The main draw of laptops, as you can probably guess, is portability. In the past, this advantage came at a high cost – in terms of both price and processing power. Early laptops just couldn’t keep up with their desktop alternatives. Today, however, this is no longer the case, as manufacturers are able to squeeze high-end internals into impossibly slim shells. By managing to house the components that players need to run the latest titles, gaming laptops have exploded in popularity and are now a considerable choice for PC gamers.
Still, these powerful machines don’t come cheap, and you can safely expect to shell out more for a gaming laptop than you would for a tower with the same parts. So, is the trade-off worth it? Let’s find out.
Gaming Laptops vs. Standard Laptops
First, we should clarify the difference between dedicated gaming laptops and standard laptops. There are three main factors here, namely chassis design, specifications, and price. Laptops that are designed for gaming cost more not only due to their higher-end internals but also for their design and, in some cases, brand prestige. Gaming laptops are typically fitted with additional features that add to the cost, such as backlit keyboards and upgraded cooling systems to deal with heat dispersion. Whether you truly need the increased processing power and all the tech that comes with it depends on what you want to play.
Performance Requirements
To determine whether a standard laptop will suffice, think about the games you’re interested in. If you’re only looking to play browser games or retro games, you probably won’t need a serious machine. There are plenty of browser-based games for casual players to enjoy that will run on just about any device. For example, those who are into casino games can check out sites like spinpalace.com, where the games can also be played on smartphones. Another plus is that entry-level laptops are highly affordable and can even cost less than a desktop. On the other hand, if you hope to experience the latest AAA titles at maximum settings, the question of whether or not to buy a gaming laptop that can handle it comes down to your budget.
Price Requirements
When it comes to high-end gaming, it’s not that laptops aren’t up for the task – they’re just extremely expensive. You will always save by building your own PC or even buying a pre-built system. Cost aside, the laptop vs. desktop debate turns into a question of portability. If you regularly move around and want to take your games with you, then a laptop would naturally make the most sense. Another factor that might play a role is peripherals. Depending on what you want, you might end up spending more on a desktop system if you still have to buy a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and headphones or speakers. With the exception of a mouse (considering that trackpads aren’t exactly viable for most games), all of the aforementioned parts are already included with a laptop.
At the end of the day, laptops are worth considering as gaming machines. It’s simply up to you to decide whether the convenience is worth the cost.
