A few years ago you couldn’t replace a desktop computer with a laptop. No laptop could compare with the power and performance you got from a desktop computer.
That’s not true anymore!
Nowadays, you don’t even have to go for the absolute top-tier laptops to get that level of performance. Laptops can be faster and more powerful, plus you are able to use them anywhere!
Still, making the move from a desktop to a laptop can seem daunting. But there are solutions to all worries. An external screen, mouse, and some cloud storage will have you more productive than ever.
We’ve done the research for you and picked the 10 best desktop replacement laptops available in 2022. Check it out!
Top-Performing Desktop Replacement laptops in 2022
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
HP Envy 17T
Razer Blade 15
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
HP Envy 17T
Razer Blade 15
Detailed Reviews of Desktop replacement Laptops
1. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
- RAM: 16GB
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 5 GHz
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB)
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ 4K OLED
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: 4-5hrs
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- LxWxH: 14.1 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
While looking for a laptop that would potentially replace your desktop system, what could you ask for? Multiple ports, high functionality, long-lasting battery, and a lot more coupled with the compactness of a laptop.
Asus is here to your rescue! Abiding by their tagline “In search of Incredible,” the tech giant has come up with an ultimate concept to provide you with everything you’re looking for to replace your desktop – ZenBook Pro Duo UX581.
Rolled out with dual 4K UHD screens assisting you with a multi-window feature, this beast is impossible to resist at first glance. The primary screen is 15.6″ and the secondary screen, the ScreenPad, is 14″. Best part? These screens emit 70% less blue light, which eventually means a strain-less experience for your eyes.
Its 16GB DDR4 RAM enables it to perform even the bulkiest task with ease. Controlled by a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics coprocessor, this laptop wouldn’t give you a chance to miss your desktop’s processing at all. Asus has kept in mind to design this laptop for multi-functionality. So it also offers six different ports, sounds much like your desktop, right?
It operates on Windows 10 Pro and has a 1TB PCIe SSD, which again will work to ameliorate your computing experience. Additionally, it has a battery backup of around 10 hours. Since you’re aiming to switch from your desktop, it’s a viable assumption that this laptop weighs about 5.5 pounds. Pretty bulky, still not as much as your desktop!
But wait, what’s the catch here? Well, all of this might be a bit rough on your pocket. So If you have a decent budget to play with, this machine is worth bringing home!
Pros
- Dual Screen
- Great Battery Backup
- Stunning Stylus
- Absolutely beutiful design
- Impeccable Screen Quality
Cons
- Awkward Touchpad
- GPU could be better
- Can be hard to use for left-handed users
2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
- RAM: 16GB
- Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.1 GHz
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ FHD
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: 8hrs
- Weight: 6 lbs
- LxWxH: 20 x 12.5 x 3 inches
Once again Lenovo didn’t cease to amaze its customers with a rugged yet light laptop of its ThinkPad series. Yes, we’re talking about the ThinkPad X1 Extreme 1st Gen laptop by Lenovo.
This machine runs on Windows 10 Pro and has an Intel Core i7 8750-H processor. To empower it furthermore, the company has installed 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD in it. Its 2.2GHz i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce graphics tune up the working speed to the next level. The storage would suffice your needs in place of your desktop and give you ample space to preserve tons of data.
It has a standard display size of 15.6″, and a screen resolution of 1920*1080 with 4K quality, which gives you a vivid color description. The company claims its battery to last for about 12 hours, not if you run it at its peak potential incessantly for longer hours. Another thing that we loved about this product is that it’s easily upgradeable to advanced versions in terms of processors, storage space, etc.
There are some trivial on and offs about this machine here and there. However, if you’re impressed with its entrepreneurial functions and its ability to handle graphics-related work seamlessly, then this deal must be a steal for you.
Although its matte black cover is to die for, it is a high-maintenance feature and might even press you to carry a cleaning rag all the time!
Pros
- Exceptional Keyboard
- Highly Durable and Strong
- Multiple Ports
- SD Card Reader
- Easily Upgradable
Cons
- Excessive Heating
- Noisy Fans
- Poor Battery Performance ( 5-6 hours )
3. HP Envy 17t
- RAM: 16GB
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.7 GHz
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3″ FHD Touchscreen
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: 10 hrs
- Weight: 6.02 lbs
- LxWxH: 15.71 x 10.2 x 0.76 inches
HP, a name that needs no introduction in the computer industry, has rolled out a sleek model in its Envy flagship – Envy 17t. Its fashionably attractive skeleton will make the onlookers turn their heads around. It’s a suitable laptop that you can replace your desktop with and rely upon to handle your chores. Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of this machine.
