Laptop or computer, which is better for the home. Which is better for your home: a laptop or a desktop computer? Advantages and disadvantages

The market offers a wide selection of computer equipment, including desktop PCs and laptops. Buyers are often faced with a choice of which is better - a laptop or a computer. Both options have certain advantages, but are not without disadvantages. In order not to make a mistake in your choice, it is important to take into account several aspects, which we will discuss below.

Both types of office equipment are built on similar technologies: basic architecture and operation under one or another version of the OS. Fundamentally, a computer differs from a laptop in the following points:

• size and mobility;
• performance, power consumption and cooling system;
• presence/absence of the possibility of modernizing key elements of the architecture;
• reliability and continuity;
• degree of complexity of the repair;
• Possibility of connecting peripheral devices;
• price range.

Before buying a certain type of equipment, it is advisable to understand in more detail the advantages and disadvantages of a particular choice and compare it with your needs and financial capabilities.

PC Features

The stationary PC model is a modular structure, for the operation of which the minimum configuration is the following: individual structural elements:

• system unit in a reliable, ventilated case;
• monitor;
• input and control devices are a keyboard and a mouse.

The user is free to choose a system unit with the key characteristics necessary for his needs:

• operating frequency and number of CPU cores;
• volume random access memory and hard drive;
• assembly of motherboard, video card, network adapter (model/manufacturer);
• operating system;
• dimensions and design of the case.

You can also purchase a display with the appropriate diagonal, a keyboard and a mouse of the shape you like (wired or wireless) to suit your needs. For sound playback you can buy speakers/audio system, and to ensure autonomy and correct shutdown of programs in cases of power failures, you may need to purchase a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

As the configuration of the system unit becomes obsolete, the user has the right to modernize its hardware, replacing individual parts with modern, more productive components.

Important! At the same time, placing the assembled PC requires a certain place in the room. Moving/transporting a PC to another installation location is complicated by a large number of modules.

The table shows the main advantages and disadvantages of PCs.

Characteristic features of the laptop

A portable computer (laptop) combines a system unit, a display, a keyboard and a touch control element (analogous to a mouse). This type of computing technology is lightweight and mobile. The laptop can work both from the network via a special network adapter (included in the delivery package), and autonomously, since it is equipped with built-in high-capacity battery.

A small case limits configuration options in several areas: CPU and video card performance, ventilation and heat dissipation, memory capacity, number of ports and connectors for connecting additional peripherals. The difficulty for the user is repair and extreme limited opportunities functionality expansion. It is impossible to solve these problems without the help of service center specialists. In addition, the cost of repairs can be up to a third of its price.

The main advantages and disadvantages of a laptop computer are shown in the table:

Important! Another fact worth noting is the price. If the system unit of a desktop computer and a laptop have a similar configuration (number of cores and operating frequency of the CPU, amount of RAM and ROM memory, support for video resolution, network capabilities, etc.), then the difference in price can be significant: a laptop computer will cost more 1.5-3 times. The price depends on the dimensions of the model, as well as the degree of brand recognition.

It cannot be said that a laptop or PC is worse or better - it all depends on the specific operating conditions. Therefore, after becoming familiar with the main features of your opponents, you can proceed to detailed analysis options to choose from. Let's consider below which is better, a laptop or a computer in the context of certain needs:

• for a schoolchild or student;
• for everyday use (communication in in social networks, correspondence and video calls, watching videos, broadcasts and films, etc.);
• for games;
• for use at work.

Device for studying

Most often, using a computer in school comes down to searching for the necessary information on the Internet, writing creative works, reports and abstracts. With such tasks A laptop will do just fine. This could be a budget laptop with a larger screen, equipped with several USB ports for connecting a printer and other peripheral devices. Costs will range from 20 to 60 thousand rubles.

If a student’s studies involve the use of resource-intensive special software, you will need a more powerful computer. Here it is preferable to install a desktop PC of the appropriate configuration at home. Also, a budget compact laptop that is easy to carry would also be a good idea.

Advice! It is not recommended for a student to buy a powerful computer. A child without proper supervision can get involved in games and neglect his studies. You shouldn’t cultivate a gambling addict from an early age who is disconnected from the real world.

A device for everyday needs

Modern adults most often spend their leisure time laptops are used. According to users, such a multifunctional mobile device is better for the home. Its power is enough for surfing the Internet, watching your favorite movies and TV series, and even for not very heavy games. The laptop can be placed in any room; the device is suitable for individual and family pastime. It will also come in handy for entertainment on a long business trip or vacation. It is usually recommended for these purposes budget segment device.

What gamers need

Those who enjoy playing modern games may want to consider purchasing a more expensive gaming laptop or desktop computer that is configured for heavy gaming.

Advice! Gamers prefer to pay attention to a powerful desktop computer. Since the gaming industry is developing at a rapid pace, the requirements for hardware are increasing every year.

Modern games require powerful processors, high-resolution graphics cards, large amounts of RAM and external memory, good system heat dissipation and powerful power supply. An expensive gaming laptop is weaker than a PC to cope with such requirements. Besides, possibilities for its modernization significantly inferior to the opponent.

What might be the choice of device for work?

When choosing computer equipment for work, one should proceed from the nature of the activity and the resource requirements from the corresponding programs.

What to choose should be based on your needs. If mobility is important, choose a powerful laptop; if you need to use various peripheral devices - scanners, printers, multifunctional printing or audio equipment, then it is preferable to choose a desktop PC with a powerful configuration and a large number of ports and connectors.

