PC gaming is amazing, but there are different ways to go about it. Either you buy a laptop, pre-build desktop, or custom-build desktop. We will be looking at the pros and cons of each and, which you should buy for yourself and, which is the best overall value for money.

Laptops

Laptops are the most popular forms of computers. According to www.Statista.com, the laptop market in South Africa amounts to 284.4 million US dollars (R 5 261 400 000) and is anticipated to grow by 2.2% in 2025. This is because of a surge of remote work across the country. High-performance laptops have also surged over the years because people within the country have seen the benefits of remote working and have opted to work that way. Laptops come in different forms, there are gaming laptops such as the Asus ROG (Republic of Gamers) G15, work laptops like the MacBook Air, and 2-in-1 laptops such as the Lenovo Yoga 9. They all have different unique functions that appeal to their target market.

Gaming laptops

Gaming laptops can do both work and play, because of their powerful specs that are used to run games, they're usually owned by gamers who like to game on the go. Depending on your budget, gaming laptops can range from entry-level (600 dollars=R13 000) to high-end (6 822 dollars=R123 990). The higher you go in price, the better the specs and higher performing the laptop will be. One thing about high-end gaming laptops is that they have one of the worst battery life among laptops. The reason that is the case is, that the software and games that run on the system are power-hungry. When apps run in the background, they use up GPU power which then is taxing on the battery. My old Asus TUF FX505 gaming laptop lasts about 3 and a half hours with light web browsing and YouTube and higher-end laptops will have a shorter battery life like the Razer Blade 15. Non-gaming laptops have longer-lasting battery life because they do not need much power to run RGB software or games. Down below is a video from Tech Tyrial about the difference between his entry-level gaming laptop and his high-end gaming laptop of the same brand.

Work Laptops

Work laptops are specifically for business/ professionals. Their main function is to do heavy workloads like video/photo editing and other developer tasks such as coding for app development. The main thing about these types of laptops is their long-lasting battery life. Laptops like this can be just as expensive as gaming laptops. You would think that they can run games but you would be surprised at how badly optimized they are for gameplay because of how their specs are laid out. They are normally for durability, security, portability, and long-lasting battery life. Work laptops can get expensive if you aim for the high-end but in other cases, decently priced work laptops can do the trick without breaking your bank. Decent entry-level work laptops can be priced from R15 000- R17 000 and high-end are up to R35 000- R40 000. If you are a professional/ business personal, going for a laptop like this will do all the necessary tasks you need without having to worry too much about battery life or portability.

2-in-1 Laptops

2-in-1 laptops are a great value for people who want to handle all their work, school, and media viewing needs in a single device. They're a great bridge between a laptop and, a tablet. A lot of the laptops in this range allow you to use a touch screen which makes it unique to all other laptop ranges out in the market. Based on my experience, students prefer using laptops like this because it can allow them to do everything they might want to do, reading, social media, watching movies/series, school work, and listening to music. Laptops like this also come in a smaller form factor like the Dell Inspiron 14. It is a small, decent laptop, with a touchscreen.

Desktops

Pre-Build Gaming PC's

Desktop gaming PCs are in my opinion the best option if you happen to be a tech enthusiast because each component can be replaced or upgraded if needed. Unlike laptops, desktops are not mobile, they are heavy-duty machines that are meant to be kept in one spot for a long duration. If you are a gamer and want to get a desktop, one of the ways would be to get a pre-build desktop PC. Many online shops can offer pre-build desktop PCs but there is a downside to getting a pre-build. Pre-build desktops are pre-made, which means they are machines that are already assembled and you just have to buy them like that. The value of a pre-build would not be the same as a custom build because you cannot make use of special deals for individual parts. Here is an example of a pre-built pc:

Custom Build PC

A custom-built PC is any tech enthusiast's dream. I have a custom build and I should say the journey to completion was both stressful and rewarding. I went into the whole journey with little knowledge and understanding of what was ahead of me. With the help of a friend of mine who happens to be a tech junky, he held my hand through it all until I was confident enough to do everything myself. Going online and checking PC components and then researching which option is best for me was something I did not expect to be such a big part of my journey. I would consult with my friend from time to time just for a confidence boost that I was making the right decision because after reading some PC horror stories, I was left paranoid about the whole thing.

I researched numerous computer online stores and drafted a spreadsheet about which component goes well with which, I began purchasing each component piece by piece. I first started with the PC case, power supply, and cooling system. I then moved on to the motherboard, exhaust fan, RAM, and then the SSD. The final two components which are the most important were the CPU and GPU. I was now finally able to complete my build and get to assembling. Once this entire process was done and my PC was able to post I was in complete relief. The stress of having things go wrong was on the tip of my mind during the entire process. Once everything is done and dusted, the wealth of knowledge you gain from researching and putting things together is amazing. I would watch YouTube videos about PC building with some nostalgia for PC connectors and wrapping that would be taken off when you receive new components.

Building a PC can become a life-changing experience because of the fun you have from putting components together and watching everything work once it is all said and done. Some people develop an addiction to building PCs that could lead them to a technical profession later in their lives. If kids are exposed to PC building, they could create a technical way of thinking, problem-solving, and a passion for computers and technology. This experience has left me a little confused about whether building computers is something that I would like to invest more time in because it was fun building and getting it to work. If I could make a lot more money, I would build another PC for a console-like experience in my living room and have my other PC in the office for work and fun.

Conclusion

It does not matter if you want to purchase a laptop or a PC. They are both worth buying if you know what you want and have the budget for it. Both are fun to use, and help you with important tasks for your daily living. I own both and i can tell you it's amazing as well as convenient for gaming, content creation, and other stuff you want to do on the go or in the comfort of your own home.