There are two major types of gaming devices: the console and the laptop. Deciding on which type to buy depends on what you want out of a device and how much money you are willing to spend. Here is a Gaming Laptop versus Console comparison that will help you decide!
Table of Contents
In-depth Comparison of Gaming Laptop vs Console
There are multiple benefits to choosing gaming laptops over consoles. Gaming laptops have more games, can handle multitasking better, and have better graphics.
The major drawback to owning a gaming laptop is the lower battery life. Traditional laptops have long battery lives, but that is not the case for most gaming laptops. A good gaming laptop is going to be more expensive than any console. This is because the manufacturers of laptops add extra features to their units that aren’t usually found in consoles. These include macro keys and programmable buttons, as well as anti-ghosting keyboards that can register multiple keystrokes simultaneously.
Another thing you will notice when comparing laptops and consoles is the differences in portability and reliability. To help you find what’s best for you, let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of gaming laptops and consoles:
Pros and Cons to owning a gaming laptop
Pros:
High-quality graphics
Modern gaming laptops and gaming desktops have better graphics cards than consoles. This means games will look more vivid and run at higher frame rates giving you a smoother gaming experience.
High performance
Gaming laptops can run faster than most consoles because they have more processing power. This allows them to run games with lower load times and are better at handling everyday use.
More games
PC games have the advantage of a much larger library of games. The online gaming marketplace steam recently reached 50,000 total PC games listed. Since gaming laptops aren’t bound to one generation, you can also play older games released many years ago.
Cons:
More expensive
The price of gaming laptops tends to be higher than the price of consoles because of the more powerful hardware. For this reason, many people prefer to buy a console over a laptop. You can find budget gaming laptops in the $500 price range, but they won’t play the latest games at high frame rates.
Lower battery life
A gaming laptop requires more battery life than a portable console. This means that you will have to use the charger more often.
Bulkier Designs
Just like a gaming desktop, gaming laptops tend to be bulkier than their traditional counterparts. This means a gaming laptop won’t be as good when you’re on the move.
Pros and Cons to owning a Console
Pros:
Lower price
The lower entry price to get started with console gaming is considerably lower than getting a good gaming laptop. If you just want something affordable to get gaming, a gaming console is a great option.
Better multiplayer experience with friends
There’s nothing like sitting with your friends on the sofa playing against each other on games such as Fifa or Call of Duty. Many games find the console gaming experience more social than gaming online on a laptop or gaming pc.
Exclusive Games
A big selling point for consoles is console exclusives. These games are only released on a specific console, so you need the right console if you want to play the game.
Cons:
Limited gaming options
Gaming consoles are not backward-compatible, so you can only play games from the current generation. This limits the number of games you can play on each console.
A console is not portable like a laptop
Traditional game consoles are connected to the TV and a power outlet. This means it can get tedious when you want to move it somewhere else. Gaming laptops are way easier to take with you.
Limited multitasking
Gaming laptops are capable of running multiple programs simultaneously, for example, a voice chat program, the game, and some music in the background. Gaming consoles can usually only play one program at a time.
Consoles vs Gaming Laptops
Round 1: Price
A console is normally $250 to $500, while a gaming laptop is usually around the same price or higher. Winner: Consoles
Round 2: Portability
A console is normally tied to the TV it’s connected to, while a gaming laptop is much easier to carry with you. Winner: Gaming Laptops
Round 3: Reliability
A console is less likely to malfunction. Laptops have much more internal components, which is why they often need to be repaired or upgraded. Although consoles are still built with high-quality parts and do not go out of order as frequently, they are more reliable than laptops. Winner: Consoles
Round 4: Games
The number of games a laptop is capable of playing is much higher than that of a console. Game consoles often have exclusive console games, but the sheer volume of PC games makes laptops the winner: Winner: Gaming Laptops
Round 5: Graphics
A gaming laptop will usually have higher-quality graphics than what you would find on your average console. Winner: Gaming Laptops
Round 6: Multitasking
Gaming laptops are easier to multitask with than consoles. You can easily run multiple programs at once on a laptop. With consoles, you usually cannot run multiple programs at once. Winner: Gaming Laptops
Round 7: Battery
Gaming laptops have more battery life than portable consoles, which means they won’t need to be charged as often. Although this feature is useful, laptops also tend to be heavier and bulkier than consoles. Winner: Gaming Consoles
Consoles barely win this face-off 4-3, but one further, more opinion-based face-off must also take place. The winner of this face-off depends on what preferences a person has, so remember to keep an open mind.
