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Miscellaneous laptop discussions : Laptop vs. Desktop
Laptop vs. Desktop
by Gerald_Soriano - 12/1/08 11:38 PMOk so I need to know what you guys think about latops and desktops. Considering their advantages and disadvantages, I find it really hard to find to choose between the two. But in my opinion, I think that the laptop owns the desktop XD. So please help me make a final chioce. Thanks!
Laptop versus desktop.
by Kees Bakker
- 12/2/08 12:07 AM
In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_Soriano
A laptop can't be beat for transportability.
A desktop is cheaper and can be configured and changed and expanded more easily (for example: the best graphic card you can find, 4 internal hard disks if you need them, replacing the DVD-player by a Blue-Ray player in 2010 if you need it).
So it depends on your requirements. And you don't tell anything about that.
Kees
Good Answer
by Gerald_Soriano - 12/2/08 3:41 AM In reply to: Laptop versus desktop. by Kees Bakker
Thanks for your answer. I really appreciate your facts. Though I still don't really know the advantages of a laptop. Only having portability as an advantage seems like its not worth it.
Re: laptop
by Kees Bakker - 12/2/08 3:05 PM
In reply to: Good Answer by Gerald_Soriano
I see a lot of students taking their laptop to school to make notes in the class and to work on projects. If the school has enough PC's with the right software a USB stick to contain all the project data would suffice of course. But for use in the classroom that won't work.
And I see a lot of people in a train using their laptop either for work or for looking at movies. You can't do that with a desktop either.
And, of course, a lot of people having a form of mobile work (for example: consultants, sales people) have a laptop to take with them.
Those are all excellent reasons, don't you think? It really depends on the circumstances what is best.
Kees
True
by Gerald_Soriano - 12/2/08 7:14 PM In reply to: Re: laptop by Kees Bakker
That is absolutely true! So the only way I can male the right decision is to listen to my needs! Thanks! But know I would like to know what kind of people are suited for the desktop. Keep on coming with those answers guys. I really need your opinions!
Laptop vs. Desktop
by Renegade Knight - 12/3/08 12:03 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoLaptops are portable. Thats the one advantage. It's a big one. Want to watch a movie while you cook dinner? Just pop the laptop on the counter and do it. Want to play some games on a trip, or keep up on email? That's a laptop.
Desktops still do everthing a laptop does better except the portability. Laptops have closed enough of the gap to where a lot of times it doesn't matter.
The other difference is price. Desktops are less for more power.
Less external devices needed with laptops
by GENE8 - 12/5/08 11:43 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoEveryone mentioned portability, but no one mentioned the fact that laptops also don't need external devices such as a separate keyboard, mouse and speakers. There is also no need for an external broadband modem (although you will need a broadband card if you don't want to use the built-in Wi-Fi adapter). Smart phones are becoming so sophisticated now that pretty soon they will probably be taking the place of laptops anyway.
I wish I hadn't switched to a laptop
by john42 - 12/6/08 2:34 AM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoMy PC conked out. I had been wondering about replacing it with a laptop anyway so I went ahead. I wish I hadn't.
Nothing particularly wrong with the VistaHPx64 laptop (apart from the eternal MS problem, far worse in Vista than in XP, of being unable to remember folder and icons settings - grrr!) but the screen display is smaller than the PC's and as I scribble for a living that's not helpful.
I also miss the separate numeric keyboard (I'm an alt-code kind of guy and the imbedded keyboard is a fiddle) and I don't need it for portability 'cos I've got one of those tiny Asus thingies which is fine (surprisingly) for writing on the go and interrogating IMDb in front of the TV.
Fortunately, the computer store where I bought my Acer laptop also repaired my PC (and loaded it with XP Business which has many Vista-like features) and I now use that more than I use the laptop, one reason being that the PC's separate WiFi adapater gets onto the net a lot faster than the laptop's internal device.
So as far as I'm concerned, the only advantage would be portability and I don't really need that.
I hope that helps.
Laptop Will Not Last as Long
by cquigley47 - 12/6/08 3:33 AM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoI had a desktop and brought a laptop as a second PC. We have two daughters. The laptop didn't last 2 years with all the abuse it got from my daughters. I replaced the power cord 3-4 times during the 2 years and the battery also needed replacing. I did get another laptop but it now mostly stays in one daughters room so it isn't getting beat up as much. I did have had to replace the battery after about 1 year.
