So, I am computer illterate. Had this laptop for a few months now (since I started uni i think) it suits me for all the standard needs - MS word etc, it browsers fine. Basically all the peasant needs.

But I can never play ANY old games on it? The video card blows I think.. Can I replace it or what?

Also this is what I got for my Rome: Total War test;

I mean, my crappy desktop from '04 could run it before I got rid of it in '10? LAPTOP, Y U NO HANDLE IT!?

Also, I decided to centre this thread also around whether I should get a PC or Laptop for SEMI gaming - so nothing really hardcore, but some modern strategy games and maybe other games - nothing like BF3 ultra or Witcher 2 etc.

I have about £500 budget, I already have a monitor, just need keyboard + mouse if it's a desktop.

I am just thinking what would be a better value for me to get laptop or desktop. I already have laptop for youtube and tings.

Eh don't worry about it I'd say.

You should be able to run it. Total War is a game that needs more RAM/CPU power anyway.

Just did a bit research and you can play Skyrim and Dead Space for example on low settings.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mobile+intel+4+series+express+chipset+family+games&oq=mobile+intel+4+series&aq=1L&aqi=g-L4&aql=&gs_l=youtube-psuggest-reduced.3.1.0i19l4.236521.242542.0.244496.23.13.1.9.9.0.317.2009.4j6j2j1.13.0...0.0.pBc8suA7IvQ

desktop PC is always  cheaper than notebooks. With 500 pounds you could almost build a high end machine.

Do you think I should try to build one myself(and probably get electrocuted) or just buy one from Dell or whatever?

My Intel 4 series runs Starcraft II just fine, I think those tools overstate what you need.

It's comparing to the recommended requirements for Rome Total War but it looks like you meet the minimum requirements so you should get a decent framerate on low with it.

Building it yourself is not that hard as long as you follow a decent guide. The risk is of damaging components rather than yourself lol. It's never been easier to build a tower.

Unless you get a really good deal and don't mind puting in an hour or two to set it all up, building it yourself will be better value for money, especially for gaming. 

Oh and you can always stick some HDDs in the tower and use it as a media server (for your xbox if you want, I know people that have a PC just for that purpose, some of the content riped from stuff they own most of it gotten via other means...) if you need another excuse to build a tower. Having you movie collection available to watch on your TV without filling up your Xbox HDD is nice.

I thought you were so much better in building things :P

It's piss easy to craft a PC and as zarx said with a tutorial it's even easier.
And if you have problems just post here and I'm sure people will help you out. (pictures always help)

There are plenty of great video tutorials that work you through step by step so not only do you get pictures, but they are in motion and you get talked through it at the same time! 

so NotStan if you are not sure whether you could handle putting it together, watch a video tutorial and see what is involved. www.tested.com had one where they build a machine for one of the giantbomb guys for example.

btw. fun story to tell:

a friend of mine was too insecure to build one (I even told him that I would do it for him) because he thought that something could be damaged that way, so he bought a prefabricated PC. He turned it on and got bluescreens left and right mixed with freezes.
He paid 600€ for his PC in 2011 and it's less powerful than my custom PC from 2009 (which was also 600€)