Attention gamers! This laptop wouldn’t enhance your heavy gaming ventures. So if you’re planning to replace your desktop computer with it then you might wanna reconsider. Nonetheless, it’s gonna be a spectacular feast for your professional needs.
It has a screen size of 17″ ( as the name has it! ) with an FHD touchscreen functionality. To facilitate a fast performance for you, the system runs on 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 paired up with Iris Xe Graphics. It comes with 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM and 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD assuring you an impeccable service and storage.
The laptop has turned out to be a family laptop, so if you’re a student or a professional working remotely from your home, it should be a hot deal for you! It’s loaded with ports on both sides giving you the liberation to connect and interface with ease.
Besides, it’s furnished with high-quality B&O speakers giving you a first-class audio experience. So just in case, you decide to put your work on hold, you’ll have your entertainment system handy! It weighs 6.02 lb, which is pretty common for a laptop in this price range.
Oh, and did we mention that it has also got an additional SD card reader port which is a rare sight in laptops these days! In addition, the company has included a 64GB Tech Warehouse LLC Flash Drive along with the system. It’s available in the market in a number of variants, so identify your needs thoroughly and go for the one that fits your needs the best!
Pros
- Chic Chassis Design
- Voguish Keyboard
- Large 17″ 4K Display
- Durable
- Bundled Adobe Software
Cons
- Substandard Fingerprint Reader
- Mediocre Battery
- Gets Quickly Heated Up
4. Razer Blade 15
- RAM: 16GB
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H (8-Core)
- CPU Speed: Up to 5.1 GHz
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 3070 (6GB)
- Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6″ FHD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: 7 hrs
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
- LxWxH: 9.25 x 13.98 x 0.67 inches
To all the gaming fanatics out there, looking to replace their desktop computers, this option is nothing less than a boon for you. From one of the pioneers who revolutionized the face of gaming laptops, Razer Blade 15 Advanced stands undefeated in our list. Curious to know what’s in it for you? Stick along!
This laptop, similar to most Blades, has a sleek and stylish framework that would mesmerize you at the first glance. It has a 15.6″ FHD screen with a 360 Hz refresh rate to promote a top-notch feel while dealing with graphics and gaming.
To top it all off, it’s available in two variants- the newest 11th Gen Intel Core H series processor and the usual 10th Gen Intel 2.3GHz Core i7-10875H processor. Both of them will suffice your gaming, professional and homely needs. It has a rugged 16GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD to give you immense storage and lightning-fast speed.
Talking about being lightning-fast, the laptop also has a Thunderbolt 3 adaptor whose charging speed would blow your mind, something you definitely won’t get enough of anytime soon. This 4.4 pound PC would be easy to carry around your home which ultimately makes it a suitable system for your home.
To our gamer comrades, its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics processor will cheer you on in winning your gaming battles. And will give you a promising set up to replace your desktop computer.
One of your pet peeves while using your system for a long time must be its heating, and Razer Blade 15 is here to ease up for you. It’s got a vacuum-sealed, liquid-filled copper vapor chamber to pacify the heat-generating components. For the people who love to customize their systems, the company has offered an option to modify the backlight color of the keyboard.
Pros
- Stellar Gaming Performance
- Marvelous Chassis
- Remarkable Battery Backup
- A Whole Party Of Ports
- 300 Hz Refresh Rate
Cons
- Excessive Heating On High Usage
- Slightly Annoying Fans
- High Maintenance
5. Lenovo IdeaPad L340
- RAM: 16GB
- Processor: 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.1 GHz
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Display: 15.6″ FHD IPS
- OS: Windows 10
- Battery Life: 9 hrs
- Weight: 4.84 lbs
- LxWxH: 14.29 x 10.02 x 0.94 inches
If you’re someone who believes in frugality and still looking to upgrade from a desktop computer to a laptop, then this product from Lenovo is going to sway you with its irresistible features. Lenovo Ideapad L340 is particularly a budget gaming laptop but would fulfill your everyday computing needs like a genie. Without any further beating over the brush, let’s find out more about it!
