Almost everyone has been curious about exclusive games available only on certain gaming consoles at some point. For example, I was disappointed that I couldn’t play popular games like “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” and “Gears of War 2” when they first came out because I didn’t have a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. But even if I had those consoles, they wouldn’t have been able to run a demanding game like Crysis with good graphics.
Each gaming platform has its special games that make people want to buy it. But when it comes to which one is more convenient to use, it’s a tough choice. Sometimes, using a console is great because it’s easy. Other times, a gaming laptop might feel like it’s too big and heavy to be practical.
PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series
Let’s talk about the latest gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, and why they might be a great choice for gamers.
First off, while many games eventually come to PC, including big exclusive titles, it seems like consoles still get some unique games you can’t play anywhere else. Even though many Xbox games are also available on Windows, there’s something special about playing them on an Xbox.
One big reason to consider consoles is how well games run on them. Even though PCs can have more powerful parts, games on consoles often run smoother and with fewer problems. Remember how some games launch with issues on PC? Consoles usually don’t have that problem as much, giving you a better gaming experience right off the bat.
Another advantage is the cost. Consoles, like the PlayStation or Xbox, can be more affordable than building or buying a high-end gaming PC, especially if you find a good deal or bundle. And with subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass or PS+, you get access to tons of games without breaking the bank.
You might think you need a fancy TV to play on a console, but that’s not necessarily true. You can save money and still have a great setup, like using a budget-friendly projector. Sure, playing during the day might require some adjustments, like blackout curtains or streaming to a tablet, but it’s manageable and often cheaper than getting a gaming PC setup.
Finally, playing games on a console is just more convenient. Unlike gaming laptops, which can get loud and hot, consoles offer a comfy and hassle-free gaming experience. So, for many gamers, the ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and smooth performance make consoles a fantastic choice.
Steam Deck & Nintendo Switch
Let’s dive into the world of handheld gaming consoles, which are great for gamers on the go. The biggest plus? You can take them anywhere, making them super convenient for travel or playing outside of a traditional gaming setup.
First up is the Nintendo Switch. It’s compact, even with all its parts, making it much easier to carry around than a laptop or other gaming systems. Nintendo also has a bunch of exclusive games that you can only play on their devices, and they design these games to perfectly match the unique features of the Switch.
If you’re looking for games from the Steam library to play on the go, then you might want to check out the Steam Deck by Valve. It’s a bit bigger than the Nintendo Switch, and it packs more power.
There are also other options like the Lenovo Legion Go and the MSI Claw, which have been introduced as alternatives to the Steam Deck. However, these tend to be pricier than the Nintendo Switch and might even cost more than home consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
Handheld consoles are ideal for gamers who love to travel or those who want the freedom to play without being tied to a specific spot.
Gaming Laptops
If you love playing video games but also need to move around a lot, you might want to think about getting a gaming laptop. Indeed, a gaming laptop might not be as powerful as a desktop PC, but it’s still good enough for playing new games.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that gaming laptops can be more expensive than desktops. Finding a great gaming laptop for under $1000 can be tough, especially if you’re looking for something really high-end.
A common issue with gaming laptops is that they can get hot and noisy when you play games on them. Some games make the laptop so hot, it feels like you could cook an omelet on it! But, if you need a computer that’s good for both work and play, a laptop can be a handy choice.
For gamers who love fast-paced games or strategy games, PCs are usually the better choice because using a keyboard and mouse lets you react faster and more accurately than using a gamepad on a console.
Finally, if you’re young and want a powerful computer, you might be able to convince your parents to get you a gaming laptop for school work. This trick might not work if you ask for a PlayStation instead. And, it’s probably a good idea to have reasons ready for why you shouldn’t get a Mac if they suggest it.
8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Laptop or Console
We listed down all the essential factors that will help you to make the right choice for the gaming device.
1. Price
Consoles are usually cheaper than gaming laptops.
They are popular for their affordable prices, especially with new gamers. Even though prices are highest when they first come out, a console usually costs around $500. If your budget is between $300 and $500, a console might be the right choice for you. Remember, though, that the games for consoles can cost about $60 each.
Gaming laptops start at a higher price, around $700, and can go up to more than $1500. If you have more than $700 to spend, you can get a good gaming laptop. A big plus with gaming laptops is that games are often cheaper.
Websites like Steam often have big sales on games, which you don’t always see on the PlayStation store. Also, the Epic Game Store offers free games every week. Gaming laptops might cost more upfront, but you’ll save on games and even get some for free as time goes on.
2. Versatility
A gaming laptop stands out for its ability to do more than just play games. If you buy one, you also get all the regular features of a laptop. This means you can do your schoolwork, like making presentations, writing documents, and taking notes, on top of gaming.
It’s perfect for students or people with part-time jobs because it’s like getting two devices in one. Plus, you can plug in extra devices like a mouse or keyboard, and even connect your laptop to a bigger screen to make gaming even more fun.
Gaming consoles used to be just for playing games, but that’s changed. Now, they come with extra features like web browsing and apps for YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and more. So, besides gaming, you can watch movies and listen to music on the latest consoles. But, consoles don’t let you do work-related tasks.
While consoles are great for entertainment, gaming laptops offer a mix of gaming, work, and entertainment features. This makes gaming laptops a more versatile choice if you’re looking for something that can handle both your work and play needs.
