Laptop vs. PC

[yamino]

I was just wondering what were peoples takes on the performance and the like of laptops vs. PC's. I was wondering mainly because I have both (I had my desktop first, and then got a laptop later, because of school's requirements) but I heard from someone that laptops weren't meant to be used as a main computer, which was what I started using it as. I was wondering whether this was true or not, and if there were any other pro's and con's to using either. What do you guys think?

[davmoo]

I ran a Toshiba laptop every day 24/7 for almost 3 years. And it was running software in the background that usually kept processor usage at 100 percent during that 24/7. Never had a problem. Only reason I retired it was because I bought a new laptop (also Toshiba). And that new laptop is run just as hard.

So long as you make sure to keep the cooling vents open and so on and sometimes run the battery down good instead of just always leaving it plugged in, there is absolutely no reason you cannot use a laptop as a desktop replacement.

The only disadvantage of a laptop in laptop versus desktop situation is a laptop does not have nearly the upgradeability of a desktop. Its much harder, and more costly, to make a laptop purchase and have it be fairly "future proof". With a desktop, you can upgrade video cards, processors, and so on very easily as time passes. With the exception of adding memory or a larger hard drive, with a laptop you're mostly stuck with what you bought initially.

[marcos_tfd]

I was just wondering what were peoples takes on the performance and the like of laptops vs. PC's. I was wondering mainly because I have both (I had my desktop first, and then got a laptop later, because of school's requirements) but I heard from someone that laptops weren't meant to be used as a main computer, which was what I started using it as. I was wondering whether this was true or not, and if there were any other pro's and con's to using either. What do you guys think?

The preference between a laptop and a desktop depends entirely on your lifestyle and what you plan to use it for. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a laptop as a primary computer. With a laptop you can be far more mobile and flexible as to where you work. Desktops allow for more upgrades over time such as video cards, and typically allow you to have more internal storage. I used a laptop as a primary computer for a number of years, but later moved to a desktop to have more storage and a larger monitor. Of course you can always have a laptop and then at home have a docking station with external monitor, keyboard, and mouse...

just some thoughts...

marcos

[therage800]

Well they're certainly prone to a lot more physical abuse. The hard drives are a lot smaller and so if you use it extensively (such as with video) then it will die a lot faster. It's easier for them to overheat because of the smaller case but if you leave the vents unblocked (Completely!) this shouldn't be a problem. Basically what I usually recommend to people is use a desktop as your primary system if you can, but if not, a laptop is fully capable of being used as a primary.

[marcos_tfd]

Well they're certainly prone to a lot more physical abuse. The hard drives are a lot smaller and so if you use it extensively (such as with video) then it will die a lot faster. It's easier for them to overheat because of the smaller case but if you leave the vents unblocked (Completely!) this shouldn't be a problem. Basically what I usually recommend to people is use a desktop as your primary system if you can, but if not, a laptop is fully capable of being used as a primary.

Just make sure you have a good warranty and you will be fine. Sure, it will not protect you from dropping the thing, but hey just don't drop it okay?
Sure laptops overheat easier than desktops, but I would not say that laptops overheat easily. Most laptops toggle the speeds of the internal fans very well and keep the machines within operating temps. Sometimes 2 machines are a lot to manage so why bother?


marcos

[xcorvis]

I was just wondering what were peoples takes on the performance and the like of laptops vs. PC's. I was wondering mainly because I have both (I had my desktop first, and then got a laptop later, because of school's requirements) but I heard from someone that laptops weren't meant to be used as a main computer, which was what I started using it as. I was wondering whether this was true or not, and if there were any other pro's and con's to using either. What do you guys think?

There's no physical reason your laptop can't be your main computer. Some things, like hardware accelerated games, will probably run better on desktops, but really it just comes down to the hardware you've got inside them. Neither is inherently better than the other.

The person who told you that probably still thinks that laptops are significantly slower than desktops. Lots and lots of people (especially the latest crop of incoming college freshmen) are using laptops as their only computer. I've used laptops as my primary computers for almost 5 years now, and I work in IT.

[yamino]

Thanks guys. =]

[tdmeskimo]

I was just wondering what were peoples takes on the performance and the like of laptops vs. PC's. I was wondering mainly because I have both (I had my desktop first, and then got a laptop later, because of school's requirements) but I heard from someone that laptops weren't meant to be used as a main computer, which was what I started using it as. I was wondering whether this was true or not, and if there were any other pro's and con's to using either. What do you guys think?

if the laptoop does what you need why wounder, the major difff, is expansion, my desktop i have and can upgrade hardware, but on a loptop is basicly imposible unless you get a laptop you can...that is small to none...

pro-laptop you get everything at one price, portable, propriitary drivers. hard to upgrade laptop hardware, usually works with out many problems

con-laptop needs elc to run usuallly a battery of 4 to 8 hours, stationary, propitary drivers, easy to upgrade desktop hardware, may have conflicts with drivers

[ArmpitOfDeath]

It depends on your use obviously, but personally my real use for a laptop is for truly on-the-go-use.

I have mainstream-sized 15" machines and larger machines which are in many ways true desktop replacements, but these don't actually get out much (especially the XPS M1730, which actually makes me stagger lop-sided) - and only in specific cases when I need the power on a transportable basis.

But the vast majority of the time my use for a laptop is something actually all-day portable (i.e. well under 5lbs) and something that has a long runtime. The two requirements are counter to a desktop replacement machine.

The situation will be different for someone who can only afford one machine and is looking for a degree of mobility - in this case, for the vast majority of relatively light-duty users a mainstream-sized machine may be the best option as a main machine. But I think the netbooks have changed the game a little even for no-budget, light-duty people: They can now afford a truly mobile machine to partner their desktops. So I'm not sure where all this will be leading.