in relation to my previous thread my PC is dieing a slow death
http://qgl.ausforums.com/index.php/439207/?agn=thread&id=2785726

it is now so frustrating that i'm going to buy, i've had a tech look at it and he suggested the same as a lot of you, "just buy a new kit". i'm happy with that i like shopping and spending money.

so my question is do i get a laptop or desktop?

as mentioned in the other thread i'm not an online PC gamer, main use is surfing, music (all our CD's ripped as we purchase them), pics (some editing with Photoshop 4 and missus likes to do picutre stories), movies (as a source to stream to my 360), MS Office 2003 and i have a couple of external HDD to cope.
so my thoughts are i could get a decent laptop and connect to my existing periph's, external screen, keyboard etc. and what would be the advantages/disadvantges of laptop v desktop? price being a known differential, is there any reason a laptop won't do all i want?

cheers

with prices these days unless you want to game just get a laptop.

i got a neat laptop that i can also game on in a pinch.

dell studio xps 13 link

but really, why post on a forum about laptop or desktop? you know how you will use it/your lifesytle better than any of us could.

^ yeah but i was more concerned about any technical differences that i might be missing out on with a laptop v a desktop.
i guess in my case it wouldn't really matter

With a laptop your paying more for the same performance. I don't see any feasible reason why you would need a laptop.

If you have been happy with a desktop setup before. Save your money and get a desktop that meets your needs.

The dell XPS laptops start at i think around 1400 dollars.

For your needs you could wack a system together with monitor for 800-$1000 depending on what you get. If you have a monitor already it will be even less.

I've had a laptop for the past....5 or so years. It freaking rocks!

I bet the missus would love to pick the laptop up and take it to a friends place and plug it into their TV and show all of her picture shows (even if the friends want to die from boredom).

Sitting on the couch while watching TV and surfing the net is pretty sweet. (However you may have issues if you are trying to stream to 360)

Having a battery is like having an inbuilt UPS.

Umm...they are more expensive though. I'd recommend getting a decent one though, movies and image editing might chew up some memory.

Don't listen to Tiny

yeah but i was more concerned about any technical differences that i might be missing out on with a laptop v a desktop

the technical differences I can think of:

- the compactness of the build and components - probably a little harder to upgrade and probably not quite as many upgrade options available. not impossible though

- generally speaking a laptop will come with a slower drive (to save power), although 7200rpm drives seem to be an option more and more, and of course you now have the ssd option which offers low power consumption, low heat output and usually awesome speed

- keyboard and pointer can be a little limiting, but of course you can plug in a mouse or whatever if you want as you mentioned

going by what you've said, if you don't mind paying more and probably getting variably less performance than a desktop, it sounds like a laptop would suit you well

Listen to Tiny.

Desktop, specifically iMac.

Edit: doh, dont think it can act as 360 extender thingy.

Get both, net book + decent desktop then put some money aside for a nas with dlna support and your sorted.

Macbook Pro imo

it has photoshop and does music/photos etc better than any windows PC
Awesome, fast laptop and because you're not a gamer you wont even notice you're not using a windows machine

Sounds like a laptop would be perfect for you. Personally I hate the f***ing things - can't stand the keypads.

I don't have one but I do like the idea of being able to move it around the place without having an ass-load of cables to worry about and also being able to just move it close to a tv to pipe movies thru.

Not meaning to sound like a c*** but osx doesn't include photoshop

^ why sound so c***y? ^

I just sold my trusty desktop to go the laptop route.

Already have one but will probably get another as one doesn't go far between 5 people (stupid kids).

I prefer laptops because:
- they are portable (duh)
- less cables, less power sockets required etc
- less desk space needed, no towers sitting on the floor etc
- I actually prefer laptop keyboards, although I hate the touch pads

I don't really play games anymore so I don't need crazy graphics power.

From a bit of shopping around I thing the Dell Studio series (or even Inspiron) offer pretty good value and you can upgrade bits you need, such as the Hard drive.

If you get one with HDMI you can probably avoid the whole 360 streaming thing (which has always been a pain in the arse for me, so I don't bother)

My current laptop is a Asus which is fine but to get 500gig HD (which I need) you need to spend $1,500+ as you can't customise them :(

Also, I'd probably wait until Windows 7 is the default software rather than the potentially dodgy Vista upgrade scheme.

Macbooks look good but $1,899 for a 160gb HD is a bit rich, pushing to well over $2k for something bigger.

last edited by mission at 20:27:15 17/Sep/09

Get a desktop. A really decent one for 1000 bucks or less.

