What Is a Gaming Computer Called? Terminology Guide

There is no single official term, but the industry and community use specific names based on form factor:

Common Terms

• Gaming PC / Gaming Desktop: The standard term for a tower/desktop built for performance.
• Gaming Rig / Battlestation: Enthusiast slang emphasizing high-end/custom builds (custom loops, RGB, multi-GPU historically).
• Gaming Laptop / Notebook: Portable variant with discrete GPU (dGPU).
• Gaming Console: Dedicated appliance (PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch). Not a "PC" but a "computer system designed to run games."
• Workstation / Creator PC: Overlaps with gaming; uses pro GPUs (NVIDIA RTX A-series, AMD Radeon Pro) but often games well.
• Steam Deck / ROG Ally / Legion Go: Categorized as Handheld Gaming PCs (x86 architecture, run standard PC OS).

Key Differentiator

The defining component is a Discrete Graphics Card (dGPU) (NVIDIA GeForce RTX / AMD Radeon RX series) rather than integrated graphics. Pre-builts from Dell (Alienware), HP (OMEN), Lenovo (Legion), and boutique builders (Origin, Maingear, iBuyPower) all fall under "Gaming PC."