Final Round: Mouse and Keyboard vs Controller
Many people prefer to use a mouse and keyboard over a controller. This is because using a mouse and keyboard allows for more precise control than using a controller.
While a mouse and keyboard may be considered the more efficient option for gaming, a controller is still preferred by many people because it uses different parts of your body. For example, if you do not like using your hands or arms to type or use the mouse, you may prefer a controller.
Whether you decide to buy a console or a gaming laptop is up to you. The main thing to remember is that both objects have distinct pros and cons. You should only buy one if you are able to utilize the benefits that it offers and can ignore the drawbacks.
What Are The Best Gaming Laptops?
The best gaming laptops are those that give you a good bang for your buck. Although the following list is not complete, it will help you to determine if a particular laptop is right for you.
MSI GS65 Stealth Thin Gaming Laptop
This laptop is one of the best on the market because it has many high-end features that are usually only found in more expensive computers. This is something that people who are budget conscious will appreciate. It has an Intel Core i7-8750H processor, which is a very fast and powerful CPU. This particular CPU can run a lot of different applications simultaneously without slowing down. It has a high-quality full HD display, so you will see images clearly without having blurry textures.
ASUS ROG Strix GL502VS-DB71 Gaming Laptop
If you want a more powerful laptop than average, this laptop could be right up your alley. This is because it uses a higher-end Intel processor. In addition to this, it has powerful graphics, which means that you can use it for video editing or running other programs. It also includes multiple USB ports and an optical drive.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M Gaming Laptop
This laptop is one of the best on the market because it has very powerful hardware and a quiet cooling system. If you want a laptop that is easy to transport, this could also be a good option for you since it’s lightweight and has plenty of ports.
Best Consoles
The following list is not complete, but it will help you to determine which consoles are the best on the market.
PS4 Pro
If you are just getting into gaming and want something that will allow you to play your games for a while without charging it, then this is a good option. The PS4 Pro gives you enhanced graphics, which means that you can experience games in higher resolutions and clearer quality than most of the competition. It also has better sound and faster load times.
Xbox One X
This is the most powerful version of the Xbox One. In addition to having much better graphics than the original Xbox One, it has 4K video capabilities and Dolby Vision technology. It also has more powerful CPUs, which means that games run smoother than on other models. It also has more storage space for games as well as a higher-capacity battery. This one should give you a lot of satisfaction over multiple years of gameplay.
Nintendo Switch
Whether you like RPGs, fighting games, shooters, or sports games, you can get an interesting experience from this console. This is because it allows you to use one screen when playing inside and a separate screen for portable gaming. You may also be able to play Wii U games on this console. It is easy to carry and comes with two detachable controllers that can be used for different purposes. It also has an embedded motion sensor that makes it possible to play games in multiple positions.
FAQ
Can you use a gaming laptop as a console?
A powerful gaming laptop can run console games thanks to emulators. It’s not possible to run the latest console games, but you can use a laptop to run older games from older consoles such as PlayStation 2, PSP, and Nintendo 64.
Is PS5 more powerful than a gaming laptop?
The PS5 is more powerful than a budget gaming laptop but less powerful than a laptop with an RTX 30-series GPU. A PS5 is still a good option compared to a gaming laptop, thanks to its exclusive games and affordable price.
Is it better to buy a PS4 or a gaming laptop?
There are many reasons that you may want to buy a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 over a gaming laptop. First of all, the PS4 is less expensive than gaming laptops. The next reason is that the PS4 has a lot of games that laptops don’t.
What is better Xbox or laptop?
There is not a definitive answer to this question because it depends on the needs and preferences of each individual. For gamers who enjoy a larger screen and are looking for a more affordable price, an Xbox is usually the better choice.
Is a laptop or console better for multiplayer games?
Consider what games you’re looking to play. If you are interested in playing games such as “NBA 2K”, “Fifa”, and “MLB the Show”, then a console is likely the best option for you. If you are mostly playing multiplayer games such as “Counter-Strike” and “World of Warcraft”, then a laptop is likely better suited for you.
Conclusion
There are many differences between laptops and consoles. One major difference is the cost of each of these devices. A gaming laptop is much more expensive than a gaming console. Another major difference is the number of games that each device has. A gaming laptop offers many more games than a gaming console does.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences as to which device you prefer to buy. The advantages and disadvantages of each device listed above should help you decide which type of device is best for your needs.