You never know you may end up seeing the light and become a Steam and PC gaming fanboy :)

I've been using a laptop exclusively for ~3 years while o/s, I can't wait to get back to a desktop setup!

Though I love my netbook and it won't be going anywhere in a hurry.

But my massive 17" lappy that weights around 5kg will be a door stop and nothing more once I get a desktop again

so my question is do i get a laptop or desktop?

get the one you want crazymorton

you have prolly already made that decision.

I ask 'why I do' with prolly every descision I make. It'll just drive ya bats*** crazy dude.









last edited by koopz at 20:45:19 17/Sep/09

If you can't decide between a laptop or a desktop...

get a lanbox!

http://www.tyanserver.nl/abendabyte/images/30050.gif

and don't forget the extension cord!

some editing with Photoshop 4

Holy s*** photoshop 4? Do you mean CS4 or you really are using a version of photoshop that probably existed around the time dinosaurs roamed the earth?

My laptop is an uber laptop that can run cod4 but it's still nowhere near as fast as my desktop PC in terms of load times for applications, nor is it as easy to simply add another hard drive or more RAM later on.

I don't really play games anymore so I don't need crazy graphics power.

Isn't photoshop pretty hard on the graphics card & memory?

If it was me I'd just get a desktop, you can usually get a really good one for half the price you'd pay for the equivalent in a laptop.

Not meaning to sound like a c*** but osx doesn't include photoshop

Neither does windows

the advise i give to people...

Are you going to take it anywhere and use it? eg uni?

If NOT... don't buy a laptop because
1) you are limited with the ram you can put in it.
2) yes you can put a bigger hdd in it but you can only have the 1, not multiple..
3) lappy vs pc prices.... lappy expensive... pc cheap...(for the same parts...)


personnally.. i love my 8gig of ddr2 ram.. it makes it go soo much quicker...

lappy you can only have 4:(
Thats my 2cents..

ShOdDy

If you only use a 360 for gaming, get a laptop. My home computers are pretty much for photo editing, email and internet. I have a Macbook Pro which was cheaper than the dell studio XPS 13 , just as fast and a lot nicer too use (I also have the Dell Studio XPS 13 for work)

The nice thing is, you can plug in a monitor keyboard and mouse and treat it like a desktop, or if I want to watch tv and surf the net, its awesome on the couch or using skype instead of s***ty xbox live headsets to talk.

just my 2c

Laptop if you don't game. Actually, even with a laptop you can play some games. Just not the newest stuff.

nor is it as easy to simply add another hard drive or more RAM later on.

most laptops are easier to replace ram than pc these days (except the rare ones that require the keyboard to be taken out >:| )

Not meaning to sound like a c*** but osx doesn't include photoshop

i never said it came with photoshop, you c***

He never called you a c***...you c***!

no u

I cant stand the keyboard n a Laptop. If you have it setup right a Laptop can work fine at home and it's portable to boot.

If i'm at a desk i'd prefer a desktop, hands down.

desktop, and then a laptop

desktop will be cheaper, faster and moar better

laptops are convenient, but like my fat fingered friend rev, i dont like their keyboards and small screens

Isn't photoshop pretty hard on the graphics card & memory?

I use Lightroom on my laptop which is a 2.0 dual core, 2gig ram and onboard nothing fancy video, and it works fine.

Granted the bigger applications would benefit from higher specs butu it really comes down to what you use it for.

Fot the 12 months I've had the above laptop it has done everything I've wanted it to, expect the hd is too small :( But it is a piece of piss to put in a bigger one.

last edited by mission at 09:55:12 18/Sep/09

apple fits his bill 100%

get an apple and piss off a windows user today!

Laptop prices are pretty decent at the moment, but personally I would get a desktop for the one reason that the peripherals are nicer. For $1500 you can get a desktop PC with a big arse monitor and a nice keyboard and mouse combo.

If you want a portable, you can still purchase extra peripherals to plug into your laptop which would work fine, but would end up costing you more monies.

Get a desktop cos they are cheaper.

timez r tuff

apple fits his bill 100%

get an apple and piss off a windows user today!

making me angry!

Come on spooky, you know you want to become cool and sit in Starbucks all day with the rest of us.

Laptops are better because you can work while you are on the way to go surfing, doesn't get much better than that

Laptops are better because you can work while you are on the way to go surfing, doesn't get much better than that

In your case it can't be called a laptop cause you wouldn't be able to put it in your lap with your BF between you legs.

Get a desktop better value for money!! if you want to browse the net while out and about get a netbook or an iPhone.

Buy a desktop, with the money you save, get a second hand laptop so you can post on QGL from anywhere.