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We’re considering gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X to help you choose which gaming platform is best for you.
Deciding between Xbox Series X and a gaming laptop is a big decision. You need to consider a host of factors, namely the price, specs, and most important what games are available to play.
Things get complicated when you start looking for gaming laptops available. If you’re looking for a high-end gaming laptop, it’s worth asking whether RTX 4090 gaming laptops are overkill or if you’re better off considering the best RTX 4060 gaming laptops instead. We can also help you compare popular gaming laptops, like the ASUS ROG Strix 16 vs Razer Blade 16. Equally, if you’re looking to spend under $1000, we’ve found a few laptops right for the job.
In comparison, the Xbox Series X appears a simple choice by being one single console. At the time of writing, it retails for just shy of $500 via Amazon. It also boasts powerful specs with exclusive games like Halo Infinite, Gears 5 and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Even more excitingly, Microsoft recently announced Dead Space 2, Valheim and more coming to Xbox Game Pass in March. Plus, if you’re a fan of gaming accessories, you can consider getting yourself a flight stick to play Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Factoring in all the usual suspects to look out for, we’re going to help you consider whether a gaming laptop or Xbox Series X is best suited to your needs.
So, let’s jump to it – here are the differences and similarities between gaming laptop and Xbox Series X.
Gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X – specs
First, let’s take a look at the Xbox Series X specs…
| Spec | Xbox Series X |
| Price | $500 |
| Backwards Compatibility | All Xbox One games / Select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games |
| CPU | 8-core, 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2 |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1 TB custom NVMe SSD |
| Disk Drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray |
| Frame Rate | Up to 120 fps |
| Size | 11.85 x 5.9 x 5.94 inches |
| Weight | 9.8lbs |
Like PS5, Xbox Series X delivers 4K gaming at speeds up to 120 fps, so long as you have the right TV to match. Its GPU runs at an impressive 1,825GHz regardless of the game or temperature your console reaches, and it also supports ray tracing. In other words, you can expect stunning displays of light and reflection in your games.
Read More: What GPU is equivalent to Xbox Series X?
How do gaming laptops compare? Well, it’s tricky to offer a direct comparison because we’re not comparing a specific model. Generally speaking, an RTX 3060 gaming laptop is a rough equivalent, potentially having a higher FPS in games depending on its CPU, RAM etc. To get an idea of how the prices compare, a number of RTX 3060 gaming laptops feature in our selection of the best gaming laptops under $1000.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, gaming laptops will easily beat Xbox Series X on specs – just take a look at some of the best RTX 4090 laptops. You also have the advantage of greater customization, which we’ll expand upon later.
Gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X – price
The bottom line is that a gaming laptop boasting the same or similar specs as an Xbox Series X will cost you at least a grand more, especially if you want a 4K gaming laptop.
The Xbox Series X, at the time of writing, is available for $500 on Amazon. It wins in offering the best bang for your buck.
Read More: Best budget 4K gaming monitors – our top picks
Meanwhile, a premium gaming laptop of a similar caliber, like the Razer Blade 15 will cost around $2000. However, you have the advantage of portability and a wider range of functionality. They’re the ideal device for browsing the web, editing video or using Windows, as you would on a desktop PC. Below are two gaming laptops that are roughly equivalent to Xbox Series X.
XMG Neo 16 (E23)
Display Size
16″
Resolution
2560 x 1600
RAM
16GB
Refresh Rate
240Hz
GPU
RTX 4060
CPU
Intel Core i9-13900HX
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Display Size
16 inches
Resolution
2560 x 1440
RAM
16GB
Refresh Rate
240Hz
GPU
RTX 4070
CPU
Intel 13th Generation Core i9
Gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X – game costs
Though the start-up costs of Xbox Series X are considerably lower than for a gaming laptop, the games are far cheaper on Steam than on Microsoft Store.
Unlike Steam, Microsoft also offers Xbox Game Pass Ultimate where you pay a monthly subscription fee of $15 which allows you to download over 100 games across all their consoles, plus PC and even Android. In contrast, Steam allows lifetime purchases, meaning once you’ve bought the game, it’s yours.
Read More: Is 8GB RAM enough for a gaming laptop?
It’s also worth adding that Steam boasts a larger library of games, and holds discount sales throughout the year.
Overall, we think Steam which comes with a gaming laptop comes out on top here.
Gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X – customization
Gaming laptop and Xbox Series X vary quite dramatically here – the bottom line is that you won’t find much in the way of customization from Xbox Series X. And this can be a good thing and a bad thing. It all depends on the type of gamer you are.
With Xbox Series X, you get a standard gaming setup – this means you’re leaving the games to be optimized by the developers, trusting that they get it right for you. This could be a win for you – since all you need to do is turn your console on and play without the fiddling.
Read More: Best TV for Xbox Series X – 4K and budget gaming TVs
If this doesn’t sound like your style, then a gaming laptop is likely better for you. They don’t compete with their PC counterparts, but there’s still a nice choice of customization for both hardware and software.
Popular peripherals upgraded on gaming laptops included gaming keyboards and mice. If you’re looking for budget options, then we’ve got you covered with some top tier gaming keyboards under $100, and gaming mice for under $50.
Gaming laptop vs Xbox Series X – which will last longer?
It’s slightly more difficult to accurately compare Xbox Series X to gaming laptops in terms of durability and longevity here. This is because gaming laptop longevity wildly varies between models, depending on the manufacturer, specs and the upkeep of your machine.
However, you can probably expect your gaming laptop to perform its best in the first 3-5 years of owning it. To maximize this period, we’d recommend keeping your laptop’s internals clean from dust to keep overheating to a minimum. Another tip to prevent overheating is to ensure you’re only using your laptop on hard surfaces so that you’re not obstructing airflow.
Final word
Ultimately, your decision will come down to personal preference on the kind of games you want to play, and the funds you have to play them.
Know that whichever choice you make, both Xbox Series X and gaming laptops are showing no signs of slowing down. If you’re leaning towards Xbox Series X, why not see how it shapes up against the popular PS5 console?
Frequently asked questions
How much longer will Xbox Series X be supported?
Microsoft has not revealed how long Xbox Series X will be supported for. However, no news is good news, and based on discontinued consoles like Xbox One, Xbox Series X looks like it has plenty of years left.
What gaming laptop is equivalent to Xbox Series X?
Xbox Series X delivers pretty premium specs when it comes to gaming, so a premium gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 15 or laptop like Dell G15 which is slightly more sensibly priced should deliver similar results.
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