With so many various consoles, platforms and kinds of video games to select from, there’s by no means been a greater time to be a gamer.Whether you prefer taking part in on the PS5, Xbox Series X, the (*7*) Switch or on one in every of the finest gaming PCs, there’s actually one thing for everybody as of late. However, when it comes to the place you truly play video games, you could be questioning when you’re higher off doing so in entrance of the TV on the sofa or at your desk.I nonetheless bear in mind again when having a number of TVs all through your home was extraordinarily uncommon due to each their a lot larger value and their bigger footprint. Now although, a lot of the finest TVs are considerably cheaper than they used to be whereas the finest finances TVs supply a surprisingly good image for his or her worth. Still although, when you dwell in a smaller condo or dwelling, house could come at a premium. Likewise, when you have an enormous household or dwell with roommates, discovering the time to play undisturbed on the largest display in your house could be shut to not possible.Although you possibly can all the time decide up one in every of the finest handheld gaming consoles like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally and play from anyplace, taking part in on a handheld is kind of a unique expertise than taking part in on a bigger display with a controller or a keyboard and mouse in hand. I personally prefer the latter, which is why I’ve put collectively an inventory of seven reasons why I truly prefer taking part in video games at my desk as a substitute of on the TV. The TV isn’t all the time free(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)The primary purpose handheld gaming PCs and the (*7*) Switch earlier than them turned as common as they did is as a result of the TV in your front room probably isn’t free all that usually. Sure, you possibly can recreation for a couple of minutes here and there after everybody’s gone to mattress, however a number of instances, while you do play on the TV, any individual else in your family is watching a present or a film on one in every of the finest streaming providers. This is smart as watching TV predates gaming and few individuals bat an eye fixed while you inform them you simply binge watched a brand new sequence.If you play video games at your desk although, it’s extremely unlikely that another person will likely be utilizing your desk while you need to recreation. Instead, your desk can function your individual bespoke battle station and you’ll play video games at it with out upsetting or inconveniencing anybody else. The downside of attempting to play video games on the TV when others are utilizing it has gotten so dangerous that Sony launched the PlayStation Portal final 12 months simply so players can play on their PS5 when the TV is occupied. As this $200 streaming-only gadget is promoting so nicely, we actually have a web page solely devoted to PlayStation Portal restocks. Playing on the PlayStation Portal is one choice however if you’d like to have the opportunity to use totally different controllers on a a lot larger display, you may want to take into account taking your PS5 out of the front room and placing it into your house workplace or examine.Using a keyboard and mouse is an entire lot simpler(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)While you possibly can completely use a wi-fi keyboard and mouse to play on the sofa, this isn’t almost as handy as doing so at your desk. Plus, at your desk, you need to use a wired model of one in every of the finest gaming keyboards or mice. Not solely are wired PC peripherals cheaper, additionally they have much less latency and enter lag and also you don’t have to fear about wi-fi interference. There are loads of different advantages to utilizing a keyboard and mouse over a controller that I gained’t go into here.At the identical time, you don’t want to have a gaming PC to play with a keyboard and mouse anymore. This is as a result of each the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S now supply keyboard and mouse help for quite a lot of totally different video games. While utilizing a keyboard and mouse is usually one thing you’d do when taking part in first-person shooters or actual time technique video games, making the swap may additionally be a good suggestion in case your thumbs are worn out from taking part in with a controller over the years.Wired controllers are excellent at your desk(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)Just like with keyboards and mice, wired controllers are considerably cheaper than their wi-fi counterparts. If you’re taking part in on the TV although, you would possibly really feel a bit foolish working a cable out of your console all the approach throughout your front room ground. Plus, any individual might stroll in, journey on the cable and pull your console off your leisure middle, sending it crashing to the ground. I’ve used a number of of the finest (*7*) Switch controllers that weren’t wi-fi on my TV however solely at evening when nobody else was round.At your desk although, you possibly can simply run the cable from a wired controller throughout your desktop and never have to fear about another person tripping over it. Likewise, there’s nothing worse than booting up your console solely to discover out that your wi-fi controller wants to cost or requires new batteries. You additionally get the identical advantages when it comes to enter lag and latency when utilizing a wired controller over a wi-fi one.There’s no such factor as an ultrawide TV(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)Now this one could also be a bit extra divisive however when you’re taking part in on PC as a substitute of on console, you owe it to your self to give an ultrawide monitor a strive. Unlike with a TV the place you’re restricted to a side ratio of 16:9, ultrawide displays have a side ratio of 21:9, although they’ll go all the approach up to 32:9 in the event that they’re giant sufficient. This further house on