Laptop Apple MacBook Air 13 with Retina display Late 2018 on Yandex Market

Laptop Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ 2018 on Yandex Market

Laptop Acer SWIFT 3 (SF314-54G) on Yandex Market

When choosing a new computer, users often wonder whether a laptop or a desktop computer is better for their home. The answer to this question depends on the requirements of the individual and his working style. In this material we will talk about what you should pay attention to if you are choosing a computer for home use.

In order to answer the question of what is better for a laptop or a computer at home, you need to consider several parameters. The first of these is mobility. A laptop is a mobile device. It is easy to carry from place to place; you can work with it not only at the table, but also on the sofa, in bed or anywhere else. At the same time, to work with a laptop you do not need anything, no monitors, keyboards or other devices. The laptop can be used even without a mouse.

While a desktop computer is rigidly tied to the table on which it is installed. You can, of course, move it to another location, but you are unlikely to do this too often. Because the procedure of moving a desktop computer from one place to another is quite tedious.

Therefore, if mobility is important to you, if you want to be able to easily move your computer and work in different places, then you definitely need a laptop. In this case, all the disadvantages of the laptop that we describe below will not be so critical for you, since they are actually a consequence of its mobility.

What is better for those who like to work at a desk?

On the other hand, if you do not need mobility, if you plan to work with your computer exclusively at a desk, then in this case a desktop computer has a number of noticeable advantages.

Firstly, when buying a desktop computer for your home, you can choose exactly the monitor you need. For example, you can purchase a monitor that is 27 inches or larger. Laptops simply don’t have such diagonals, so a regular computer has the advantage here. Of course, you can connect a monitor to a laptop, but why pay extra for a laptop if you still plan to connect a monitor to it and use it exclusively at your desk.

Secondly, when buying a desktop computer, you can choose exactly the configuration that is needed for your tasks. You can select the components and assemble the PC yourself, or contact specialized companies where they will help you select the appropriate configuration and assemble it. One way or another, buying a desktop computer with such an individual configuration will be more profitable than buying a laptop. Since you will only pay for what you really need, and not for what the laptop manufacturer decided to install.

Which works better under heavy load?

When considering the question of what is better for a laptop or a computer at home, you also need to take into account the level of load. Unfortunately, most laptops don't handle heavy workloads very well. This mainly manifests itself in increased noise levels and heat generation.

If you put the laptop under maximum load and maintain it for a long time, the laptop will run noticeably louder than an equivalent desktop PC under the same load. In this case, the laptop will begin to actively discharge the battery and heat up everything around it. Holding such a device on your lap will no longer be comfortable and you will most likely place the laptop on the table, where it will turn into an analogue of a desktop PC.

Therefore, if you plan to often play computer games or work with professional programs that create a large load, then perhaps the laptop is not the best choice for you. If you plan to use the computer more in office mode, to work with a browser and office programs (Word, Excel), then both a desktop computer and a laptop will handle this load perfectly.

Which is cheaper: laptop or computer?

Cost is another parameter that needs to be considered when choosing between a laptop and a computer. At first glance, laptops cost about the same as desktop computers. After all, you still need to buy a monitor and keyboard for the computer, but the laptop is already equipped with all this. But, if you look in more detail, it becomes obvious that with the same configuration, the laptop is noticeably more expensive.

This is primarily due to the fact that laptops are equipped with very small screens. When buying a laptop, you will have to choose between 13, 15 and 19-inch screens. If you buy a monitor separately, then for the same money you can get a screen with a much larger diagonal.

In addition, when buying a laptop you overpay for compactness and mobility. In order to fit productive components into a compact case, laptop manufacturers have to make various tricks, which ultimately inevitably affects the price. There are also a number of components in a laptop that are generally not found in a desktop PC. For example, accumulator battery and touchpad. The presence of these devices also increases the cost of the device.

In the long term, the advantage of a desktop computer over a laptop becomes even more obvious. If any of the components of your desktop computer breaks down, you can repair it yourself or contact any computer technician you know. In the case of a laptop, for repairs you almost always need to contact a service center, where you will have to pay significantly more for repairs. However, in many cases, repairing a laptop is not practical, since it will cost half the cost of a new device.

Also, the laptop has virtually no resources to further update its configuration. In most cases, all you can do on a laptop is replace the hard drive and add RAM. On some models, you can also replace the optical drive with another drive. While a desktop computer has almost unlimited possibilities for changing the configuration. If you have a desktop PC, then you can install a more powerful processor or video card, add several hard drives or memory sticks at any time.

As you already understood from the title, there will now be another duel. But a battle between a desktop computer and a laptop cannot be a full-fledged duel, since, in principle, despite their functional similarity, these devices are from slightly different areas of application, each of which has its own specifics.

But, unfortunately, some do not see this rather clear line and have finally “buried” for themselves the option of assembling or purchasing a system unit. It is to such people who blindly surrendered to the “power of the laptop” that this article is dedicated. Separately, one of the “wonders of the world” will be touched upon - gaming laptop, and some paradoxical nuances associated with his choice. At the end there will be results that should prove that desktop is alive and will live.

Performance. We pay more - we get less

Let's start with the internals. Here the desktop and only it will be the clear leader. In terms of price/performance ratio, it confidently stands out from its portable, but more expensive opponent.

If we take into account desktop processors and mobile models, then again, we get greater performance for a lower price from desktop systems. The same i5 – 3570 K, in 3DMark processor tests slightly outperforms the Intel Core i7-3615QM, but as you understand, prices are clearly not in favor of the i7-3615QM.

