PC or Laptop?

Gray-Fox · 17 Apr 2014 at 20:00

I need a new system for various things, but primarily for:

- Playing poker - multiple tables + hand database (so need good SSD) + 1 for desktop

- Running dual screens (I already have a 32" LG TV) +1 for laptop

- Playing movies/music - Neutral

- I am really looking for a decent system, but with great value for money.

Deewon · 17 Apr 2014 at 20:50

Why would dual screens be a +1 for laptop?

If you need the mobility then go laptop. If you wont use it much on the go just go with a desktop. More performance for your money.

Gray-Fox · 17 Apr 2014 at 20:52

Deewon said:
Why would dual screens be a +1 for laptop?

If you need the mobility then go laptop. If you wont use it much on the go just go with a desktop. More performance for your money.

Thanks.

The laptop is +1 because if I build my own PC, I'm going to have to buy a new monitor, whereas a laptop will have its own screen, plus the LG TV I already use.

/

Is the "more performance for your money" dependent on me building it myself? Or is there something I can have either ready made or pre-built that is also more performance?

I don't really have time to build my own, and I need it fairly soon.

abbotsmike · 17 Apr 2014 at 21:03

For the same money, a desktop PC will be faster. Plenty of pre built systems on OCUK.

It entirely comes down to how you want to use it. I find my desktop much easier to be productive at, but my laptop is a good compromise when I'm not at my desk.

2 screens are also really annoying unless they are virtually next to each other IME, something that would be hard to achieve with a ~15" laptop screen and a 32" Telly.

Gray-Fox · 17 Apr 2014 at 21:13

abbotsmike said:
For the same money, a desktop PC will be faster. Plenty of pre built systems on OCUK.

Sorry to be a pain, but could you show me some good examples? As I said, a fairly big SSD is a must for OS and intensive apps.

2 screens are also really annoying unless they are virtually next to each other IME, something that would be hard to achieve with a ~15" laptop screen and a 32" Telly.

I've done it for the last few years lol, it's been fine. Point still taken though.

abbotsmike · 18 Apr 2014 at 15:56

Don't really have the time to go building up systems at the minute I'm afraid.

Pick a price point, have a look at the pre-built systems compared to laptops you can buy for that. CPU benchmark for comparing processors, GPU benchmark for comparing graphics.

Deewon · 18 Apr 2014 at 16:17

You will always get better components for your money with a desktop. Laptops sacrifice that for the mobility. £500 would buy your a more powerful PC than a laptop for the same budget.

If you really need a laptop then fair enough but unless its vital you have one I would recommend you go desktop. If your happy to go desktop then post your budgets and requirements and I'm sure people will be happy to chip it with some ideas.

Steveocee · 18 Apr 2014 at 16:35

PC.
There isn't really much of a contest in my mind.

ElliorR · 18 Apr 2014 at 17:17

I had this same dilemma a few weeks ago and in the end decided to build a new desktop as I didn't need portability so decided to get as much out of my money as I could.

Gray-Fox · 18 Apr 2014 at 17:39

ElliorR said:
I had this same dilemma a few weeks ago and in the end decided to build a new desktop as I didn't need portability so decided to get as much out of my money as I could.

Done exactly the same thing...this is my new setup:

Hazro HZ27WiE 8-Bit 27" Glass LED Widescreen Professional Monitor - Black £249.99 1 £249.99
Intel Core i3-4130 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £69.16 1 £69.16
MSI Radeon R7 250 OC 2048MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card £58.29 1 £58.29
Kingston 120GB SSDNow V300 Drive SATA 6Gb/s 3 2.5" (7mm height) Solid State Hard Drive - (SV300S37A/120G) £46.66 1 £46.66
Kingston HyperX Beast 8GB (2x4GB) PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX24C11T3K2/8X) £38.29 1 £38.29
Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £36.66 1 £36.66
Asus H81M-PLUS Intel H81 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £34.16 1 £34.16
SuperFlower Amazon 450W "80 Plus Bronze" Power Supply £33.29 1 £33.29
BitFenix Merc Alpha Gaming Case - Black £27.49 1 £27.49
25 Pack - Verbatim DVD-R 16x Silver (43522) £4.16 1 £4.16