It’s available with an 8GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB HDD coupled with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 ( 3GB GDDR5 ) graphics coprocessor. Quite a steal at such a price, right? Your user experience is further taken care of by a 15.6” anti-glare display with a screen resolution of 1920*1080 pixels that wouldn’t let you down. To the left side of this laptop, you’ll find a carnival of ports. This will promote wide connectivity and interfacing with external peripherals as well.
It operates on a 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300HF ( 2.4GHz base speed and 4.1GHz top speed ) processor which is a pretty viable deal in this price range. To further lure you in, the company has loaded it with Windows 10 Home with lifetime validity. Still not enough? Well, its anti-glare screen will also protect you from the harmful blue light, abiding by its Vantage Eye Care mode. Therefore, you can have a gaming marathon on it without bothering much about anything else.
The company hasn’t given up in terms of the appearance too, its blue LED-backlit keyboard looks appealing enough. And dual 1.5W Dolby Audio speakers are another desirable addition. Last but not least its 180-degree hinge feature that multiplies the flexibility of this PC even more.
Pros
- Good Battery
- Reasonable Price
- Great Cooling Capacity
- Matte IPS Panel
Cons
- Doesn’t Support 4K
- Irksome Clickpad
- All Plastic Keyboard
6. Best Desktop Replacement Laptop: MSI P65 Creator-1084
Are you a professional programmer, graphics designer, video editor, or 3D animator? Then this MSI laptop is just what the doctor ordered and here’s why.
- RAM: 32GB
- Weight: 5lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-core, i7-9750h
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB)
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ 4K
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
- Battery Life: 4-5hrs
- LxWxH: 15.08 x 10.24 x 0.69 inches
Its beastly features
In simple words, the P65 delivers raw power. This is thanks to its 9th Gen i7-9750H processor (clock speed of up to 4.5GHz) and its whopping 32GB RAM (it is like the Lamborghini of professional laptops).
Then there is also the 1TB Teton Glacier SSD. While it is a known fact that SSDs are more durable and faster than HDDs (your laptop will boot in mere seconds), there’s more to this SSD than meets the eye.
That is because the Optane memory understands your most frequently used apps and prioritizes them so they open up much faster (it is just a tad smarter)
And with 1TB of storage at your disposal, there is ample room for all your videos, photos, software, project files, and even a few games that you enjoy.
Does your desktop’s slow rendering speed result in project delays? You want your videos and animations to render ASAP and the 6GB dedicated GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card helps with just that. Not to forget, you can even play the latest gaming titles such as FIFA 20, God of War, and so on.
Also, so you do not miss even the tiniest of details when designing, the laptop has a large 15.6” Ultra-HD display. Plus, it comes with an anti-glare coating so those all-nighters do not result in red, tired eyes.
And since it has an ultra-thin 0.19″ bezel and wide-angle view, you and your partner can also enjoy a movie together without having to adjust the screen to get a clear view.
Furthermore, it also features a special Creative Center which gives you absolute control over the laptop performance since it allows you to adjust display color mode, sound effect, LED-backlit color, and more for greater productivity.
And irrespective of how long you run the laptop or how detailed your 3D project is the laptop remains cool as a cucumber with 3 whirlwind fans, 6 heat pipes, and multiple vents.
Considering all the power and speed the laptop delivers the 5-6 hour battery life is good and if you use it wisely, it will last you longer.
As for the portability, carrying the laptop in a shoulder bag or your hands should be a breeze as it weighs around 4.5lbs and fits the ultra-thin category with just 0.7-inches of height.
Wait, there’s one more surprise in store.
With the laptop, you also get 3 months of Adobe Creative Cloud for free. Yes, you heard that right, it is free and since this is a limited period offer, you do not want to miss out on it.
Drawbacks
While the laptop can support gaming, you will need to spend on headphones as the speakers aren’t top-notch. And I am going to be picky here and say, it doesn’t have an RGB keyboard either.
The laptop also lacks USB-C charging and hence charging will take slightly longer than with other laptops and you will have to carry a big fat power adaptor everywhere which adds to the weight.
Some users on Amazon also reported the laptop heating up when you play graphics-intensive games for long hours. It didn’t for us during our testing so let us know in the comments below if it does or you.