The same can be said about video cards. In laptops that are positioned as replacements home PC, video cards are installed that can only morally support modern demanding games and applications. And there can be no talk of a comfortable game.

Of course, this is all compensated for by the much lower TDP of the components. laptop, but in my opinion this is not a valid excuse when it comes to performance.

Here we are slowly approaching a very interesting and relevant topic.

The eighth “wonder of the world” or gaming laptop. Features of choice

Very often I come across requests to choose a laptop on which any application can fly, and fps is off the charts in all games without exception, but the budget is a rather modest amount. Most people understand perfectly well that this is impossible. But they still try to choose a laptop as a gaming system or for working in applications that require system resources.

But one can also be surprised when it comes to clearly immodest budgets. Let's look at a fairly productive Asus N76VM laptop, the average configuration of which is equipped with an Intel Core i7-3610QM processor similar to the one discussed above. The price of the issue (laptop) is $1300-1400, a lot, don’t you agree?

But I want you to pay attention to the video card. This device has a “mighty” GT630M, even if out of gloating I chose the GT630M package rather than the 650M, but this would not have radically changed the situation. So, the GT630M is equipped with a memory bus width of 128 bits, even with GDDR5 memory. Video memory It operates at 800 MHz, and the performance of this video card is comparable to the desktop model HD 6570. These words should be followed by a solid portion of “snorting” from avid gamers. Now answer the question: would you put an HD 6570 in a desktop system for $1400? Of course not! With that kind of budget, you can install an HD 7950 or 7970 and then jump for joy and gulp down the rainbow of blazing gaming performance.

And here cases for Samsung s7 edge everyone needs.

Want a truly gaming laptop? – Alienware M18x for $3500, with two 7970M video cards, at your service.
And for those who don’t have extra “thousands of dollars” but want to play everything at once, I suggest looking towards desktop systems and not even looking back at laptops.

But not everything is as terrible as it may seem; above we talked about maximum performance in the most demanding games. But games are also different, so for a modest amount you can pick up a good parody of a gaming laptop that can run a lot of games at one time or another. For example, now the “processor” combination looks solid and cheap AMD A10+ HD 7670M video card.” Also, you can choose a slightly more “fun”, but expensive option for Intel i5/i7 + GT650M. But the basic concept remains the same - the laptop is not for gaming.

Simple advantages and disadvantages of desktop and laptop

Despite such an aggressive introduction towards laptops, it is stupid to once again state the fact that this device has a lot of advantages. Everyone understands perfectly well that compact laptops in most cases are much more convenient (in terms of portability) than a separate monitor and a system unit with a bunch of wires that takes up a lot of space. Undoubtedly, portability also adds to the heat, and some users, having realized only these two factors, are ready to rush out to buy a laptop. This may be reasonable for some, but obviously not for many.

One of the advanced advantages of a desktop, which stems from its size, is ease of use. Whatever one may say, it is much more convenient to work with a separate full-size and, for example, ergonomic keyboard, the position of which can be conveniently adjusted to suit you, than with a laptop keyboard with offset buttons and without an additional number pad (often). Also, very often there is a noticeable minimization of the buttons themselves and a decrease in the distance between them, which also clearly reduces convenience.

That is, we can safely include the main advantages that can be clearly “felt” in laptops: portability And compactness, and on desktops this is undoubtedly ease of use.

Despite the fact that for some the factor of convenience will be doubtful, in contrast, for people who, due to their “duty of duty,” do not have to carry a computer with them, this will be very doubtful.

Upgrade, overheating and other distinctive features of a laptop and desktop PC

Now, we'll talk a little about the remaining features of desktops and laptops. Of course, it’s impossible to cover all the nuances, but at least the basics.

Laptop and desktop upgrade

Notebooks also have problems with upgrading. Basically, here it ends with replacing/adding a hard drive and RAM. Replacing a processor or graphics subsystem is much more problematic, if not impossible. This leads to problems with repairing laptops, which is more difficult to do at home than with a desktop PC.

Laptop overheating

Famous overheating problem in laptops, partially remains to this day, especially in high-end models. Developers are constantly on the brink, because they need to place the same components in a small laptop case as in the system unit, but so that they do not overheat. For performance models, cooling pads are recommended, which clearly do not add convenience.

Desktop and laptop monitor

On a desktop computer, the monitor is a separate substance, which, again, can be easily replaced. But the main advantage here is the diagonal. Often, laptops are limited in this. A 20” diagonal for a laptop is simply “mega”. In the desktop version, you can easily purchase a 27” monitor and enjoy life.

But that’s not all. Only expensive laptops with high-quality displays are suitable for working with graphics. For most laptop models in the cheap and mid-price range, image quality and color reproduction, by professional standards, leave much to be desired. Therefore, only desktop monitors are suitable here, which will be larger, cheaper and of better quality.

Conclusions. What should you choose?

In this case, everyone must make their own choice, as in everything in life.

A laptop is a good portable assistant anywhere and anytime. But only for those who really need this portability. A laptop should often be either mid-range or low-end (in a reasonable concept). A portable device is required to surf the Internet, work in office applications, watch movies and other similar non-resource-intensive activities, in the correct sense. There is no need to try to make a laptop a universal device for all tasks.

If you want a gaming laptop, then the options for the development of events were indicated above. But before you pick up a parody of a gaming laptop, think about a desktop.

Most of the arguments regarding the unreasonableness of laptops relate to gaming and parodies of mobile high-performance systems. If, for you, versatility in tasks lies in the same access to the Internet, office applications and multimedia, but at the same time it is desirable to sometimes take the device with you, then an inexpensive laptop will be an excellent choice for you.

