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Renting is often seen as a more expensive option than buying, however, it also permits a higher level of freedom. Here is why I am seriously thinking about renting a gaming PC, at least for a little while.
Sure, It’s Expensive
Gaming PCs and laptops, such as theAsus ROG Zephyrus G16, are packed with high-end technology, including super-fast GPUs and processors, and crisp, high-definition displays. They are designed to handle even the most demanding games on the market as well as providing high-performance graphics for professionals like designers and architects. However, all this computing power comes at a hefty price, with many machines costing well over $2000.
As such, the cost of renting one of these machines is pretty expensive, too, at around $170 - $400 a month, depending on the specs of the machine you want. At these kinds of prices, renting a gaming PC or laptop for just a few months could cost the same, if not more, than buying a brand new one! So why would anyone, including myself, decide this is a good idea?
Is It Worth the Cost to Rent?
It turns out that there are a number of situations where renting a gaming PC or laptop might be preferable to buying one. For instance, if, like me, you have little or no experience with gaming on a super-powerful computer, then it makes sense to try one out before going ahead and spending a large sum of money on one.
By renting for a short period of time, you can gain a better understanding of what one of these machines is capable of and if it is, in fact, the right purchase for you. In addition, you can compare different models and specifications so that you don’t waste your money on a gaming computer that doesn’t suit your purposes.
Moreover, by renting, the customer doesn’t need to be concerned aboutmaintenance or upkeep of the computer, or worry about costly repairs should it break down.
Another situation where renting might be preferable to buying is if you only need to use such a computer for a short period of time. Those involved in music production or event management, for example, often need a high-powered laptop for running things like lighting, audio, video, and media for a live performance, so renting a temporary setup for a few days can be a more cost-effective option than buying one.
Types of Systems Available for Rent
There is a large range of gaming PCs and laptops available for rent in the US. One well-known company isNZXTand they have a number of packages available. For $169 a month, you can rent a gaming PC with an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RT 4070 Ti graphics card, which boasts up to 255 FPS when gaming.
NZXT states that you can cancel your subscription at any time with no hidden or extra costs, and for those renting long-term, they will replace the computer with a new model every two years.
If you need something portable, you might prefer a gaming laptop. However, these can often be even more pricey to rent.One World Rentalhas offices all over the world and will deliver your choice of laptop to your home address or the event location within two working days. They supply regular laptops, MacBooks, tablets, printers, and any other electronic devices you might need, as well as MSI Leopard gaming laptops with a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card.
In addition, they offer on-site support for customers renting equipment for events. The total cost for these services depends on your location and whether you want to rent daily, weekly, or monthly.
What Are the Alternatives?
If all of this sounds like an overly expensive way to experience using a high-quality computer, then you do have some alternatives. You could take a look at the second-hand market, as manypre-owned laptops and PCscan be found at less than half of their original price.
Amazon sells a number of used gaming laptops, such as this2022 MSI GF63with an Intel Core i5-11400H processor and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 3050 graphics card for under $700. Also, it’s backed by Amazon’s return policy, meaning you’re able to return it for a full refund for up to 30 days if there is anything wrong with it.
On the other hand, if you are considering renting a PC purely to play games, then why not look at consoles instead? They are much cheaper to purchase brand new—the PlayStation 5 retails for under $500—and since they are dedicated gaming machines they have similar graphics and performance to a gaming PC.
If you are still considering renting, then you can rent the latest generation console for around $100 - $130 a month fromRent-A-Center. This is an attractive offer for some gamers, as the company will also preload the hard drive with any games of your choice. Another option, offered byRent One, is rent to buy, whereby you pay a slightly higher rental price each month, but you eventually own the system after the designated time period.
Whatever your reason for renting rather than buying, there should be an option out there that will suit you. The flexibility to enjoy a premium gaming system, without the need to cover the full cost upfront, combined with access to the latest hardware and no maintenance and repair fees, makes it an attractive proposition in certain circumstances.
However, if you are hoping to save money, looking at second-hand options is definitely a cheaper alternative, and there are some great deals to be found.
