I don't think I would ever buy a laptop with intention of it being solely a gaming rig.
There needs to be many more advances in the ability to upgrade a laptop before I would consider it a gaming option.
I think PC's are better because the kind of games that PC players prefer demand lot's of time to spend with, and frankly, is more comfotrable to keep playing for hours and hours in a Desktop PC, with a chair, a big screen, Mouse and Keyboard than in the rather small splace that Notebooks offer.
If I want to spend hours playing an Strategy games, or a cooperative online game like Left 4 Dead, team fortress 2 or Counter Strike (to name a few that I think play petter on PC) you will at least try to be comfortable on how you're playing.
Strategy games, MMOs and Coop experiences require gamers to think more about the game and less about the enviroment. That's why console games are so popular: you just sit on a couch, totally relaxed and just focusing on what's on the screen.
I think notebooks cannot provide that experience yet, and because of their shape, they'll never be.
I'm am in nearly the identical situation you are. When my last desktop went dead I decided to pick up a laptop for its portability. You see I work long shifts where finding ways to stay awake is a must. So I had been lugging my tower to work and back several times a week. As you can imagine this was a pain in the posterior so a laptop it was. I have to say I am disappointed with the performance compared to my desktop. Even with *better* parts it does not even come close to performing like you would expect it to.
I don't think I would buy a gaming laptop
I don't think I would ever buy a laptop with intention of it being solely a gaming rig.
There needs to be many more advances in the ability to upgrade a laptop before I would consider it a gaming option.
I think PC's are better because the kind of games that PC players prefer demand lot's of time to spend with, and frankly, is more comfotrable to keep playing for hours and hours in a Desktop PC, with a chair, a big screen, Mouse and Keyboard than in the rather small splace that Notebooks offer.
If I want to spend hours playing an Strategy games, or a cooperative online game like Left 4 Dead, team fortress 2 or Counter Strike (to name a few that I think play petter on PC) you will at least try to be comfortable on how you're playing.
Strategy games, MMOs and Coop experiences require gamers to think more about the game and less about the enviroment. That's why console games are so popular: you just sit on a couch, totally relaxed and just focusing on what's on the screen.
I think notebooks cannot provide that experience yet, and because of their shape, they'll never be.
AND they're extremely expensive.
LAN partying: Small Form Factor Desktops
@Home gaming: Full ATX tower
on the go: laptop
Yeah, desktops are way easier to upgrade.
Yes, for cost/performance and upgradability you have to stick with desktops if you want to game.
ya ya, until someone can build an upgradeable laptop, it's desktops ftw!
I would go with a desktop just because they are easier to upgrade in the future for cheap
@ dtoid_Lasbrook
I'm am in nearly the identical situation you are. When my last desktop went dead I decided to pick up a laptop for its portability. You see I work long shifts where finding ways to stay awake is a must. So I had been lugging my tower to work and back several times a week. As you can imagine this was a pain in the posterior so a laptop it was. I have to say I am disappointed with the performance compared to my desktop. Even with *better* parts it does not even come close to performing like you would expect it to.
The only laptops I see at LAN parties are being used to download junk form servers, not to game.