A heavy and bulky desktop is inferior to a laptop only in portability and compactness, but otherwise there are nothing but advantages. Greater productivity, ease of use for less money cannot but be arguments when choosing.

Of course, the performance of laptops will increase, and the price will fall, but desktops will not “sleep”, also increasing productivity and the rate of price decline. Therefore, for those who need everything and even more from the system in terms of performance, they have used and will use desktop PCs in the future.

So, think carefully and weigh the pros and cons; when choosing, you need to start only from your needs and the tasks set for the system.

Everything that has been said in this article cannot take into account the specifics of each individual case. Therefore, I would be very glad to hear reasons why this or that choice was best for you. I would be grateful for such additions, as well as clarification of nuances and analysis of controversial issues.Thank you for your attention!

I decided to write this article after I tested the model - the first sign that uses a central processor and AMD graphics. In short, this is an inexpensive gaming laptop, and by the term “ inexpensive gaming laptop“means a device that costs 50-60 thousand rubles in Russian retail. A little later I will show and prove why even more affordable solutions cannot be considered gaming. But even when buying a mobile PC like the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY, you'll face a number of compromises. Depending on how willing you are to put up with them, your choice between the “buy” and “don’t buy” options will depend.

Unfortunately, when we talk about an inexpensive gaming laptop, we mean a device costing 50-60 thousand rubles. And, alas, nothing can be done about it. These are the realities of the modern market. At the same time, devices of the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY class are replete with compromises and, to be frank, do not allow you to play modern AAA projects at very high graphics quality settings even now, in 2019. However, we will talk about this later.

⇡ Compromises that will have to be made

A gaming laptop, like any other mobile PC, has a large number of parameters. However, taking into account the fact that the processor and graphics chip in a laptop cannot be replaced, it is necessary to approach the choice of a specific model thoroughly and immediately answer the most important question: will the laptop’s performance be enough for my favorite games, as well as future projects? If we are talking about cheap models, then you can safely give up any prospects. Yes, by paying 60,000 rubles, you will play AAA games mainly using average graphics quality, and after a year or two - on minimum settings. This fact will scare off many, but that’s why I compared a gaming laptop with a desktop computer at the very beginning. Perhaps it would still be more rational to take a system unit, albeit a non-portable one.

An inexpensive gaming laptop is all about compromises. Nevertheless, we must understand that the main criterion in such a device should be the only criterion - the ability to comfortably play your favorite games. Look, at the end of last year a review of the model was published on our website. The Taiwanese installed a display with very thin frames in the device, so the 17-inch laptop actually turned out to be slightly larger than the average 15-inch gaming laptop. I believe that this is an example of a very good trend - even powerful productive game books should not be bulky “coffins”. However, there is an indisputable fact: playing on a laptop with either thin frames or thick ones is equally comfortable. FPS in the game does not become larger or, on the contrary, smaller due to this innovation.

What am I talking about? And besides, when choosing an inexpensive gaming laptop, by and large... you don’t care about the presence of all sorts of “little things” and, albeit pleasant, little things. The main thing is:

• Level of performance in games.
• No overheating of the main computer components.
• The ability to independently upgrade a laptop (more precisely, the ability to replace and additionally install storage devices).
• Display image quality.

The rest - and this is my categorical opinion - is inexpensive ( keyword) gaming laptop does not matter! The laptop has a USB port for connecting a mouse and a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones - that’s it, let’s go have fun!

There could be a big “footcloth” here about modern mobile central processors, but given a limited budget, I personally consider it bad manners to talk about something that the user won’t get anyway. When choosing an inexpensive gaming laptop, you will have to focus on the following CPUs:

• AMD Ryzen 5 3550H, 4 cores and 8 threads, 2.1 (3.7) GHz, 35 W;
• Intel Core i5-7300HQ, 4 cores, 2.5 (3.5) GHz, 45 W;
• Intel Core i7-7700HQ, 4 cores and 8 threads, 2.8 (3.8) GHz, 45 W;
• Intel Core i5-8300H, 4 cores and 8 threads, 2.3 (4.0) GHz, 45 W.

The most interesting thing is that in our case, absolutely any chip will be suitable for games, because the laptop will obviously not use the fastest graphics. This means that all of the above processors will unleash the potential of the GPU. In addition, let's not forget that the CPU and GPU in a laptop cannot be replaced, so in our case there is no point in talking about any prospects.

But if you need a laptop not only for games (or not for games at all), but also for working in resource-intensive programs, then you can covet a laptop with a 6-core processor. True, there is no need to talk about any hints of budgeting here.

Let me give you a few examples. In the review, I compared laptop models that used GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics, but different central processors, namely Intel Core i5-7300HQ and Intel Core i5-8300H. As you can see, the laptops showed very similar results both using the maximum graphics quality and using the “High” mode. The inexpensive laptops we are talking about today are equipped, at best, with a mobile version of the GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB, which is slower than the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB. So the effect of processor dependence in such laptops is observed in a very small number of games. Therefore, there is no need to overpay for a faster CPU if we are talking exclusively about computer games.

And yet, most inexpensive gaming laptops use simple system cooling. In the best case, these will be two heat pipes and two fans that simultaneously cool both chips. You understand that in games such a cooler experiences serious loads, and therefore operates quite noisily. The temperatures of the main components in such devices turn out to be very high - again, this is not surprising, although one would like a greater “margin of safety”. So using a 4-core CPU is even a necessity. The six-core chips in such a laptop will simply start to overheat, the proof is shown in the screenshot below.

