Gaming laptops vs. desktops

[Fluxion]

Hi guys, this is my first real post here and I'm not really sure if this is the right place for this. Here's my situation: my friend wants to switch from console gaming to pc gaming because of the xbone stuff going around. He currently wants to get a $2500 laptop. I told him that I thought it would be a better idea to split up his money between a desktop and a laptop (e.g. $1500 for desktop and $1000 for laptop) because he would get more for his money. Who is right and what are the pros and cons of both ideas?

Also any builds including both the laptop and desktop or just the laptop would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time

[bchampion96]

Hi guys, this is my first real post here and I'm not really sure if this is the right place for this. Here's my situation: my friend wants to switch from console gaming to pc gaming because of the xbone stuff going around. He currently wants to get a $2500 laptop. I told him that I thought it would be a better idea to split up his money between a desktop and a laptop (e.g. $1500 for desktop and $1000 for laptop) because he would get more for his money. Who is right and what are the pros and cons of both ideas?

Also any builds including both the laptop and desktop or just the laptop would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time

 

Haven't got the time for the builds, but you are very very right. With that amount of money, he's set

[tS_kStin]

I would go with a desktop and a Laptop. I personally would go more for a 2 grand desktop and $500 laptop. But goind 1.5k and 1k like you said would be a good idea. With the desktop you can OC it and get more performance and more monitors (if he is into that). Then getting a laptop that is only a grand will let him be portable and have the horse power to do some gaming (depending on how he sets up the settings and what game).

[MetalLobster]

I agree with you here. Between a desktop and laptop for gaming, you will spend more time on a desktop. Also, laptops overheat, the keyboard is usually not that great and screen size is smaller. 

 

Quickly threw together a build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1sicB

 

Found a laptop that is not too shabby: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=80752&vpn=59359560&manufacture=Lenovo%20Consumer&promoid=1195

[Emperor_Piehead]

Those high end gaming laptops don't have much going for them they are so bulky, heavy, and need to be always be plugged into the wall if you want to do any gaming. If he wants something on the portable side he would be better of getting an itx system. The performance that gaming laptops wouldn't be all that great the fastest laptop graphics card is slower than a gtx 660 ti. If he split the money up and got say a ultrabook or something that can do moderate gaming then a desktop at home would be good.

 

$1500 desktop- http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1sicZ

 

This is the laptop i'm thinking about getting it has the intel HD 5200 graphics, but that can do some decent gaming and the laptop has a nice screen(1080p and IPS) and size. http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2740-clevo-w740su-p-6201.html

[JORDANonPC]

I'd say either spend it all on the desktop or spend 2000 on the desktop and just get a decent laptop with it does he need peripherals and os with the desktop

[SpenceSouth]

Definitely go desktop and a laptop.  A $1500 desktop will destroy a $2500 gaming laptop.  Plus it's upgradable and expandable lol 

[Purple]

Desktop + laptop for sure.

 

You can always add/upgrade a PC, but you can't do much with a laptop.

[CoolBeans]

2000$ desktop 500$ laptop and not play games on laptop. That is what I would do.

[Fluxion]

I agree with you here. Between a desktop and laptop for gaming, you will spend more time on a desktop. Also, laptops overheat, the keyboard is usually not that great and screen size is smaller. 

 

Quickly threw together a build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1sicB

 

Found a laptop that is not too shabby: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=80752&vpn=59359560&manufacture=Lenovo%20Consumer&promoid=1195

Thank you for including peripherals as well. I forgot to mention that he most likely has nothing to work with if he gets a desktop.

 

Those high end gaming laptops don't have much going for them they are so bulky, heavy, and need to be always be plugged into the wall if you want to do any gaming. If he wants something on the portable side he would be better of getting an itx system. The performance that gaming laptops wouldn't be all that great the fastest laptop graphics card is slower than a gtx 660 ti. If he split the money up and got say a ultrabook or something that can do moderate gaming then a desktop at home would be good.

 

$1500 desktop- http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1sicZ

 

This is the laptop i'm thinking about getting it has the intel HD 5200 graphics, but that can do some decent gaming and the laptop has a nice screen(1080p and IPS) and size. http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2740-clevo-w740su-p-6201.html

He would need money for peripherals, but as i mentioned above, I didn't tell you guys ahead of time. The part about the gaming laptops not being powerful compared to a desktop is what I've been trying to tell him.

 

I'd say either spend it all on the desktop or spend 2000 on the desktop and just get a decent laptop with it does he need peripherals and os with the desktop

Yes, he does need peripherals and the os.

 

2000$ desktop 500$ laptop and not play games on laptop. That is what I would do.

The problem is that he wants to be able to play games where he goes (e.g. at a hotel, school, etc.). I understand why, but I don't think its worth it. Tried telling him that he gets along fine with leaving his console at his home, so he should be able to live with a desktop.

