re: Desktop Tower vs Laptop - How much more capability for same cost?

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Is this what you mean by "discrete graphics"...is that running these new games?

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Basically, yes, unless you're doing CAD or something else engineering related. I don't buy games until they're 70% off, which is why I was able to run them on an 8 year old laptop, etc.

Discrete graphics cards can cost anywhere between $200-$1k+. If you're not playing the newest games on the highest settings (which run fine on XBox One or PS4 age graphics) you generally don't need them. If you play a game that stutters, you probably need one. The integrated graphics on the used 2023 Surface ($300) are 300% better than the discrete graphics on my laptop from 2017 ($900). My discrete graphics card on my desktop was eight years old before I replaced it (I never spend more than $300 on a graphics card,) and it kept up with the kinds of things I played fine.