Gaming Laptop Suggestions? Anything Helps!

[StarlitGlitch]

For many years I figured I'd get a nicer computer fall of 2021 and the time has come! However, I still don't know exactly what I should go with... While I've done some research about parts etc. I still feel lost.

As far as what I'm looking for, I only do light gaming/video editing/some streaming as a hobby so I'm probably okay with something that is lower-end. As far as prices go, I am wondering if I could get something under US$1,300?

I live in Japan and so am going to buy a laptop here (Japanese keyboards are also more handy for typing in Japanese which will be nice for work). Even if what you suggest isn't available here it could still give me something to think about!

Any thoughts/suggestions? Any tips, including how to research, would be appreciated.

If you're wondering why I changed my mind about building a PC right now feel free to read:

Spoiler

Originally I had always planned on building a PC this fall. However, I'm now thinking that just buying a gaming laptop may be better.

1) It takes less time. I still need to research a lot more about computer parts. Taking the effort to learn about all the details and how to put it together would take a lot of time, not even including time for shipping. I also work from home and need a working laptop right away (my current one has been having issues).

2) Because I do go into the office sometimes, it would be nice to be able to bring in my laptop. Otherwise, I'd have to use my current one which may cause issues in the near future

3) Cost may not be as big of a factor as I had originally thought. I know that building a PC is generally cheaper but with recent shortages I've been starting to wonder more about this. As well, computer parts in Japan are super expensive (the people I know here who've built PCs import their parts from America) and because computers in general aren't as commonly used here that makes things more difficult. If I did build a PC, I'd also need a monitor and a keyboard since I don't own them.

4) I'm starting to realize that I might not even have the need for a mid-tier computer...

So, add that all up and I feel like a gaming laptop isn't a bad option.

 

[Hypno KK]

I can't help you with the laptop but I disagree with your points about building a pc, except the last one. Building a PC is definitely worth it in the long run, especially if you get a lot of use out of it. You can replace broken parts or upgrade old ones more gradually and according to what you need. It's also way easier to learn how to do it yourself (or find people who know how) than it is with a laptop. Not to mention that the electronics shortage right now might well be a short term issue so when it does blow over, a desktop might still be cheaper.

Even if you're looking for something that's on the lower end, I'd still get a desktop for the reasons above.

Needing a laptop for work is a good reason, though in that case I'd try to make sure it's one that will last for ages. Nowadays I don't really use a laptop because most things I'd use it for outside the house are things I can do on a tablet and that's much lighter, so I just got a general purpose tablet that lets me take notes, read, etc. Those aren't super demanding things so I probably won't need to upgrade for a good while.

 

[StarlitGlitch]

If I was in the US I'd probably agree, but being in Japan the prices for parts are ridiculously high here + difficult to find and with the time to research each piece (I don't even have a good understanding of what each of the parts in a PC are lol) plus shipping from overseas I'm worried that my current one might break down before I'm able to build one as due to how busy I am it could take me half a year or more to build one. My performance at work is already being negatively affected by my current computer and that's why I made the first point.

"It's also way easier to learn how to do it yourself (or find people who know how) than it is with a laptop." Oh yeah, I'd never build a laptop myself. haha

I'll probably build something in the future, and tbh I was looking forward to it, but right now especially because I'm required to take a laptop in I don't really have a choice.