My laptop is 7 years old starting to show it's age. I'm worried it will die soon so I've been looking for a replacement, but DAMN are decent laptops expensive these days.

I would like something powerful enough to play stuff like Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3 and FF:7 Rebirth (And most importantly, Monster Hunter Wilds when it comes out) at a decent framerate. It also has to be a university laptop, so nothing covered in RGB lights that looks like an Alienware fucked a Cybertruck, please.

I don't want to spend a ton of money, but am I being unrealistic? I don't want to spend 5000 on a computer, that's ridiculous, my car cost less than that.

Yes it's a shitty car, that's not the point. Stop judging my poor ass.

  • ReadFanon [any, any]
    ·
    4 days ago

    Desktops are always going to be better bang for buck.

    They are far easier to repair or replace parts with if something craps out, and you'll get more value for money and future-proofing with a PC. If you have the desk space, I'd recommend opting for a desktop gaming PC hands down.

    With that and a stable network connection you'll be able to stream to a laptop that is lower specced. Or you can stream high-end games to a handheld unit like a Steam Deck.

    Unless you're moving house a lot or you don't have permanent desk space, imo the best option is to invest in a desktop PC and then get a lightweight laptop, maybe a Chromebook or similar that offers you basic functionality with good battery life (maybe running Linux if you are so inclined) either one that has specs to handle Steam Link, if you want the flexibility that gaming using a laptop offers, or whatever covers your basic portable computing needs. Then get a Steam Deck or ROG Ally or similar if you really want go all-in on portable gaming (especially if you wait a while for the Steam Deck 2 release which should cause the price of the original to drop.)

    Overall that would be a lot of money to drop on IT gear but you don't have to do it all at once and for the price of a good gaming laptop you could get a decent gaming PC and a cheaper laptop that will be better all-round.