As a prospective buyer of a new computer, one of the first things you need to decide on is whether you're getting a laptop or desktop. The differences between laptops & desktops Let's start by outlining the major factors that will influence your purchasing decisions, and which type of computer has an advantage in that particular department. Performance Potential -- Desktop This one is almost a no-brainer since even the most powerful gaming laptops in the market use the less-performing “mobile” versions of their desktop counterparts. These components make up a bulk of a computer’s performance, and the full-on desktop options are able to be (literally) bigger and faster thanks to the superior thermal performance a desktop can provide. Desktop CPUs and GPUs have large dedicated coolers that allow them to be clocked much higher, providing much more performance. Laptops are way smaller and lighter than desktops, allowing you to carry them anywhere. But even if you could manage to pack a small desktop and all its peripherals into a backpack like some people have done, laptops also have batteries that allow you to use them untethered to a power source. As for a desktop, you would still have to go home and set it up on a desk -- that is, if you bought a pre-built. Read more in our articles including "Laptop or Desktop: Which one is better?" and "ASUS ROG celebrates 20 years at CES 2026 with new gaming laptops, desktops, OLED monitors, and AR glasses".
As a prospective buyer of a new computer, one of the first things you need to decide on is whether you're getting a laptop or desktop. The differences between laptops & desktops Let's start by outlining the major factors that will influence your purchasing decisions, and which type of computer has an advantage in that particular department.
Performance Potential -- Desktop This one is almost a no-brainer since even the most powerful gaming laptops in the market use the less-performing “mobile” versions of their desktop counterparts. These components make up a bulk of a computer’s performance, and the full-on desktop options are able to be (literally) bigger and faster thanks to the superior thermal performance a desktop can provide. Desktop CPUs and GPUs have large dedicated coolers that allow them to be clocked much higher, providing much more performance.
Our coverage of laptop or desktop for editing includes: "Laptop or Desktop: Which one is better?"; "ASUS ROG celebrates 20 years at CES 2026 with new gaming laptops, desktops, OLED monitors, and AR glasses"; "HP Firefly Laptop has 17" and 4.3" Screens". Each article provides unique insights and information.