How to choose between a Gaming Laptop and Desktop PC?

PUBLISHED
JANUARY 26, 2021, 11:59 AM SGT

Be it the post-apocalyptic, eerie, neon-dimmed world of Ghostrunner, the staggering, grim open-world of Assassin Creed Valhalla, or the glamour-obsessed megalopolis of Cyberpunk 2077… surely any gamer cannot wait to dive into the imaginative, exhilarating PC games that are finally here in 2021. One big choice to make before you can experience the immersive thrills of these games is: gaming laptop or desktop PC?

If you’re having trouble deciding between a portable gaming laptop or a larger, but more customisable gaming computer, check out our useful guide for the pros and cons of each, and find out which is the best for you!

Portability

Gaming laptops work best for those who enjoy gaming anywhere and everywhere! Laptops come with a display, keyboard and trackpad, and are also easily connectable to a gaming mouse, so that you can dive into your most exciting PC games wherever you are. Want to have the flexibility of taking your gaming experience out to a friend’s home or a nearby cafe? A gaming laptop will allow you to do almost everything that you can do on a desktop - just outside.

Gaming PCs, on the other hand, are larger and need to be connected to a monitor and power source. Although some people don’t mind bringing their entire gaming setup, PC and everything else, to big occasions like LAN parties in Singapore, PC users are mostly stationed at home. The big perk for PCs is that they can be extensively connected to external devices like multiple monitors, non-standard peripherals or additional audio products, allowing for a more flexible and customisable gaming experience!

Customisation

If you are buying from a retailer like Harvey Norman, both gaming laptops and desktop PCs are already preconfigured with the most popular and desired configurations to suit the general needs of gamers in Singapore. These gaming laptops and desktop PCs are perfect for you if you prefer the convenience and you’re happy with the in-built displays, hard drives, general look and feel etc., because they can be quickly purchased and used right away - when you get home or when they are delivered to your doorstep. Best of all, the prices of these retail-bought laptops and PCs are competitive and attractive - compared to custom-built ones that can really cause a strain on your wallet!

Also, there are small tweaks that you can still make to preconfigured laptops and desktop PCs. Pre-built desktop PCs, while having lesser customisation options than custom-built ones, still enable you to change the RAM, GPU and CPU, as long as they use the same chipset. Pre-built laptops, similarly, allow you to change the RAM and storage, depending on the laptop you buy. At the store, check with the salesperson to find out which gaming device best suits your gaming needs.