Updated September 30, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
ALTERNATE vs PCSpecialist
Where ALTERNATE and PCSpecialist differ
| Compare |  ALTERNATE |  PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99Lower | €880 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 yearsHigher |
| Most memory (GB) | 64 | 96Higher |
| Markets | DE, AT, BE, DK, FR, IT, LU, NL, CH, ES | GB, GG, JE, GI, IE, AD, AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IS, IT, LV, LI, LT, LU, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, CHCovers more |
Same on both: Build to order (Yes), Return window (14 days).
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Key differences
- ALTERNATE scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.9.
- Price from is lower at ALTERNATE: €31.99 vs €880.
- Warranty is higher at PCSpecialist: 3 years vs 2 years.
- Most memory (GB) is higher at PCSpecialist: 96 vs 64.
- Founded is lower at ALTERNATE: 1992 vs 2003.
- PCSpecialist is available in 26 more countries.
- Products: only ALTERNATE offers Tablet.
- Operating systems: only ALTERNATE offers Macos, Linux, Android.
- Markets: only PCSpecialist offers GB, GG, JE.
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.
PCSpecialist
PCSpecialist suits buyers who want a configured machine and long cover rather than a bargain off-the-shelf box. Build to order applies, the warranty runs 3 years, and support runs on email, phone and help centre. Prices start higher than most rivals.
Score breakdown
| Area | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 8.6Entry price of €880 is well above the site median of €86.82. |
| Offer | 9.1Prices start at €31.99, with 2 years of cover and optional extended protection at checkout. | 9.1Build to order applies, with memory up to 96 GB and laptop, gaming laptop and desktop listed. |
| Trust | 9.2HigherOperating as ALTERNATE GmbH since 1992, with a 14 days return window and email, phone and help centre support. | 9.1Warranty of 3 years ranks 1 of 34, with support on email, phone and help centre. |
Licences and countries
| Country | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | Netherlands |
Available in 10 countries for both. Additional countries for PCSpecialist: 26.
Which one suits you
Pick ALTERNATE if price from matter most.
Pick PCSpecialist if warranty, most memory (gb), and markets matter most.
Sources behind this comparison
ALTERNATE
- alternate.de: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
PCSpecialist
- pcspecialist.co.uk: 13 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop brands | 33 of 78 | 42 of 78 |
| Gaming laptops | 18 of 33 | 23 of 33 |
| Gaming PCs | 22 of 41 | 29 of 41 |
| Desktops and mini PCs | 35 of 62 | 44 of 62 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc, TabletCovers more | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc |
| Operating systems | Windows, Macos, Linux, Android, IpadosCovers more | Windows |
| Graphics | Nvidia, Amd, Intel | Nvidia, Amd, Intel |
| Legal entity | ALTERNATE GmbH | PCSpecialist B.V. |
| Headquarters | Germany | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1992Lower | 2003 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community |
Monitors and peripherals
| Fact | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile, Standalone | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | €31.99lowest quarter | €880highest quarter | €149.95 |
| Warranty | 2 yearsat the median | 3 yearsabove the median | 2 years |
| Return window | 14 daysbelow the median | 14 daysbelow the median | 30 days |
| Most memory (GB) | 64at the median | 96above the median | 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.
PCSpecialist
Pros
- Build to order applies, so memory and graphics choices are yours to set before a machine is built.
- Warranty of 3 years puts the brand top of the warranty ranking at 1 of 34.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, which covers phone and email alongside a help centre and community board.
Cons
- Entry price of €880 is well above the site median of €86.82.
- Operating systems come down to Windows, so buyers wanting Linux setups need another seller, unlike Scan which offers Windows and Linux.
- Returns allow 14 days, which is shorter than the longer windows some sellers give.
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.
PCSpecialist
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a machine built to their own memory and graphics choices, since build to order applies.
- Anyone who weighs warranty length heavily, since cover runs 3 years.
- Shoppers who want one seller for laptop, gaming laptop and desktop rather than separate mini PC and laptop vendors.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers after a low entry price, since €880 is far above the site median of €86.82.
- Linux users, since operating systems come down to Windows while Scan lists Windows and Linux.
- Mini PC only shoppers, since GEEKOM focuses on mini pc and laptop.
Country by country
| Country | ALTERNATE | PCSpecialist |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
| Finland | No | Yes |
| Gibraltar | No | Yes |
8 of 36 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.
PCSpecialist
How much does a PCSpecialist machine cost at the start?+
The entry price is €880, which sits above the site median of €86.82. On our price from ranking the brand places 25 out of 34, so it is a higher ticket purchase than most listings in the comparison.
How long is the warranty on a PCSpecialist machine?+
Warranty cover runs 3 years, the longest in our warranty ranking, where the brand places 1 out of 34. That cover is a large part of why the entry price sits above the site median of €86.82.