Looking for recommendations from the Nerds. We have an older Dell XPS 13 laptop and a Surface Pro 7, but both are getting a little long in the tooth and both only have 8GB of RAM which isn't really cutting it for modern applications and doing some 3D printing for the kids.

I'm an engineer so I'm pretty comfortable understanding specs, but I work mostly on embedded products and I haven't been in the PC game for quite some time. I'm looking for recommendations on what to get. I know this is pretty open-ended, but I really haven't kept up with which manufacturers, chipsets, and features are doing well right now. I'm leaning towards a desktop because we can continue to use the Surface for light use, but if there are laptops that fit the bill then I'm game.

• Type: Desktop or Laptop
• OS: Windows
• Uses: Normal Web/E-mail/Microsoft Office, Work VPN (Cisco, Pulse), Some Light 3D CAD/Modeling and 3D Printing
• Buy or build: I'd prefer something off the shelf, but I've built a few PCs in the past so I could do it again if there's an easy way to ensure compatibility
• RAM: At least 16GB?
• Video Card: Maybe?
• Processor: Intel or AMD?
• Budget: $1,200 or less

Thanks in advance!

IowaAg07 said:

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Looking for recommendations from the Nerds. We have an older Dell XPS 13 laptop and a Surface Pro 7, but both are getting a little long in the tooth and both only have 8GB of RAM which isn't really cutting it for modern applications and doing some 3D printing for the kids.

I'm an engineer so I'm pretty comfortable understanding specs, but I work mostly on embedded products and I haven't been in the PC game for quite some time. I'm looking for recommendations on what to get. I know this is pretty open-ended, but I really haven't kept up with which manufacturers, chipsets, and features are doing well right now. I'm leaning towards a desktop because we can continue to use the Surface for light use, but if there are laptops that fit the bill then I'm game.

• Type: Desktop or Laptop
• OS: Windows
• Uses: Normal Web/E-mail/Microsoft Office, Work VPN (Cisco, Pulse), Some Light 3D CAD/Modeling and 3D Printing
• Buy or build: I'd prefer something off the shelf, but I've built a few PCs in the past so I could do it again if there's an easy way to ensure compatibility
• RAM: At least 16GB?
• Video Card: Maybe?
• Processor: Intel or AMD?
• Budget: $1,200 or less

Thanks in advance!

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If you go with desktop the best value by far will be to part it out and build it, especially if you live within a reasonable driving distance from a Microcenter. Their bundles on desktop parts can provide some insane value (their best deals are for in-store pickup only but you can order online).

IMO if you are doing any CAD or 3d modeling you probably want a discrete graphics card. NVidia is your best bet for productivity tasks.

16 GB of RAM is probably OK for now but would consider 32 GB or at least having the ability to upgrade in the future.

Intel's 13th and 14th Gen processors are having massive problems. For your purposes there is great value in Intel 12th Gen (especially if you get one bundled with a motherboard at microcenter) or you can go with AMD Ryzen 7000 series. The AMD 9000 series is brand new but isn't high on price/performance.

This is a great channel for PC Building advice: