Are gaming laptops as good as desktops now?

Chugster · Posted Wed 15 Aug, 2012 7:40 PM

As some of you will know ive had issues with my main gaming PC, which will be sorted at some point soon, but what ever happens Im gonna save up for a new gaming rig and what i want to know is how good are gaming laptops now? Im just wondering if ut might be a better option for me

Do they still lag behind desktops in terms of power and capability? and are there any major concerns like overheating during long sessions?

If I did get a laptop then I would still use my current monitor, keyboard and mouse to game with so that isnt an issue

Babyhead4127 · Posted Wed 15 Aug, 2012 8:47 PM

If you want high-performance gaming, you should build/buy a gaming PC. They have more future-proofing (easier to swap out parts) and have better gaming performance overall. You also have the advantage of multiple and large monitors.

Gaming laptops are built mainly for people who are on-the-go a lot, and they're also handy if you go to a lot of LAN parties.

As you go up to the high-performance models, XXXX amount laptop has most of the modern amenities (i7, large 17" WUXGA or UXGA* screens, a top-of-the-line graphics card, a heap of HD space, and a decent load of RAM). For the same XXXX price tag, a gaming PC can have the same card in CrossFire or STI with more RAM and, of course, multiple optical drives and hard drives.

Oh, and not to mention, the high-performance gaming laptops weigh a ton. Your shoulders and/or back will hurt after a while, unless you grab a rolling laptop bag for it. There's also the heat problem, which plagues some laptops more often than others. On the other hand, desktop gaming PCs usually have better heat control which leads to better performance and a longer lifetime of your computer components.

So I say PC FTW and if you want to upgrade it is as easy as unscrewing case remove old part stick new part in and jobs done

Thats my view but some people may have a diffent view

Chugster · Posted Wed 15 Aug, 2012 9:03 PM

well tbh, I agree with everything youve said, seems to back up everything Ioriginally thought....would be interesting to see if anyone does have another opinion...some of those gaming laptops do look very cool

Sharpkiller · Posted Wed 15 Aug, 2012 9:40 PM

Unless there's some specific reason you need a high-level of portability, a gaming desktop will always provide more performance and give you more upgrade options later down the line.

Kyuusaku · Posted Wed 15 Aug, 2012 9:58 PM

Laptops also kind of have a shorter life expectancy than Desktops do. The MTBF is something to consider in mobile computing, but more often than not, I've seen that hard drive failures are more common in laptops than in desktops. I have a laptop, but I back it up daily just because of this reason, and also because I've been a victim a couple of times to that failure.

Kyuu, former hardware tester.

Supergrover · Posted Thu 16 Aug, 2012 6:35 AM

If you are not going to use it mobile, you mention using existing hardware, then no point going with a mobile unit. As others have stated build it yourself, you will get far better bang for buck for a gaming PC.
First you'll want to ask yourself a few questions, What is my budget? What am I going to use this computer for ( a gaming rig is a different beast than say a encoding rig) What res will I be gaming at? No point going to a SLI/Xfire setup if your gaming on a 1680x1050 right?
Do you have brand preference? Intel/AMD, nV/AMD rct.
When will I plan on building ?
What retailers will I use, local? Online?
Answer a couple of those and I would be happy to put a build together for you.

Hermanator · Posted Thu 16 Aug, 2012 1:32 PM

I have an Alienware M14x. I have had very few issues. When I have had issues I ring up dell speak to Alienware and they fix the issue as well as brushing out dents and scratches.

Dark · Posted Thu 16 Aug, 2012 2:06 PM

At the same price level (ignoring sales), a desktop will always be better than a laptop at everything other than portability.

However, the days of a gaming laptop being unable to handle the latest games are long gone.

Subzzo · Posted Fri 17 Aug, 2012 1:28 AM

I have a Asus g53JW and it works great with everything,
few USB3 hickups but they were fixed.
Reason i bought one was because i have toe move back and forth
between school and my appartment. so yeah i need the portability.
But like most people here have said a desktop is better in being
hardware beefy and future proof.

Are gaming laptops as good as desktops now?

Paragon of Duty

Uncommon (25 Points)

Dean’s List

Uncommon (25 Points)

Old School Gamer

Common (10 Points)

The Mad House

Common (10 Points)

Part of the Furniture

Common (10 Points)

Command Material

Common (10 Points)

Gold Contributor

Very Rare (100 Points)

To Boldly Go On and On

Rare (50 Points)

A Heartfelt Thank You

Rare (50 Points)

Captain

Uncommon (25 Points)

Paragon of Duty

Uncommon (25 Points)

Eternal Servitude!

Uncommon (25 Points)

Paragon of Duty

Uncommon (25 Points)

Dean’s List

Uncommon (25 Points)

Old School Gamer

Common (10 Points)

The Mad House

Common (10 Points)

Part of the Furniture

Common (10 Points)

Command Material

Common (10 Points)

Top Brass

Very Rare (100 Points)

Highly Decorated

Very Rare (100 Points)

Chief Engineer

Very Rare (100 Points)

Pillar of the Community

Very Rare (100 Points)

Vice Fleet Admiral

Rare (50 Points)

Civilian

Rare (50 Points)

Commendation

Commendation (150 Points)

Pillar of the Community

Very Rare (100 Points)

Gold Contributor

Very Rare (100 Points)

Editor-and-Chief

Rare (50 Points)

Rear Admiral

Rare (50 Points)

Aspiring Author

Uncommon (25 Points)

To Boldly Go On and On

Rare (50 Points)

Paragon of Duty

Uncommon (25 Points)

Well Respected

Uncommon (25 Points)

Dean’s List

Uncommon (25 Points)

Aspiring Author

Uncommon (25 Points)

Spirit of Generosity

Common (10 Points)

To Boldly Go On and On

Rare (50 Points)

Warrant Officer

Rare (50 Points)

Eternal Servitude!

Uncommon (25 Points)

Command Master Chief Petty Officer