Deciding Whether to Build a PC or Buy a Laptop

Duckman on 18/07/2020 - 21:01

To be used for CAD (Solidworks mostly), 4K video editing, casual gaming and VR, programming and some machine learning. I have 3 monitors I want to use for multitasking.

In addition to the 3 monitors, I also have a PC case and 64GB of memory on the way (courtesy of the recent G.Skill Ripjaws V deal). If I do decide to buy a laptop instead, I can just sell those parts.

I think building a PC would allow me to spend less money (which is good because I don't have a lot of it) however I do like the idea of having a laptop in case I end up traveling… so if there is a particularly good option there, I would like to consider it.

What price range (ball park) am I looking at for a PC vs laptop with similar specs to do the above tasks? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • holdenmg on 18/07/2020 - 21:30

    ¿por qué no ambos?

  • No Username on 18/07/2020 - 21:43

    I personally would go with a laptop. But if you are doing intensive work in CAD then go with a workstation. If you do go with a laptop then you can always process your CAD and AI projects to AWS. In terms of gaming don't use a laptop, they are noisy and are underclocked. I spent $2800 on an Alienware laptop and the thing can't even run RUST on Max but to be fair I am playing on an ultra-wide.

  • p1 ama on 18/07/2020 - 22:03
    +5

    For the work you're doing, there is just no real comparison between a PC and a laptop. My general advice would be to build a PC, and if you need to get a laptop, then get a thin and light one that would be easy to carry around.

    • bmerigan on 18/07/2020 - 22:47
      +3

      Exactly. For these requirements a laptop is a compromise

      • Kangal on 19/07/2020 - 00:40
        +2

        Sounds good in theory, but becomes a nuisance in real-world use.
        It also depends on the work-requirements. For very light CPU and GPU use cases, you can get away with a 10W TDP Ultrabook, using the 4 core / 4 thread Intel CPU and bundled UHD-620 iGPU (ie Core i5-8250U). Otherwise, a small step up to a 15W TDP using faster 4 core / 8 thread Zen CPU and the faster bundled Vega-10 iGPU (ie r7-3700U). Or go even further to the limits of an Ultrabook, by using a 25W TDP with a 8 core / 16 thread Zen2 CPU (r7-4800U) and bundled with a highly efficient dGPU (GTX-1650-MaxQ).

        Once your workload is too much for those above specifications, the subsequent laptops become increasingly expensive, increasingly heavy, increasingly hot, increasingly noisy, and have really short battery lives. You may as well build the Desktop PC first. Then buy a complimentary Ultrabook later. That seems the best approach to take.

        • Brotality on 19/07/2020 - 11:15

          Kangal is exactly right. There is a line (Around the $1000-1200 mark) where a more expensive laptop doesn't make sense anymore price to performance wise.

          One more thing to consider, laptops normally live for 2 years or so depending on your use. They are not long term investments. People who pay $$$ for laptops, almost consider them as a consumable to generate income. If it doesn't pay for itself in a matter of weeks, it doesn't make sense budget wise. A desktop PC on the other hand will live for years and if something dies, you can just replace that component, not the whole thing.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2020 - 22:58
    +2

    Unless you want to CAD by the beach, get a PC

  • jkim on 18/07/2020 - 22:59

    How much money do you want to spend? Build a PC definitely…
    I've come to terms with the fact that laptop with high-end GPU suck after my 5th one (thermal throttling, even with an annual clean).
    If you are after a laptop, buy the desktop first, then buy a mid-range laptop with a basic GPU, a thunderbolt port and an eGPU caddy - never tried the setup but it should fare better for heat management.

  • dcep on 19/07/2020 - 00:49

    Laptop backpack VR gaming , on the next level

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