Laptop or Desktop computer?

When I bought my first computer I was advised to buy a desktop as it would provide a better performance/price ratio. Nowadays laptops/notebooks are light and very powerful, still a bit more expensive than desktops but not that much.

I'm using almost exclusively my laptop and I'm thinking of buying another one.

Are there real advantages in getting a desktop? (bulk is a big issue for me).

Any thoughts?

 

I am also very interested in the experience and opinions of those here. Although I have both, I would not want to do without the laptop now that I have used one for several months.

My own considerations would be a balance between screen size and portability, and how under continued use each day the laptop would hold up.

Regards,
Jerry

 

It depends on how you use your computer. If your are a hardcore gamer, or need to use some applications with high requirement on hardware (graphic card and etc), you probably still need a desktop. Otherwise, laptop is enough.

Several years ago, laptop was expensive. A low-end laptop would cost at least $1,000. For that money, at least a mid-end desktop could be purchased. So desktop had a high performance/cost ratio. However, at the current time, a low-end laptop would just cost $400~$500, and the performance is not really that bad at all. With $400, one can not find a really decent desktop either. So the difference in performance/cost ratio of laptop and desktop is getting closer nowadays.

 

If you like or need a laptop they are alright but as far as durability goes a desktop will out last a laptop on average 4/5 to 1 in favor of the desktop. The size of a laptop is it's own enemy, they can't cool as well as a desktop and the smaller passages and air spaces collect dust and lint that compounds the problem. I can't link to it because it was in a tech magazine I used to get at my computer shop but the article stated that in the first two years the likely hood of having a laptop fail or need repairs is in the 60% range where as a desktop after five years that is used compariably to the laptop is only in the 12/15 percent failure or need for repairs. Of course a desktop is not a good choice if you need portability, so there is a trade off in the different needs of a portable computer with that being the possibility of earlier failure for having the benefit of being portable

 

Actually you can purchase a very good and powerful desktop computer for under $400.00

 

I am not so sure. Those desktops usually do not include monitor. But a laptop comes with the LCD monitor for "free", which can cost around $150 for a desktop.

 

You've probably raised the main issue: Heat. As a matter of fact mine is an intel centrino pentium M which should not heat up easily, but I had to change the motherboard after 3 months of use. I have been using a cooling fan base for a couple of months and it really drops the internal temperature dramatically (I'm only monitoring the HD temperature though) especially during virus scans or backup creation.

I've noticed that desktops too are shrinking in size, so what's the point in the end to get one?

 

My last four desktops including this one that is only two months old have all been almost identicle in size. And this last one has three cooling fans that are about four inches across. It runs pretty cool. the hottest thing in it is the ATI Radeon graphics card.

 

It really comes down to the point whether you want the motibility of a laptop or not as other people said.

 

Another consideration is upgradability - desktops offer more space and the option of a motherboard upgrade, effectively giving you a new computer without having to repurchase a case, monitor, keyboard or other peripherals. Laptops are limited to memory only in most cases meaning that in 4-5 years you would likely have to purchase a totally new machine.

 

I've always used desktops, but now that my wife has purchased a laptop I want one too. I think my next computer may well be a laptop. Of course, the one thing I'll lose is the ability to have every single CD I own available for play at any time with the lower HD space availability.

C

 

Your arguments are valid. The latest I've seen are duo core laptops, absolute marvels and apparently they seem to run lukewarm. I still think that very few people wouldn't change their computer in 5 years, technologically speaking these machines are superseded after only 2 years, and as prices keep dropping, I don't see a bright future for desktops. Laptops are more delicate, but my first desktop was an absolute disaster: Everything failed in the first two years.

 

just received a 2ghz core duo tablet pc with 2ghz ram. Its nice but the hard drives in most laptops are 5400 rpm, slow when compared to a desktop. My amd 4400x2 @ 2.4 can run circles around it. Like the other posters said if you want mobility the laptop is the way to go. If most of you're usage is at home it's hard to beat a good desktop. If I was building one now, I would take a good look at the new conroe chip it's crazy fast, and the new laptop version will be out in several months, I think they are calling it Merom.

http://www.dvhardware.net/article10674.html

 

Where did you get it? I would recommend building you're own, or have a shop do it for you, it will give you the opportunity to select the components and make sure it is a quality build. It may cost a little more but in the end you will be much happier. Many of the budget computers that are sold today lack quality components, power supply ram and hard drives are often low quality in an effort to keep price down.

 

I agree, I don’t care for the big laptops, I like them in the 4-5 pound range, my new one only has a 12 inch screen but it is light and battery life is 4 hours unless I rely ramp it up. Have you seen what AMD has done with the prices after Conroe came out. Most where cut in half.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000340343 1050717007&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=343

 

Hi bigc, which software u have used for these temps? Thanks.

