PC vs Laptop

I've been thinking of getting a laptop for a little while. Not because I need the portability but more for the generally smaller size. However, after speaking to a few people, having a look in the shops and reading some threads here I'm now thinking maybe I should just get a small PC. If I get a mini box with a flat screen It could be a fairly unobtrusive setup. I'm also thinking that it may last longer than a laptop which alot of people seem to suggest is likely to die within a couple of years. Are PC's generally more robust?

 

I've recently acquired my first laptop. I have barely touched my desktop since.

It's a matter of how it fits into your life, but for me a laptop is proving extremely useful.

By their nature desktop PCs will be more robust because they're not being carted about the place. If you moved one around as you would a laptop, it wouldn't last 10 minutes.

 

I read somewhere that laptops are now outselling desktops for the first time.

I think the current laptop speeds are so good that the extra performance of a desktop is less of an attraction (except for gamers, etc.).

The latest range of processors also appear to run cooler so less noise from fans and hopefully less thermal stress in general?

In general, I still think a desktop will be less "strained" due to heat load, etc. so they probably will last longer. Nothings certain with computers though and I don't see why a well treated laptop from the likes of HP, etc. shouldn't last 5 years. Mine always have.

 

Personally I hate using laptop keyboards but especially the pointing device. At work I plug in an external keyboard and moiuse which simewhat defeats the object. Yes they are small but the battery charge doesn't last long and if you plug it into the mains you might as well have a pc. Why not go for a mac mini running windoze.

Rod

 

I've got both - I haven't touched my PC since I bought it - it's just so convient - I'm able to place it on my coffee table and surf whilst watching tv etc...!

I've also had it 18 months (second hand) without any problems...

 

Actually, the Core 2 Duo powered laptops do last very well on battery power. My T7200 powered laptop easily gets a real-world 6 hour runtime (using wifi, browsing web, running office apps, etc). Most will do 4 hours or so (Mine is one of the best rated for battery life and I have the extended battery pack... with low screen brightness, no wifi, etc it is possible to squeeze out 8 hours of runtime).

Certainly they're a very different affair to the likes of the desktop P4 powered laptops where an hour was wishful thinking.

 

Yes, my old Pentium Mobile powered laptop used to drive me nuts, bloody fan noise especially.

My new Core-2-Duo powered laptop is a dream. Laptops have really come into their own now in many ways.

 

yeah, mine's an old 2.8ghz - battery life and fan noise far from ideal - but I normally just have the power lead in - but still stops me from using my desktop...!

 

I've just traded my desktop for a laptop. In short, I wouldnt go back. You get used to the keyboard and touchpad anyway.

 

Hmm ok. What about price. Would a PC be significantly cheaper than the equivalent laptop setup?

In my first post when I said 'robust' I meant in a lifetime sense. I'd been led to believe that laptops have more problems (not necessarily attributable to a physical cause). I.e software failures and operating problems. Not a computer buff myself so I'm afraid I can't go into much depth! But thats why I had considered a PC instead.

 

what kind of budget and performance you after..?

from what I've seen there is some loss of performance (per pound) compared to a desktop but overall I think you'd be happier with a laptop...

 

What about an iMac, its the smallest form factor desktop solution out there.

 

Laptops, pound for pound, are definitely quite a bit slower than desktops. However, for me, the convenience factor outweighs this. And if you dont play games, its not that much of an issue to me.

 

My budget is about £600 but from reading past threads here I realise I need to factor in a 3 year warranty into that. I'll mostly be using it for storing photos and uploading them onto photobox. I use the net at work so won't be online too much really. I don't tend to fiddle with my pics too much so I'm not after outstanding performance but would require it to be fast enough to deal with big files and have a decent size hard drive.

 

ok - then a laptop would be fine...however, mine has an avereage screen - you may need to check them out with good resolutions..??
I'm not an expert on this - but a bog standard crt seems to be better than a lcd...

but go and have a demo!

 

Well, sounds like I should go down the laptop route. I guess having the portability option is a plus even if it'll only be travelling between rooms. Next stage is to keep an eye out for a decent deal. There seem to be plenty of good options through ebay shops once you specify your needs.

 

yeah, and as a rough guide - check this lot out -
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/store/45/category/Notebooks/Laptops

 

Thanks Mr Cat. Ebuyer looks a good place to buy laptops. Was going to look at Dell but I've heard they are pretty poor for customer services.

 

If you are even mildly interested in photographs I would think again on a laptop, unless very highly specced one you will be getting a chap and nasty screen.

 

I'd second Gary's comment. the screen is the one thing you can never change. What seems like a great deal on spec, or very cheap, can over time feel like money wasted if the screen isn't right for your needs.

Naturally you can plug into an external screen, but I mean if the laptop won't be used with a separate screen.