By the way, on sale you will find gaming laptops that use a Kaby Lake Refresh processor along with GeForce GTX 1050 (Ti) graphics. , that such a CPU+GPU combination has a right to exist, but systems even with the ancient Core i5-7300HQ still look preferable. Therefore, we do not consider such processors.

As for the choice of graphics, in our case we have to choose, in fact, from only four GPUs: GeForce GTX 1050, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, GeForce GTX 1650 and Radeon RX 560X. These graphics are capable of providing relatively comfortable FPS in Full HD resolution, at least using medium quality settings. That is why this article does not discuss models with GeForce MX - such GPUs are exclusively suitable.

In addition, we are talking exclusively about laptops equipped with 4 GB of video memory. Recently, an article “” was published on our website, which clearly shows that even this amount of VRAM is no longer enough for games using high quality settings. Here, I think, any additional comments are unnecessary.

The lack of video memory gives rise to another unpleasant thing - the data that the application needs is “stored” in system memory. But this is where the problems begin: all gaming laptops costing up to 60,000 rubles have 8 GB of RAM installed. Why the manufacturer does this remains a mystery to me personally. In particular, this is also why in models such as the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY, the graphics quality has to be reduced to “Medium”.

The article “” clearly showed that the experiment “” conducted in 2017 is very relevant now. Using only 8 GB on the system may, under certain circumstances, lead to a drop in performance while gaming, as many modern projects require more than 8 GB of RAM at high graphics quality settings. Data that does not fit into the video memory is written to the laptop's system memory cells. And if there is not enough RAM, the paging file is used - it is this file that is used to store virtual memory pages. Using a Swap file on your hard drive will lead to noticeable drops in FPS. It will be uncomfortable to play, although the average number of frames per second demonstrated in a particular game may be quite acceptable. So it turns out that the ideal volume at the moment is 16 GB, this amount of RAM is enough for all games.

What to do in such a situation? You can save money and buy a laptop with 8 GB in one case: if it allows you to add more system memory over time. IN modern systems Kaby Lake processors use DDR4-2400 modules operating with latencies of 17-17-17-39, and systems with Coffee Lake and Ryzen use DDR4-2666 kits (19-19-19-43).

The same applies to a permanent storage device: take a model that, over time, will allow you to independently replace the drive with a more capacious and faster analogue. Nowadays, many games weigh 50, 60 and even 70 GB, so a 128 GB drive is only enough to accommodate the operating system, drivers and one (maximum two) games.

Everything is clear with the laptop diagonal. If you need to constantly move your laptop from one place to another, then it is better to take a model with a diagonal of 15.6 inches. Now gaming devices weigh about 2.2-2.8 kg (plus a half-kilogram power supply), which should not become an unbearable load for a man (and even a woman) in the prime of life. If the laptop will be used mainly as a desktop PC, then it makes sense to pay closer attention to the 17.3-inch model. Still, playing on a big screen is somewhat more convenient. In most cases, gaming models use matte displays with anti-glare coating. They took and forgot about laptops with a matrix with a resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels: only Full HD - that’s it.

As for choosing a matrix in a laptop, it is better to look for a model with IPS. Inexpensive laptops tend to use very cheap TN displays. Of course, you can live and play with such a screen, but it’s not necessary. IPS often has a higher brightness level, higher contrast, better viewing angles and more accurate color rendition. As a rule, the manufacturer indicates only the type of matrix in the specifications, and the quality of the screen can only be found out in reviews or upon personal acquaintance with the device. There are also some pitfalls - sometimes the same laptop model is equipped with matrices of the same type, but from different manufacturers. Therefore, choosing a laptop with a truly high-quality display is not always possible. Even the price of a laptop does not guarantee the presence of a truly high-quality matrix. But I can say with confidence that an inexpensive gaming laptop will have a very mediocre screen in terms of image quality.

I propose once again to discuss the main criteria for choosing a gaming laptop worth 50-60 thousand rubles:

• The main thing is performance. At the same time, we are looking at a GPU with at least 4 GB of video memory.
• The CPU must have at least 4 cores and it must not be a low voltage chip.
• An inexpensive laptop will have 8GB of RAM, so it's important to get a model that can be easily taken apart. Modern gaming systems must have at least 16 GB of RAM.
• The cooling system of an inexpensive gaming laptop will be noisy, but the main thing is that it can cope with cooling the CPU and GPU in games.
• The laptop must have an IPS display. Support for 120/144 Hz refresh rates and G-SYNC/FreeSync technologies are the “features” in a gaming laptop that are quite nice, but I wouldn’t call these technologies essentials. Budget laptops feel quite normal without them.
• The remaining components, in my opinion, are not so important in a gaming laptop and certainly do not come to the fore.

⇡ About the performance of inexpensive gaming laptops

In the first part of the article, we compared the cost of the model and self-assembled configurations. To complete the picture, I suggest comparing their performance levels. The tables below show the main characteristics of the test systems, as well as a list of games.

System performance in games was determined using the well-known FRAPS program. With its help, we get the rendering time of each frame. Then, using the FRAFS Bench Viewer utility, not only the average FPS is calculated, but also the 99th percentile. The use of the 99th percentile instead of the minimum number of frames per second indicators is due to the desire to clear the results from random bursts of performance that were provoked by reasons not directly related to the operation of the main components of the platform.

