For some people, the decision between picking a desktop or a laptop as their main gaming machine is a very easy one. But for others, it’s not so easy. If you’re someone with a limited budget and you need a machine that can handle all your computing tasks, then a desktop might be a bit limiting.
Gaming laptops do have their limitations too as well, however, and you have to know what these are before you go all-in on a gaming laptop. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of using a laptop as your main or sole gaming machine.
Gaming Laptops are Practical
The biggest benefit of gaming laptops is that they’re portable and allow you to enjoy top-level gaming whether you’re at home making use of the best satellite internet for gaming, in the back of a bus, or on a flight between New York and Paris.
You’ll be able to pay for your accommodation once you land too. So, laptops are a no-brainer for people who are rarely at home and like to move a lot.
Gaming Laptops Are Somewhat Limited
Gaming laptops are portable, that’s true, but they can get cumbersome sometimes. If you’re going to pick up a real gaming laptop, you will definitely feel it in your backpack. You should also know that the battery life on these machines tends not to be very good as gaming is one of the most energy-intensive tasks you can perform on a computer.
And if you are thinking of actually using your laptop over your lap, then the heat can get uncomfortable too, so you’ll need to be careful there. This is something you can easily fix with a laptop cooling pad, however. If you aren’t sure where to look, you can check out these Lenovo cooling pads.
Gaming Laptops are Versatile
Getting a gaming laptop could be your best option if you have to use your laptop for school or work. Most gaming laptops have very powerful specs that allow them to run virtually any program on top specs. These machines will be able to handle things like high-level image and video editing, streaming video, and multi-tasking like no other, so if you need a single machine that can handle every task imaginable, then going with a laptop might be the right choice.
Gaming Laptops Can Get Expensive
With that being said, you have to be ready to pay a pretty penny if you want to get a great gaming laptop. If you need something with an Nvidia 30 series card, for instance, then you have to be ready to pay in the high three figures or low four figures at the very least. If you’re ready to make some compromises, however, then you might find something decent in the $600 to $800 range, but if you need something that can handle most AAA games on top or near top specs, be prepared to pay at least $1200 on your machine.
Now that you have a better idea of the benefits and disadvantages of using a laptop as your main gaming machine, you’ll be able to make a better decision. Also, remember that nothing is stopping you from getting a laptop now and a desktop later on.