PC or Laptop?

[Jokesound]

My laptop is pretty much on its last legs (it's currently being held together by a metal brace and some gaffa tape), and so I'm getting it replaced for Christmas.
The debate in my household at the moment is that my dad thinks I should get a desktop computer rather than a laptop this time around, as I use the laptop all the time pretty much non stop, and the desktop would probably be less likely to crap out on me after extended usage. The thing is, I'm not 100% on the idea because I like the ability to not be confined to a single spot for my computing, being able to take it to a friend's house or on a trip with me, I don't really fancy the idea of having to sit at a desk all of the time, and I love being able to multitask by having the TV on or playing a game while watching or listening to something on the laptop. If I got a PC, it'll most likely be hooked up to the TV in my room, but I don't know if that's 100%.

I'm not 100% sure on what the budget is at the moment, but I think it's roughly around £550-700. Being able to play games less than four years old would be a great plus as well, as currently my laptop throws shit fits for stuff simple as Super Meat Boy and Minecraft (with all the settings on minimum)

I'm wondering what you guys think: Is it better off me getting a laptop or a PC, and would anyone be able to recommend anything else I'd need or be best off with?

No Dells allowed.

Update: I'm probably swaying more towards a PC cos I can upgrade it over time, rather than being stuck with whatever once I have a laptop. Dad disapproves of me wanting to get a decent setup so I can play games:
"Games aren't meant to be played on computers. All they do is fuck computers up, and any idiot can see that consoles have far surpassed them. I don't know why anyone would play games on PC when consoles are clearly much better"

[HanaLynn]

I'd get both. A PC for gaming and stuff (playing on the laptop is mostly a pain in the ass) and one of those tiny laptops for mobility and chatting. I don't know if that's in your budget though ^_^; But the teeny weeny laptops are quite cheap those days and unless you buy a Mac the PC shouldn't be too expensive too.

[Rynstex]

£400-£500** PC will be more than adequate for any gaming you want to do and the low price point shouldn't raise alarm bells with dad either.

**If built yourself and not including monitor, add an extra £100 if you need one of those.

[MarkuzR]

You won't get a laptop decent enough for gaming without spending over a grand, I can guarantee that. If you're on a budget, get a PC that's decent enough to run certain games but has enough expansion options for upgrading in the future by either replacing the GPU or adding a second one. Years ago I'd have said that no laptop can compete with a desktop but that's not the case anymore... you just need MONEY if you want to do it right. You don't necessarily need money to game on a desktop though, just the right configuration of components and you don't necessarily have to break the bank, as Ben said.

Thing you need to ask yourself is this though: do you want the new machine for gaming or is that just a small percentage of the use? If it's going to be used for other primary purposes, then go with the laptop and just suck it up that you can't play certain games on it, as that's a better idea than lumping yourself with a desktop when really you wouldn't be gaming on it that much. You need to think practically before making the decision... and the decision should be based on usage above all else.

[Ste]

Laptops suck

[Jokesound]

Well, I'd use whatever I buy for everything I do right now, which is sit with Firefox, Tweetdeck, iTunes and Wordpad(or openoffice) open all day, but with more games in the equation. I don't know how much time I'd spend, but it'd be a lot more time than I currently spend playing games on my laptop, (which is once every week or so on average), because I'd have the capabilities to do so, if you know what I mean. I don't want/need something capable of running Battlefield 3 on max settings, just something I can play on without too much fuss, whilst also being able to do everything I did before, which was constantly browse the web and play music and watch stuff.
I hope that made sense, because my brain is gone tonight.

[Toffer]

Gaming laptops (One's that run modernish games) are expensive. Over 1K easy.

You can build a medium to high range rig for £500 - 800 pounds.

Go with the PC. Better long term investment. On your Dad's lack of knowledge for use of PC's tell him I think he's a moron.

[Zephyr]

Whatever you do, (I'd vote desktop), you should get it from this sexy site!

http://www.assassinsystems.co.uk/

[Sketch]

You can get a decent high end gaming PC rig for far more than you would a gaming lappy, but DON't buy an off the peg from PC world or anywhere else. Research and buy decent fucking components.

[Toffer]

I built my own PC a few years back and my last one was custom made. Do your research like Lorna says. It's worth it's weight in gold. Oh and for the love of GOD get some Warranty.