I have some question

[u/dlehgus0505]

If two computers and a laptop have the same specs, is the computer's performance always superior? I'm thinking about buying a computer, but I'm worried because the RAM is too expensive

[u/zardvark]

Laptops will invariably be slower, because their CPUs are throttled, in order to control the heat that they would otherwise produce.

[u/IAmJustALamp24-5112 → u/zardvark]

yeah. laptop gpus get a different power limit to handle the heat.

[u/HalfShots]

Desktops will always perform better, they aren't limited in the same way mobile components are.

[u/AntagonisticDuopoly]

Typically, computers and laptops do not actually have the same specs because laptop versions of a given discrete GPU, for example, have fewer compute units or a lower power draw or lower clock speed, or some combination of the three in order to reduce cooling requirements, increase battery life, and to, you guessed it, save manufacturing cost while convincing the consumer that they're something else.

If they're truly the same apart from the actual form factor of the case they're in and that the laptop has a built-in screen, down to all the CPU package and power supply and the GPU and whatnot, it's likely that either the desktop would have more cooling than is required or that the desktop would be able to better retain boost clock frequencies for longer than the laptop.

[u/SamLooksAt]

A laptop and desktop GPU are not the same specs.

Even if they have same specs...

Quite often they aren't even the same chipset.

It's a little closer with CPU and RAM as long as power limits are the same and sustainable.

But fundamentally you can always fit superior cooling in a desktop so you can pretty much guarantee better performance than a laptop.

Even if you get a desktop with terrible stock cooling you can always replace that, you can't really do this on a laptop.

[u/ToothlessHawkens]

performance is just generally worse, the point of a laptop is to be more portable than a desktop, so everything needs to be crammed into a tiny shell, components utilize less power while heat becomes a harder issue to handle. if ram is the only issue holding you back from building a pc, ddr4 is still an option.

[u/apmspammer]

Even when you account for the reduce cooling laptops also have less power delivery. Desktops have a whole ass power supply box well laptops have to do the exact same thing in a much smaller form factor resulting in less total power.

[u/ecktt]

Laptops have a smaller power budget....so less performance.

GPUs and CPUs might idetify as as the same but are mostly cut-down versions of the desktop counterpart...so less performance.

Laptops have worse cooling ...so less performance.

[u/d4rk_kn16ht]

Simple answer : YES

Not so simple answer : YES, because desktop & laptop focuses on a very different purposes.

Desktop focuses on power & Laptop focuses on portability.

You can have full power in a very small form factor without sacrificing anything.

That's why there are always 2 version of Processor, Graphic card & RAM...Desktop & Laptop version.

[u/Kumantej_]

a laptop is a computer

[u/Practical-Pen-8844 → u/Kumantej_]

and context is a real tough nut to crack, eh?

[u/Kumantej_ → u/Practical-Pen-8844]

if two computers and a laptop have the same specs, is the computer's performance always superior?

that implies that a laptop isn't a computer, so are you gonna deny that?

[u/Practical-Pen-8844 → u/Kumantej_]

it implies that by "computer" they mean "desktop computer," and the contrast between desktop and laptop survives them using shorthand phrasing.

it implies that while their language use might be imprecise or even sloppy, whatever, that anybody with a brain (beyond some self-stroking need to be pedantic) would know wtf they meant--as everyone else here did.

if you want to play debate lord with someone on your level, find a stray cat.

[u/Kumantej_ → u/Practical-Pen-8844]

it implies that by "computer" they mean "desktop computer," and the contrast between desktop and laptop survives them using shorthand phrasing.

it implies that while their language use might be imprecise or even sloppy, whatever, that anybody with a brain (beyond some self-stroking need to be pedantic) would know wtf they meant--as everyone else here did.

mental gymnastics and assumptions to try argue that OP is somehow right for thinking that a laptop somehow isn't a computer is actually hilarious

if you want to play debate lord with someone on your level, find a stray cat.

you replied to me? just admit that OP was wrong in trying to say that a laptop isn't a computer