I am sure that any additional explanations to the graphs posted above are simply unnecessary. In short, self-assembled systems (both) with a discrete Radeon RX 570 simply declassify laptops with GeForce GTX 1050 and Radeon RX 560X mobile chips. At the same time, the system unit can be completely easily upgraded over time. For example, replace the Radeon RX 570 with an analogue of the GeForce RTX 2070 level, overclock the processor or install an 8-core model, replace the fans and cooler so that the computer runs very quietly. There are a lot of moves, and all of them are available if you have additional funds.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have laptops with GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GeForce GTX 1650 graphics on hand. We understand perfectly well that such models will perform noticeably better than versions with GeForce GTX 1050 and Radeon RX 560X. And yet, for example, the Radeon RX 570 4 GB is on average 15% faster than the GeForce GTX 1650 and 35% faster than the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. This is also a noticeable difference.

Believe me, I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from buying a gaming laptop. However, if you wanted to buy yourself a “machine” that you will use exclusively as a desktop computer, then it is still better to assemble the system unit yourself. The “” section will help you! If you still plan to use a laptop, for example, to move often or simply have nowhere to install a desktop, then yes, it is better to take a mobile computer. Just keep in mind (and don’t say that we didn’t warn you) - gaming laptops costing 50-60 thousand rubles in 2019 allow you to play so-called AAA projects mainly using medium graphics quality settings.

After a long study of all the offers on our market, I selected six, in my opinion, the most interesting models of inexpensive gaming laptops. As I noted earlier, the guideline was the maximum value of 60,000 rubles - laptops costing more were not considered. In addition, exclusively the Russian market was studied. The main characteristics of all six contenders for the title of “best budget gaming laptop” are listed in the table below. If I suddenly missed any interesting model that fits the listed criteria, then please write about it in the comments - we’ll make this material even more useful.

Obviously, laptops of certain series can be equipped with various drives. For example, the table shows the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY model with a 256 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive, but for 58,000 rubles you can buy exactly the same laptop, which will have a 512 GB SSD and the Windows 10 operating system pre-installed.

You have already noticed that the list of inexpensive gaming laptops includes two Dell G3 15 3579 models. The fact is that the G315-7077 modification is one of the most inexpensive options with a soldered 4 GB version of the GeForce GTX 1050 and an IPS screen. At the same time, the laptop uses a modern central processor Core i5-8300H. At the same time, with a budget of 60,000 rubles, you can purchase a version of the Dell G3 15 3579 with GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics.

In this paragraph, models such as the ASUS TUF Gaming FX504 and HP Pavilion Power 15 could be highlighted. In the first case, I was confused by one fact: only one heat pipe is responsible for cooling the Core i5-8300H in the laptop - as a result, the device throttles even in games. In the second case, for the same money you will buy a system with a less powerful Core i5-7300HQ processor, but one that is much louder than the Dell G3 15 3579.

The MSI GL63 8RC model could have appeared in this article, but, unfortunately, it uses a frankly low-quality TN matrix.

But the Dell G3 15 3579 attracts several features at once. Firstly, we are dealing with a device based on the modern Intel Coffee Lake platform. Therefore, it can be used not only for games, but also for working with resource-intensive applications. Tests by foreign colleagues show that the Dell G3 3579 uses a high-quality cooling system: the “Core i5-8300H + GeForce GTX 1050 4 GB” combination gets seriously hot only if you run the Prime95 and Furmark programs at the same time. In real conditions - in our favorite games - the CPU and GPU feel very comfortable. However, the device is quite noisy.

The model with GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics is also equipped with a 128 GB solid-state drive. Consequently, the operating system and programs installed on the SSD will load very quickly.

The Dell G3 15 of this model uses a simple, but still IPS matrix. The laptop display turns out to be noticeably better than cheap TN screens, which are usually used in budget gaming models.

From additional features I note that the Dell G3 3579 is not very difficult to understand. Therefore, if possible, you can purchase and install another 8 GB of DDR4-2666 RAM in your laptop. This advice applies to all models with a similar amount of RAM.

A detailed review was published on our website. In fact, the laptop has a good price-quality ratio, because the model, which you can actually buy for 50,000 rubles, is immediately equipped with a 256 GB NVMe drive and a 1 TB hard drive. We see that versions of laptops with a Core i5-8300H chip and GeForce GTX 1050 graphics cost more when comparing models with similar configurations.

Overall I liked the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DY. The model, which is not at all surprising, is not without compromises, but in this matter it is necessary to make allowances for the fact that we are looking at a budget device. Thus, the laptop uses an average-quality IPS display (with PWM at a brightness below 30%). The TUF Gaming FX505DY cooling system is quite noisy, and in general I would like to get lower temperatures of the main components. But a laptop costing less than 60,000 rubles has a fast NVMe drive installed. The lack of RAM can be compensated over time on your own - the laptop is quite easy to disassemble. In general, finally a good alternative to Intel and NVIDIA has appeared on the market.

Interestingly, the ASUS TUF Gaming FX505DT model, together with the Ryzen 5 3550H, uses graphics that are on average 25% faster than the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. It turns out that you have the most productive solution discussed in this article. You just need to buy another 8 GB of RAM.

The Dell G5 15 5587 model is preferable to the Dell G3 15 for several reasons. Firstly, this gaming laptop does a little better with cooling. Secondly, the laptop body is partially made of aluminum. Thirdly, the bottom of the Dell G5 5587 is equipped with a hatch for quick access to drives and RAM, so upgrading this model yourself turns into, in fact, a 30-second affair. Finally, fourthly, the Dell G5 15 5587 uses a higher quality IPS matrix.

