Question Gaming Laptops Worth It?

[kennethrjones.cs]

Are gaming laptops worth buying? If so, any specific brand? I notice on Amazon they have some with RTX 4050 or similar cards, but I can't imagine they are the same. They have the same name, but how can they shove that massive card into a laptop? When you buy those GPUs for a desktop, they're huge.

I don't see how the laptop and desktop can both be the same GPU even though they have the same name.

 

[Lutfij]

If you need mobility, then your eventual path will be to go with a laptop. As for the GPU discussion, the GPU found on a laptop and a desktop are not the same, they're a cut down version(so to speak).

Moved thread from Systems section to Laptop General Duscussion section.

 

[kennethrjones.cs]

I don't need anything that is mobile. I just get tired of having a massive PC taking up space. I would like something smaller.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

IMO, owning a gaming laptop and desktop, laptops are not worth it. You are correct, those big desktop GPU's do not fit in a laptop. They are cut down versions, often with less VRAM and lower clock speeds on both core and memory so they can be put in a small thermal envelope of about up to 160w or so. The total area of the mobile part is much less than the desktop cards. They fit in horizontally and don't' have traditional fans cooling them. The fans are often to the side and the rear where the exhausts are.

If you were to compare a RTX4070 mobile v a 4070 desktop, the performance different is huge. Often in the order of up to 50%.

You could look at Ryzen 9 AI max mini PC, which is a stellar CPU that just happens to have a great IGPU (8060s). Takes up a very small footprint. Great performer.

 

[kennethrjones.cs]

Do you have an amazon link for the mini pc? I can't find anything that isn't Chinese stuff. I found YesYesGo mini pc, I ain't buying that, lol.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Do you have an amazon link for the mini pc? I can't find anything that isn't Chinese stuff. I found YesYesGo mini pc, I ain't buying that, lol.

Having a look there, yes, a lot are Chinese branding. Minisforum are a pretty good brand. I've read many reviews of their stuff, and it always seems to hit price/quality balance. Do they have a distribution in the US. IS that where you're from?

 

[kennethrjones.cs]

Yes, US. For the operating systems they just say OS, so I'm assuming it's some version of Android or something that I can't use for gaming. I can't find any that have Windows on them.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Yes, US. For the operating systems they just say OS, so I'm assuming it's some version of Android or something that I can't use for gaming. I can't find any that have Windows on them.

You could always just use windows 11 without activation if cost is a factor for the OS.

 

[Eximo]

If they have x86 CPUs, Windows would be easy to install.

If you are looking at mini-PCs with ARM processors, yes they are likely to run Android or Linux. Windows on ARM isn't that gaming friendly. Linux is pretty gaming friendly these days with emulation.

Plenty of mini-PCs out there with AMD APUs, 7840HS, 7940HS, 8840HS, 8845HS. Those are the Ryzen 7 with 780M graphics, which is basically half an low end desktop GPU.

Just really depends on what you have to spend. The decent mini-PCs are about the same or more expensive than a comparable laptop.

 

[USAFRet]

For mini PC's, look at Beelink.

Beelink | Beelink mini PC-Connect to a wonderful life

www.bee-link.com

 

[geofelt]

Worth is something only YOU can determine.

If you need portability, then you need a laptop.
But the mobile chip versions of the gpu are not as strong as the desktop versions.
Heat is a problem with gaming laptops. They often throttle when playing plugged in.

For a comparable cost, a desktop will give you more performance for your money.
For gaming, you will need a discrete graphics card for fast action games.
Such cards are large and need a decent case to run in.
Slower strategy games might be playable on integrated graphics.

You can fit a decent gamer in a small ITX based case.
For example, this lian li case at 9.61" x 5.51" x 12.83"
https://www.newegg.com/p/2AM-000Z-00095

And, a pc need not be located on top of your desk.
With longer cables, it can be put on the floor 6-8 feet away.

 

[LordVile]

Are gaming laptops worth buying? If so, any specific brand? I notice on Amazon they have some with RTX 4050 or similar cards, but I can't imagine they are the same. They have the same name, but how can they shove that massive card into a laptop? When you buy those GPUs for a desktop, they're huge.

I don't see how the laptop and desktop can both be the same GPU even though they have the same name.

They’re not the same is the answer.

Personally just went with a handheld PC, power isn’t really that high but I can run a decent about amount of games on it and it’s more convenient than a laptop for gaming.