Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??

[James79]

Just wondering what your opinions are on PCs vs Laptops?? Im thinking of retiring my 7 year old PII 350MHz "Tiny" machine for an new, much faster one. The only thing is that I cant decide what to go for - a PC or a laptop!!

I am obviously looking for a computer that is future proof and is relatively easy to use. Where Desktop PCs are concerned, I was thinking about Dell as a supplier (perhaps the Dimension 8400 - altered to fit my requirements). Where a laptop is concerned, I seem to be leaning towards HP as a manufacturer, because I have had no major problems with them.

The HP Laptops I've seen has a 3.2GHz P4 Processor onboard in addition to all the usual mod cons - and the price aren't too bad either.

See:
HP Pavilion zd8181EA

HP Pavilion zd8185EA

Both of these laptops are on sale (according to HP) for roughly the same cost - £1299, which I think is fantastic for their specifications!!!! I have seen the HP Pavilion zd8181EA on the DABS site, but have, as yet, been unable to find the 8585 model. Also, the space saving potential of a laptop is quite intriguing, rather than having to find room for a tower unit, monitor, etc.

To cut a long story short, I am interested in learning your opinion regarding the PC/Laptop debate - what is best in the long run?; your opinion of HP/Dell - both good and bad stories!!

Thanks for all your contributions!!!

James

[Chris W]

- Laptops are normally cheaper than desktops
- Laptops can be more convenient
- A wireless enabled laptop can be handy if you travel
- Desktops are much easier to upgrade
- Laptops have much higher resale value if you were ever going to get rid of it
- Lots of games stuggle with the graphics on laptops
- For £1299 you could build a cracking high end desktop from scratch

[MovedGoalPosts]

You need to assess what you want your computer for, where and why you might want to use it. Only then can you determine whether you want a desktop or a laptop. Why do you need portability?

Realistically, the size of laptop you are looking at there, isn't that portable. It's big and bulky. Yes you can fold the screen down when not in use, but it's not really a massive space saver. If you are thinking of travelling it's weight alone, might become an issue.

MB has covered most of the key pros and cons. For me it is upgradeability of desktops. You can get a similar spec desktop to the lappy you are looking at for a lot less money. Put that money in the bank and you can afford to replace your desktop earlier than you would the lappy.

[James79]

Originally Posted by Monkeybreath
Lots of games stuggle with the graphics on laptops

Both of the laptops have "ATI Mobility Radeon X600" graphics with 256MB dedicated video memory?? Anyone know if this will cause problems with games?? I will be hoping to play some games on it so wouldnt mind if it was able to do so to an acceptable level.

Originally Posted by Monkeybreath
For £1299 you could build a cracking high end desktop from scratch

I understand that you (or a good friend) can build a cracking computer for the price I stated, but there is no warranty with it then. Im relatively good with technology, but dealing with the inner workings of a computer is something that I'd rather leave to those who really are experts.

Originally posted by MovedGoalPosts
upgradeability of desktops

This would also be an issue for me - and a major point of conflict on whther to plump for a Laptop?? I know that a desktop's lifespan can be much longer due to this.

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

- Laptops are normally cheaper than desktops

Should that not be the other way round?

[James79]

Originally Posted by Gazzae
Should that not be the other way round?

I was wondering that myself??

[allieyoung666]

It depends what you use a laptop for? We have both as we need both, but the majority of times we use the workstation as I feel I can do a lot more on that than my laptop. Plus it is a pain in the but everytime I go away as I always end up with a dead laptop half through the trip and I always forget to carry the spare battery, plus a laptop you can damage dead easy and they seem to take ages to get repair, were as a tower is only away for a few days, last time I damaged my lappy it was away for weeks as they were waiting for one small part. Hope this helps

[danielf]

It's up to you. I agree that the price looks very good for laptops of the spec.

I would think that with 256 MB of dedicated graphics should allow you to play games reasonably well, but I'm not a gamer, so don't take my word for it.

One word of advice: With a laptop with a 17" screen, and weight of > 4 kg, you should probably take the word portable with a pinch of salt (i.e: You don't want to log it around too much).

I can't stand using laptop keyboards & whichever implementation of a mouse that is offered, so for me, if you will use it mostly plugged into the mains, at home, get a desktop

[simpsonsFAN]

Originally Posted by James79

To cut a long story short, I am interested in learning your opinion regarding the PC/Laptop debate - what is best in the long run?; your opinion of HP/Dell - both good and bad stories!!

Ive had my inspiron 510m for over a year now and have never had any problems, when I first got it I found that, while being a great PC, it struggled with games, I upgraded the memory from 256mb to 512mb thanks to good 'old foogle and all I can say is - wow!, it outperforms a freind of mynes £2,500 acer Acer Ferrari laptop!, very easly the best laptop ive ever bought.

Whatever you decide on.. dont buy it in dixons!, there so called "great customour service" turned out to be not so "great" with my toshiba satalite notebook -what a peice of junk.
-Chris

[James79]

I seem to be moving more and more towards a desktop here with my statements, but portability isnt very important to me - space saving probably is more important??

Ive seen a PC on Dell that I like - very high powered spec - not a bad price imho:

Basically -

Intel® Pentium 4 processor with HT technology 650 (3.40GHz, 800FSB, 2MB cache).

1024MB Dual Channel DDR2 400MHz.

Dell 1905FP 19" UltraSharpTM Flat Panel Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand.

256MB ATI Radeon X850XT Platinum.

320GB Serial ATA RAID 0 Stripe [2x160GB 7200rpm drives with DataBurst↞¢ cache].

16x max. DVD+/-RW and 16x DVD.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster ® Audigy 2 ZS (Dell), PCI 7.1 Surround Sound and IEEE1394.

All for £1,395. 63 (including delivery)

Any pointers??

[Halcyon]

Upgrade wise. it is going to be easier to update a desktop Pc than a laptop.
If you are going for the best technology, you will struggle to get a laptop for a reasonable price. For a high end machine, a PC is probably best.

Consider a laptop if you need to be flexible and move around, or need to save space.

Originally Posted by James79

I seem to be moving more and more towards a desktop here with my statements, but portability isnt very important to me - space saving probably is more important??

Ive seen a PC on Dell that I like - very high powered spec - not a bad price imho:

Basically -


All for £1,395. 63 (including delivery)

Any pointers??

only to my address - I wish

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by James79

I seem to be moving more and more towards a desktop here with my statements, but portability isnt very important to me - space saving probably is more important??

Ive seen a PC on Dell that I like - very high powered spec - not a bad price imho:

Basically -

All for £1,395. 63 (including delivery)

Any pointers??

A fair bit of power, but a lot of money too.

Unfortunately Dell are tied to Intel Processors. That's fine for laptops as the Pentium M range is probably still the best mobile processor. However for desktops many will argue that AMD's Athlons have stolen a march on the Pentium. Current versions run cooler (makes for a quieter PC if nothing else as fans run slower) and seem to have more oomph. If you need the Hyperthreading technology of the Pentium (more multitasking) OK, but for gaming, where the PC is concentrating heavily on the one task the AMD might do you better. It does mean a different PC supplier though.

As for space saving, have a look at things bundled with the PC. Speakers to make the most of the sound card will be a fair size, but at least the flat screen monitor will save deskspace.

[jtwn]

Its quite simple.

You want to play games now or in the future? (with acceptable framerates)

Buy the PC.