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Why a Laptop is Better Than A Handheld Console

Arnox

Master
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I do want to bring up a point that I don't think gets brought up often enough when it comes to handheld game consoles. I used to be a big fan of the handheld consoles, but as I grew older, I began to use them less and less, but I didn't know why. But when the Switch came out, it finally occurred to me exactly why this was.

So let me just ask you, when is it a good time to play on a mobile console? Obviously not in the house, otherwise you might as well just hook the console up to the TV (Switch) or just use your computer to emulate it with a nice controller of your choosing. Alright, so any time you're not at the house. Easy enough. But wait, you probably also shouldn't be playing your handheld when you're at your friends house. It's kinda rude and you should socialize anyway. Ok, so not at your house or anyone else's house or at get-togethers. But wait. You can't really play it at work during lunch breaks because obviously you're eating. And the 15 minute breaks aren't a lot of time to play, although I guess you could squeeze it in.

Ok, so not at your home, at get-togethers, or at work. But wait. Obviously you can't play when you're driving. So you can't use it during travel, although I guess you can use it on the bus or plane. So there you go. The only time a handheld console really is able to use its mobile advantage over a PC or home console is if you're on a bus or plane. But people say we're on electronics too much and should take some time to break away from them anyway. And what about reading? Maybe you should try getting through that back catalog of books.

Now we're back to the laptop. For the few places you can actually play a game, a semi-competent laptop is better than the handheld because:

1. It can handle outputting video to any TV, making it into an instant split-screen/local play machine.
2. It can handle almost any emulator you throw at it, with full support for advanced features.
3. It can connect to the internet and download whatever you need straight to the device.
4. It can do literally anything else you want it to do if you don't want it to play games, such as play movies, or do something for work.
 

Battousai

Brother Sharp
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I just realized something, do you people ever see anyone at all with a handheld console on the street ever? I've seen some kids in restaurants or a hotel maybe, sure they have them to keep themselves distracted. These are children however, actual adults with lives though in regular public places though?

I always see people on their phones, and they can use some mobile gaming there of course if they are into that. Most people who do own one of these handhelds just leave it at home most of the time, and only use it there whenever they feel like using it. Kinda defeats the purpose of having one of these handhelds, might as well just have a regular home console. The only reason I see to this would be to play the exclusive games that are in said handheld console if you are into that.
 

gaijinkaiju

Lord Inquisitor
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Guess I'm a bit of an anomaly then. I'll usually take a handheld if I'm going to be out and about for a few hours.

Obviously not in the house, otherwise you might as well just hook the console up to the TV (Switch) or just use your computer to emulate it with a nice controller of your choosing. Alright, so any time you're not at the house.
If I'm playing handheld at home, it's usually when I'm in bed, either before I get up or before I go to sleep.

But wait, you probably also shouldn't be playing your handheld when you're at your friends house. It's kinda rude and you should socialize anyway. Ok, so not at your house or anyone else's house or at get-togethers.
When my friend comes over, he brings his switch over. Now sure, I'll usually play while he's on my PS4/3 but sometimes he'll play that or his DS in the morning. That aside, get-togetherness are the perfect place for party games on the switch, it's what it was made for.

But wait. You can't really play it at work during lunch breaks because obviously you're eating. And the 15 minute breaks aren't a lot of time to play, although I guess you could squeeze it in.
I worked with someone who played pokemon on a DS during breaks, and I went through a period of playing mortal kombat on my vita. Not sure if breaks are the same overseas, but typically you'll get two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute break here, which is easily enough time to fit in eating and something casual.

Obviously you can't play when you're driving. So you can't use it during travel, although I guess you can use it on the bus or plane. So there you go.
Buses are a great place to play. It'll usually take about 40 minutes to an hour to get to get from where I live to where I need to be, easily enough time to play something. Long car rides are another ideal time, albeit I'm a passenger.

And what about reading? Maybe you should try getting through that back catalog of books.
That is a valid point, and it's something I myself have started to prefer in the evenings.
 

Arnox

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If I'm playing handheld at home, it's usually when I'm in bed, either before I get up or before I go to sleep.
I would argue against this as it's been said you should avoid doing any reading or electronics in bed as the mind will associate your bed more with sleep, and thus, allow you to more easily fall asleep.

When my friend comes over, he brings his switch over. Now sure, I'll usually play while he's on my PS4/3 but sometimes he'll play that or his DS in the morning. That aside, get-togetherness are the perfect place for party games on the switch, it's what it was made for.
Yeah, but local consoles and laptops can also do the same.
 
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