Updated September 30, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
ALTERNATE vs Gmktec
Gmktec
Higher score in this comparison
ALTERNATE
Where ALTERNATE and Gmktec differ
| Compare | ALTERNATEReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | GmktecReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 14 daysHigher | 7 days |
| Free delivery threshold | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Extended warranty | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Click and collect | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Markets | DE, AT, BE, DK, FR, IT, LU, NL, CH, ES | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Gmktec scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.1.
- Return window is higher at ALTERNATE: 14 days vs 7 days.
- Support channels: only ALTERNATE offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Gmktec offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at ALTERNATE: 1992 vs 2019.
- Gmktec is available in 48 more countries.
- Departments: only ALTERNATE offers Phones, Audio, Tv.
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.
Gmktec
Gmktec suits shoppers who want a small Windows machine or entry desktop without paying for a major brand name, with entry prices from $169.99 and build to order on the range. The trade-off is thin cover, at 1 year of warranty, and a short 7 days return window.
Score breakdown
| Area | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.9Entry price starts at $169.99, ranking 11 of 34 brands on starting price, and delivery is $0. |
| Offer | 9.1HigherPrices start at €31.99, with 2 years of cover and optional extended protection at checkout. | 8.9Build to order is offered, a student discount is available, and RAM reaches 192 GB across the range. |
| Trust | 9.2HigherOperating as ALTERNATE GmbH since 1992, with a 14 days return window and email, phone and help centre support. | 8.2Cover runs 1 year with 7 days returns, and the legal entity behind the store is Shenzhen GMK Technology Co., Ltd.. |
How they place
| Ranking | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming PCs | 22 of 41 | 3 of 41 |
| Desktops and mini PCs | 35 of 62 | 5 of 62 |
| Electronics stores | 168 of 239 | 20 of 239 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Departments | Computers, Phones, Audio, Tv, Gaming, Appliances, RefurbishedCovers more | Computers, Gaming |
| Legal entity | ALTERNATE GmbH | Shenzhen GMK Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Headquarters | Germany | China |
| Founded | 1992Lower | 2019 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community |
Computers
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc, TabletCovers more | Mini pc, Desktop, Gaming pc |
| Price from | €31.99 | $169.99 |
| Operating systems | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, IpadosCovers more | Windows |
| Build to order | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yearsHigher | 1 year |
| Most memory (GB) | 64 | 192Higher |
| Graphics | Nvidia, Amd, Intel | Nvidia, Amd, Intel |
| Student discount | Not confirmed | Yes |
Monitors and peripherals
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile, Standalone | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ALTERNATE | Gmktec | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free delivery threshold | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Return window | 14 daysbelow the median | 7 dayslowest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 79 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.
Gmktec
Pros
- Entry prices start at $169.99, which ranks 11 of 34 brands on starting price.
- Build to order is offered, so you can pick a configuration instead of a fixed bundle.
- The range covers mini pc, desktop and gaming pc, so mini PCs, desktops and gaming PCs sit with one seller.
Cons
- Warranty is 1 year, which ranks 14 of 34 brands and sits under the site median of 1 years.
- Returns run 7 days, a short window if a mini PC arrives with a fault you need to spot quickly.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed for hardware troubleshooting.
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.
Gmktec
Who it suits
- Shoppers who want the smallest footprint, since the range leads with mini PCs alongside desktops and gaming PCs
- Students, because a student discount is offered on top of a low entry price
- First-time Windows buyers who want build to order rather than a fixed configuration
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting long cover, because the warranty is 1 year against a site median of 1 years
- Buyers who want laptop choices alongside desktops, since CORSAIR and CyberPowerPC list them in their ranges
- Shoppers who prefer a wide range, since Scan lists laptops, gaming laptops, desktops, gaming PCs and mini PCs in one place
Current offers
Gmktec
Current offer
Discount code
Subscribe to Get 2% Off (New Customers Only): 2% off with code FPDS2
New customers only, subscribe to GMKtec newsletter during the Fall Prime Day Sale
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Discount code
Newsletter signup coupon: $10 off
Subscribe to GMKtec email newsletter
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | ALTERNATE | Gmktec |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| Argentina | No | Yes |
| Armenia | No | Yes |
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Bahrain | No | Yes |
| Bangladesh | No | Yes |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
8 of 65 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.
Gmktec
How much does the cheapest Gmktec machine cost?+
Entry prices start at $169.99, and that sits at 11 of 34 brands on starting price. Delivery is $0, so the figure you see is close to the figure you pay. Students can do better still, since a student discount is offered.
What can I buy from Gmktec?+
The range covers mini pc, desktop and gaming pc, so you can move between a mini PC, a desktop and a gaming PC without changing seller. RAM goes up to 192 GB across those machines. Machines run on Windows, so a Windows machine is the only kind listed here.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Gmktec
ALTERNATE