Pros
- The ideal laptop for programmers, 3D animators, graphic designers, and video editors
- Deliver fast performance with i7 processor and 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD gives you both speed, durability and tons of space
- The Teton Glacier SSD recognizes frequently used apps and opens them quicker
- Ultra-HD display gives you eye-popping colors and brightness
- The display has a wide-angle view and anti-glare coating
- The Creative Center allows you to adjust the display, sound effects, etc. within minutes
- You get 3 months of Adobe Creative Cloud for free
- It has a decent 5-6 hour battery life
Cons
- No RGB keyboard
- Charges slowly as it does not support USB-C charging
- Lacks quality speakers
7. Best for Gaming: Acer Predator Helios 300
Whether you are a hardcore gamer who loves to stream their sessions live or a beginner, the Predator Helios is perfect (no wonder it is one of the best selling-gaming laptops). Here’s what makes it our top pick and a buyer’s favorite.
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 5.29lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-core, i7-9750H
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (6GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full-HD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: 4hrs
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- LxWxH: 14.23 x 10.01 x 0.9 inches
Best Features
Where the MSI P65 lacks, the Predator Helios makes up. For example, it comes with RGB lit backlit. While technically this only makes gaming at night so much easier, its aesthetic value to a gamer is priceless. Plus, it has a bold, black body that is sure to catch anyone’s eye.
But design alone won’t cut it, right?. A gaming laptop also needs to deliver speed and power and the Helios 300 is primed for that.
With an i7-9750H, 6-Core Processor that has a clock speed of up To 4.5GHz and 16GB RAM, it allows you to run and stream all your favorite games, work with multiple tabs and watch movies, without any hassles.
But the stand-out feature of this laptop is the display. Yup, with a 144Hz Display, that has a 3ms response time which means you will never have to worry about ghosting and blurring again giving you an edge over your competition.
This in tandem with the large 15.6” Full-HD screen and the dedicated 6GB GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card gives you crisp and clear pictures that make the experience immersive.
Talking about immersive, high-octane gameplay, adding to that are excellent speakers. (no gaming headphones? No worries).
The SSD, once again, ensures your laptop will take only seconds to start and with 512GB of storage in the bank, there’s enough for all your games, software, profiles, saved data, etc.
With great power and speed comes a lot of heat. This is why the Helios is armed with the 4th Gen Aeroblade 3D Fan. These strategically placed fans and vents keep the laptop cool even if you happen to use it all day long.
Oh, and you get all the control over the fan speeds, keyboard lighting, game profiles, with just a touch of a button thanks to the PredatorSense feature.
And if you think you are getting high pings you can even prioritize bandwidth for your games using the Killer DoubleShot Pro.
Drawbacks
The biggest downside of the laptop is its battery life as it gives you about 4 hours with a single charge. Thankfully, the charging is quick so you do not have to worry about staying plugged in for long.
Also, the laptop costs over $1000 but if you really want a gaming laptop, it is well worth every penny and will last you for years to come and even run the latest gaming titles without any upgrades.
Pros
- Specs are powerful enough to handle all the latest gaming titles like GTA, Witcher, Fortnite, etc.
- The 144Hz, 3ms response time means almost no blurring/ ghosting
- Comes with a 15.6″ Full HD display with 300nit Brightness for a crystal clear view
- Adding to that and the speed is the 6GB dedicated GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card
- Excellent speakers
- 4th Gen Aeroblade 3D cooling system keeps laptop cool even with extreme use
- PredatorSense gives you complete control over fan speed, keyboard lighting, etc.
- Killer DoubleShot Pro allows you to adjust bandwidth for each program
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Poor battery life
8. Best iMac Replacement Laptop: New Apple MacBook Air
Want a portable solution to your iMac? Then the new Apple MacBook Air is an obvious choice. Here’s all you need to know about it.
- RAM: 8GB
- Weight: 2.8lbs
- Processor: 10th Gen, Quad-Core i5
- CPU Speed: Up to 3.5GHz
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13″ Full-HD
- OS: macOS
- Battery Life: 7-8hrs
- LxWxH: 8.36 x 11.97 x 0.16 inches
Best Features
The MacBook Air is the ideal example of what a sleek, sexy yet power-packed laptop is supposed to be.
For starters, it has a 10th Gen i5 processor that clocks at 3.5GHz and an 8GB RAM so it can easily handle all the day-to-day tasks you have been using your iMac for while giving you great mobility (FYI, I have about 15 tabs open right now).
Yes, that is because the MacBook Air is one of the most compact and lightweight laptops you will come across as it weighs just 2.8lbs while its dimensions are 0.16–0.63 inch (H), 11.97 inches (W) 8.36 inches (D).
