Recommended laptop or mini-PC* for a 1000 CAD budget? - Hardware & Software

Budget excludes taxes, of course. Because my old laptop is pretty much on its last legs, I'm gonna have to replace the bugger. Problem is, i feel like i'm choosing the lesser of two evils between [url=http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-alpha-r2-desktop/pd]Alienware's reputation[/url] and a gaming laptop's being an oxymoron. As for what i'll primarily use the system for, I'll likely be using it in the absence of a proper gaming desktop for travel reasons. (In other words, I actually do have a proper desktop, though i will have prolonged periods where it will not be accessible due to me visiting family) *Mini-PC may require some level of leeway for a portable TV, though the aforementioned telly could also be acquired at a later date. As for your local currency equivalent for my budget, rounded up to the next 5: 755 USD 610 GBP 705 Euro

For something that small the Alienware Alpha isn't terrible. You can check out the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 gaming series for a laptop. Though the Canadian prices suck for the 1050ti version the 1050 still isn't a bad chip by any means.

Interested in a build? ITX [URL="http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-202-integra-sfx-450w-psu"]Cases like the Node 202[/URL] have everything screwed in tight, so it's great for moving back and forth. [editline]20th January 2017[/editline] I got ya here my dude, prices in US dollars [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mNKZGf]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mNKZGf/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hV7CmG/intel-cpu-bx80662i36100]Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7]CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler[/url] ($29.99 @ Newegg Marketplace) [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/QrVBD3/gigabyte-motherboard-gah170nwifi]Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Memory:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2XL7YJ/corsair-memory-cmv8gx4m1a2133c15]Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory[/url] ($44.38 @ Newegg Marketplace) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rTGkcf/hitachi-internal-hard-drive-0j22423]Hitachi Travelstar 1TB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($56.49 @ Newegg) [b]Video Card:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7wkwrH/msi-radeon-rx-470-4gb-armor-oc-video-card-radeon-rx-470-armor-4g-oc]MSI Radeon RX 470 4GB ARMOR OC Video Card[/url] ($173.98 @ Newegg) [b]Case:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/XbKhP6/fractal-design-case-fdmcanode202aaus]Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply[/url] ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Total:[/b] $657.81 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-20 06:50 EST-0500[/i]

[QUOTE=Lolkork;51698203][URL]http://www.dell.com/ca/p/inspiron-15-7567-laptop/pd?ref=PD_Family[/URL] True quad core and a desktop 1050, it will perform alright in modern games.[/QUOTE] The 1050 in laptops is actually somewhat cut down AFAIK unlike the rest of the chips but as I said earlier its still a solid GPU

[QUOTE=chipsnapper2;51698059]Interested in a build? ITX [URL="http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-202-integra-sfx-450w-psu"]Cases like the Node 202[/URL] have everything screwed in tight, so it's great for moving back and forth. [editline]20th January 2017[/editline] I got ya here my dude, prices in US dollars [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mNKZGf]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mNKZGf/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hV7CmG/intel-cpu-bx80662i36100]Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7]CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler[/url] ($29.99 @ Newegg Marketplace) [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/QrVBD3/gigabyte-motherboard-gah170nwifi]Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($112.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Memory:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2XL7YJ/corsair-memory-cmv8gx4m1a2133c15]Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory[/url] ($44.38 @ Newegg Marketplace) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rTGkcf/hitachi-internal-hard-drive-0j22423]Hitachi Travelstar 1TB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($56.49 @ Newegg) [b]Video Card:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7wkwrH/msi-radeon-rx-470-4gb-armor-oc-video-card-radeon-rx-470-armor-4g-oc]MSI Radeon RX 470 4GB ARMOR OC Video Card[/url] ($173.98 @ Newegg) [b]Case:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/XbKhP6/fractal-design-case-fdmcanode202aaus]Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply[/url] ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz) [b]Total:[/b] $657.81 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-20 06:50 EST-0500[/i][/QUOTE] Something like that would be within my preference, though my main gripe is that PCPartPicker doesn't give you any weight information. I mean, it definitely meets the size requirements of Air Canada's size restrictions for Personal Luggage, though I dunno if the system would exceed the 10Kg restriction on most major airlines

