Generic laptop vs self built desktop?

What are the pros and cons of each? And are desktops really being phased out like I keep getting told? I want to build a gaming desktop and can get all the parts I need for around 1.5k, which would cost over 3.5k in a custom laptop, and my parents want me to get a generic laptop which can just run Microsoft and Internet, because desktops are phasing out and people are going smaller(which isn't true, iPad is younger than itouch, iphone 5 is bigger than others). But if I can see the pros and cons of each, then I can see if I really should just get a laptop, or if self built desktops are way way way better, then maybe I can convince them to let me build it.
So basically, pros and cons of self buit desktop vs higher end generic laptop. And are desktops really phasing out?

If someone steals an Iphone 5 can it be tracked by carrier / police or other?

If someone has stolen an i phone 5 can it be somehow tracked if sim is disabled/ destroyed, the phone has been completely reset to factory settings and had a new sim from a different provider placed into it with find my phone, location services all turned off too.
is there any way by using IMEI number or other that it can be tracked by police, phone provider or other?

Will apple still fix my iphone?

So… Long story! I got a phone… Broke my phone got my friend who knows how fix apple iphone 4 screens. He asked me what color and i said: YOU CAN DO DIFFERENT COLORS! So he fixed my iphone so it has a pink glass now. One week later when my case was just about to arrive my mom ran over it by accident… Don't ask! It is completely broken, won't even turn on just a white screen. I heard you can go to apple and they can fix it or give you a new one under the out of warranty fee which is lik 150 or something. I just want to know… Will they fix it at all… Once they see it they will know that they didn't fix it the first time becuz its pink! Please help! I'm desperate at this point

Added (1). Its not just my screen that needs fixing… Somethings up with the inside… Also the home button ripped off… So yeah

Added (2). AND lol i did talk to the man on the phone and told him it was run over! I don't have a warranty but he said since its OUT of warranty your going to hav to pay 150… So they know its been run over

Iphone 5 ios7 restore downgrade error (11, -1, 3104)?

I was attempting to upgrade my iphone 5 to ios7 ahead of its release. My old firmware was 6.1.2 i believe.
when i tried to upgrade to ios7 after upgrading it showed the ios7 dfu mode and claimed an error on my computer. So i tried to downgrade back to the latest firmware 6.1.4. After doing so it showed an error. And would not restore at all to 6.1.4 or 7.is it possible in any way to restore my phone to working order. Any help would be appreciated.