If you've got a gaming PC, I hope you like the one you've got. Because upgrading it - or even buying a pre-built one - is going to cost you a veritable fortune right now. Blame bitcoin.

Australians bought over 980,000 PCs over the second quarter of 2017 representing year-on-year growth of 3.3% according to research released by IDC. While the education and SMB sectors contracted slightly compared to the same period last year, consumer, government and enterprise buyers opened the check books and let the credit cards loose.

Who doesn't hate carrying around their laptop? Even the lightest ones weigh a couple of pounds and can be a huge burden to lug around the city. That's where portable apps, ones stored on a USB drive, come in.

I was once told the best time to buy new tech is tomorrow and the best time to sell the tech you no longer need is yesterday. With most tech hardware products refreshed annually it seems almost impossible to perfectly match your buying patterns to the release cycles of hardware manufacturers. Today's announcement of the new Surface Pro had me thinking - how do you ensure you're getting the best bang for buck when buying new hardware?

I'm currently testing the fourth Windows laptop in my quest to find a replacement for the iPad Pro. After trialling a Lenovo MIIX 510, Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and now a HP Spectre, I'm remembering one of things that really annoyed me about Windows computers. All the extra software that I didn't ask for.

Congratulations - you've just built your first gaming PC. Or maybe you're like Cecilia and you've just bought your first pre-built rig. Either way, you've got some fresh new hardware and now it's time to put it through its paces.

Question is, what should you play? Here's 12 games to put a new gaming PC through its paces.

2016 was yet another year that showed PC gaming is, in many ways, on the forefront of gaming. So many of video game's most popular trends -- the proliferation of Early Access on consoles (for better or worse), survival game elements in everything, multiplatform mods, esports and virtual reality - all started on PC. Even as it inspired other platforms, PC gaming itself evolved this year, both makng big strides and taking ugly spills.

When you first get a new graphics card, your games run buttery smooth. Over time, you might start to notice that it doesn't run as well, even on the same games. What gives? This video explains what causes performance degradation over time.

A substantial PC upgrade, or even a better workspace, doesn't have to be a huge project that drains your time and energy. If you can order the parts, there are several worthwhile improvements you can make that will pay off big when it's time to work (or play). Here are some of them.

Dear Lifehacker, My current desktop is on its last legs and I'm looking at upgrading. I bought it in 2008, so it's definitely time to move on! The problem is I'm on a very tight budget. I was wondering if you had any advice on whether I should upgrade my components in increments, or try to save up and buy the whole thing in one go?

Dear Lifehacker, I have a $1000 budget and I like gaming, but I have no idea if I should buy a laptop or a PC. I don't know what specs I need to be able to play this year's games on normal quality. Please help! From PRS.

Dear Lifehacker, I am patiently awaiting the release of the Steam Controller for PC gaming and have just found out it runs on AA batteries (how annoying!) I know next to nothing about battery types as this would be the first product I need that requires them. What should I be looking for to maximize my gaming and stop me running to the shops to buy batteries in the fistful?

Laptop video cards are a bit misleading in their names. You might think the GTX 980M is comparable to the desktop's GTX 980, but the performance is actually quite different.

If you're looking for a computer that can fit anywhere and do almost anything, a small form-factor PC is your best bet. The best ones offer power and portability, make the right compromises, and still come in at a good price. This week we're looking at five of the best, based on your nominations and suggestions.

Brief news items for Lifehacker readers, including: the craziest cosplay from Anime Expo 2014, George R R Martin says "f*ck you" to doomsayer fans, how PC enthusiasts are like dog owners.

It's well-recognised that notebook sales are now outstripping desktop PCs, but within the notebook category, netbooks are also claiming an increasing chunk of the market.

If desktop or laptop parts have died or seen better days, you've got a friend. All of your Lifehacker editors—and many helpful net denizens—have upgraded or repaired faulty systems, and we've rounded some of their helpful tutorials.

Desktop sales fell by 23 percent last year across the computer industry. In the U.S., 80 percent of sales went to notebooks. Gizmodo declares the desktop dead, but we're wondering if you see a future for non-mobile systems.

When I decided to purchase a new PC for the Hand Luggage Only project, I had a pretty open mind about what I might get, but I must admit there was one decision already made: I definitely wasn't going to buy a Mac.