Laptop or Not?

[Dingo Jellybean]

The Dell that I was looking at is a Pentium 4 (3.20 GHz, 533MHz FSB), 1 GB, 333 MHz, 2DIMMs for memory, 60 GB, 4 years of accidental damage service. The same in a desktop would definitely be less expensive. I'll guess I'll just have to really think about it.

That computer with those types of specks would probably cost about $900 in my area without that 4 years service. On a laptop, those same specs could go for around $2300. Portability is incredibly expensive.

Take for instance my digital camera, it takes much better photos than my camera phone and it costs just $30. My camera phone costs $300.

But as Unne said, I've had problems with laptops. The monitors are very poor in quality and the hinges break very easily. If you want something slim and portable...try a small hardrive and a flatscreen. I think Dell sells a hardrive that's the size of a DVD case.

[fire_of_avalon]

You pay more for laptops and get slower / older hardware, you'll get a smaller monitor size than you would if you bought a desktop at the same price, etc. You can't easily upgrade the hardware in laptops. If you drop it, bye bye $2000. I know a lot of people whose laptops have broken as well; sometimes they're pretty fragile, for example the hinges that open/shut them. There's also the fun of not having a mouse and having a non-standard keyboard layout, depending on which one you get. And the whole constantly-charging-the-battery thing would annoy me to death. I wouldn't get a laptop unless you're positive that taking your computer with you out in public is necessary. That's the only point of having a laptop.

I use a laptop as my primary PC, and I can say this is all pretty accurate. Dells do have pretty good warranties, as far as laptops go (my friend has a Dell laptop), but honestly, unless you need something you can tote around, a desktop is a better idea. I love my laptop, but that's because I can take it to libraries and use my wireless internet stuff, pretty much whenever I want.

EDIT: Dingo brings up an excellent point, too. I don't remember the name of the HD, but we use them at work. As far as I understand it's all the componets of a laptop (as far as size goes) but with the reliability of a desktop. Then again, three of the six computers I trained on were out of commission for no apparent reason.

[Dingo Jellybean]

EDIT: Dingo brings up an excellent point, too. I don't remember the name of the HD, but we use them at work. As far as I understand it's all the componets of a laptop (as far as size goes) but with the reliability of a desktop. Then again, three of the six computers I trained on were out of commission for no apparent reason.

There's an even smaller hardrive I saw in a Shoppers' Advantage catalog. It's only 5" all around or so and about 3" thick, and it's already more powerful than my current PC. It only stores about 10GB, but that's about as much as I ever need. I don't even use up 1GB of space on my current PC and it costs only $400. It has a DVD drive, CD burner, 512MBs of RAM, and stuff that's more than twice the power of my current Win98 1st edition-based PC.

[Casey]

I agree with what others said, laptops arnt really that great, and the overheat easily when compared to a desktop computer. But then again if you dont use it much or travel alot, and dont play games on it, then why not?

Thats up to you though, I think Desktops are way better then laptops. Plus you can always upgrade parts of the Desktop computer...

[crono_logical]

Everyone with overheating laptops probably has either an AMD processor or has their Intel processor set wrong/without speedstep I've never had a speedstep CPU get extremely hot (except when doing heavy video processing etc., but even then it's not overheating) because when it's not doing much, it slows down so reduces heat generated. If you're going for a laptop, I'd recommend an Intel M or 4M processor purely because of this.


My laptop's currently acting as a network server/internet gateway

[Baloki]

Everyone with overheating laptops probably has either an AMD processor or has their Intel processor set wrong/without speedstep I've never had a speedstep CPU get extremely hot (except when doing heavy video processing etc., but even then it's not overheating) because when it's not doing much, it slows down so reduces heat generated. If you're going for a laptop, I'd recommend an Intel M or 4M processor purely because of this.


My laptop's currently acting as a network server/internet gateway

Actually its because the manufacturer put the CPU heat outlet vent on the bottom of the laptop, it was very odd.

And instead of getting a full size desktop why not get one of these super small computers:

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and get it a small LCD screen? I'm sure your local computer shop would have one premade for cheap?

[crono_logical]

Actually its because the manufacturer put the CPU heat outlet vent on the bottom of the laptop, it was very odd.

That's also true, that doesn't help either for some laptop models. But it's better if you can prevent it getting so hot so requiring so much ventilation in the first place

[Female Ryuichi]

You said you wanted to use it around your house, if you want to do that, get a laptop.

However, they break easily (like my brother's), you get less for your money, and they make your lap really warm.

[Leeza]

And instead of getting a full size desktop why not get one of these super small computers:

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and get it a small LCD screen? I'm sure your local computer shop would have one premade for cheap?

Spreadsheets are hard enough to work with on a 15 inch monitor. I don't think I need anything smaller than that. I will also only be getting a Dell because I'm happy with the Dell that I have now and their service is excellent.

<i>If you want something slim and portable...try a small hardrive and a flatscreen. I think Dell sells a hardrive that's the size of a DVD case.</i> - Dingo Jellybean

I would be getting their smallest hardrive with a flatscreen if that's the route I'd go, but I still would have the problem of having to set it up somewhere permanently so it will more than likely end up in a very inconvenient spot and that's my problem.

<i>If you're going for a laptop, I'd recommend an Intel M or 4M processor purely because of this.</i> - Farah

Would Intel M also be known as the Intel Pentium M Processor? It's supposed to have extended battery life, but it's only a 1.6 GHz.

[NM]

Would Intel M also be known as the Intel Pentium M Processor? It's supposed to have extended battery life, but it's only a 1.6 GHz.

It's probley a Centrino. Intels mobile cpu's. They run slower in clock speed but still have alot of power. Abit like AMD XP chip's have a slower clock speed than P4's but are still as powerful.

[SetsuntaMew]

Laptop. I can't speak for PC laptops because mine is a mac, but I love laptops in general. I love being able to sit anywhere in my house and use it. For instance, I'm on my bed now. If I get bored sitting here, I can move. It takes up practically no space, which is great. So yeah. I like laptops.

[escobert]

AMD > all