When it comes to gaming, there are a lot of different choices that you can make. The most common debate is between a gaming laptop and a console. So, which one should you get? This article will compare the Xbox Series X against a gaming laptop. We will discuss the differences between the two platforms and help you decide which one is better for you!
Table of Contents
Xbox Series X Hardware
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful gaming console on the market. It comes with a custom-designed 8-Core AMD XZen 2 CPU, a powerful GPU based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, and a fast 1TB SSD. The console also has 16B of GDDR RAM and supports up to 120 fps gaming.
Gaming Laptop Hardware
Gaming laptops have dedicated gaming GPUs that offer great gaming performance. The most common options when it comes to graphics cards are NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 30-Series or AMD’s Radeon RX-Series. Both alternatives offer great gaming performance. In addition, almost all gaming laptops come with a fast SSD.
Gaming Laptop Vs. Xbox Series X: In-depth Comparison
Now that you know the main differences between gaming laptops and the Xbox Series X in terms of the hardware, it’s time to take a closer look at each option.
To better help you make a decision, we’ll compare both gaming systems based on six important factors for gaming.
Games
The Xbox Series X comes with a few great gaming titles like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon, and Gears Tactics. On the other hand, gaming laptops can run any PC game out there. So, a gaming laptop is the better choice if you’re looking for a wider variety of gaming options. PCs also have the benefit of a large number of mods that can change and improve your gaming experience in a way that’s simply not possible on consoles.
Winner: Gaming Laptops
Multiplayer
The Xbox Series X is great for multiplayer gaming with friends. Yes, you can use a laptop for multiplayer games, but it’s hard to beat sitting on the sofa together with a few friends gaming on the big screen. So if multiplayer gaming is your thing, go for the Xbox Series X.
Winner: Xbox Series X
Price
The Xbox Series X is cheaper than most gaming laptops. It will set you back $499, while a gaming laptop can easily cost twice as much. So if you’re on a budget, the Xbox Series X is the superior choice.
Winner: Xbox Series X
Portability
If you need to take your gaming with you on the go, then a gaming laptop is obviously the better choice. The portability of a gaming laptop is also great if you need to take it with you to a friend’s house or to take notes on your next work meeting or school lecture.
Winner: Gaming Laptops
Upgradability
Neither a gaming laptop nor an Xbox Series X can be completely upgraded. The big difference is that with a gaming laptop, you can often upgrade the storage, battery, and memory. With an Xbox Series X, you’re stuck with included components.
Winner: Gaming Laptops
Graphics
If you’re looking for the best graphics possible, you will want to go with a gaming laptop. Gaming laptops have some of the best graphics cards available on the market. However, the Xbox Series X delivers the best graphics for the money. That’s why it’s our winner in this category.
Winner: Xbox Series X
Multitasking
With a gaming laptop, you can browse the web, stream movies and TV shows, listen to music, and even work on school projects or work documents while gaming. Unfortunately, you can’t do any of that with an Xbox Series X.
Winner: Gaming Laptops
Final Result (Gaming Laptops – 4, Xbox Series X – 3)
It’s a close call, but gaming laptops win this battle. They offer multitasking capabilities, better graphics, and are more versatile overall. However, the Xbox Series X is a great console, and if you’re looking for an affordable gaming experience focused on multiplayer games, it’s the way to go.
Pros and Cons of Gaming Laptops
To better help you understand if a gaming laptop is right for you, let’s take a deeper look at the advantages and disadvantages of gaming laptops.
The first obvious advantage of gaming notebooks is that they are portable gaming machines. If you want to take your gaming with you on vacation or to a friend’s house, all you need is your laptop. You can even show your personality when you’re on the move by putting stickers on the laptop. Consoles are much more difficult to lug around.
Another significant advantage of gaming laptops is that they offer better graphics than consoles. This is mainly due in part to the fact that gaming laptops have more powerful processors and dedicated GPUs. Gaming laptops also offer other advantages, such as the ability to play PC-exclusive titles, the ability to use mods, and the ability to upgrade your gaming laptop over time.
The biggest downside of gaming laptops compared to gaming consoles is that gaming laptops are significantly more expensive. For example, you could easily spend $2000 on a an expensive Alienware laptop, whereas the Xbox Series X will only set you back $500.
Gaming laptops also tend to be bulkier than standard laptops, and they often have shorter battery lives. So, if you’re looking for a gaming laptop, be prepared to make some sacrifices in terms of portability and battery life.
Pros and Cons of the Xbox Series X
The biggest advantage of the Xbox Series X over gaming laptops is its price point. As mentioned above, you could spend $1000+ on a gaming laptop, whereas the Xbox Series X will only set you back $500.
One of the reasons many gamers opt for the Xbox Series X over gaming laptops is because of the exclusive Xbox Series X titles. Games such as Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon are not available on any other console, so if you’re a diehard fan of those franchises, you’ll need to get an Xbox Series X.
Another selling point of the Xbox Series X is its ease of use. Unlike gaming laptops, which can be complicated to set up and often require additional peripherals, the Xbox Series X is a plug-and-play console that’s ready to go right out of the box.
The downside of the Xbox Series X and any console, in general, is that it’s made only for gaming. A gaming laptop is more versatile and is better for tasks such as browsing the web, streaming movies, or working on documents.
Conclusion
So, which one should you get? If you’re looking for a gaming system with multitasking capabilities, better graphics, and more versatility, go for a gaming laptop. However, if you’re looking for an affordable gaming system that’s easy to set up and use, then go for the Xbox Series X.