Guide to Laptops and Custom PCs
Updated 01/12/2023

Buying Information


Highly Rated Laptops - | PCMag | Tom's Guide | CNET | Laptop Mag | PC World |

Best Cheap Laptops - | PC World | Techradar | Laptop Mag | CNET |

Laptop Brands - | Acer | Apple | Asus | Dell | Gateway | Hewlett Packard | Lenovo | LG |
| Microsoft | Samsung |

Out-of-the-ordinary laptops:
  • CraobX - Portless Ultra-Thin Light-weight Laptop
  • Framework - Highly Upgradeable, Customizable, and Repairable Laptop
  • Getac - Rugged Laptops and Tablets
  • Sightful Spacetop - AR (Augmented Reality) Laptop with no screen
Laptop docking Stations:     Best Home Printers & PC peripherals - Updated January, 2023

Top Custom Computer Builders
Desktops and Laptops
  • Origin PC - Origin PC offers custom-built desktop computers and laptops for gaming and professional use and all of their models are 'configurable' to match the specs you want.

  • Falcon Northwest - Since 1992, High-End and high-budget quality computer systems

  • Puget Systems - Founded in 2000. Offers high-end configurable systems for both gamers and professionals

  • Velocity Micro - Established in 2002 and recognized for its reliable high-performance PCs

  • MainGear - Founded in 2002, MainGear has a good selection of computers, laptops, and workstations for both gaming or professional use.

  • Digital Storm - From 2002, they offer a range of both Laptop and Desktops for Gaming or Professional use.

  • CyberPowerPC - PC builder offers a wide range of base models and configuration options. They sell both custom PCs and custom laptops

  • AVADirect - Established in 2000, this Ohio-based custom PC builder offers custom PCs for both professional use and gaming

  • BLD (by NZXT) - Is a popular name in PC hardware and peripherals. They offer different pre-configured builds that can be reconfigured to your liking.

  • Xidax - They offer higher-end desktop, workstation, and laptop options for gaming or professional use starting at less than $600

  • iBuyPower - Affordable custom PC options starting at $899

  • Computer Upgrade King - a newer custom PC company with desktops starting at less than $500

  • Alienware - founded in 1996 as Sakai of Miami, Inc, adopted the name of Alienware in 1997, became a subsidiary of Dell in 2006. Alienware manufactures and distributes high-performance computers built for gaming.

Sites for Build-Your-Own Custom Computers

Before going any further,
if you are planning to build, or have built for you a PC for gaming:
The best graphics cards for PC gaming from PC World
Also see: 10 Mistakes Beginners Make When Building PCs from How to Geek

PCPartPicker

Build My PC

PC Builder - Build Your Custom PC Online

If you want to pick the parts and have someone else actually build the PC:

NZXTBld

Custom PC Builder - Micro Center

MainGear

CyberPowerPC

iBuyPower