Need suggestions on desktop or laptop

[techwanabe]

My sister wants to buy a computer, desktop or maybe laptop... which is good quality, decent for gaming, modest price and can be easily upgraded after the warranty expires. I tried servicing her older Dell, and I couldn't swap the motherboard etc. I'm guessing Compaq and HP etc are the same way.

Recommendations?

 

[OdiN]

As far as laptops go, you're stuck mostly. Dell is what I would recommend for a laptop.

Desktops...find your local brick and mortar PC store (one that hopefully has a good reputation) and let them build you one, or custom build one yourself for her. HP, Compaq, Sony, Dell, and pretty much all the OEM's use at least some proprietary parts. Typically these are cases/motherboards/power supplies. Sony used to use a special CD-ROM in their computers which was required to reload the recovery CD. Regular CD ROM's wouldn't read them. Yes they come with warranties, but a good brick and mortar store will offer a 3- year warranty option. The one I work for does. But a custom build is really the only way to go with a true reliable upgrade path. Also, if parts fail after warranty, replacement parts do not cost ridiculous amounts. I've seen Compaq charge 100-200 for a 200W power supply just because it wasn't standard and you had to get it from them.

 

[techwanabe]

Assuming my sis (49 year hold with teenagers who want to game and play Lineage etc), wants a laptop, does Dell make a decent laptop that will handle 3D games well and not cost an arm and a leg.

I can certainly build her a computer myself, but I don't want to be her tech support, so I'm trying to advise her on a store bought computer which handles games but isn't super expensive.

Thanks.

 

[dennisjai215]

just get her the desktop its best bang for buck! and wont fry as easily as laptop..