JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 <This may have been better posted in Hardware Hangout, if so sorry> I am looking to upgrade my computer and I am wondering which would be better a laptop (top of the line (not apple)), or a custom built desktop? What are your thoughts? Pros and Cons .... thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamsINdigital Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 We really need more information... like how your going to use it... your budget... ... and yes, this is in the wrong forum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1uesummers Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 That's an easy answer. If you are going to take your computer with you then get a laptop and if you're not then get a desktop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X@vier Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 go with the laptop, I was the same before but ones I got the laptop I don't want to go back (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 That's an easy answer. If you are going to take your computer with you then get a laptop and if you're not then get a desktop. No, it's not quite that easy ... if it was I wouldn't have asked. ;) I could carry it, use it at work, when I travel (not to often) .... or I could do like I have been doing and have a desktop. As it stands now, I have a desktop AND a laptop. I can sell my laptop (already have someone who wants it) and upgrade (I could then use my desktop for burning and other little things), or just keep it and get a super destop. anyway ... not really an easy question. I was posing the question as if *YOU* had the choice which would you choose and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armada Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 i would say built, becuase then u can make your computer fit your exact needs, but if your going to do a lot of travelling where u need a comp, go for the laptop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1uesummers Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 No, it's an easy answer. Maybe you're just too indecisive. I'll ask you two questions to make the choice that much easier. 1. Do you want to take your computer with you *to the mall, school, friends, work... whatever* ? 2. Guess I don't really need to ask another question. If you can't answer the question I just asked then you should get neither because you are a person easily confused to make up your own mind and shouldn't deal with anymore hassles that a computer might bring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted June 15, 2004 Veteran Share Posted June 15, 2004 If you want to move around and still run exigent applications, choose a top of the line laptop (I like Dell's..) and get an extra monitor and keyboard at home. Just get home, plug it in and use it as a "desktop" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZTrang Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I would recommend getting a desktop; if you want to move your computer around a lot and take it on trips (as you mentioned you might), then getting an extremely expensive, high-end laptop is not a good idea because it is hot, heavy, and has really, really bad battery life (unless you're thinking about getting a Pentium M, which is a different story, but isn't the absolute fastest laptop you can get). Getting a high-end laptop is mainly beneficial if you go to a lot of LAN parties and need a lot of power, but don't want to bring your full computer with you. However, it isn't really "portable," it's just easier to move than a desktop. Also, laptops still aren't extremely upgradeable, while desktops are, so it is a better investment to buy a high-end desktop than a high-end laptop. Are you thinking about getting a high-end Pentium 4 put in a laptop case, or a "true" notebook with a Pentium M? The Pentium M is actually a very speedy chip, and paired with a good mobile graphics card, will probably be a good high-end gaming machine as well. I personally would get a desktop for its upgradeability and the fact that desktops usually have fewer cooling issues than high-end laptops. On the other hand, I already have a very good desktop, so a Pentium M with a mobility Radeon 9700 Pro (or one of the new x series mobility Radeons) would be very enticing as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZTrang Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 No, it's an easy answer. Maybe you're just too indecisive. I'll ask you two questions to make the choice that much easier.1. Do you want to take your computer with you *to the mall, school, friends, work... whatever* ? 2. Guess I don't really need to ask another question. If you can't answer the question I just asked then you should get neither because you are a person easily confused to make up your own mind and shouldn't deal with anymore hassles that a computer might bring. I think your question is a bit too broad. There are two categories of laptops, really: there is the "mobile" desktop, which is a notebook shell with a bunch of desktop parts put in it; and there is the true "notebook," which generally uses components made to be light, produce less heat, and use less battery power. If you have a place to plug your laptop in at all times but want to move your computer around, then a mobile desktop will be fine, as you won't need to worry about anemic battery life. The laptop will be hot and heavy, certainly, but if it isn't going to be in your lap all of the time, then there isn't really a problem. If you want to use your laptop "on the go," in the car or on a plane, for example, or want to use it in your lap a lot, then a true notebook would be better. These are much lighter, produce much less heat (so that they are actually comfortable in your lap), and have decent battery lives. So, not only do you have to figure out whether you want to move your computer easily, but why you want to move it as well, and what you intend to do with it when it is being moved. It sounds from your posts like you simply want a mobile desktop-type laptop. If this is the case, then