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Buy a laptop vs build a desktop for my budget and purposes

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  • Computers
Last response: in Opinions and Experiences
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March 22, 2014 1:15:07 PM

So I have $750 for my budget and can't decide which would be better for what I need a computer for. I will mostly be using the computer for coding and music production. I'm learning java right now and I do not know which DAW I will be using yet because I have just started with music production. I would also like to use the computer for occasionally gaming mainly minecraft. Whichever computer I decide to get would mostly be used at home but seeing as how I will be going off to college soon I do not know if I should build a desktop or go with the portability of a laptop. So if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Here is the current build I am thinking about, although it is a little over budget:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.93 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($60.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.23 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Antec GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Samsung S22C350H 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.18 @ B&H)
Total: $773.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-22 15:54 EDT-0400)



And here is the laptop I was thinking about:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/15-6-touch-screen-laptop-8g...

More about : buy laptop build desktop budget purposes

March 22, 2014 2:06:10 PM

Desktop.
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March 22, 2014 2:08:53 PM

If you are going to college, a laptop will be easier. It's easier if you commute to home for a holiday, weekend, or if you are meeting with other students for a group project. If you work with others and have a desktop, you either have to work in a computer lab or invite them over while you work using your dekstop. In small dorms (not to mention distracting / weird room mates), the latter can be a problem.

The processor in the laptop you linked is the 4200U. It's designed for low power usage which allows for thinner notebooks, but it's a bit slower than the i5-4200M (or similar models). Really depends if you want a lighter (easier to carry) laptop, or faster performance.
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