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November 04, 2026

Barebones Mini PCs: Which Parts Must You Purchase Separately?
A barebone mini PC usually includes the processor, motherboard and cooling system, but RAM, storage and an operating system often need purchasing separately.
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November 02, 2026

Fanless vs Fan-Cooled Mini PCs: Noise, Heat, and Speed Compared
A fanless mini PC is ideal for quiet offices, basic computing and low-maintenance setups. Fan-cooled mini PCs offer better sustained performance for multitasking and demanding workloads.
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October 08, 2026

Everything You Need to Build a Desktop PC: Laptop Outlet’s Expanded Components Range
Building a desktop PC requires choosing compatible components balanced for your specific workload.
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October 08, 2026

All-in-One PCs vs Traditional Desktops: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
All-in-one PCs save space with integrated screens, while traditional desktops offer greater upgrade flexibility and cooling.
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September 29, 2026

Vertical vs Horizontal GPU Mounting: Cooling and Compatibility

A graphics card is normally installed horizontally, with its fans facing down towards the bottom of the PC case. However, many modern cases also support vertical GPU installation, allowing the graphics card to sit upright and display its cooling shroud, RGB lighting or custom design through a side panel.

Vertical vs horizontal GPU mounting refers to the different ways a graphics card can be positioned inside a PC case. A horizontal GPU mount installs the graphics card directly into the motherboard’s PCIe slot, while a vertical GPU mount uses a bracket and often a GPU riser cable to reposition the card. Horizontal mounting usually offers simpler installation and airflow, while vertical mounting can improve aesthetics but requires careful compatibility checks.

The choice between a vertical vs horizontal graphics card setup is not only about appearance. The position of the GPU can affect airflow, temperatures, installation requirements and long-term compatibility. A vertical GPU mount may

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September 22, 2026

Medion Desktop vs All-in-One PC: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing a Medion computer is not only about processor speed, RAM or storage. Form factor affects desk space, display choice, upgrades, repairs and how easily the system can adapt later.

A Medion desktop PC is usually the better choice if you want greater upgrade flexibility, more display freedom and stronger options for demanding workloads. A Medion all-in-one PC suits users who prioritise a cleaner, space-saving setup with the screen built in. The right choice depends on your performance needs, desk space, upgrade plans and the exact model specifications.

The Medion desktop vs all-in-one PC decision therefore needs more than a simple winner. Both can work well for home, office and family use, but they solve different problems. This guide compares them around real needs so you can choose the setup that fits your space and workload.

Medion Desktop vs All-in-One: The 1-Minute Take

Choose a Medion desktop PC if you want more freedom over the monitor, broader upgrade potential and greater

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September 17, 2026

The Future of AI PCs: Where Dell Pro Essential Fits

An AI PC differs from a standard business PC by using dedicated hardware, such as an NPU, to accelerate supported AI workloads locally. Standard desktops can still run cloud-based AI services and Microsoft Copilot without an NPU.

Dell Pro Essential desktops are business PCs designed primarily for everyday productivity, not a dedicated AI PC range. Some configurations may include processors with an NPU for on-device AI acceleration, while others do not. Businesses should check the exact processor, NPU capability and workload requirements before deciding between Dell Pro Essential and an AI-ready Dell Pro PC.

For Dell Pro Essential, AI capability depends on the exact processor and configuration. UK businesses should therefore weigh on-device AI needs against everyday performance, security, upgradeability and cost.

What Is an AI PC?

An AI PC is a computer with hardware designed to accelerate artificial intelligence workloads. In addition to the familiar CPU and GPU, many modern AI PCs include

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September 15, 2026

Dell Pro vs OptiPlex: What’s the Difference?

Dell Pro is Dell’s newer professional PC family and has effectively taken over the position previously occupied by OptiPlex for new business desktops.

Dell announced its simplified Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max portfolio on 6 January 2025. Dell UK now states that OptiPlex desktops are no longer available directly and directs customers towards Dell Pro systems instead.

