What is better for gaming? A mini PC or a Laptop?

Portable Gaming Options: Mini-PCs vs. Laptops

You want to have a portable option for a gaming computer, but what should you use for this? Both mini PCs and laptops can be used as portable options for bringing a gaming computer with you. You can do so without needing to drag the larger mid or full tower desktop PC. There’s just one question: which of these is the better choice? That question can be a bit complicated to answer, but I am going to talk about that here today to help you in making your decision. I’m going to start by talking about the pros and cons of mini-PCs, and then move on to laptops. 

Understanding the Mini-PC

First, let’s talk about what a mini PC is. Mini-PCs are general terms for a PC that is going to be smaller and more portable than a mid-tower PC would be. This can include mini towers, slim PCs, cube PCs, and ultra-portable PCs.

Mini Towers and Cube PCs: Pros and Cons

A mini tower is just a smaller form factor case of a mid-tower, and you will need to have all the parts that you would in a mid-tower in the mini tower. A mini cube PC is going to be similar with the major difference being that it will be cube shaped. These give you the most flexibility in terms of the components, as you can customize all the parts there like the motherboard, CPU, and GPU. Not only can you customize these choices, but all of these are going to be the desktop versions of things like the CPU and GPU, which are going to be more powerful than their equivalent integrated or laptop versions. These are going to be the most powerful options in this list because of this. You can also change the case to one that you like. You can even have a window on the side panel just like a mid-tower, so it can feel like you are at home while using one. 

Pros:

• Full customization of parts like motherboard, CPU, and GPU.
• Use of desktop-grade components for maximum performance.
• Stylish case options, including side-panel windows for a home-PC feel.

Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier than other mini-PC types, reducing portability.
• Requires an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Slim PCs: Pros and Cons

Slim PCs can look like a mini tower, but some of them can also be laid down on their side without issue. The ones that do look like mini towers can also be customized, but you usually can’t include a dedicated GPU. This does limit you to only using CPUs that have integrated graphics on them. They also normally come with a pre-installed power supply that can only support certain CPUs unless you want to throttle the CPU down, which will affect its performance. The slimmer options that you can lay down are very similar to customizing a laptop. You can only change out the storage and the memory for the most part, and you are even going to be using laptop memory for your choices here. Quite a few of these, however, can be laid down on their side without causing any issues with airflow into the case and resulting in thermal issues inside. Again, you are going to need peripherals to even use these.

Pros:

• Compact size with some options for customization.
• Lightweight and easy to store in tight spaces.

Cons:

• Limited to CPUs with integrated graphics; generally, no dedicated GPU.
• Limited upgradability: typically, only memory and storage are customizable.
• It still requires an external monitor and peripherals.

Ultra-Portable PCs: Pros and Cons

Slim PCs can look like a mini tower, but some of them can also be laid down on their side without issue. The ones that do look like mini towers can also be customized, but you usually can’t include a dedicated GPU. This does limit you to only using CPUs that have integrated graphics on them. They also normally come with a pre-installed power supply that can only support certain CPUs unless you want to throttle the CPU down, which will affect its performance. The slimmer options that you can lay down are very similar to customizing a laptop. You can only change out the storage and the memory for the most part, and you are even going to be using laptop memory for your choices here. Quite a few of these, however, can be laid down on their side without causing any issues with airflow into the case and resulting in thermal issues inside. Again, you are going to need peripherals to even use these.

Pros:

• Extremely compact and lightweight; easy to carry with one hand.
• Ideal for minimal desk setups with limited space.

Cons:

• Limited customization options, typically only for storage and memory.
• Fewer ports for peripherals due to the compact design.
• Requires external peripherals for gaming use.

Why Consider a Laptop for Portable Gaming?

Gaming laptops come in a variety of designs, but all share a common setup: a built-in screen, keyboard, and touchpad. Here’s what makes them a unique option for portable gaming.

Pros:

• Completely self-contained with no need for additional peripherals.
• Highly portable and easy to pack in a laptop case.
• Many models include dedicated GPUs, suitable for most modern games.
• Can be used anywhere with a power source, including coffee shops or outdoor locations with portable power solutions.

Cons:

• Uses integrated or laptop versions of CPUs and GPUs, so less powerful than a mini-PC with desktop-grade components.
• Battery life limitations: heavy gaming can reduce playtime on battery.

Which Portable Gaming Solution is Best for You?

Ultimately, the choice between a mini-PC and a laptop comes down to your needs:

Go with a laptop if you want the ultimate in portability, ready-to-go gaming capabilities, and minimal setup. Laptops are perfect if you’re on the go and want to play from almost any location.

Choose a mini tower or cube mini-PC if power and customization are your top priorities and you don’t mind bringing a few extra accessories like a monitor and keyboard. Mini-PCs excel for LAN parties or gaming at a friend’s house where a fixed location setup is possible.

My Take on Portable Gaming

So, what is the best option for a portable option of a computer? Well, that is really going to depend on what you want out of it. Do you just want to be able to play games anywhere? If so, your best option is going to be a laptop since those will be the most portable of anything here. However, if you want to be able to take a PC over to a friend’s house for a party and still be able to handle the graphically intense games without issue, then your best bet is to go with a mini tower PC or a cube PC. You can’t take them anywhere as you will need a monitor as well as somewhere to plug them in and power them, but they will be able to handle any game that you throw at them without issue (assuming of course that the game you are trying to play is optimized and doesn’t just run poorly in general). For me personally, I would go with a mini tower if I was going to get a portable PC. If I need or want to play games while on the go, I’m just going to use something like the steam deck or a Nintendo DS or Switch. Plus, nowadays you can play games on a smartphone or tablet, which most people have access to by the time they start going to school.