The Acer Aspire AN515-52-59PX uses a cooling system that is loud, but sufficient for this configuration - the central processor and graphics of the device operate at the proper frequencies, without serious drawdowns and overheating. Playing as Acer turns out to be quite convenient. The keyboard is devoid of newfangled features, but it performs its functions well. The Acer Aspire AN515-52-59PX model uses exactly the same platform as laptops. Consequently, we have the right to expect that this modification will receive all the listed advantages. So, on the bottom of the laptop there are two removable hatches. With their help, the user gets quick access to a 2.5-inch hard drive and RAM modules. It turns out that you can upgrade the device without voiding its warranty. However, to install an M.2 drive, you still have to remove the entire bottom of the laptop.

Unlike the Predator Helios 300, the Aspire AN515-52-59PX uses a lower-quality IPS matrix.

⇡ Conclusions

Let's summarize all of the above in the form of theses. If you need an inexpensive gaming laptop (there can be many reasons to buy such a device), then you will have to put up with the following compromises:

• By spending 50-60 thousand rubles, you can mostly play in Full HD resolution using medium graphics quality settings, if we are talking about AAA games.
• Laptops in this category are noisy and hot. Finding a cool gaming laptop is a difficult task in principle.
• Without exception, all inexpensive gaming laptops have average quality matrices, but among them it is better to choose IPS rather than TN.
• Without exception, all gaming laptops have only 8 GB of RAM, so don’t wait to upgrade your RAM.
• Yes, a desktop PC (including peripherals) for the same money will be much more productive, functional and practical. But you won’t be able to take it with you to the dacha, on a business trip, on vacation, to visit friends, and so on.

Well, if you are not confused by the listed features that are inherent in all inexpensive game books, then you know what to do - the article lists several interesting models at once. The final choice is always yours, dear readers.

Despite the fact that the computer market offers a huge selection of equipment, and users are no longer computer illiterate, many are still faced with the choice of which is better - a computer or a laptop.

Of course, both techniques have their own own merits and disadvantages. Before you go to the store, you should determine in advance the type of equipment that is right for you and will meet the necessary requirements.

Performance

If we talk about performance, the desktop computer is a confident leader in its segment. Many factors play a role here - powerful processors, video chips, design (large case space, which does not require minimizing components), a decent power supply, which allows you not to save on electricity, since it operates from an external power supply.

Factors that improve the performance of a desktop PC include good cooling due to the same volume of the case. Large space and good air circulation allow the processor to produce maximum power. The same applies to other components that generate a huge amount of heat during their operation - the video card and chipset. If there is significant overheating, a stationary PC can easily be equipped with additional fans or even liquid radiator cooling. Which, naturally, a laptop cannot boast of.

The performance of the laptop, accordingly, will be lower, since everything in this device is given for the sake of mobility and compactness. Manufacturers are trying to pack maximum capabilities into minimal space. But this is precisely the main advantage of the laptop. Size, weight and independence from power points.

Additional devices and peripherals

Again, a desktop computer is not cramped and the motherboard allows you to install many additional and necessary connectors and extensions. This, in turn, allows you to connect all the necessary peripherals (printers, scanners, web cameras and other necessary devices).

As for laptops, they are also equipped with almost all the necessary connectors, but their number is limited by the compact case.

Mobility

For people whose work involves constant movement, a laptop will become indispensable. Convenient and ergonomic design, built-in battery, which allows you to do without a centralized power supply for a certain time. An excellent option for travelers and people with a traveling nature of work. Built-in Wi-Fi adapter, webcam, speakers (built-in speakers), microphone. All this allows you to constantly be in touch, access the Internet at any time and in any accessible place.

Lack of mobility and being tied to one workplace is a significant disadvantage of a stationary PC. Other disadvantages follow from this: the equipment of the workplace itself. In addition to the computer itself, you will need to purchase a comfortable desk and an ergonomic chair. And, in fact, we should not forget that for all this it is necessary to allocate space in the house or apartment.

Power supply

An insignificant, but still a disadvantage, is that a stationary PC has a lot of wires from connected devices and is connected to the electrical network. Yes, you can purchase an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and it is worth the purchase in many cases, but its resource (in the event of a power outage) will only last you for 5-10 minutes. There is enough time to save open documents and not lose important information, but you will not be able to work fully.

Laptops have a built-in battery and, despite its small size, without a stationary power point, this device can work for 2-5 hours in normal mode (depending on the model and the load on the device).

Repair and upgrade

The undeniable advantage of a desktop computer is modularity. The ability to expand RAM, replace or add an HDD, or an additional SSD drive without special skills or complex disassembly/assembly processes. You can also replace the video or sound card, connect a TV tuner or satellite television unit. This not only reduces the cost of their repair if such a need arises, but also makes it possible to painlessly improve the parameters if such a procedure becomes necessary.

It is enough to replace some components (processor, RAM and/or video), and your computer will improve its performance by an order of magnitude. Thus, when buying a desktop computer, you can take it “for growth.” By purchasing the minimum configuration at once, and gradually purchasing and improving the parameters, you can bring your computer into the category of “top machines.”

Output devices

Another positive quality of a desktop PC in front of a laptop is the fact of a separate monitor. At any time, you can easily turn off the old one and choose a monitor with a larger diagonal.

Laptops are limited in this aspect; if you bought a 15.6-inch one, then there is no way to increase it. But it is worth noting that it is possible to connect an external monitor or even a TV.

Due to the small laptop screen, it is also limited in resolution. You can install a 4-K matrix on a laptop, but even at a size of 21-22 inches it cannot be distinguished from regular Full-HD.