 

Thank you all for your quick replies

[Cal]

Well I'd say it depends on the situation. I was advising a friend on something similar. If your pal travels around a lot, he has to have a laptop, however, if it is to remain at home then 100% get a desktop. There are so many advantages to a desktop over a laptop.

But, good on your friend for stopping console gaming and joining the master race.

[SSOB]

Yes this is very true he could get this combo :

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Microcenter) 

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard:  ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($120.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($90.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($675.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case:  NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply:  Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive:  Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer  ($16.98 @ Outlet PC) 

Total: $1381.88

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-15 15:37 EDT-0400)

 

AND

 

http://store.sony.com/c/Pro-Series-Notebooks/en/c/S_PRO_SERIES_PAGE

 

Best of both worlds.

 

He can also wait a few weeks till the 9000 series come out and get something like a Radeon 9970.

[Emperor_Piehead]

He would need money for peripherals, but as i mentioned above, I didn't tell you guys ahead of time. The part about the gaming laptops not being powerful compared to a desktop is what I've been trying to tell him.

Okay made a new version http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1skai

 

Does he also need audio?

 

Yes this is very true he could get this combo :

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Microcenter) 

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard:  ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($120.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($90.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($675.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case:  NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply:  Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive:  Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer  ($16.98 @ Outlet PC) 

Total: $1381.88

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-15 15:37 EDT-0400)

 

AND

 

http://store.sony.com/c/Pro-Series-Notebooks/en/c/S_PRO_SERIES_PAGE

 

Best of both worlds.

 

He can also wait a few weeks till the 9000 series come out and get something like a Radeon 9970.

He needs monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS

[Fluxion]

Okay made a new version http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1skai

 

Does he also need audio?

 

He needs monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS

 

I'm not sure if he needs audio. I'm going to ask today. Won't be able to update until tomorrow though.

$50 for a mech keyboard 0.0 I didn't know you could get them for that cheap now.

Well I'd say it depends on the situation. I was advising a friend on something similar. If your pal travels around a lot, he has to have a laptop, however, if it is to remain at home then 100% get a desktop. There are so many advantages to a desktop over a laptop.

But, good on your friend for stopping console gaming and joining the master race.

I was thinking the same thing about whether or not he travels enough to be worth it. I got a gaming laptop thinking I was going to be out and around a lot. Terrible Idea, should have done more research back then :(

Yes this is very true he could get this combo :

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Microcenter) 

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Seidon 120XL 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard:  ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($120.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($90.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ NCIX US) 

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($675.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Case:  NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Power Supply:  Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 720W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive:  Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer  ($16.98 @ Outlet PC) 

Total: $1381.88

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-15 15:37 EDT-0400)

 

AND

 

http://store.sony.com/c/Pro-Series-Notebooks/en/c/S_PRO_SERIES_PAGE

 

Best of both worlds.

 

He can also wait a few weeks till the 9000 series come out and get something like a Radeon 9970.

 I don't think he would want to wait for 9000 series, but if I manage to get him set on the getting a desktop, that would be a good thing to wait for.

EDIT: He does not need audio.

[Cal]

Here's my advice on buying a gaming laptop: dont

[piplupgao]

lenovo Y580 is great gaming laptop it plays nearly every game I throw at it and the keyboard is great second only to the mac book pro

[Quick-]

If you buy the gpu at a Microcenter they normally have some great bundle deals with motherboards.

I got my 4670k + Z87 G45 for like $290.

So you save $20 with the cpu and $50 on the mobo. (In my case)

I can't compare the prices right now. I'm on my phone with throttled data.... Nice.

[TheRetiredSlave]

Gaming laptops definitely have their place.. I personally find it easier to just have one system that you can carry around everywhere, and have decent performance everywhere. You won't match the performance of a purpose built gaming desktop, but the performance of the high end laptops is a lot better than everyone thinks.

 

Desktops offer a much better price/performance ratio, but you obviously won't be able to take your gaming computer with you easily. If you're friend will be happy with having his gaming computer sitting stationary most of the time, a gaming desktop is a much better option.

 

Sager notebooks are excellent for their price/performance ratio when compared to other laptops.. You could easily get a $2k laptop from them that can at least keep up with 1080p gaming on high/ultra settings in nearly all games. And you'd also have upgradeable CPU, GPU, RAM (4 slots), HDD (two 2.5" + two mSATA). There are more limitations on what you can upgrade too, but the myth of "you can't upgrade laptops at all" simply isn't true.

[WoodenMarker]

Get a laptop and desktop. He has the budget for both.

 

How's something like this look?

 

Desktop: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1t7Cc

Crossfire ready. Maxes out almost everything at 1080p.

 

Laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152409

SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sv300s37a120g

HDD Caddy: http://www.amazon.com/SATA-caddy-12-7mm-Universal-DVD-ROM/dp/B0056EW4A4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376780198&sr=8-1&keywords=hdd+caddy

 

Replace the hdd in the laptop with the ssd and replace the dvd drive with the hdd caddy with the original hdd in it. That way, you get speed and and enough capacity.