In simpler words, I have been able to use this laptop at airports, on flights, trains, even the restroom seats, carried it on treks, etc. (yup, it is that freaking light and compact).
Further making this mobility possible is the long battery life. Even with a good amount of apps running the laptop lasts for 8-10 hours and charges in just a couple of hours (forgot the charger at home? No problem).
Even the speaker, microphone, and camera quality of the laptop are exceptional so you can video call your loved ones or have your meetings with ease.
There is also the 13-inch Full-HD retina display. The retina display not only captures colors and contrast amazingly well, making streaming movies a delight but is easy on the eyes as well.
The SSD as always is a boon in terms of both speed and durability while 512GB is pretty much all the storage you will need.
Unlike the previous versions, the laptop has a fingerprint scanner for easy unlocking. There are also 2 Thunderbolt ports giving you transfer speeds of 40GBPS for quick and easy file backup.
Apple has also upgraded to the Magic Keyboard which has a 1mm key travel making types easier as compared to the butterfly keyboard of the past. Plus, it is backlit so you can work/play even at night.
While the Intel Iris Plus Graphics card isn’t ideal for high-end gaming, it is a much-needed upgrade as it increases performance and speed by about 40%.
Drawbacks
As always, the MacBook is on the expensive side, and repairs will cost you big bucks as well (though you won’t be needing them anytime soon). But if you’re looking for the best desktop replacement laptop you will have to be prepared to spend quite a bit.
Also, as I mentioned above, it isn’t ideal for gaming but then you have the Helios 300 for that.
Pros
- Highly portable as it is both lightweight and compact
- One of the very few laptops to have a 10th Gen i5 processor
- It has a long 8-10 hour battery life
- Microphone, speaker and camera quality make video calling a breeze
- 13-inch Full-HD Retina Display reduces strain on eyes and delivers amazing picture quality
- 512SSD gives the laptop both speed and excellent storage space
- The Backlit Magic Keyboard makes typing easier and quicker anytime
- With the Intel Iris Plus Graphics card, performance is boosted by 40% compared to previous models
- Thunderbolt ports allow you to transfer large amounts of data within minutes
- Fingerprint scanner for quick and easy unlocking
Cons
- It will cost you over $1000
- Not suited for high-end games due to an integrated graphics card
- Repairs are expensive
9. Budget Pick: ASUS VivoBook 15
Cannot afford laptops that cost $1000 or more? Well, what if you could get a good laptop for less than $500? Interested? Say hello to the ASUS VivoBook 15.
- RAM: 8GB
- Weight: 3.75lbs
- Processor: i3-8145U
- CPU Speed: Up to 3.9GHz
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ Full-HD
- OS: Windows 10 S
- Battery Life: 4-5hrs
- LxWxH: 14.1 x 9.1 x 0.75 inches
Best Features
Though a cheaper laptop, the VivoBook has features that will pleasantly surprise users. For example, it comes with a 15.6” Full-HD display that is perfect for watching movies. Not winning any beauty contest but compared to other laptops in this price range, it is pretty good.
But that’s not all. It also has an 88% screen-to-body ratio so you get maximum viewing area.
And to ensure the laptop boots in less than 10 seconds and programs open up just as fast, the laptop is installed with an SSD.
Furthermore, you also get an i3-8145U processor unlike the Pentium processor of the cheaper laptops along with an 8GB RAM giving it a performance boost.
So if your work revolves mainly around content writing, creating presentations, managing excel sheets, research work that requires multiple tabs then the specs are perfect.
And if you think 128GB isn’t ample storage for you, you can always upgrade it all by yourself. There is also the backlit keyboard making it easy for you to use the laptop in the low or no light
Also, does it happen often that you end up spilling coffee over your laptop? Put those worries to rest as the VivoBook 15 comes with 60-day accidental damage protection that also covers damage due to electrical surges and drops.
The laptop also fits the lightweight category as it weighs under 4lbs and is really compact as well giving you excellent mobility (will fit in your handbag). While lightweight and compact, the construction is solid and the laptop by no means feels cheap.
Drawbacks
My biggest issue with the laptop was its battery life. Though not very powerful, the laptop needs to be charged every 4-5 hours.
Also, the speaker of the laptop is disappointing though if you have earphones/headphones, the camera is good enough to have fun video calls with friends or important meetings.
Of course, the laptop won’t support a lot of games but considering its low price, it is a great laptop that can be used when you need a break from your desk.
