laptop vs desktop

the pc you linked to does include PSU and motherboard.

for building your own, you can get cases with PSU included. and when picking motherboards, you just need to pick the smaller microatx size. u dont need half-height gpu, but you do need to pay attention to length. an 8800gtx for example might be too long to fit.

 

Laptops generate much less noise than desktops do (mostly from all the fans), unless you include Apple computers.

 

Desktop in a landslide. No matter what hardware they try to cram into a laptop, it will still be slower than a desktop PC with inferior hardware. I don't know how/why it works this way, but I've come to find that it does. Perhaps "more room to breathe"?

My g/f just bought a brand new laptop with a Dual Core CPU, 1 GB of 667 MHz RAM dual channel, ect... and it is significantly slower than her desktop computer (1.8 GHz Celeron CPU, 512 MB of 333 MHz RAM)... same OS (XP Home SP2). I've come to find that this is universal, it applies to pretty much everybody that I've talked to.

Unless you need a laptop for business/work related things... screw them. They suck IMHO. Waaaay overrated. Everybody thinks they need or wants a laptop nowadays, it's like a status symbol. Unless you NEED one, forget about it, it's a complete waste of money.

 

yup you hit it the arrow perfectly
i havent performed any upgrades on this pc at all.
i have got a nintendo wii,ps2 etc games consoles for games so i dont really need a good graphics card. i just want a powerful dual core laptop that can run vista with aero.
i really like the portable idea of a laptop

 

thanks for sharing your experience.
ok maybe a small form factor pc.
lodore

 

thanks WSFuser
i think i will only put a 7300gt or 7600gt so they should fit.
lodore

 

When I saw the name of this thread , my first tought was : this is Lodore

Anyway -> LAPTOP . I last had PC 5 or so years ago . Laptops can be brought anywhere , they are smaller (take less space than a PC) , you receive an operating system which can be installed as much as you want .

In the summer of 2006 I got a machine at home (PC) but it had been the machine , a monitor , a keyboard , a mouse device , cables and stuff like that and I then realized what a lucky I was . On the table in my bedroon I can put 10 laptops and no more than 3 PCs + their monitors...

You definitely can do upgrades but only minor ones (such as adding RAM)

 

its hard to keep up with all this conflicting advice
thanks for your imput Hitech
ive got a spare monitor so if i got a laptop i could have two screens the laptop screen and the external monitor.
lodore

 

I would only get a Laptop if you need the mobility OR you dont have the space for a PC.
For me, those are the reasons I have a laptop, I only have room for one PC tower in my spare room and I do take my laptop out and about once a week on average and it does move around the house on a daily basis.

I would also add, having 2 machines of any kind has been far more productive than having one PC or one Laptop, if you have the option to, split the money between a PC and a Laptop.
You can keep the laptop as a lean mean web surfing and office machine, then keep the PC for gaming, downloading, keeping your printer attached, as a backup store, music share etc.

 

My Brother just HAD to buy a laptop as his first and only pc. His only use was to play games and do e-mail. I tried to talk him into a desktop but he wanted the mobility. He bought a DELL with 80gb HD, 1 GB RAM, and I think an intell 2700mhz cpu. However, he didn't consider the graphics card being a newbie. He bought one game and started playing it. Eventually he wanted to go to level 2, and the computer couldn't handle the graphics or something. He was told he needed a better graphics card, but you can't replace them on a laptop because they're soldered in. I don't know how true any of this is, I'm only relaying what he told me. Anyway, I think that story should persuade you to get a desktop. I get the impression you're living with your folks, so I guess computer location is pretty much up to them. You mentioned that your Dad uses the present computer as well. I can't visualize the computer space, but have you considered putting the 2 computers side by side with one monitor in a down stairs location?

 

its possible that i could fit the base unit next to the current one.
i was planning on using the second flat panel monitor i have got.
i do see the point of your story thou so i dont get stuck in the same trap
i might try and see if i can get a smaller case that looks nice to put next to the flat panel monitor.
so i want a case that isnt to big,looks nice and is quiet
lodore

 

ok i found two nice barebone systems.
Msi barebone
shuttle barebone
I prefer the design of the shuttle and Its cheaper accept it has sata 1 and not sata 2.
they both can have up to two gb of ram.
i still do wonder is there is enough cooling for dual core processers in these barebone pc's thou.
lodore

 

Since I need some degree of portability when visiting relatives who do not have a computer, or on a trip, if I could only have one it would be a laptop.

However, you do get more bang for the buck in a desktop, and it is much more convenient to use. I use the desktop much more than the laptop.

Regards,
Jerry

 

1 GB is the minimum, these days.
I would get nervous if the limit is only 2 GB...

 

that was gonna be one of my questions.
so is it better to get a big case?
i done mind a big case as long as i like it and its not beige
something like a black case with a see through see side with lights.
lodore

 

And that serves a cappuccino...

 

maybe like this one?

 

well,

i know you know what i use Lodore,

i use it because its more portable, i can use it in bed all cozy, downstairs, in a different bedroom, all wires free (unless it needs charging *lol* ), wireless broadband etc etc.

and obviously, take it to different places, different peoples houses if needed be.

 

yes but that one has no psu.
so that would add to the budget.
i found this one
http://www.xcase.co.uk/p/290658/x-galaxy-bubble-light-gaming-case-with-400-watt-psu.html
only £35 and with a psu.
dono if the psu is any good thou.

 

400Ws is minimum for dual-core...

 

well that one is 450 so erm....
i cant seem to balance this properly.
ok the picture shows what ive got so far.
vista really did make it expensive
but its only £20 more expensive than xp home
lodore

 

woops....
ok the amd system at the top is the one im currenting changing.
the intel one was to see how much more it is to get intel core duo 2 1.86

the third one is void atm.
the third one was the amd process in a smaller case.

 

so is your decision final for the computer?

 

nope far from it......
the excel spreadsheet is all possible specs.
it could still be the intel core duo 2 one or the amd one.
so far they both cost quite alot of money.
im wondering what i could change to get a decent case and separate psu.
i would rather get a seprate psu since i think they are better than the ones with cases.
but i need to change the specs i got atm so i dont add to much money to it.

lodore

 

with youre tight budget, theres not much u can change unless you forgo the external drive or dont buy Windows.

you could also spend another £50. that would help