Desktops or laptops for gaming?

in terms of just gaming....Desktops are better in just about every way/

-their cheaper

-better colling

-upgradable

-etc

the only advantage a laptop has for gaming is you can do it anywhere in the house whereas desktops you can

-upgrade easier and cheaper

-more personalised

-if something breaks in it its easily replaceable

-cooler

-pc's can have more ram (in most cases)

-more choice of processor (you can get what you need, a good gaming processor atm that is good value is the core 2 duo e6600)

-Can get beefier graphics cards

Now with laptops the upgrading is alot more limited and more difficult and alot more expensive. Basically if you get a laptop chances are you probably wont upgrade its a bit tedious. If all you want one for is to play old games like the ones you mentioned get either however if you are serious about pc gaming get a good rig.

Sure, laptops nowadays can play games, some just can't play the new ones with all the bells and whistles. I just bought a new laptop, but make sure if u want to play new games to get the 7900 go, 7600/7700, or 8600 cards. Even weaker ones such as 8400/7400 or integrated (new 3100) can play half life 2 on max with 30 fps. I would go for a laptop just because its portable, (i'm in college). Some parts of a laptop are easily upgraded such as the ram (just take off a few screws on the bottom). Graphics card can not be upgraded, but in about a year or so, watch out because asus recently introduced a barebone system that is fully moddable and upgradable. New laptops usually have no problem staying cool unless your doing gaming for several hours or straining the system. Even then, they're built to withstand the heat. (due to the battery fires last year). My laptop was cheaper than your average desktop, you just have to look around ;)

If you want a lot of power go with a desktop, but mind you, notebooks are starting to catch up and definately win in the portability, convience, and style.

peace

Desktops.

I have both.

I think I'll hop on the bandwagon with this one; I, personally, use a laptop for everything, but that's because I'm a student and couldn't afford a laptop for school and a desktop for gaming. Desktops really are the way to go, because they're generally super-cheap, even the fairly good ones (Alienwares just happen to light up, don't be fooled), and it's easy to open them up and upgrade/replace/repair. There are some really awesome gaming laptops out there, but they usually weigh a ton and have middle-line graphics capability. If you're going to buy a laptop, make sure you know what the graphics card's capable of - does it have pixel shading? Transform and lighting? And does the computer have enough RAM and a good clock speed? With a desktop, you can usually upgrade. With a laptop, you're generally better off buying a new one.

Is this a joke of a question? 'cuz seriously.

The only advantage of a notebook/laptop is portability, but it's a weak one to be honest. How often do people game on the move (that market is left to portable consoles such as the DS and PSP). Not to mention you'll need a flat surface to place your mouse on, unless you plan to use the touch-pad, which is horrible for twitch reaction gaming such as FPS. So in the end if you're computer is going to be sitting in one spot and involves you sitting down at a table/desk and using the mouse when you game, you might as well be using a desktop computer. Also laptops that are equal to desktop computers in terms of gaming performance are generally so large and heavy that portability becomes a joke.

BUT, because I don't know what type of games you generally play and most importantly your budget for a new computer (and mainly you don't sound like a serious PC gamer), I can't say for sure.

I suggest you try and figure out what you plan to ultimatly do with your computer and your what your budget is. Then compare laptop to desktop (in terms of specifications) what you could get with that budget and what you would and wouldn't need, instead of this pros and cons comparison (rubbish).

laptops - you can play games, listen music, watch videos where ever you want to

the problem is to get same technology as on computers will cost you twice -

i would get a good computer and later on upgrade it at the same cost of the laptop

For laptops you'll spend a lot more to get a good one for gaming. Just going out to your local store and picking something up isn't good enough. You have to get high end to be worth while imo.

Desktops are the superior system for gaming though as you can easily upgrade the system and can cost a lot less to build

Well, you seem casual, but Im still gonna stick up for my laptop. No, I'm not going to recommend you a $2500 laptop like mine, but I'm gonna get you good performance for under $1500, and prove these desk jockeys wrong ;).

Ok, lets get a Dell.

Jet Black

Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition

Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)

128MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS

1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz

80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive)

Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card

56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)

Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition

Total-$1224

This is an Inspiron 1720, notice you have a zippy 1.8ghz dual core processor, a gig of RAM, 80gb 72000 RPM Desktop Speed Hardrive, and a 17in. Wide Screen. Oh look, you might say, a cruddy 8400M GS? Can that game? Not really. Oh, then a laptop must be too weak? Well, I'm not finished yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NVidia-GeForce-7900-256MB-Video-Card-Dell-DG00_W0QQitemZ160133342254QQihZ006QQcategoryZ74957QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://computers.search.ebay.com/dell-nvidia_Video-Sound-for-Laptops_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR41QQsacatZ74955

Wow! Nvidia 7900GS's for the same price as the desktop version! As you can see thereis a good selection for under $200 on ebay.What a bargain! Yes, they may be used, but you can get a new one if you desire for under $250. Now, let me explain myself. There is an integrated GPU option for the system, but doing so will make it impossible to upgrade graphics, as it is fused to the motherboard. So, I chose dedicated, so you can replace it. So, drop about $150 for the 7900gs, and another $50 for the installation at the local computer store (or if your tech-savvy, do it yourself, and presto, you have one mean rig. And how much did it cost? $1424. You have to keep in mind, laptops are expensive, the same specs in a desktop would cost $800 approximently. But if you are getting a laptop, you have to settle for paying more for the portibility

But, if you are hesitant about upgrading yourself, there is also an option to get a 8600M GT instead from Dell, which is a bit weaker in raw performance, but does run DX10. This path will cost you $1324 total cost, which isn't bad. Especially since you are not die-hard for performance

I've just shattered the myth that you can't upgrade a laptop, a lie that these Desktop guys try and get people to believe. Yes, most laptops you cannot upgrade, it's true, but not for all. I just really think that a laptop will server you better as a casual gamer, as you wont be tethered to the desk all the time, you can also use it as a media center on the couch, or take it on vacation. I'm just trying to give him options, so don't go flaming me saying my idea is stupid.