Hey everyone! I need some advice on getting or building a new PC or laptop that can run Warframe smoothly, and my budget is around $550. Right now, I’m in a bit of a unique situation—I’m a minor dealing with my parents’ divorce and switch houses every week, which means portability is key for me. I’ve got a laptop that can run Warframe, but it’s been crashing a lot and I’m returning it soon. I’ve also got some extra funds from selling my old laptop that I’ll use to buy a new setup.
I’m considering getting a Mini PC, but I’m not sure if that’s the best route to go. I already have all the necessary peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, and headphones, but I might need a second monitor for one of the houses. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether Mini PCs are worth it or if I should stick with a laptop. Also, I’m not super knowledgeable about building PCs but I’m willing to learn!
4 Answers
Mini PCs can be a great alternative to laptops, especially if you already have peripherals, but keep in mind you’ll have to move those around every time you switch houses. I bought one for my wife and we loved it so much that we got a second for our TV. They’re compact and easier to upgrade, but space is limited for components. If you’re looking for portability, consider a Steam Deck; it’s designed for gaming and you can easily connect it to a monitor with a USB-C dongle. It fits your budget and offers convenience without needing to haul around a full PC setup.
A Mini PC could work, especially since you could use your old laptop as a monitor! That way, you keep some flexibility during your house swaps and can still enjoy decent gaming without needing a huge setup.
If you’re considering building a PC, I found a really affordable setup [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BhBmpK). Your laptop is decent aside from the lack of a dedicated GPU, which is a bummer for gaming. Just double-check the parts to make sure they fit your needs!
This looks awesome, can you confirm whether these parts would create a full-sized PC or a portable one? I’m a bit new to all of this.
You might want to share the specs of your current laptop to get better advice. Since you’re moving weekly, laptops or even a Steam Deck would definitely be easier than setting up a full desktop with a monitor and all those peripherals every time. Monitors can break from being moved too often, and that might not be worth the hassle for you.
I’ve considered the Steam Deck, but I lean towards using a keyboard and mouse. Since I already have my setup in place, I would only need a second monitor for one house.
I do have a monitor at one house, but not the other one. The good thing is I already have a keyboard, mouse, and headset so I wouldn’t need to buy those again.