Of Laptop Vs Desktop
- 18 Nov, 2021
- Technology
There has been an epic battle between laptop vs. desktop for years. Each side has its champions. So, should you get a laptop or should you get a desktop?
If you are asking the question: should I get a laptop or desktop? This article is for you!. We will go over some of the features of these machines and what to consider when you are on the hunt for a computer.
Stored Power Can Save Your Bacon
Stored power can actually be a lifesaver because you never know when there is going to be a power outage. What happens if youre working on your desktop and you get a power cut? Its so easy to lose the work youve been doing, thats what! However, with a laptop you dont have to face problems like these as your work is always safe and secure.
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How Much Performance Do You Need
There are certain tasks that will always need more power, and though laptops have come a long, long way in recent years, they simply cant compete when it comes to GPU performance. Gaming can be one such area, as it requires a powerful GPU that tends to produce a lot of heat something that laptops arent great at distributing. A good thermal environment is still crucial for great graphical performance.
Although there are very impressive machines like our best gaming laptop pick in the Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition, gaming laptops tend to age out of their usefulness relatively quickly, as the tasks theyre asked to complete grow ever more complex and demanding. For that reason, a traditional desktop like the MSI Aegis RS our current pick for best gaming PC overall is better since you can continually update the internal components on an as-needed basis, spreading out the cost of upgrading over time and letting you use the other perfectly functional parts of the machine for far longer, which is more cost-effective and less wasteful.
The Argument For A Laptop
A laptop is the best option for students who are going to school outside of the home every day, and need a computer for classes.
While laptops are more delicate than desktop PCs, you can now find rugged laptops that will take a fall or two without being destroyed.
Laptops are best used for light work: reading, word processing, streaming videos, or using social media. If you or your child wants to have freedom to roam while using a computer, a fully charged laptop should last an entire day for working or learning.
We’ve put together a list of the best laptops for students, and the best laptops for kids.
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Are Desktop Pcs Cheaper Than Laptops
The economic factor is one of the key aspects when buying a computer. You may be deciding between a desktop and a laptop, so you want to know how much to spend.
Desktop PCs are generally cheaper compared to laptops. Laptops can integrate the same components as a desktop computer but cost much more. The main reason is that laptop components are more difficult to manufacture, which increases their pricing.
Of course, there are several factors involved and various nuances when it comes to setting the price of a PC. Here, we are going to discuss them and explain the details that increase the cost of a laptop.
Relevant for
You Can Still Use A Laptop But You Don’t Need To Buy An Expensive Model
With the desktop as your main workhorse, you can buy a cheap laptop or tablet for light work, browsing the web, flicking through social media, or streaming videos while you’re on the couch or traveling. And you don’t need to worry as much about theft or damaging a cheap secondary laptop than you would if you owned a single, expensive primary laptop.
Cheap laptops like Chromebooks would be a great portable complement to a desktop, as you can carry them around wherever you need them for your general, basic day-to-day uses.
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Price Of Laptops Compared To Gaming Desktops
As compared to the desktop computer the laptops are already available in the modified form for playing games and these are gamers personalized laptop and the prices are also arranged in different ranges so that you will be able to select from a range. It is also cheap and you are protected from the extra effort required in its modification.
You have to buy the accessories for your laptop individually and this thing put an extra burden on your pocket and you never know that when your budget can go out of your hands. It has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for you. You never know when your budget goes out of your hands.
They’re Much Better For Gamers
Gaming laptops are great, but some of them can hardly be considered “portable,” as they can get insanely heavy and large. More important, laptop parts don’t quite compare to full-size desktop parts in terms of performance.
For gamers who value performance over portability, a desktop is the best way to go. And it’ll cost you a lot less than a laptop with equivalent specs.
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Choosing Between A Desktop And A Laptop
The world of computers can be an intimidating one for those who dont know exactly what theyre looking for. There are seemingly infinite options, from ten-thousand-dollar gaming behemoths to notebooks that sell for just a few hundred dollars, and everything in between. Gaming desktops, professional workstations, high performance laptops, 2-in-1s, tabletsthe list goes on and on.
There are many factors to consider, but one of the most important questions is a simple one: do you want a desktop or a laptop? It may seem like an obvious choice, but before committing to one form factor, you need to think about how you will use your new machine.
Its an important decision, so lets go over some of the most important features to keep in mind when deciding what your next computer is going to look like.
Should I Buy A Desktop Or Laptop For Gaming
Many people prefer gaming laptops to play their games because of the popularity of desktops. Compared to gaming laptops, gaming desktops have better performance because they have more powerful graphics cards and a wide range of hardware. The laptop has limited space for cooling features.
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The Argument For A Desktop Pc
If you want a computer with a lot of versatility, a desktop PC is for you. Desktops can store huge files and run games with high quality graphics easily. Desktops can also be changed to fit your needs.
You can add more storage, RAM, and a better graphics card to improve your computing experience. Desktop PCs also do not run on a battery, so you can use them for longer without stopping to plug in and recharge.
You cannot easily transport a desktop computer to a school, and setting it up at your student’s desk at school would be a nightmare.
Desktop PCs are great for a home-schooled or distancing-learning scenario. A desktop computer can be used during the school day for learning and word processing, and during off-hours for gaming and entertainment.
There are also all-in-one PCs, which are stylish devices where their components are built behind the screen. This means they are easier to move and set up, as you don’t need to connect as many wires, and they take up less space on the desk as well. However, they are also more expensive, and not as easy to upgrade as normal desktop PCs.
What Programs Will I Need To Install To Secure My Private Information And Stop Viruses
To protect your PC from being infected by a virus, an antivirus program or Internet security suite should be installed.
There are many to choose from, but common, trustworthy examples include Norton AntiVirus and Kaspersky Internet Security. These programs run in the background while you work and make sure that none of the programs you run or e-mails you read are infected by viruses. For more information on choosing the best AntiVirus software for your needs, check out our guide here.
Antivirus software needs to be updated regularly in order to keep up-to-date with the latest virus threats. Thankfully, most antivirus applications update themselves automatically when you are connected to the Internet.
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