3. Graphics Quality
Gaming laptops come with dedicated graphics cards. These laptops are stronger than gaming consoles when it comes to hardware. For example, Nvidia recently introduced the RTX graphics card, changing how we experience games. RTX stands for ray tracing technology, which makes game visuals look super realistic by improving how light and shadows appear.
This RTX technology started showing up in gaming laptops around 2018, giving them a big boost in-game quality. Meanwhile, the PlayStation world had to wait until the late 2020s for the PS5, which finally brought ray tracing to console gamers. If you had a PS4, you missed out on this advanced feature.
Thanks to these powerful graphics cards, gaming laptops can handle games with really smooth motion, offering frame rates higher than 60 FPS. This is great news if you love fast-paced games because it makes everything look and feel better. In contrast, the older PS4 consoles usually run games at 30 FPS, which works, but isn’t as smooth.
While gaming laptops lead in terms of graphics performance, the PS5 has made some big steps forward. It can handle up to 120 FPS and also offers ray tracing, making it a solid choice for those who prefer consoles.
4. Which Platform is More Profitable
PlayStation faces tough competition from both gaming laptops and Xbox, largely due to the value offered by Microsoft’s Game Pass. The Ultimate version of Game Pass, priced at $16.99 per month, offers access to a vast library of games on both Xbox and PC. This level of convenience and the sheer volume of available games make it a highly attractive option for gamers.
While PlayStation Plus also boasts a large collection of games, it struggles to match the breadth and appeal of Microsoft’s offering. A significant drawback of PlayStation Plus is the scarcity of new releases being added to the service immediately upon their launch.
PC gaming, positioned closely behind Xbox in terms of appeal, offers its own set of advantages and challenges. One of the perks of PC gaming is the ability to download games from torrents, although this is not possible for games protected by Denuvo anti-tamper technology until they are potentially cracked, which can take months. Despite this, purchasing licensed versions of games is generally more affordable on PCs than on consoles. However, the cost advantage can be offset by the need for periodic hardware upgrades, making PC gaming potentially more expensive in the long run.
5. Backward Compatibility
PlayStation consoles, like the PS4, can’t play games from older console generations directly – this is what we mean by “backward compatibility.” So, if you want to play PS2 or PS3 games on a PS4, you can’t do it directly. However, there’s a workaround with PlayStation Now (PSN), a subscription service that lets you play some of those older games. It costs about $8 a month. If you don’t want to pay extra for PSN, you might not be able to access these older game titles.
On the other hand, gaming laptops don’t have this limitation. You can play games from many years ago, even games from the early 2000s, without any issues. Gaming laptops don’t have restrictions on playing older games. For example, one of the oldest games available on Steam, Dragon’s Lair, was originally released in 1983.
6. Multiplayer Features
Gaming laptops and PCs have become the go-to for multiplayer gaming. Thanks to platforms like Steam, playing with others online is easy. All you need to do is buy the multiplayer game you’re interested in and then either join a local game or invite a friend to play with you. If multiplayer games are your thing, then a gaming laptop might be the best investment for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to play multiplayer games on gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, there’s an extra step. These consoles require you to sign up for a special membership to use their multiplayer features. This membership costs about $60 a year. While many gamers find this to be a fair price for what they get, others aren’t keen on paying extra just to play with friends online.
7. Modding Experience
Modding is essentially customizing your game to suit your preferences, allowing for a variety of personal tweaks. It’s a beloved aspect of gaming for many, with Skyrim being a prime example due to its vast library of around 70,000 mods. Modding can add a whole new level of enjoyment to games, making them more engaging for players.
This customization option is typically available on gaming PCs and laptops, where gamers have the freedom to modify their games extensively. Some modding enthusiasts go so far as to transform games completely with their modifications.
However, modding is not an option on gaming consoles due to their more restricted hardware capabilities. Attempting to mod on a console could lead to a significantly degraded gaming experience, which is why console manufacturers generally do not support modding.
For those interested in the creative and personalized gaming experience that modding offers, gaming laptops are the way to go. On the other hand, if modding doesn’t appeal to you, choosing a console as your gaming device will still provide a satisfying gaming experience without the need for modifications.
8. Lifespan
Many new gamers prefer consoles for their simplicity and ease of setup. With a console, you just plug it in, and it’s ready to play. The main thing to keep up with is system updates, but you don’t have to dive into complex settings to get the best gaming experience.
Consoles are great for beginners because there’s no need to worry about system requirements. For example, the PS4 has been around since 2013, and games made for the PS4 are designed to work well on it. This means PS4 gamers won’t have to stress over whether a new game will run on their console. They can expect their device to play all PS4 games smoothly until around 2025.
On the flip side, gaming laptops require more technical knowledge to set up. You need to be familiar with things like updating your graphics card drivers and adjusting settings in the Nvidia control panel to ensure games run well. Gaming laptops also have minimum system requirements for games, which means some games might not run smoothly if your laptop doesn’t meet these requirements. This can be a hassle, as it requires constant updates and adjustments to avoid performance issues. In contrast, with a console, these problems are generally not a concern.
Gaming Laptop vs Console: Which to Choose?
Every option has its pros and cons, but if you want to cover as many projects as possible and try out all the loudest and highest-rated releases, it won’t be possible to limit yourself to just one option. And let’s not forget, it’s always nice to have a choice of what to play on.
Just imagine playing Baldur’s Gate 3 on your PC, then moving to the sofa and spending the evening playing It Takes Two with your significant other. And for traveling, you have a Nintendo Switch and Zelda stashed away.
Don’t limit yourself in choosing and follow the call of your heart, because what matters most is your comfort and preferences.
