Desktop and handheld prices out of control means PC bargain hunts lead me to my old enemy: gaming laptops

Memory shortages have pushed desktop and handheld PC prices up, keeping entry-level 1080p gaming in the low four figures, so the author tested a gaming laptop instead. A Medion Erazer Scout 15 with an RTX 5050 costs £850, cheaper than a DIY desktop build with monitor, Windows license and basic specs at about £1,100. It packs an Intel Core i5-13420H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD and a 144Hz IPS screen, but battery life is poor and fan noise is loud.