Pros
- The ideal laptop for those on a tight budget as it costs less than $500
- Comes with an i3-8145U processor and 8GB RAM
- It has a Full-HD display with an 88% screen to body ratio
- Comes with an SSD for more speed and durability
- Boots in less than 10 seconds
- Comes with 60-day damage protection against spills, power surges, and drops
- Weighs just 3.7lbs and is very compact
- It has a strong body and design feels premium
- The 128GB SSD can be upgraded when needed
Cons
- Not suited for gaming
- Low battery life (just 4-5 hours)
- Poor speakers
- Low storage space but thankfully it can be upgraded
10. Best Display: Dell XPS 15
Last but not least on the list of the best desktop replacement laptops is another top-notch laptop that goes toe to toe with the MSI Creator, the Dell XPS 15. Here’s why we rate it so highly.
- RAM: 16GB
- Weight: 5.5lbs
- Processor: 9th Gen, 6-Core, i7-9750h
- CPU Speed: Up to 4.5GHz
- Graphics: GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6″ 4K
- OS: Windows 10
- Battery Life: 5-6hrs
- LxWxH: 9.27 x 14.06 x 0.66 inches
Best Features
Just like the MSI Creator the Dell XPS also features the 9th Gen i7-9750h 6-core processor that clocks at 4.5GHz.
Furthermore, both laptops feature a 15.6”, 4K UHD display, and the XPS also has an ultra-thin bezel (0.2-inches) with anti-glare and wide viewing angles for comfortable viewing.
The one advantage that the XPS has over here is the screen brightness. The 500nits brightness makes it a better choice for watching movies streaming videos.
It also has better speakers, a more stylish and bold black design plus, Dell’s customer support services trump MSI any day (though you won’t be needing that anytime soon with either laptop).
The XPS also features a USB-C charger and gives you better data transfer speeds. While the charger is smaller and charging is quicker, battery life is about the same i.e. 4-5 hours.
The laptop also gives users the chance to contribute to environmental conservation. Yup, 90% of the materials used in this bad boy can be recycled thus also winning it 2018 Best of Innovation Award.
So why did we put the MSI Creator above the Dell XPS 15?
Simply put, the MSI Creator offers greater speed and power compared to the XPS. Yup, the XPS has 16GB of RAM and a 4GB GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card compared to the 32GB RAM and 6GB dedicated GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card of the Creator.
But hey, we are talking about 16GB RAM and a 4GB Dedicated graphics card which means your new XPS can also be used for most games, 3D animation software, video editing, and graphic designing.
Plus, the MSI Creator laptop is priced slightly lesser than the Dell XPS 15.
But if you do not happen to like the white color of the Creator or prefer the Dell brand over others, the XPS is an excellent choice and does not leave much room for complaints.
And in case you do not want the hassle of upgrading the laptop’s RAM, GPU, storage as your work or gaming needs increase, the Creator is the laptop to go with. (either way, it is money well spent).
Pros
- Comes with a USB-C charger and thus charges quickly
- Gives you better data transfer speeds than the MSI Creator
- The laptop is powerful enough for gaming, 3D animation, gaming, etc.
- It also has a better design the MSI Creator
- Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 makes the screen damage resistant
- It has a 15” 4k Display with wide viewing angles and anti-glare coating
- 500nits brightness gives you some of the most vivid images you’d get in a laptops screen
- Dell offers excellent customer support services
- 90% of the materials used in making the laptop can be recycled
- It has excellent speakers and an HD webcam
- Comes with a 1TB SSD
Cons
- Highly-priced
- The 4-5 hour battery life is a bummer
- Fan noise could be loud for some users when gaming for long hours
Buying Guide For Desktop Replacement Laptops
CPU
Many people refer to the CPU as the “brain” of a computer, and rightly so. The more efficient this unit is, the more seamless your machine will function. Desktop computers have a dedicated set-up to take care of the processor-related tasks while in a laptop this configuration is embedded inside compact hardware.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, a hardcore gamer, or a video editor, a top-performance CPU is something you wouldn’t want to sacrifice. You’ll have to consider two factors while determining the potency of a CPU – core count and clock speed. The more the value of these parameters, the better your system will perform.
