Should I get the laptop or PC?

[AtomicSnipe]

Hi,

I was planning to build this PC https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wDZtyf but then I found this laptop https://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade (6th gen i7, 512 Gb ssd, GTX 1060, FHD monitor) for about $1171 in my country, but its used.

I will be going to college in a couple years so I figured the laptop will be a good option. It also has similar features to the PC I was planning to build, and a lower price (the PC would come at about $1425 in my country).

Do you think I should go with the laptop?

Thanks

 

[raisonjohn]

It depends what your priorities are.

In terms of portability, bring a PC to the university, then you are forced to choose the laptop (not the desktop PC for obvious reasons).

In terms of performance (CPU), the desktop PC would be the best option. Note that the 6th-gen i7 on that laptop is not comparable to the 6th-gen i7 on a desktop. Mobile i7 CPUs are usually denoted with the suffix "HQ" (for higher-end) or "U" (for low-powered), which is different from Desktop i7 CPUs. The laptop's i7-6700HQ is comparable in effective speed only to a desktop's i3-6100 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700HQ-vs-Intel-Core-i3-6100/m34954vs3511).

In terms of upgradability, the desktop PC offers greater flexibility in upgrading/changing components. The laptop is restricted.

In terms of power consumption, the laptop consumes less than a desktop PC.

In terms of heat, the laptop would struggle in dissipating heat, esp. with a GTX 1060 in there (restricted airflow) compared to a desktop PC with ample airflow.

In terms of warranty, of course, buying used components is always a risk, unless you trust the seller and can easily determine whether the item being sold is in good condition or not. RMA'ing is also hard (sometimes not possible) for used items bought.

Ultimately, given the above factors, it's up to you. Personally, I don't like buying used, esp. for a laptop.

 

[AtomicSnipe]

It depends what your priorities are.

In terms of portability, bring a PC to the university, then you are forced to choose the laptop (not the desktop PC for obvious reasons).

In terms of performance (CPU), the desktop PC would be the best option. Note that the 6th-gen i7 on that laptop is not comparable to the 6th-gen i7 on a desktop. Mobile i7 CPUs are usually denoted with the suffix "HQ" (for higher-end) or "U" (for low-powered), which is different from Desktop i7 CPUs. The laptop's i7-6700HQ is comparable in effective speed only to a desktop's i3-6100 (http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-6700HQ-vs-Intel-Core-i3-6100/m34954vs3511).

In terms of upgradability, the desktop PC offers greater flexibility in upgrading/changing components. The laptop is restricted.

In terms of power consumption, the laptop consumes less than a desktop PC.

In terms of heat, the laptop would struggle in dissipating heat, esp. with a GTX 1060 in there (restricted airflow) compared to a desktop PC with ample airflow.

In terms of warranty, of course, buying used components is always a risk, unless you trust the seller and can easily determine whether the item being sold is in good condition or not.

Ultimately, given the above factors, it's up to you. Personally, I don't like buying used, esp. for a laptop.

Thanks

I guess that the laptop would be the best option for my case.

I know that the 6 cores and 12 threads on the 1600 is beautiful, but I won't do very CPU intensive tasks, mostly gaming actually.

I don't really prefer used devices, but the price is just great (the same laptop will be for $2316 new in my country).

 

[th3p00r]

yep, the laptop is your best option. something at the dorm is noisy, you want to be able to do your works on your laptop in a quiet places such as the library, with the desktop you can't do that.

 

[AtomicSnipe]

yep, the laptop is your best option. something at the dorm is noisy, you want to be able to do your works on your laptop in a quiet places such as the library, with the desktop you can't do that.

Thanks

That's great.

Epic profile pic btw XD.

 

[AtomicSnipe]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from AtomicSnipe : "Do you recommend this laptop?"

Hi,

I was thinking of getting this laptop https://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade-stealth (QHD, i7, 128gb SSD, 8Gb Ram) which is for about $1390 in my country.

I will be going to college in a couple years so that's why I am thinking of a laptop. I want to be able to play games like Overwatch, BF4, etc.

Would it be good or no?
Thanks

No, not a good choice.
Combine that with the newly announced Nvidia MaxQ which will make gaming laptops much thinner with full graphics chips, and waiting a few years till you buy for better hardware is a no brainer.

in general i don't recomend anyone to buy a gaming laptop, especially if you are going to carry it

a gaming laptop has very poor battery life and the weight of the laptop and the charger will make you consider buying a tablet

often people wants a ultrabook or as close as that, 1.5 kilograms or less with at least 6 hours of battery

the gaming needs will be covered with a cheap gaming pc

having said that, this expensive but very powerful laptop looks like a good purchase, but the price is well, big!

No, not a good choice.
Combine that with the newly announced Nvidia MaxQ which will make gaming laptops much thinner with full graphics chips, and waiting a few years till you buy for better hardware is a no brainer.

Oh alright. Thanks!

Is there any other good options now or no?

in general i don't recomend anyone to buy a gaming laptop, especially if you are going to carry it

a gaming laptop has very poor battery life and the weight of the laptop and the charger will make you consider buying a tablet

often people wants a ultrabook or as close as that, 1.5 kilograms or less with at least 6 hours of battery

the gaming needs will be covered with a cheap gaming pc

having said that, this expensive but very powerful laptop looks like a good purchase, but the price is well, big!

Thanks

But I think you did a mistake in the link. This laptop is not quite powerful. It doesn't even have dedicated GPU XD.

No, not a good choice.
Combine that with the newly announced Nvidia MaxQ which will make gaming laptops much thinner with full graphics chips, and waiting a few years till you buy for better hardware is a no brainer.

Oh alright. Thanks!

Is there any other good options now or no?

What country are you in and how much are you looking to spend? I just got an MSI GS63VR Stealth and I love it.

No, not a good choice.
Combine that with the newly announced Nvidia MaxQ which will make gaming laptops much thinner with full graphics chips, and waiting a few years till you buy for better hardware is a no brainer.

Oh alright. Thanks!

Is there any other good options now or no?

What country are you in and how much are you looking to spend? I just got an MSI GS63VR Stealth and I love it.

Yeah that is a good laptop but a bit too expensive for me.

I am in the UAE and can use these websites (currency can be converted from top right corner in the first website and top left in the second website):
1. https://uae.microless.com/
2. http://computerpad.ae/

You can also check in this website https://uae.souq.com/ae-en/ (no currency conversion) if you didn't find in the first two. But I recommend the ones I provided earlier.

Mu budget is around $1362. I hope that there is something light and quite powerful (CPU doesn't really matter to me, I just want it to be 6th or 7th gen, but GPU wise, I don't want to go below a 1050 or 1050ti). I also hope that it can have a battery of 5 hours or more (7 would be best).

I searched for like 3 hours straight and only came up with a few buffy options, nothing quite portable. I hope you can help me in this case.

Thanks