 

aigle this is what I use to monitor my computers internals. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

 

Laptop - the big pro for me is that I can take it to my friends or work easily and have it in the sitting room, so can watch tv or listen to the hifi and keep my wife company.

Desktop - the big pro for me is 3 fold, its a spare machine, so I can offload slow-long tasks from the laptop, eg printer, emule, disc burning. Also means easy backup location, keeps the laptop lean and fast. It also acts as my web developement server and file backup for the laptop.

I get far better reliability and performance out of using 2 machines, than trying to use 1 machine for everything, Id never go back to having one computer again.

 

thanks.

 

And the ultimate hardware question goes to Osaban

This is a very interesting question to answer as both the laptop and PC have their own advantages and disadvantages.

He's a bit of a breakdown by what I know and some of the other posters input.

Laptop
Advantages

Portablility/Compact - easy to move

Disadvantages
1.Heat - lower heat disipation then a standard PC which causes the laptop to feel warm to really hot after a few hours of use.

2.upgrading issues - you are very limited to what can be upgraded for hardware. Essentually only RAM and possibly hard drive. (everthing else is likely built into the motherboard)

3.greater cost for lower performance - though it is improving the amount of money you can spend on a new laptop can very likely be used to get a better PC
An example is from a Dell flier I have right infront of me
2 systems 1 a laptop 1 a PC both $899
Laptop Specs
Intel Core dua Processor T2500 (2GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
wireless card
XP Home
14.1" Wide-Screen XGA Display with TrueLife
512MB RAM
80GB HD
8x CD/DVD

PC Specs
Intel Pentium D Processor 820 dual core (2.8GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
XP Media Center Edition 2005
1GB RAM
160GB HD
19" E196FP Flat Panel
Integrated Intel Media Accelerator 950
16x DVD Burner

Notes: Another thing you have to keep an eye on when getting a laptop is that it is designed to be portable, heat friendly, and have a long battery file. One way this is done (atleast in windows, is to actually cut your system resources in half through power management settings. If you have a new laptop and have never looked at this, take a look at your my computer properties. I bet you will see under the computer header that your system speed and memory is actually about half the designated rating. This is becuae the laptop is likely set to laptop power mode (int the control panel). This allows the laptop to run longer by using less resources and it also decrease the amount of heat produced.

PC Advantages

Easier to upgrade
More internal room
better heat dissipation (depending several factors ex. cooling system (water or fans), case type, air flow etc.)

Disadvantages
Size

Final note:
If I could I would like a laptop also, but for what I do a laptop would be a secondary system for me. One which I would use for casual webserfing at home or away and multimedia entertainment. My PC (for now) will still be my primary system which I would use for gaming and resource intensive projects.
So really it comes down to a few questions when you are looking for a new system and your debating between PC and laptop:
1. What am I going to use it for
2. Do I want mobility or centralization
3. How much am I willing to spend

If you are wanting to spend less than a $1000 (Canadian, you'll have to figure out the conversions ). I would not recommend a laptop as you will be having to upgrade sooner rather than later which could become costly or give you issues when wanting to run newer apps.

Anyway here is my 2 cents. Hope it helps ya out.

VIPER99

 

Though keep in mind that the laptop can actually smash the desktop in performance since Core Duo(Pentium M) wipes the floor against the less efficient architecture in the Pentium D. I believe the factor is still around 1.5x more efficient so 2ghz (PM) = 3.5ghz (P4). Will be a moot point when Conroe starts to be utilized more however.

This is basically what I am looking for, a laptop with a "super dock". A dock that has it's own PCI-Express slot for discrete graphics, and SATA ports. I believe Dell is planning on reintroducing this. I will be on board for this if it is true.

At this point, my laptop is a desktop replacement since it is too heavy. In retrospect, a desktop is better if you are never going to move the thing. (Yes, now I am stuck with the conundrum of not being able to upgrade the video card).

 

The only advange of a notebook is SIZE. If you purchase a notebook for portability, then get a good insurance policy because you will drop it, or spill liquid on it. Most users do not have the skills to repair or clean a notebook.

A well-designed desktop PC runs cool and quiet (+5 to 7C above ambient). Many pros keep the same case and PSU for several years.

All PCs benefit from regular cleaning. One can vacuum the inside of a custom desktop in about 5 minutes!

 

There is another major benefit that isn't so obvious - they have a 'built-in UPS'. If the main (AC) power fails, you don't miss a beat because your battery is there. We had several power outages resulting from our record-breaing heatwave. My desktop crashed every time, but my laptop didn't mind a bit.

That said, I would hate to have to do all of my computing on a laptop, with its cramped keyboard and touchpad pointer. I really value my desktop's full-sized (tactile-key) keyboard and MS Explorer mouse!