Laptop vs. Desktop? Best you can buy for under $500?

[♥ Munna ♥]

So, my laptop is pretty much shot. It's constantly crashing, overheating, freezing, etc. and I've had it for a while now so I think it's just run its course. I'm looking to make a purchase soon that has to be relatively cheap, but I don't want horrendous quality... so I need help!

- I'm not a huge gamer by any means, but I do play Skyrim, Sims, and sometimes flash games a bit
- I probably have thousands upon thousands of pictures from my camera and graphics I've made
- I have photoshop and some art programs, but otherwise I don't have a lot of programs on my computer

So please give me any advice you can spare?

[rdrr]

Desktop for sure if you don't need the mobility of a laptop. As for your pictures, you can always buy external harddrives either way, I bought a 2TB harddrive for my movies last month for around $100.

[♥ Munna ♥]

Desktop for sure if you don't need the mobility of a laptop. As for your pictures, you can always buy external harddrives either way, I bought a 2TB harddrive for my movies last month for around $100.

Are desktops just better/faster all around? For the price, anyways?

[rdrr]

Yup. Since desktops are cheaper in general, you can get better specs for lower price. I would recommend asking your family/friends to see if anyone knows how to build a desktop to help you. That way you can choose each component (motherboard, harddrive, ram, graphics card, etc.) and it's cheaper overall. Another good thing is that a desktop is very easy to upgrade. So in a few years if you feel like you need an upgrade you can upgrade individual parts rather than buying a whole new desktop all over again.

[♥ Wooloo ♥]

Desktops are better than laptops, imo. The only thing you're missing is the mobility, but external hard drives are very handy for taking your files around with you (I have a 2 TB I take everywhere). I upgraded to a $1000 custom desktop around last May and it still runs like a charm! (Boot up speed and everything only takes like 20 seconds to complete.)

You could probably build a decent computer with a $500 budget. I think my ex built one for my mom around that price last year, so I agree with @(you need an account to see links) about finding someone who can build one for you.

[raithi]

Also, even if you dont know alot about building your own, you can buy motherboard/processor combos on line pretty cheap, that way all the shunts are preset on the jumpers (usually) correctly and all you have to do is screw it into the box, seat the ram and plugin your your fans and and all that jazz

[♥ Munna ♥]

Also, even if you dont know alot about building your own, you can buy motherboard/processor combos on line pretty cheap, that way all the shunts are preset on the jumpers (usually) correctly and all you have to do is screw it into the box, seat the ram and plugin your your fans and and all that jazz

I'm actually in a class right now learning how to build and repair, so maybe it was meant to be. xD I just want something sturdy and reliable, so it seems this is more of the way to go. Thanks for everyone's input so far.

[Elmo]

I have always preferred desktops, no overheating, better performance etc. However I currently have a laptop and have had for the past 4 years. I spend all day downstairs with my son and it's practical to whip out my laptop if needed.

[Skarl]

Be leery of refurbished parts from places like TigerDirect & NewEgg. While their prices are competitive, the item descriptions are worth a read.

[c4ndym4n]

snag a "barebones" desktop and customize how you want, it is extremely simple to build a desktop, it is all plug and play. i bought a mobo a 6X3.3 amd phenom processor, and 16 gb of ram for right about 200 bucks. laptops have become disposable. i have a 2 year old acer that is sitting on my shelf because i can not stand how slow it is(i but a quad core processor in it also). if you plan on spending an extended period of time on a computer and be able to upgrade due to new interests definitely go desktop. if you travel alot go laptop, its a personal thing. but thats just my .02