Need help choosing between laptop and desktop

[ProfKahan]

Hi Guys

This is a repost under a different section, and as the title states, I can't decide what to buy. I've been looking and working little by little towards buying the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p or a gaming PC. I am living in South Africa so availability is not the best. Anyways the model I am looking to buy has the following specs:

- i7 4700MQ 2.4-3.4 GHz
- nVidia GT 750m GDDR5 2gb
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
- 8gb RAM DDR3 1600MHz
- 1tb HDD 5600 rpm
- DVD Writer (in UltraBay)
- Windows 8 Pro 64-bit

The laptop is priced at R12 500 (~$1154)

Now the best computer parts that I can get for a desktop around the same price is:

- i5 4670k 3.4-3.8 GHz (R3200)
- nVidia GTX 650 Ti 1gb (R2200)
- Z87 Motherboard (R1800)
- 8gb RAM DDR3 1600MHz (R800)
- 1tb HDD 7200 rpm (R900)
- Good looking chassis (R530)
- Thermaltake PSU 550W (R530)
- Cooler Master Aftermarket cooler (R440)
- 22" FHD LCD Monitor (1920x1080p) (R1600)
- Windows 8 Home 64-bit (R1100)
- Mouse, keyboard, speakers (R400)

Total of R13 500 (~$1246)

I cannot afford anything more, not with the little I earn.

Now I'm a Computer Science student, so I'm mostly at campus. I only really play StarCraft 2 quite hardcore, but I do like to try out other games now and then. The campus does have computer LANs where we can use the computers for work. But I wouldn't be able to game, plus most of the time the undergraduate LANs are completely occupied, so no guarantee on getting a workstation.

So what do I do? Which do I get? Do I sacrifice a decent desktop for convenience, or not?

 

[Jayxl]

I wouldn't say that desktop is 'decent'. It's quite below that.
The laptop is actually a little more powerful than the desktop. (except the graphics)

As you are going to use it mostly on the campus, I recommend going for the more portable option i.e. laptop.

 

[Kai Dowin]

The desktop is more powerful and better suited for your gaming habits. The laptop gives you mobility and seems to be better tailored for your academic habits.
It's up to you decide which one is more important now.

 

[Jayxl]

Yes, the desktop will basically satisfy your gaming needs.
But the laptop suits your campus environment more.
And the GT 750M should have no problems handling starcraft 2.

 

[ProfKahan]

Thanks for the replies guys

Yeah the laptop is the better option, cheaper also. Starcraft is very light on graphics cards. I could play a mix of medium and high settings with an nVidia GT 525M at about 45 fps. I expect the 750M to be much better. And yeah the GTX 650 isn't that grand, but everything is very expensive here. We get ripped off for everything