you should think about price and potential upgradeability. If you want a true notebook, then I wouldn't be looking for the fastest possible laptop, but rather the laptop that gives you a good balance of speed and battery life. A mobile desktop in lieu of a full desktop could be interesting, but you will have to factor in the cost difference and the reduced potential for upgradeability before you get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danellis Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 as many people have already said it really depends on what you use it for. If it's going to be a gaming pc then deffinatly go for a desktop. If however you dont play games but need it for work then Id say go for a laptop. I personally have a laptop because at the time I prefered it much more than a desktop however now that my laptops not that good anymore, I would prefer something easier to upgrade which would be a desktop. Whatever you choose will feel right for you so don't worry too much about it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot B. Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 If I travelled and wanted to take my system around with me, I would get a laptop. Even if you don't travel, they don't take up much space so they look good on a desk, but they're more expensive than a desktop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preemo Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 ...but they're more expensive than a desktop. Correction. It'll cost you an arm, a leg, and a part of your soul nowadays. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawtai Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I personally would go with the desktop since they're still a lot cheaper for a better product, and I don't really need the portability all that much. My brother got a laptop to go with his desktop and as long as you can keep things synced between the two, it works very handy to be using both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 My brother got a laptop to go with his desktop and as long as you can keep things synced between the two, it works very handy to be using both. That's what I have now. I was thinking that I could do away with having to sync things all the time ... but so far it is working. I have always leaned toward a desktop because I do upgrade things in it quite often (more playing with new things than needed) ... I was just asking to see what other people would do and why. Thanks to all who have answered so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 No, it's an easy answer. Maybe you're just too indecisive. I'll ask you two questions to make the choice that much easier.1. Do you want to take your computer with you *to the mall, school, friends, work... whatever* ? 2. Guess I don't really need to ask another question. If you can't answer the question I just asked then you should get neither because you are a person easily confused to make up your own mind and shouldn't deal with anymore hassles that a computer might bring. ok ... let me type this a little slower for you ... I was posing the question as if *YOU* had the choice which would *YOU* choose and why. ;) Yes, I am "on the fence" about the decision, but I have alread asked those questions and it could go either way. So I wanted to see what other people here would choose and why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 I would go for a desktop because it's cheaper than a laptop and easier to upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Veteran Posted June 15, 2004 Veteran Share Posted June 15, 2004 I would get a laptop. Keep your desk set up with your monitor and keyboard and plug it in when you are home. Get a wireless router and card for the laptop (or built in). Being able to surf the internet while on the toilet is something everyone should do - just to say you did it. I seldom turn to my deskopt anymore, I keep my laptop in the living room on the bar and it is on and connected everyday/all day long. It is awesome to just walk right up and hit the net if I need to with out secluding myself away in the back bedroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyablue Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 If the question confuses you, go for a "Desktop Replacement" laptop. All the power of a dekstop with [limited] portability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1uesummers Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 Like I said previously, since you cannot make up your own mind then you should get neither. If I wanted a computer to take with me I'd go for the laptop and if I didn't care about having a computer with me I'd go for the Desktop. Simple eh? Now go take a quarter and flip it since you can't choose something on your own. I'll even assign heads and tails for you. Heads: Desktop Computer Tails: Laptop Computer Flip away. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 Heads: Desktop ComputerTails: Laptop Computer Flip away. wouldn't you know it ... it landed on it's edge ... now what? :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1uesummers Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 That means you get neither. Do I have to explain everything... :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hupp Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 it all depends on where you are going to be using the computer. Since I have people at my house over all the time I often use the laptop so I can use it out in the living room and for school. I rarely use my desktop unless I am gaming or working on a large project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyWatts Posted June 15, 2004 Author Share Posted June 15, 2004 That means you get neither. Do I have to explain everything... :angry: Really, I would have thought it meant get both :shifty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tristan.oneil Posted June 15, 2004 Share Posted June 15, 2004 You should get a laptop, get a nice balance of mobility and power, i'd suggest the M6 from http://www.proportable.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts