Laptops and Gaming

[Lyrima]

Blaek just threw out there that "when we replace my desktop next year, we should get a laptop"

At first I was like 

Then I thought 

And THEN I just 

But HE told me to ask you. 

So.  How many of you use laptops for your gaming fun? On the high settings?

[Rumze]

Computer of choice for me is a desktop - I think it's better over all for gaming and stops me from trying to sneak gaming in when I'm away from home .

[Pedekele]

laptops offer mobility, to do so you need smaller parts which means they are either more expensive or less potent.
I'd only buy a laptop if i need to move it, take it to school and work or whatever.

Else i'd go with a PC since it gives you more power for your money and they are more modular. It's useful that you can just plug in your old harddrive to have all your old data for example.

Also you can save alot of money by buying the parts seperatly, that way you can also get exactly what fits your needs, thats a little bit harder with laptops.

And its not just about saving money its about just simply getting something better for that money. 

[Menemas]

I"ll agree with the above.  Unless you need the mobility, a desktop is more cost efficient to build/buy, easier to maintain, and easier/cheaper to upgrade.  It has been my experience that desktops are more durable and have a longer lifespan ((which can be extended relatively inexpensively by upgrading key components)).

But do the research yourself.  Choose a website that offers gaming machines ((Tigerdirect.com and Newegg.com are where I look for parts/etc)).  Get an idea of the specifications you're after, and compare a desktop and laptop model in your spec range. 

Meanie

[Mixxi]

More bang for your buck with a desktop rig.

I do game on two laptops (both Alienware), but I can't get nearly the graphics capability on them that I can with the desktop computer.

I also have had problems with cooling in the past with the laptops. Under-laptop fan thingies helped, though. My current desktop is my first liquid-cooled machine, and I love it.

I have 33 gaming laptops in my classroom as well, and we got a great deal on them. They are all refurbished machines from NewEgg (all ASUS Republic of Gaming). And, even though they were sold as refurbs, they all looked completely new to me with all the plastic coatings, etc. intact. I suspect they probably had a faulty part right off the bat, were returned, repaired and then sold as refurbs. It's a really cost-effective option.

[Menemas]

Yeah, cooling can be tough........even going with the super fancy thing solid state laptops.....your GPU is going to produce a lot of heat.....

[Silverwulfe]

1. Cheaper (especially if you are comparing apples to apples... er... oranges to oranges)
2. Cooler (heat dissipation is the #1 enemy of laptops)
3. Cat-Free, because cats love laptop keyboards... very very much
4. Longevity (laptops are designed for 2-3 years of use, desktops 4+)

Build your own... you can do it cheaper on NewEgg and get improve all of these factors and if you haven't done it, learn something.

[Jasyn]

Because I have nothing else of value to add that hasn't already been said, I will play devil's advocate:  laptops are so much easier to throw when you lose your cool after some idiot ranger causes an entire raid to wipe because his beer hat needed a refill or when <insert some other frustrating scenario>.

Otherwise my vote goes to desktops.

[PinkRose]

Laptop is you need mobility.
Desktop for better stuff.

I can play Landmark on my Laptop on Low settings with low Frame Rate.
I can play Landmark on my Desktop on Ultra settings with good Frame Rate.

[Silverwulfe]

Because ... ranger ...

I will miss "Loading... please wait..." when playing my EQN Ranger.  Also, falling asleep at the keyboard when changing zones. 

[Namae Nai]

Counterpoint: I do all my gaming on a laptop, and it's awesome. I have all my peripherals hooked to my desk so when I'm at home I get three screens, full 5.1 system, and all the gamepad, mice, keyboard, backup HD, etc. equipment I used to have with my old desktop.

The advantage is that if I need to go somewhere else, I just pull some plugs, throw my laptop in a bag and go. I don't need to be tied down and if I want to get on the net while I'm on a train (Verizon LTE FTW!), no big deal. Gaming while on the go does tend to drain your battery faster, so make sure you can plug in somewhere. It's cool to be able to go over to a friends house and bring your system with you.

Another advantage is it handles bad weather better. We had an ice storm up here and power was pretty sporadic for a while. My computer was the only one in the neighborhood that would work, and I used it to get updates on the Twitter feed from the power company on when we'd be back up. That was unexpectedly handy. You can also use a UPS for this purpose if you have a desktop, but I've never had really good luck with them.. they always would wait till after the computer crashed to start supplying power.

Bottomline, it's just an extra feature. If you have gobs of cash, why not throw it at a laptop? A really good Alienware laptop will smoke almost any regular desktop and there is less and less difference as time goes on and technology gets smaller and more portable. If you're on a budget though, a desktop is probably a wiser investment; especially if you don't have plans on working on your computer remotely.

[Syllestrae]

If you travel a lot (including liking to move around the house), a laptop is great.

If you really just play from the den with no desire to play elsewhere, a desktop is a much better choice.

Work has me on the road a lot, so I've been using a powerful laptop.  It's generally worked fine.  The only games which really gave me FPS issues were Diablo 3 and Wildstar.  My other MMOs, Bioshock Infinite, Minecraft, Mass Effect 3, etc have all run fine.

[Gith]

You get 3x the bang for your buck in desktops. I just build a new desktop and it is a beast. Cooling is no issue and it would cost a stupid amount to get this power in a laptop.

And I agree with Rumze. I game when I am home. I don't take gaming anywhere else with me. If you need the mobility go for the laptop but otherwise desktop is the way to go.

[RavenMiles]

I have a desk top and a laptop. I find that if I want to really enjoy the game. That my desk top is better. I use my laptop for playing lazy like. So, if I want to lay in bed and play or sit on the couch. It is nice to have, But if I had to chose. It would be desk top.

Game on