Why Are Gaming Laptops More Expensive Than Desktops in 2022?
As a SEO expert for Google, it's important to understand the nuances that drive the cost of different computing devices. In the context of gaming laptops versus desktops, there are several reasons that make gaming laptops more expensive. This article delves into those reasons, along with the relative performance and value of each option.
Why Gaming Laptops Are More Expensive
The primary reason for the higher cost of gaming laptops is due to their portability and miniaturization. Here are some key factors:
Lithium Batteries and Charge Regulators
Gaming laptops come with built-in lithium batteries and chargers, which are essential for their portability but also add to the overall cost. These components require specialized design and are more expensive than the standard parts used in desktops.
Ultra-Low Wattage Electronics and Inferior Specs
The miniaturization process leads to the use of ultra-low wattage electronics, which often come with inferior specifications when compared to desktop counterparts. This is a direct trade-off between performance and portability.
Complex Design Using Fewer Standard Components
The design of gaming laptops requires a significant amount of engineering to fit a powerful system into a small, compact form factor. This often means fewer standard components are used, leading to increased costs.
Performance and Value Comparisons
When comparing equivalent notebooks and desktop series chipsets, notebooks are generally much cheaper. However, this comes with a trade-off in performance. Here’s how desktops can offer remarkably better value for your money:
Laptops of 2021 vs. Desktops of 2022
While gaming laptops were more affordable back in 2021, the market has shifted significantly by 2022. Gaming laptops with an RTX 3060, such as those available for around $1,499, now cost more than building a comparable desktop system.
For instance, in January 2022, you could get an RTX 3060 in a gaming laptop for $1,200 with a CPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 144Hz screen, which was a better deal. However, in 2022, building a desktop with a RTX 660 graphics card (around $319) and a decent QHD screen, mouse, and keyboard could cost around $1,250 for a similar gaming experience.
Optimal Build for 2022
If you were to build a PC for yourself today, this is what it would look like:
Alder Lake i3-12100F – $110 MSI PRO B660M-A – $125 16GB DDR4-3200 CL16 T-Force VULCAN-Z – $49 Crucial P3 Gen3 NVMe 1TB – $75 MSI MECH RX 660T – $319 600W EVGA Bronze 600BA – $45 NZXT H510 Flow – $85The entire go-fast PC with the 660T GPU power would only cost $810. This system will annihilate any gaming laptop up to an RTX 3070 Ti. We can add a 27-inch Viewsonic VX2718 QHD monitor at 165Hz, a Logitech G915 TKL mechanical keyboard, and a Logitech G305 gaming mouse for a total cost of $360, bringing the complete build price to $1,170.
The HP Omen from 2021, a similar configuration with an RTX 3060 and 16GB of RAM plus a 1TB SSD, is priced at $1,240. While the desktop's 1080p 660T would match the frame rate of the Omen's 3060 at 1080p, the desktop would cost $150 less and offer better graphics performance.
Conclusion
While laptops still remain highly convenient and portable, the performance gap between desktops and laptops is narrowing. For budget-conscious gamers, building a PC can provide a better value and more performance for your money. However, the portability of gaming laptops offers a significant advantage, making them valuable for users who need that flexibility.