I'll start by addressing this specific question. If you're only going to use one graphics card and don't need more than 1xOptical drive and maybe 2xHDD, and don't need much internal expansion (no specialized add-on cards for audio and the like), then Micro-ATX (or µATX) is everything you're going to need. USB3.x and the like have made it so "extras" which require fast communication no longer have to reside inside the computer any longer. In fact, may people are moving to Mini-ITX, which is an even smaller form factor, but while tiny and portable, the lack of internal space often creates cooling and cable routing issues, so µATX is usually the "sweet spot" for most. There are plenty of very, very nice mATX cases out there (such as the Silverstone TJ08-E, for example) which have plenty of room, are easily accessible, and accommodate nice, large fans.- Is ATX still going to be the best bet? Or is Micro-ATX or some other smaller format a viable option these days?
Sure, if the only thing you want to do is write e-mail and check facebook.My mom, "Well, can't you just get a $300 laptop and be fine?"
Gas is telling the absolute truth here. You can get a great gaming rig for $600, but it'll be obsolete soon.Sure, if the only thing you want to do is write e-mail and check facebook.
If you want to game, you're looking at $500 minimum for a desktop, and if you're going laptop, probably closer to twice that.
Gaming is not something my parents will view as a necessity. They'd probably prefer that gaming not be possible. If I can't justify it in terms of schoolwork, productivity, usability, longevity, or other practical matters, then they'll just shoot down any unecessary expenses.Sure, if the only thing you want to do is write e-mail and check facebook.
If you want to game, you're looking at $500 minimum for a desktop, and if you're going laptop, probably closer to twice that.
So would I, but then the $350 netbook that I bought 5 years ago is still running just fine. It's WiFi is a little flaky, but that's the way it's always been. Everything else works just fine. It's actually a pretty solid little thing. Hell, it still gets well over 2 hours of battery life (down from ~4½).That's a good point - I'd expect a $300 laptop to fail catastrophically before too long.