Typically, to replace a desktop you must go for Intel’s Core i7 or Core i9 CPUs with six or more cores. You can also choose from AMD’s Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs that work pretty much the same as Intel’s i7 or i9 respectively. This class of CPU would create a beast machine and give you a desktop-like performance, if not more.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can lean on cheaper options like an i5 or Ryzen 3. But again, it would be unfair to expect a high-end powerhouse at this configuration.
GPU
GPU or graphics processing unit is responsible for whatever you see on your screen. Gamer folks or people who are engaged in video editing need no caution to explain how vital GPU is, it’s something other users mostly overlook. However, using GPUs at the lower end of the performance scale would prove the point.
These days, everyday laptops are assembled with an integrated graphics processor or IGP into the CPU. The downside of such an embedded system is it hinders the scope of up-gradation and so the performance is limited.
While replacing your desktop with a laptop, you should look for a dedicated graphics processor. Although a dedicated GPU of any status would have an upper hand over the integrated ones, we’d suggest you get an NVIDIA GTX or RTX series GPU. Apart from an exceptional gaming experience, this would enable you to watch content in high resolution on your laptop and wouldn’t give you any chance to miss your desktop.
RAM
Memory or RAM parameter of a system tells us how multitasking a machine could be. You can perform basic tasks on your computer with decent RAM value. However, if you’re a hardcore PC gamer or someone who simply loves to load themselves with multiple tasks at a time, a basic RAM could be a bump in your smooth fantasy bubble.
For everyday tasks, you wouldn’t need more than 8 GB RAM and in case you’re a professional or a heavy-duty user, you’ll benefit from memory amounts above 16 GB. A wisely chosen laptop would deliver performance as vigorous as your desktop PC.
Storage Space
You must’ve stored a tonne of data into your desktop computer, thus in order to replace it with a laptop, you must ensure that your new system is as roomy as your older one. For a family laptop, a storage space of 256 GB SSD would suffice. On the other hand, if you’re a professional running several productivity tasks and storing enormous amounts of information in your system, a minimum of 512 GB SSD is recommended for you.
Between a 1 TB HDD and a 512 GB SSD, the latter is more productive since SSDs reboot your system in seconds and make access to information significantly easier.
Display
Denser screens are undoubtedly the most preferred as they facilitate sharp images, the vibrancy of colors, clearer texts, etc. The resolution of a laptop’s screen signifies what level of interfacing experience you’re gonna have with your pictures, videos, 3D models, games, etc.
The quality of a laptop’s display is defined by pixels per inch and size, especially when you’re looking to replace it with your desktop. A laptop with a resolution of at least 1920×1080 with IPS technology and 15.6″ of the screen would be best-suited. If budget isn’t a problem with you, you’ll find OLED screens and also bigger screens of up to 17″ in size that would give you a top-notch cinematic experience with protection from blue light.
Battery life
Battery-life measurement is pretty subjective since it clearly depends on how you use your laptop. One person’s five hours could be another person’s whole day. But in order for your laptop to be a potential desktop substitute, it should at least let you stay away from the power plug for around six to seven hours.
These days, laptops are available with fast-charging adapters, so if you manage to hike up your budget a bit, it’s going to be worth it.
Other Features
Desktop PCs are highly upgradable and this is where most laptops fail, however companies have begun to incorporate this flexibility in laptops too. Now you can customize your beast machine as per your needs anytime in the future.
Another important aspect to look out for in the hardware is the port arrangement. Your laptop must promote the ease of data transfer and connecting multiple peripherals at the same time.
| Specifications | Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements |
| CPU | Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 3 | Intel Core i7/AMD Ryzen 5 or higher |
| GPU | Integrated Graphics Processor | 4 GB NVIDIA GTX/RTX 2060 or higher |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage Space | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 15.6″ with 1920×1080 resolution | 17″ with 3840×2160 resolution |
| Battery Life (under normal operation) | Six Hours | Ten Hours |
FAQs
How can I use my laptop as a desktop replacement?
A laptop can also be used as a desktop computer by connecting it to a dock, attaching a keyboard, and mouse, then starting to work. As long as they are set up properly initially, an external monitor and keyboard don’t require any configuration on a daily basis.
Why are laptops more expensive than desktops?
Laptops are more expensive than desktops because of the cost of designing and developing hardware that’s small and at the same time meets performance expectations.
Are desktop Pcs dead?
Desktop PCs might be dying for casual use where is it being replaced with laptops. But, for a lot of other use cases, it’s still thriving. For users who need the performance of desktop PCs, content creators, gamers, and some professionals, laptops are still not an option.
