The heart of your gaming setup is the computer. Here you will find all the important information about the three most common platforms for gambling: PC, Console and Laptop.
Laptop, PC or Console – Which is Best for Gambling?
It's a debate as old as computer games themselves: Which platform is best for gaming?
Since the 1970s, video games have been a worldwide hit and even then there were different ways to enjoy the new technology. The Commodore 64 marked the start for the computer, and Atari delivered the first game consoles. Of course, video games have evolved immensely since then.
Rudimentary games like "Pong" became open world games like "Red Dead Redemption". As games have evolved, so have platforms.
Various operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows, Apple's MacOS or Linux have established themselves on computers, and Sony have established themselves on the console market with the Playstation, Microsoft excelled with the Xbox and Nintendo with the Wii.
In addition to the classic desktop PCs, a new type of computer has also developed with the laptops, which have been made portable thanks to their compact design.
All of these devices have their own advantages and disadvantages, but which platform is best for gaming? Here I give you the most important information so that you can choose the right platform for you.
The PC: pros and cons
Many die-hard fans consider him the undisputed leader when it comes to video games: The Desktop PC.
A long history in the video game industry and an open platform made the PC the most important platform for game developers for a long time.
In recent years, however, that has changed. What many PC users consider to be the biggest advantage of the platform can also become a big disadvantage:
The individualization of the PC and the power of the user over the computer. Especially on Windows or Linux-driven computers, users have practically all the freedom:
You can write your own programs, and the system settings can be completely adapted to your own needs.
Of course, this gives the user complete freedom of choice, you can set up the system completely the way you want it. That sounds convenient and it is. If everything works as planned.
Difficult entry
Because you need a relatively large amount of background knowledge to play comfortably on the PC. No simple plug & play is possible, such as with consoles.
That is the price of customization. Since every PC user sets up their system in a different way, there is no standardized way to quickly gamble a round.
This is also one of the reasons why the PC community is one of the most fanatical and connected in the gaming world. If you're an insider and understand the system, you'll probably have a better gaming experience than on consoles designed for the masses.
However, it takes work and time to get to this point. This starts with the purchase decision.
In general, you have to pay more money for a powerful PC than for a comparable console. The reason for this is again the standardization of the consoles.
All consoles from one manufacturer ship with the exact same components. Only the storage capacity can vary, but this does not affect the performance.
By building the consoles the same way, the manufacturer can buy in large quantities of the parts they need and produce them quickly, reducing costs.
It's different for the PC. It is rather a rarity when exactly the same parts are installed in two gaming PCs. Although there are companies that offer pre-built PCs, there are still many choices here.
Also, these companies often charge a hefty margin that makes these PCs even more prohibitive. Many PC players therefore swear by a self-built PC.
For this you need technical understanding and manual skills, because the construction of the PC is not a sure-fire success. Components must be matched to each other.
The parts must be installed correctly. Problems can quickly arise between poorly matched parts.
Even if you assemble the PC yourself, you will still have to spend more money than for a console.
You can only get in from around €800 Assemble PC, which can play all current games smoothly and in high graphics settings.
good reward
But if you take the time and engage with your PC, you can reap the fruits of your labor.
A good PC will perform better than a console or laptop. The great Housing of a PC allows good ventilation, self-assembled systems can quickly achieve better performance than a standardized system.
On consoles, players do not have the ability to change graphics settings.
On the PC, as a player, you have complete freedom and can push your system to the limit.
4K or even 8K gaming is possible, and more frames per second than on the console are also possible.
There, 30 FPS is often standard, the players cannot tease out more. For playing by Role playing on the console this may not be relevant. However, PC players who play first-person shooters are often not satisfied with less than 60 FPS and even strive for 120 FPS.
With the right monitor, a far better gaming experience is possible.
In addition, the PC continues to be the most popular console for indie developers.
The most famous recent example of this is probably Minecraft, which was designed exclusively for the PC and became a worldwide success there.
The game was only released for the console several years later.
