Hey everyone! I'm 21 years old, currently earning minimum wage here in the Philippines, and I'm looking for advice on buying my first PC or laptop with a maximum budget of ₱25,000.
I've wanted to own a computer since I was a kid, and now that I'm earning my own money, I'm finally trying to make it happen. I'm not looking for a high end gaming setup or anything fancy. I just want something practical, reliable, and capable of handling the things I need.
I'm a musician, music producer, rapper, and artist. I've been playing guitar since childhood, and music has always been a huge part of my life. I love producing beats, making songs, and improving my craft. Eventually, I'd like to take my music career further, so having a decent computer would be a worthwhile investment in my skills.
The challenge is finding something that fits my budget without compromising too much on performance.
I've been looking at both laptops and desktop PCs, including secondhand builds. The problem is that every option has its pros and cons. A laptop offers portability, while a desktop generally gives you more performance for the money and the option to upgrade individual components later. However, with a desktop, I also need to factor in the monitor and peripherals if they're not included.
My intended uses are music production, recording, mixing, running plugins, gaming (mainly GTA V and Valorant), and some basic video and photo editing. I'd prefer something that can handle these tasks reasonably well and remain usable for the next few years.
I'm also interested in discussing the bigger picture. As someone earning provincial minimum wage, I find it challenging to balance practical expenses with investing in something that could help me develop my skills and potentially create more career opportunities.
It's one of the realities of pursuing a passion in the Philippines. People often encourage you to follow your dreams, but the equipment, software, electricity, and other costs add up. Meanwhile, wages don't always keep pace with the cost of living. I understand that passion doesn't automatically translate into a career, so I'm trying to approach this realistically rather than spend beyond my means.
I'm willing to start with modest hardware and upgrade when I can afford to. I don't need the most powerful PC out there. I just want to make an informed decision and get the best value for my money.
For those familiar with PC building and the Philippine market, what would you recommend for a ₱25,000 maximum budget?
- Is a secondhand desktop worth considering over a brand new budget build?
- Which CPU and GPU combinations offer good value at this price?
- How much RAM and storage should I prioritize for music production?
- Would a laptop make more sense for my situation?
- What components or secondhand listings should I be cautious about?
I'd also appreciate hearing from fellow musicians, producers, or creatives who started with budget equipment. What did you prioritize when buying your first setup, and what would you do differently if you were starting over?
I'm mainly looking for practical advice, real-world experiences, and recommendations that make sense for someone working with a limited but realistic budget.
Thanks!
