The age-old question of desktop vs laptop is an ongoing debate with no clear answer. Desktops have the advantage of higher performance capabilities; laptops are better suited for on-the-go users. While deciding between a desktop and a laptop is entirely a matter of personal preference, there are multiple reasons the desktop PC takes the winning spot in terms of gaming, streaming, coding and more. Let’s examine why you may no longer need your laptop and why you should consider swapping it out for a desktop PC.

Desktops Are Cheaper

Generally speaking, when you consider the price-to-performance ratio, you will get more for your money by purchasing a desktop PC. While a high-end gaming PC will inevitably set you back considerably more than a mid-range laptop, top-of-the-line laptops are predominantly more expensive than their desktop counterparts. The reason for the higher price tag is the development costs required to create hardware that is both powerful and compact enough to fit into a laptop chassis. With this in mind, a desktop is the better choice if you require more power on a budget. 

Upgrade Potential

One of the key selling points of gaming PCs is their upgradability. Once you’ve purchased a laptop or games console, you’re confined to its specific hardware until you upgrade your entire system. On the other hand, upgrading a desktop PC is as easy as opening the tower case and replacing the old components with newer, higher-quality alternatives. While there is no sure-fire solution to “future-proofing” your system, as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, upgrading your PC components every 2 to 4 years will help to keep it running at peak performance. 

Power And Performance

Speaking of performance, a high-end desktop PC is arguably the best choice if you require a system that can handle hardware-intensive (particularly CPU-intensive) tasks, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, machine learning and cryptocurrency mining. Granted, laptops are becoming increasingly powerful; however, desktops will always have access to better cooling and more processing power, rendering them preferable for handling heavy-duty computing work. That said, most high-end gaming laptops are more than capable of running current AAA titles and CPU-intensive processes.

Customisation

The ability to customise a gaming PC build down to the finest detail is a profoundly enticing prospect for gamers and tech enthusiasts. Not only can you select components based on your unique requirements, such as your budget and the type of games you play, but the options for personalising your PC’s aesthetic are seemingly endless. For example, you could enhance your build with RGB fans, light strips and CPU coolers. Of course, the aesthetic of your build won’t contribute towards power and performance, but it will make your gaming area much more appealing. 

Tablets Vs Laptops

The purpose of a laptop is its portability. The ability to take your system anywhere is highly advantageous. That said, although laptops have become progressively smaller and lighter, they are slowly being replaced with tablets and smartphones. The difference in technological capability between laptops and tablets is now remarkably slight, particularly considering USB and wireless peripherals such as keyboards can be used with tablets. While tablets may not replace laptops entirely – at least not yet – you can’t argue with convenience. 

Lower Potential For Theft

 The portability of laptops makes them more susceptible to loss, damage and theft. The smaller, more lightweight, and technologically advanced laptops, tablets and smartphones become, the more alluring they are to thieves. Additionally, the damage caused by an accidental drop could result in external damage, such as a dent in the chassis or, more worryingly, damage to fragile internal circuit components. If you commute to work or travel a lot with your system, keep it safe, out of sight and invest in theft and damage insurance. 

A Question Of Gaming

When it comes to choosing between a gaming laptop and a gaming PC, there is no right or wrong option. Gaming laptops are arguably better suited for gamers who would prefer to purchase everything fully assembled and ready to go, whereas a custom desktop PC affords upgradability and flexibility. Generally speaking, portability is the only significant advantage of a gaming laptop over a desktop equivalent. If you require long-term durability and value for money, it may be worth investing in a high-quality desktop.