Mini PC vs. gaming laptop in 2025: Which suits your gaming style?
Compare performance, portability, and value to find the perfect gaming device. Expert insights on mini PCs and gaming laptops for 2025.
Table of Contents
Why compare mini PC and gaming laptop in 2025?
Mini PCs and gaming laptops offer unique benefits for gamers, balancing performance, portability, and cost.
Compact power
Mini PCs deliver high performance in a small footprint, perfect for space-conscious setups.
Portable gaming
Gaming laptops provide all-in-one mobility, ideal for gamers on the move.
Value for money
Both options offer strong gaming performance at various price points, from budget to premium.
Performance comparison
Mini PCs and gaming laptops both pack a punch, but which delivers for your games?
Mini PCs like the ATOMMAN G7 PT with AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX and Radeon RX 7600M XT deliver 1440p gaming, hitting 60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings. The ROG NUC 760 with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and RTX 4060 pushes 4K gaming with DLSS, ideal for high-end titles like Starfield.
Gaming laptops, such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 with AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX and RTX 4070, excel at 1440p and 4K gaming, achieving 80+ FPS in demanding games with ray tracing. The MSI Katana 15 with Intel Core i7-13620H and RTX 4050 offers solid 1080p performance for budget gamers but may struggle with 4K. Thermal throttling can occur during extended sessions compared to mini PCs with better airflow.
Portability
Mobility matters—choose a device that fits your lifestyle.
Mini PCs like the Beelink SER9 Pro are ultra-compact, fitting in small spaces or bags, but require external peripherals like monitors and keyboards, reducing mobility. They’re best for fixed setups or LAN parties.
Gaming laptops, like the MSI Katana 15 and Lenovo Legion Pro 5, offer all-in-one portability with built-in displays and keyboards, ideal for travel or gaming on the go. However, their weight (4.5–6 lbs) and battery life (2–4 hours) limit true portability compared to lightweight devices.
Upgradability and customization
Future-proof your gaming with upgradeable hardware.
Mini PCs like the GMKtec EVO-X1 support RAM, SSD, and eGPU upgrades via Oculink, offering flexibility for future gaming needs. The ATOMMAN G7 PT includes dual SSD slots for storage expansion. Gaming laptops, such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and MSI Katana 15, typically allow RAM and SSD upgrades, but CPUs and GPUs are often soldered, limiting customization.
Cost comparison
Find the best value for your gaming budget.
ATOMMAN G7 PT
Best value gaming mini PC
The ATOMMAN G7 PT offers high-end performance with AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX and Radeon RX 7600M XT, perfect for 1440p gaming.
ROG NUC 760
Best premium gaming mini PC
The ROG NUC 760 delivers cutting-edge performance with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and RTX 4060, ideal for 4K gaming.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5
Best high-end gaming laptop
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 delivers top-tier performance with AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX and RTX 4070, perfect for 4K gaming and mobility.
MSI Katana 15
Best budget gaming laptop
The MSI Katana 15 offers solid 1080p gaming with Intel Core i7-13620H and RTX 4050, ideal for budget-conscious mobile gamers.
Gaming laptops like the MSI Katana 15 start at €1199 with an RTX 4050, offering great value for 1080p gaming. High-end models like the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 cost €1899 with an RTX 4070, delivering superior graphics but at a higher price than mini PCs like the ATOMMAN G7 PT (€999).
Cooling and noise
Stay cool and quiet during intense gaming sessions.
Mini PCs like the ROG NUC 760 use robust cooling systems, keeping temperatures below 80°C during gaming with noise levels under 45 dB. The ATOMMAN G7 PT can get louder under heavy load. Gaming laptops, such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and MSI Katana 15, often exceed 50 dB due to high-performance GPUs, with temperatures reaching 85°C during extended sessions.
Use cases
Find the device that matches your gaming style.
Mini PC: Ideal for stationary gamers with dedicated setups. The Beelink SER9 Pro excels in 1080p gaming and AI tasks, doubling as a compact work PC. Pros: Compact, quiet, upgradeable storage. Cons: Needs peripherals, less portable.
Gaming laptop: Best for mobile gamers. The MSI Katana 15 offers 1080p gaming and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 delivers 1440p to 4K gaming on the go with built-in displays. Pros: All-in-one, portable, high performance. Cons: Limited battery life, noisier under load.
Comparison table
Compare key specs and performance of mini PCs and gaming laptops.
| Model | CPU | GPU | RAM | Price | Gaming Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATOMMAN G7 PT | Ryzen 9 7945HX | Radeon RX 7600M XT | 32GB DDR5 | €999 | 9.0/10 |
| ROG NUC 760 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | NVIDIA RTX 4060 | 16GB DDR5 | €1399 | 9.2/10 |
| GMKtec EVO-X1 | Ryzen AI 9 HX-370 | Radeon 890M | 32GB LPDDR5X | €1099 | 8.8/10 |
| Beelink SER9 Pro | Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Radeon 890M | 32GB LPDDR5X | €899 | 8.5/10 |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 5 | Ryzen 7 7745HX | NVIDIA RTX 4070 | 16GB DDR5 | €1899 | 9.5/10 |
| MSI Katana 15 | Intel Core i7-13620H | NVIDIA RTX 4050 | 16GB DDR5 | €1199 | 8.0/10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about mini PCs and gaming laptops.
Yes, models like the ATOMMAN G7 PT with Radeon RX 7600M XT can run AAA games at 1440p with 60 FPS on medium settings, such as Cyberpunk 2077.
For mobile gamers, yes. Laptops like the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 offer portability and 4K gaming, but mini PCs like the Beelink SER9 Pro are more cost-effective for fixed setups.
Mini PCs like the ROG NUC 760 are quieter, staying below 45 dB, while gaming laptops like the MSI Katana 15 can exceed 50 dB under load due to powerful GPUs.
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