However, Dell Pro vs OptiPlex is not simply a comparison between a new, faster range and an old, slower one. Recent OptiPlex PCs can still have powerful processors, DDR5 memory, Windows 11 Pro and business security features. The exact model, processor, memory, storage and form factor matter more than the name alone.

Pro vs OptiPlex: Dell Business Computers at a Glance

Options

Dell Pro

Dell OptiPlex

Current status

Dell’s current professional PC family

Legacy business brand no longer sold directly by Dell UK

Intended users

Businesses, professional users and managed IT environments

Businesses, offices, education and managed

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August 18, 2026

Best AMD Gaming PCs for 1080p, 1440p and 4K Gaming

Choosing the best AMD gaming PC in 2026 is less about buying the fastest processor and more about matching the CPU, GPU, memory and monitor to your target resolution. AMD Ryzen processors scale from efficient integrated-graphics systems for light Full HD gaming to X3D-equipped towers built for demanding AAA titles.

This guide compares six current AMD Ryzen gaming PCs across 1080p, 1440p and 4K use. It explains where each system makes sense, where it has limitations and which games suit its hardware.

Best AMD Gaming PCs at a Glance

The six systems below cover very different levels of gaming performance. That matters because an office-focused PC with integrated graphics should not be judged in the same way as dedicated gaming desktop PCs equipped with RTX graphics.

PC

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Storage

Best For

Lenovo ThinkCentre M75s Gen 2

Ryzen 5 5600G

Integrated Radeon

8GB DDR4

256GB SSD

Light 1080p gaming

Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 24ARR9

Ryzen 5 7533HS

Radeon 660M

16GB DDR5

512GB SSD

Casual 1080p

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Acer vs ASUS Gaming PCs in 2026: Which is Better for Gaming?
Neither brand wins outright: Acer offers clearer UK lineups, while ASUS features more varied designs. Compare exact specs.
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July 21, 2026

Best RTX Gaming PCs for 1080p, 1440p & 4K Gaming in 2026

For 1080p, an RTX 5060 is the sensible mainstream pick. For 1440p, step up to an RTX 5060 Ti 16GB or RTX 5070. For 4K, the RTX 5080 is the best-balanced choice for most people, with the RTX 5090 reserved for buyers who genuinely need its 32GB of memory or maximum settings at every resolution.

Picking one of the best RTX gaming PCs isn't about flexing the priciest GPU - it's about matching your rig to your setup and the games you actually play. A competitive player on a 1080p 240Hz display needs strong CPU performance and low latency. Someone playing cinematic single-player games on a 4K screen needs more GPU power, VRAM, and cooling. A 1440p buyer usually wants the strongest balance of image quality, speed, and price.

Getting this right prevents two expensive mistakes: overspending on performance your display can't show, or buying a PC that leans too heavily on generated frames to hit numbers it can't sustain natively. The most common upgrade enquiry we see at Laptop Outlet is from 1080p

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September 01, 2026

Top Gaming PC Accessories to Upgrade Your Gaming Setup in 2026

In gaming, your PC is the engine - but your accessories are the steering wheel, tyres, mirrors, and dashboard. You can have all the power in the world, but if your mouse feels sluggish, your monitor looks choppy, your headset misses key sound cues, or your desk is a cable jungle, the whole setup feels off.

The top gaming PC accessories to upgrade your gaming setup in 2026 include a mechanical gaming keyboard, wireless gaming mouse, gaming headset, high refresh rate gaming monitor, PC gaming controller, large mouse pad, Wi-Fi 7 router, extra SSD storage, webcam, microphone, and dual-screen stand. These gaming accessories improve speed, comfort, control, visuals, audio, connectivity, and overall setup organisation.

Your PC might be built to run the latest games, but your accessories decide how well you actually experience them. A lightweight mouse can sharpen your aim, a mechanical keyboard can clean up your inputs, a gaming headset can help you catch every footstep, and a high refresh rate

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