In an ideal world, every gamer would own one of their favorite platforms. However, this is terribly expensive and most people cannot afford it.
So, if you are planning to purchase a gaming device, these are your top three options and the pros and cons of each.
1. Desktop Gaming PC
Computers are incredibly flexible devices. It can do just about anything from word processing and spreadsheet creation to video creation and simulations. Considering that they are also great at gaming. So why choose a desktop computer for your gaming needs and what are the drawbacks?
The benefits of a desktop gaming computer
The big advantage of a game console is that it is available in a wide price range. Whether your budget is $500 or $5,000, there’s a gaming rig for you. Furthermore, if you are on a budget, you can build a cheap gaming PC first. Once you’ve saved enough money, you can upgrade it to a more powerful system later.
In addition, if money is no object, desktop systems can be much more powerful than consoles. Since you can choose the parts to install on a desktop PC, the only thing that limits it is your imagination and budget.
There are also more options when it comes to PC games. While some consoles have exclusive titles, they still can’t beat the massive library that Steam and Epic Games offer. Several other game launchers have subscription models that allow gamers to download multiple titles for an affordable monthly fee. While both Xbox and PlayStation also offer subscriptions, you simply have more choices if you have a PC.
Another thing computers can do, and consoles can’t, is act as a productivity machine. If your work requires a powerful PC, such as video editing, computer aided design or simulation modeling, you can also use it as a powerful gaming device.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Desktop Gaming PC
Despite the advantages of the so-called PC Master Race, it is still not the clear choice in gaming. First, it is much more expensive to get a gaming PC that can rival the power of the most popular game consoles. This was especially true during the GPU shortage between 2020 and 2022, when many video cards sold at very high prices.
You’ll also be at a disadvantage when it comes to console-exclusive titles. While Xbox now lets you play its exclusive titles through the Xbox app for Windows, PlayStation games are generally limited to Sony’s gaming console. While you can stream some titles to your PC with PlayStation Now, that option still requires a high-speed internet connection.
While Sony is slowly allowing its previously exclusive titles to have PC releases, some games, such as the iconic Gran Turismo and The Last of Us, can only be played on the PlayStation.
Computers can also be challenging to build and set up. Since you usually deal with different parts from different manufacturers, you have to be careful with compatibility. You also need to install an operating system and have numerous drivers for every part you get. While you can get a pre-built PC to save yourself from the trouble, these are typically more expensive than building one from scratch.
2. Gaming Laptop
While gaming PCs are great options, they are usually hard to come by. So if you like to take your games with you when you go on vacation or move from a dorm (or your office) to your home, you might want to have a gaming laptop instead.
Advantages of gaming laptops
The main advantage of a gaming laptop is its portability. While they are generally less powerful than their desktop counterparts, even if they have similar specs, the difference is negligible enough for most gamers. The portability of your primary slot machines gives gaming laptops an attractive advantage.
In addition, since laptops have batteries, you can be sure not to lose game progress if the power suddenly goes out. That way you can save your progress and close your game properly if you lose electricity. And if you have a full battery, you can probably still game for an hour before you need to recharge it.
Disadvantages of a gaming laptop
When you buy a laptop, you usually can’t upgrade it. While most gaming laptops have some upgradeable parts like expandable RAM and the option to add more SSD storage, that’s about all. To get a new GPU or a better processor, you have to buy a new computer.
You also have limited I/O (input/output) with a laptop. So if you want to set up several peripherals at once, such as additional monitors or perhaps a full suite of game controllers, including a gaming keyboard, a gaming mouse, a steering wheel setup and a VR system, you’ll need a USB hub.
3. Game console
A device primarily designed for a specific function usually excels at it. So if you want a machine designed for gaming, many would say you should buy a gaming console.
When game consoles make sense
If you want simplicity while gaming, there is nothing simpler than a game console. You just need to connect it to your TV and insert a game CD to start playing. If you get a device without a disk slot, all you need to do is connect to the internet and create an account, then you’re good to go.
Consoles are also the most cost efficient when it comes to your gaming options. Because to get a computer with the same power, you have to be one and a half to twice as expensive as a console.
Game consoles are also great for multiplayer gaming sessions. If you have a friend, or if you want to play with your siblings, you only need one console to play locally. Some PlayStation and Xbox bundles even offer two consoles right out of the box.
Why you shouldn’t buy a console
However, since a game console is only designed for gaming, that’s pretty much all you’ll be using it for. While you could use it to browse the web and watch videos on YouTube, it isn’t very efficient at those tasks.
If you’re a busy professional, you probably get more mileage out of a gaming PC because you can use it for work. But if you buy a game console, you probably only start it on the weekend, while your system collects dust for the rest of the week.
Choose according to your budget and gaming needs
So, which is the best option of the three game systems? Frankly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Talking about raw horsepower without regard for money, the gaming desktop would beat the other two hands down.
But if you’re looking for a more flexible device – one that you can take to the office to work and play as soon as you get home – a gaming laptop is the way to go. It’s not as expandable as the desktop PC, but if your business pays for a new laptop every two years, then it’s a really compelling choice.
Finally, if you want to game and don’t need a powerful PC, the games console offers the best value for money of the three. Plus, if you’re used to a keyboard and mouse setup, you can get one for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. With the Xbox Series X|S you can also play games that you are used to in Windows via the Game Pass subscription.
There is no platform monopoly in gaming
In a perfect world, you have all three gaming devices in your bedroom. But buying and maintaining all three is prohibitively expensive, so you’ll have to pick one or two. And despite some people saying that nothing beats the PC Master Race or that you can only find the best games on the PlayStation, no platform can claim supremacy.
And if you’re worried about not being able to play with friends so you’re being pressured to pick a device you’re not really excited about, don’t worry. Crossplay allows you to enjoy different titles even if you and your friends are playing on different platforms.
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