Even then, controlling with the controller is often not very natural since games like Minecraft are designed to be operated with a mouse and keyboard.
The gaming experience is then even more limited on the console.
Individualists - also with the publishers
But not only the users of the PC are known as individualists, but also the developers and publishers of the players for the platform.
There are several different launchers for different games on the PC, which means unnecessary complexity. Steam is by far the largest platform, but EA only offers its own games on the Origin Launcher, Epic Games recently caused discussions with the release of the Epic Games Launcher.
Like so many things on PC, this aspect is complicated.
The consoles: pros and cons
Many experts agree: We are currently in the age of consoles. Sales of games on consoles continue to rise, sales of the PC market are declining.
Sony in particular is celebrating great success with the PS4 and PS4 Pro, but so are they Xbox One and Microsoft's Xbox One X and the Nintendo Switch have many fans.
All consoles impress with their user-friendliness and low prices.
Simple and cheap
What is expensive and complicated on the PC is simple and cheap on the consoles: purchase and use.
The PS300 Pro can be bought for €4, and the Xbox One X is also available for just under €300. The Nintendo Switch can be had for as little as €200.
If you already have a TV or matching screen, a console can be installed in minutes. Plug in the power, plug in the HDMI cable, press the on button and you're ready to play.
This is of course incredibly easy compared to the PC and an important reason for the success of the consoles.
Especially less tech-savvy players quickly reach for the console. If you already have a busy schedule and just want to play a video game to unwind, the console offers uncomplicated fun.
Starting the various games has also been kept as simple as possible: insert the disc or download the game from the store and you're good to go.
There are no different launchers, no drivers that you have to install additionally, only the software of the console has to be kept up to date.
You can't change many settings in the game, but if high graphics settings are not very important to you, you can do without these additional settings.
Running costs and exclusive titles
Consoles still have some disadvantages. For one, you will have to pay for online access to your games.
For example, if you want to play FIFA or Call of Duty online against other players, you have to pay a monthly fee to the console manufacturer.
Online access can be purchased on the Xbox for €45 per year, and the service costs €51 on the Playstation. For Nintendo users, online access costs just €20 per year.
The PC has a great advantage here: online access is always free.
The competition between consoles also has some downsides for users of each console.
Many manufacturers offer games exclusively for one console, players on other consoles then have no opportunity to play the game.
Examples include the Forza series, which is only available on Xbox, the Uncharted series, which is only playable on Playstation, and the Legend of Zelda series, which is exclusive to Nintendo.
PC gamers can now also enjoy Xbox exclusive games as both Windows and Xbox are manufactured by Microsoft.
Laptop: pros and cons
The laptop is similar to the desktop PC in everything but one aspect: mobility. While a PC is a large, unwieldy block that is not suitable for transport, a laptop usually weighs a few kilos and is very slim.
The range of games is the same for both laptop and PC, again you have plenty of indie games to choose from.
Mobility vs Performance
But the high mobility of laptops does not only have advantages. Due to the small space in a laptop, the components are often less powerful, especially the ventilation is poor.
This causes problems, especially with graphically demanding games, since a laptop quickly overheats and performance drops quickly.
In order to achieve the same performance with a laptop as on a PC, a restriction in mobility is necessary. Laptops are also more standardized than desktop PCS, since building your own is less possible and the components are often more expensive.
Ready-made systems for laptops that are comparable in performance to PCs quickly become very expensive. Spending well over €1000 is possible.
But if you occasionally want to play less graphically demanding games, Hearthstone or Counter Strike are examples, and travel a lot, the laptop is the device of choice.
Conclusion: Which platform is best for gambling?
This question cannot be answered unequivocally for all players. If you are a gamer who is primarily concerned with performance and gaming experience and are not afraid to build the system yourself, then PC is the choice for you.
If you want to play the latest games comfortably on the couch at a low price and without unnecessary stress, a console is the right platform for you.
If you travel a lot and don't have particularly high graphic demands, the laptop is your platform.