Well let's see
by gkamer - 12/6/08 7:19 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoFrom a portability standpoint, the laptop is going to win hands down. Of course that's a no brainer. A tad differcult to break down a desk top and move it from your office to the bedroom.
From an upgrade standpoint, the desk top is going to win hands down. Once you config a laptop, you're pretty much locked into it for ever. Have you ever tried to upgrade a video card or hard drive in a laptop? Kind of a pain in the butt.
Also you don't want to forget about power considerations. Laptop batteries have improved over the years, but are still not all that great.
Price of course is another consideration. A desk top is going to cost a lot less then a comparable laptop.
So I guess what you really need is to take a look at your particular needs. Are you on the road a lot as part of your job? If so a laptop might fit your needs better.
I purchased a laptop because I intended it to be a replacement for my old desk top. Now, I wish I would have spent only half what I paid for the laptop and replaced my old desk stop, since I end up using it a lot more often for a lot of other projects, while my laptop sits idle.
laptop vs desktop
by keithhodgson - 12/7/08 5:44 AM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoI have both and also a netbook.
The laptop is fairly low powered, is easy to use about the house, garden, etc. I also have 3 desktops, one for each member of the family. These are good for big display, games, etc. And finally a netbook (MSI Wind) which is really useful for taking everywhere, working on the train, viewing movies while waiting for bus/train/plane. It is super portable and XP so compatable with the other units, but make sure you get one with a viewable screen (size, quality, etc.) and a keyboard that you're comfortable with.
So my advice would be good desktop and a netbook for when you want to be portable. Netbooks go from £200 up for a decent one and with desktops it's whatever you want to pay.
Laptop
by meepo97 - 12/7/08 1:27 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoGet a laptop. More portable. Cheaper. Sometimes better than desktops in performance!
Additional Considerations for Laptop
by ghicker - 12/8/08 2:41 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoLaptops are perfect for portable use and limited daily use. But if you intend to use the laptop for long periods of time everyday, then you need to be aware of the design differences.
Laptops have limited cooling abilities due to the compact design and limited airflow inside the case. The result is that most laptops run hot, which can affect the life of the components inside a laptop. And as previously mentioned, it is not easy or cheap to replace laptop components.
I used a laptop keyboard daily for 3 years and many of the letters were worn off the keys. When you wear out a keyboard on your desktop, you go out and buy a newer and better one. When you wear out your keyboard on your laptop, you go out and buy a new and better laptop.
If you intend to replace a desktop home computer with a laptop, then I highly recommend a laptop with a docking station. A docking station allows you to use a desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse, which saves you wear and tear on your latop...not to mention the possibility of a full size keyboard, larger monitor and more ergonomic mouse.
Ignore the posts that claim a laptop is faster than a desktop, that can only be true if you compare apples to oranges. A fast processor and video card produces a ton of heat, which requires multiple fans and good airflow even for a desktop system. A laptop is not designed to consume the power and provide the cooling that is required of high performance processors and video cards. Laptops have improved immensely, but for the same amount of money you can always find a faster desktop.
- If you want speed, performance and the ability to upgrade a PC for many years, then a desktop is your best solution.
- If you want portability then a laptop is your best solution.
- If you can't decide or want both, then consider buying a good desktop and a cheap netbook. Netbooks give you portability at a great price point, and they will handle what most people want to do remotely (Surf internet, read email, watch movies).
Some Desktop Uses
by choosenotebook - 12/8/08 9:19 PM In reply to: Laptop vs. Desktop by Gerald_SorianoHere's my input on Desktop Uses:
1. High performance tasks such as serious gaming, pro graphics or video editing/rendering and other professional applications.
2. Large screen or dual, triple, quad monitor setups for maximum productivity.
3. Multiple drives/high storage needs such as for video capturing and storage.
4. Flexible hardware customization.
5. Less worry of theft.
6. Feeling of comfort that you have the speed when you need it? 
or simply just more performance for less money.
A few more stuff ("always on" uses)
by choosenotebook - 12/8/08 9:25 PM In reply to: Some Desktop Uses by choosenotebook- Remote desktop server
- A web, file, or application server
- Security camera recording
Hmmnn.. running out of uses... maybe later..
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