[QUOTE=flashn00b;51699296]Something like that would be within my preference, though my main gripe is that PCPartPicker doesn't give you any weight information. I mean, it definitely meets the size requirements of Air Canada's size restrictions for Personal Luggage, though I dunno if the system would exceed the 10Kg restriction on most major airlines[/QUOTE] If you like that, I made a similar list from Canadian PCPartpicker. If you're going to be moving it very frequently, especially on planes, I'd highly suggest an SSD only system, though it doesn't leave much room for a monitor. [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/zQpGVY]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/zQpGVY/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/8gKhP6/intel-pentium-g4560-35ghz-dual-core-processor-bx80677g4560]Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($95.98 @ NCIX) [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/gVZ2FT/gigabyte-ga-h270n-wifi-mini-itx-lga1151-motherboard-ga-h270n-wifi]Gigabyte GA-H270N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($152.28 @ shopRBC) [b]Memory:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/BQ3RsY/crucial-memory-bls8g4d240fsa]Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory[/url] ($67.00 @ Amazon Canada) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/2VWrxr/crucial-mx300-525gb-25-solid-state-drive-ct525mx300ssd1]Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive[/url] ($169.99 @ Amazon Canada) [b]Video Card:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/gt7CmG/xfx-radeon-rx-470-4gb-triple-x-video-card-rx-470p4sfd5]XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB Triple X Video Card[/url] ($243.99 @ Newegg Canada) [b]Case:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/XbKhP6/fractal-design-case-fdmcanode202aaus]Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply[/url] ($179.99 @ NCIX) [b]Total:[/b] $909.23 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-20 13:40 EST-0500[/i]

Shit I completely forgot those were actually out. Fixed, thanks!

Does it not need a BIOS update though? Little hard to do that without a CPU that'll work in it. Only ASUS boards support flashing the BIOS without a compatible chip and it only works like 10% of the time.

are H110 boards an option here? He'll have 1 GPU max and he's not looking for features/pci lanes/rear USB ports, maybe just WiFi

[QUOTE=chipsnapper2;51701894]are H110 boards an option here? He'll have 1 GPU max and he's not looking for features/pci lanes/rear USB ports, maybe just WiFi[/QUOTE] Well, rear USB ports would be useful, though my low budget leaves very little room for options. I guess i could resort to hubs, though i'm gonna guess a 3.0 hub will be the most optimal due to latency reasons. :x

[url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/vxsX3F]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/vxsX3F/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/8gKhP6/intel-pentium-g4560-35ghz-dual-core-processor-bx80677g4560]Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($95.98 @ NCIX) [b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7]CRYORIG C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler[/url] [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/x2mxFT/asrock-motherboard-h110mitxac]ASRock H110M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($94.00 @ Vuugo) [b]Memory:[/b] *[url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/6pgPxr/team-memory-tpd48gm2400hc1601]Team Elite Plus 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory[/url] ($59.99 @ Newegg Canada) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/NLs8TW/crucial-mx300-750gb-25-solid-state-drive-ct750mx300ssd1]Crucial MX300 750GB 2.5" Solid State Drive[/url] ($229.99 @ Newegg Canada) [b]Video Card:[/b] *[url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/gt7CmG/xfx-radeon-rx-470-4gb-triple-x-video-card-rx-470p4sfd5]XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB Triple X Video Card[/url] ($215.97 @ NCIX) [b]Case:[/b] [url=https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/XbKhP6/fractal-design-case-fdmcanode202aaus]Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply[/url] ($179.99 @ NCIX) [b]Total:[/b] $875.92 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-20 21:26 EST-0500[/i] [editline]20th January 2017[/editline] With H110 you'll get 6 rear USB, my H170 ITX board's got 8 [editline]20th January 2017[/editline] Ah, what the hell, here's the rig I'm currently using and a few notes (USD, some prices are from 2015, when I got those parts) [QUOTE][url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xbLP9W]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xbLP9W/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] [b]CPU:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hV7CmG/intel-cpu-bx80662i36100]Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($119.99) [b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CHBrxr/asrock-motherboard-h170mitxdl]ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard[/url] ($85.88 @ OutletPC) [b]Memory:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/HTWrxr/gskill-memory-f42133c15d8grr]G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory[/url] ($34.99) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8bPfrH/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2]Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive[/url] ($0) [b]Storage:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rTGkcf/hitachi-internal-hard-drive-0j22423]Hitachi Travelstar 1TB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($56.49 @ Newegg) [b]Video Card:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cqp323/msi-video-card-r93804gd5toc]MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card[/url] ($200.00) [b]Case:[/b] [url=https://pcpartpicker.com/product/XbKhP6/fractal-design-case-fdmcanode202aaus]Fractal Design Node 202 HTPC Case w/450W Power Supply[/url] ($109.99 @ Amazon) [b]Total:[/b] $607.34 [i]Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available[/i] [i]Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-20 21:29 EST-0500[/i][/QUOTE] -drives are A BITCH AND A HALF to install. do those before you even think of doing the GPU. -cable management is a challenge, have extra zipties -I'd recommend an aftermarket CPU cooler and a backplated GPU. I use the Intel fan, it's not bad but can get hot; as for the GPU, mine is not backplated and it scared the hell out of me when i scratched the back a little getting it in there. I'm sure I'll have issues at the end of the GPU's life for this and for other reasons not related to the ITX case. [editline]20th January 2017[/editline] Furthermore, if you need a laptop after this, I'd recommend getting yourself a nice Chromebook and installing Windows on it. Works amazingly well, and long-ass battery life since the drivers are made by Intel.