{
  "id": 11479473,
  "title": "Desktop and handheld prices going out of control means PC bargain hunts lead to my old enemy: gaming laptops",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/desktop-and-handheld-prices-going-out-of-control-means-pc-bargain",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-02T16:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
    "slug": "rock-paper-shotgun",
    "url": "https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/desktop-and-handheld-prices-going-out-of-control-means-pc-bargain-hunts-lead-to-my-old-enemy-gaming-laptops"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Desktop and handheld PC prices are spiraling out of control, leaving bargain hunters turning to an old adversary: gaming laptops. Memory shortages have seemingly put an end to cheap gaming PCs, leaving only a handful of affordable options. On the desktop front, soaring RAM, SSD, and graphics card costs are causing frustration for those who prefer building their own systems. Meanwhile, once affordable handheld PCs are now experiencing price hikes of 40% or more, or launching above the £1,000 mark from the start. Despite the challenges, there is one potential solution: gaming laptops. Though not the most exciting choice, recent research indicates that there is still a gaming PC available for under £999. Amidst the current market turmoil, perhaps gaming laptops are not so bad after all.",
  "summary": "I don’t know if memory shortages have permanently killed off the concept of 'cheap' gaming PCs, but they have at least beat it into a coma. On the desktop side, inflated RAM, SSDs and graphics card prices continue to inflict karmic pain for our years of \"It's cheaper to build it yourself\" smugness, while formerly affordable handheld PCs are either suffering 40%-plus jackups or launching above…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}