Computer for games

Based on the statistics of desktop computer purchases, the bulk are, of course, gaming PCs or “computers for children.” Although there are gamers who are no longer children, the championship still remains with them.

For such purposes, the choice should be approached more responsibly, since the gaming industry “felt freedom” and new products are coming out with requirements that exceed the requests of some NASS or ROSCOSMOS 10 years ago. This is a powerful power supply, a modern high-performance video card, and a monitor with the appropriate diagonal and resolution.

If you compare a gaming laptop or a desktop computer, then it is better to give preference to a desktop PC. This is due to better performance and flexibility in upgrades. Yes, the computer market offers a whole line of gaming laptops. But the software, including the same games, is updated so quickly that upgrading your device may be needed in the very near future.

And as stated above, it is much easier to upgrade a PC originally intended for such purposes than any laptop. Not only are laptop improvements limited to the minimum, but the process itself, without the proper skills to disassemble such equipment, can lead to a disastrous result - the breakdown of expensive equipment.

Computer for work

There are several directions in this segment. Everyone’s job is different: for some it’s typing and sending email (and solitaire, of course), for others it’s complex programming and 3D modeling.
In the first case, there is no particular difference which is better - a computer or a laptop. The main selection criterion in such cases is usually not the characteristics, but the price of the issue. In most cases, this characteristic shifts the balance of choice towards a desktop computer.

There are, of course, exceptions to the rules. These are mainly computers for accountants. Modern financial programs and banking clients are quite resource-intensive and it is necessary to choose productive machines to run them. Again, there is not much difference between choosing a computer or a laptop, other than the price for this category. Any computer or laptop with parameters slightly above average is suitable for an accountant.

A completely different approach for the second category, especially for working with video, image and visualization programs. Such software requires huge resources. If we talk about laptops, then you can immediately say no to anyone. Even the most expensive and powerful laptop will be inferior in comparison with a stationary unit. One more an important detail the choice will be a monitor. For working with visualization, the larger it is, the better, and this is another minus for the laptop. Imagine what a laptop will look like with a top-end graphics card, which requires separate power and powerful cooling, and a 24+ inch monitor.

Power supply. For all this baggage of powerful components, appropriate power is also required. It is not always possible to make a powerful power supply compact and convenient for completing such laptops. High energy consumption requires appropriate dimensions and proper cooling.

Hence the conclusion - only a stationary PC. If we talk about the parameters, they are comparable to the previously reviewed computers for video games: a powerful processor, a video card, maximum RAM and a widescreen monitor.

Computer for students

If just recently a computer for children at school was more of a luxury; even the basics of working with this device had to be taught from scratch, but now almost any student can do this and some educational institutions are introducing additional options (for example, remote learning). Not to mention higher and secondary students educational institutions. Now these people cannot imagine how they can do without such a convenient device as a PC.

If we base the choice on what is better for a student - a laptop or a computer, then in this case it is more likely to give preference to mobility. This will allow you to work anywhere. Which is especially important for students. You can correct your work at any time, record a lecture, or find the necessary information on the Internet.

Computer for home

Almost all the pros and cons of this type of technology have already been considered, and when choosing a home computer, you can rely on already known comparisons. Computers and laptops for the home should be chosen based on the principle “why do I need it.” If you are scrolling through photos on social networks while lying on the couch, a laptop is your choice. If you go once a week to check your email, contact family or friends through well-known instant messengers, choose a landline. What is better - a computer or a laptop for watching movies and listening to music? Any computer technology can cope with this task today.

Top computers and laptops review

Based on sales statistics, as well as reviews from gamers, we can identify the obvious “monsters” among gaming laptops.

• ASUS ROG GL502VM

Full HD 15.6-inch screen, Intel Core i7-6700HQ, 8 GB of RAM, expandable. Geforce GTX 1060 video chip from NVIDIA with 6 gigabytes of video memory. Sufficient performance for almost any game.

• MSI GT73VR 6RF Titan Pro

17-inch monitor with ISP matrix, 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM expandable up to 64 GB and a top-end NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 video card.

• ASUS ROG G701VI

The same 17-inch laptop, but the characteristics are superior to the previous one, 64Gb on board a 1Tb high-speed SSD and an advanced cooling system gives some advantage.

A worthy waste of money for such parameters. But if you compare a computer and a laptop, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in the article, you need to pay attention to what purposes the device will be used for.

Top computers... There are no such things for comparison. The thing is that this kind of “machines” is assembled in parts. Here we can only talk about the characteristics and manufacturers of components.

"Office" option. The average statistical parameters for such computers can be considered:

• AMD Athlon X4 860K or Intel Core i5-6500 processor.
• Motherboard ASUS A88X-PRO or MSI H110M PRO-D.
• A video card is not essential for the office, but if necessary, then an AMD Radeon RX 480 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050-1070 will do.
• RAM - at least 4Gb.

Top "gaming" at the moment

• Processor Intel Core i7-6950X or Intel Core i7-6800K.
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 video card.
• MSI X99A GODLIKE GAMING motherboard.
• Maximum RAM.
• Let's just say this is the minimum and maximum. Everything in between is variable.

Price issue

Thus, in the competition “which is better - a computer or a laptop” there is no clear leader. It all depends on your needs and capabilities. But, based on all of the above, a desktop computer still has a slight advantage both in performance and in pricing.

Considering computers and laptops by price, the first devices in the parameters/cost ratio will be significantly lower. In addition, as mentioned above, it is possible to buy a “car,” so to speak, on credit, gradually purchasing the necessary components.