both facet permits you to see much more of a recreation and might actually add to the immersion. However, not each recreation helps ultrawide resolutions however that is starting to change as ultrawide displays are gaining popularity.Among the finest displays, you’ll discover a number of ultrawide ones however making the swap from 16:9 to 21:9 and even 32:9 does put a a lot better demand on your graphics card and on your PC as an entire. If you may have a robust sufficient rig although, switching to an ultrawide may very well be the excellent improve to your desk setup. Also, these wider displays are extra suited to working from dwelling as you possibly can have two full measurement packages or home windows open on both facet. This approach, you don’t have to waste time switching between two home windows or apps.Plenty of house for all of your peripherals(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)If any individual doesn’t play video games themselves, the final thing they need to see once they sit down in entrance of the TV to watch their favourite present or film is controllers and all types of different gaming peripherals all over the place. As the PS5 and Xbox Series X are each a lot bigger than earlier consoles and require extra airflow, you possibly can’t simply tuck them away inside an leisure middle such as you used to have the opportunity to. Not solely will your console be out the place everybody can see it, there’s additionally a better danger of it getting knocked down or broken when subsequent to your TV.At your desk although, it’s a unique story altogether. You have greater than sufficient room in your console, controllers and even a headset. If you work at home, you’re not going to have the opportunity to dedicate as a lot house on your desk to gaming however there ought to nonetheless be loads of house for a console and even one in every of the finest gaming laptops. Having your individual house to play video games at may also assist with distractions and also you gained’t have to fear about somebody strolling in entrance of the TV throughout a pivotal in-game second.You’re not restricted to sitting down(Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)If you walked right into a front room or den and noticed somebody standing up whereas taking part in video games on the TV, you’d most likely suppose one thing was off with them. Even although sitting for lengthy durations has unfavorable results on your well being, standing up whereas taking part in video games on your TV doesn’t make an entire lot of sense. Also, your TV is probably going in a set place both on an leisure middle or mounted to the wall and it most likely is just too low for you to comfortably play video games whereas standing up in entrance of it.As somebody who builds and opinions the finest standing desks, the majority of my gaming is definitely finished in entrance of a standing desk. I do play video games whereas sitting down from time to time however when taking part in a extra action-packed title, I like to get up so I can transfer round when doing so. This helps burn off a number of further energy when I’m taking part in video games too. With a standing desk, you possibly can increase or decrease your desk in order that your monitor is positioned ergonomically. This approach, you’re not placing extra pressure on your neck and shoulders whereas taking part in. Even when you don’t have a standing desk although, you possibly can all the time use a monitor arm or a monitor stand to increase your show up to eye degree.Upgrading your desk setup is simpler and cheaper (Image credit score: Tom’s Guide)Going out and getting a brand new TV or a brand new sofa will be fairly costly. Also, as doing so will probably be an enormous buy, it’s the form of factor you want to focus on with the different individuals in your family first. The identical isn’t true when it comes to your desk setup although. Whether you need to swap in a brand new desk or a brand new monitor, that is a lot simpler than having to rearrange your whole front room. The finest gaming chairs or one in every of the finest workplace chairs additionally present a lot better lumbar help than a sofa usually does since they’re designed for you to sink into. Even when you don’t have the finances for a premium chair, you possibly can all the time decide up one thing cheaper like The Foldable Gaming Chair pictured above for while you need to be extra comfy taking part in video games at your desk. If you work at home, switching chairs will also be a great way to differentiate between gaming or working at your desk.Ultimately, the selection is yoursEven although I’ve laid out my personal reasons for gaming at my desk as a substitute of on the sofa in entrance of the TV, at the finish of the day, the selection of the place you prefer to play video games is de facto up to you. If you reside alone and don’t have to fear about hogging the TV, then your TV goes to be the finest place to play video games. However, if others regularly use your TV while you need to play video games, then you definately could be higher off setting apart house in your house or condo for a devoted desk setup for taking part in video games.While taking part in video games on the sofa or at your desk is the form of factor that players can simply combat over in the identical approach they do with consoles, you don’t want to restrict your self to one or the different. In reality, you could have a greater expertise taking part in sure video games on your TV whereas being up shut to your monitor with a headset on could be higher for others. Alternatively, you would possibly prefer the feeling of holding a console in your fingers and taking part in in your mattress and even on the go. Regardless of how you want to play video games, it’s an ideal factor that we now have a number of totally different choices out there when it comes time to bounce again into your favourite recreation.More from Tom’s GuideAt the moment’s finest Secretlab Magnus offers
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