Teenager looking for PC for bedroom. Laptop or Chromebook?

batman1 · 22-10-2020 4:21pm #1

Son needs a computer for general use, homework etc.

He'll most likely also use it for watching youtube and Netflix etc and maybe some light gaming like Minecraft and Fortnite?

So, I'm no techy and wondering if we should go for laptop, Chromebook or even a desktop?

Probably looking around 5-600 mark .

Any help appreciated. I don't want to go into a store with no knowledge and buy overpriced crap

ED E · 22-10-2020 4:23pm

Order a magicbook from honor. /Thread.

batman1 · 22-10-2020 6:02pm

Ok. I'll rule out the chrome book.

I would consider a desktop. I had one built by a boardsie some years ago for another child and it has been perfect.

I'll ask on the pc build thread.

That aside, what laptops should I look at, even brands .
I looked at honor but seems to be out of stock

22-10-2020 6:59pm

matebook 14 is same as magicbook 14

magicbook here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HONOR-MagicBook-14-FullView-Fingerprint/dp/B085JBXLH7/ref=sr_1_6?crid=31LMOYM1J3T0&dchild=1&keywords=matebook+d14&qid=1603389308&sprefix=matebook+%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-6

or here (use parcel motel etc).

https://www.box.co.uk/53010WHT-001-Honor-MagicBook-14_2916295.html

or buy the newer cpu model here for £600 with coupon on site (+ free gift)

https://www.hihonor.com/unitedkingdom/product/honor-magicbook-14?fromCountry=GLOBAL

o1s1n · 22-10-2020 7:01pm

Desktop and tell him he needs to research the parts and build it himself.

Really great learning experience for kids, will probably get them a new hobby and is the best value for money.

22-10-2020 7:29pm

One factor is if people have the space for a desktop in a bedroom or house in general etc

Also by the time you buy a monitor, speakers and (less expensive) keyboard and mouse along with the basic desktop you are not far off or at the same price of the Magicbook 14 which will run minecraft and fortnite fine at 720p due to the ryzen igpu being not terrible.

you might be able to get more power from a desktop but also a lot of people prefer a laptop for watching youtube and netflix over using a desktop.

factors to consider.

sometimes a desktop might be the answer but specific needs and use cases and space factors need to be taken into account.

beauf · 23-10-2020 10:47am

While you can play fortnight and Minecraft on a basic machine they really are much better if the laptop or PC has a graphics card. Can be an older cheap one. But if using onboard graphics (no graphics card) really limits it. We bought a cheap 2nd hand pc and put a 1050ti in it.

The social multiplayer aspect is best on the Xbox One. Which might be cheaper. Though you might not want to open pandoras box of gaming and multiplayer gaming. Some kids find it addictive some don't. So be wary.

23-10-2020 3:28pm

Being honest for the two actual games mentioned by the poster, Minecraft and Fortnite the 3500u runs them well.
Also the thermals in the magicbook are excellent letting it run full throttle.

For more demanding games it won't be the case. But for those two games it's not going to impede gameplay.
They look decent and run at high framerates.

Minecraft and Fortnite are both "cartoony" style games from a graphical point of view so ultra high settings definitely do not matter as much as other styles of games.

Minecraft full 1080p - 60 to 100 fps (without screen recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wswq3iIRgxo

Fortnite - 720p - 70 to 100fps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZApH6QKV8

Teenager looking for PC for bedroom. Laptop or Chromebook?

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