Updated September 30, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
ALTERNATE vs CyberPowerPC
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ALTERNATE |  CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99 | $805 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 to 3 yearsHigher |
| Return window | 14 days | 60 daysHigher |
| Most memory (GB) | 64 | 256Higher |
| Markets | DE, AT, BE, DK, FR, IT, LU, NL, CH, ES | US, CA |
Same on both: Build to order (Yes).
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Key differences
- CyberPowerPC scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Warranty is higher at CyberPowerPC: 1 to 3 years vs 2 years.
- Return window is higher at CyberPowerPC: 60 days vs 14 days.
- Most memory (GB) is higher at CyberPowerPC: 256 vs 64.
- Support channels: only CyberPowerPC offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at ALTERNATE: 1992 vs 1998.
- ALTERNATE is available in 8 more countries.
- Products: only ALTERNATE offers Mini pc, Tablet.
- Operating systems: only ALTERNATE offers Macos, Linux, Android.
- Markets: only ALTERNATE offers DE, AT, BE.
Our verdict on each
ALTERNATE
ALTERNATE suits shoppers in its home region who want one store for computers, phones, audio and gaming, with returns handled the same way as other European retailers. Its 2 years of cover and build to order machines make it a solid pick, though 14 days for returns sits mid-table.
CyberPowerPC
CyberPowerPC makes Windows gaming desktops, gaming laptops and plain laptops, built to the parts you pick, with entry pricing at $805. It suits buyers who want a gaming rig set to their own spec and budget rather than a fixed shelf model, and who want a return window and warranty to match.
Score breakdown
| Area | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.8Starting price of $805, and a built to order range that lets you hold spend near entry. |
| Offer | 9.1Prices start at €31.99, with 2 years of cover and optional extended protection at checkout. | 9.8HigherBuilt to order, nvidia, amd and intel card choices and memory reaching 256 GB. |
| Trust | 9.2Operating as ALTERNATE GmbH since 1992, with a 14 days return window and email, phone and help centre support. | 9.4HigherWarranty of 1 to 3 years, 60 day returns and support on email, chat and phone. |
How they place
| Ranking | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop brands | 33 of 78 | 29 of 78 |
| Gaming laptops | 18 of 33 | 17 of 33 |
| Gaming PCs | 22 of 41 | 20 of 41 |
| Desktops and mini PCs | 35 of 62 | 30 of 62 |
| Gaming headsets and controllers | 44 of 72 | 38 of 72 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
Additional countries for ALTERNATE: 10. Additional countries for CyberPowerPC: 2.
Sources behind this comparison
ALTERNATE
- alternate.de: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
CyberPowerPC
- cyberpowerpc.com: 8 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- support.cyberpowerpc.com: 5 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc, TabletCovers more | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc |
| Operating systems | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, IpadosCovers more | Windows |
| Graphics | Nvidia, Amd, Intel | Nvidia, Amd, Intel |
| Legal entity | ALTERNATE GmbH | CyberPower, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 1992Lower | 1998 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Monitors and peripherals
| Fact | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | 540 | Not confirmed |
| Panel types | Ips, Va, Oled | Not confirmed |
| Zero dead pixel policy | No | Not confirmed |
| Wireless peripherals | Yes | Not confirmed |
Gaming gear
| Fact | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile, StandaloneCovers more | Pc |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 yearsat the median | 1 to 3 yearsabove the median | 2 years |
| Return window | 14 daysbelow the median | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 days |
| Most memory (GB) | 64at the median | 256highest quarter | 64 |
Median across 45 listed brands.
Pros and cons
ALTERNATE
Pros
- Store categories run from computers and phones to audio, tv, gaming, appliances and refurbished goods, so most tech lists stay in one place.
- Returns run 14 days, a clear window to compare before you commit.
- Build to order is available, which matters for gaming laptops and desktops where stock configurations run out.
Cons
- The 14 day return window sits in the middle of the field, behind the brands ranked higher on that measure.
- A dead pixel policy is not offered, so a faulty panel has to go through the standard returns route.
- Monitor listings cap at 540 Hz, with ips, va and oled panels stocked, which narrows the top end of the display range.
CyberPowerPC
Pros
- Product range is laptop, gaming laptop and desktop, so a laptop buyer and a desktop buyer can shop the same seller.
- Ships to US and CA, so buyers in either listed market are covered by one seller.
- Build to order, so a buyer who knows their parts is not stuck with a fixed configuration.
Cons
- Operating systems come as Windows only, so a buyer wanting another system has to look elsewhere.
- Starting price of $805 is not the lowest on the site: CyberPowerPC sits at 23 of 34 brands on entry.
- Shipping is listed for US and CA, so a buyer in another country is not covered by this range.
Who each suits
ALTERNATE
Who it suits
- Shoppers in Germany, AT and BE who want a single store for computers, phones, audio and gaming gear.
- Gaming buyers after laptop, gaming laptop and desktop and pc, playstation and xbox coverage from one seller.
- People who value click and collect and a long support list over the widest catalogue.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want the longest return window in the comparison, where a retailer ranked higher on that measure fits better.
- Anyone shopping mainly for cameras, since JBL does not list that category either but stays audio focused.
- Price hunters comparing the very cheapest baskets, where Banggood's broad category list is worth checking first.
CyberPowerPC
Who it suits
- Buyers in US and CA who want a gaming PC or gaming laptop assembled to their own parts list.
- People who want the card choice to include nvidia, amd and intel and memory up to 256 GB for heavy multi-monitor work.
- Shoppers who keep a machine for years and value a 1 to 3 year warranty with a 60 day return window.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone set on a mini PC: GEEKOM lists mini pc and laptop and mini pc and laptop, and CyberPowerPC's range is laptop, gaming laptop and desktop.
- Buyers who want a machine off the shelf: Scan lists laptop, gaming laptop and desktop as a set range, while every CyberPowerPC machine is built to order.
Country by country
| Country | ALTERNATE | CyberPowerPC |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
| Luxembourg | Yes | No |
8 of 12 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
ALTERNATE
How long do I have to return something bought at ALTERNATE?+
You have 14 days from delivery to change your mind and send an item back. That is the standard withdrawal period and sits in the middle of this comparison rather than at the top. Keep the product in its original packaging and condition to keep the return straightforward.
What warranty comes with machines from ALTERNATE?+
Cover runs 2 years as standard across the range. Extended warranty is also available, which is worth adding on expensive gaming laptops and desktops. Fault cover and accidental damage are separate questions, so check the terms for the specific machine before you buy.
CyberPowerPC
How much does a CyberPowerPC machine cost at the entry point?+
Starting price is $805, and every machine is built to order, so the final figure depends on the parts you configure. Against the brands compared here, CyberPowerPC ranks at 23 of 34 on starting price, so some rivals open lower.
Which parts can I choose when I order?+
Every machine is built to order, so the graphics card, memory and other components are picked during configuration. The card range covers nvidia, amd and intel, and memory reaches 256 GB. Choosing your own parts means you can weight the budget towards a card or towards memory.