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Laptop Or Desktop?

Laptops and Desktops both have their strengths and weaknesses with regards to what you can do with them. In this scenario you can only purchase one - which would you choose? Why?

Desktop Laptop

In general, I prefer desktops. They are easier to upgrade and maintain. However, as soon as we got a desktop, I wanted a laptop, because I can take it with me when I go places.

If I had to choose only one, I guess that I would get a laptop, because I have to travel for work, and like to take it with me.

Laptop Or Desktop? Gaming Video & Issues Computer

I've never owned a laptop, but I see folks with them all the time. I would love to have the flexibility and portability of a laptop.

Roz

Desktop Laptop

I used to think "Why would I ever need a laptop?" That is until I got one. Now I don't know how I worked without one. I would definitely take a laptop over a desktop. I usually don't upgrade much once I've purchased a desktop, and amenities like a mouse, I can attach to a laptop if needed. The ability to be portable is very convenient, and now with wireless technology and WI-FI, one can be productive almost anywhere.

Desktop Laptop

Well, I have a laptop at work and a desktop at home. Laptops cost more and you get less for the money. The small size comes at a premium. So, it only makes sense to get a laptop if you have need to be mobile. In my home, I use wireless technology with a desktop. So, unless you need that wireless capability outside your home, like on business trips for example, you would be better served, probably, by a desktop.

The reason I have the laptop at work is so that I can bring it into the server room and use it to hyperterminal into certain network devices such as routers and switches. It also allows me to take it with me when I visit our Framingham office (my office is in Worcester). It is nice to have, but if I didn't have these requirements, I would use a desktop.

Another disadvantage to a laptop is that they are easier to have stolen. Also, the processor speeds are slower than you can get with desktops.

For me, other than business needs, having a laptop would be a matter of choosing a luxury over a necessity. I think it is necessary to have a PC in my home, but it isn't necessary for me to be able to sit at my couch while using it.

Laptop Or Desktop?

At my current work, everyone but two users have a laptop. The thought process behind it was that they wanted a "mobile" work-force (I.e. everyone can pick up their laptop, and go to attend a meeting). And since the majority of the team are developers, we had to get fairly powerful laptops.

I, however, disagree with the policy. As was mentioned in a previous post, you pay dearly for the "portability" of the laptop, and more often than not, sacrifice something else all for the sake of portability. Instead of having a "decent" development laptop, I think we could have gotten away with getting a really good desktop, and with a reasonable vpn solution, have people remotely access their desktops. Combine that with a mobile message platform (I.e. Research in Motion's Blackberry solution) to take care of remote email, and your set.

Laptop Desktop

Personally, I say, get both! However that's not practical for all. If I can choose only one, the it's desktop for sure. My personal desktop will chew up any laptop out there alive and spit out pagers. And...if by some chance a mfgr slips one by that's more powerful for whatever reason...I can upgrade in a couple of minutes and beat them back to the drawing board again. On the other hand, I take a LOT of digital pictures, and my laptop is indispensible for trips, vacations etc. I've made DVD backups of all 200 or so of our DVD movies as well, and the kids use it in the car ( I have a 12 volt power inverter as well, to supply AC power for loooong trips) to watch movies. We've even used it in hotel rooms rather than pay-per-view. As a musician, again my laptop serves well as I use it to digitally record my bands performances straight from the mixing board, or from the PA during practice sessions. It's really a matter of balancing needs vs. wants in my opinion.

Laptop Desktop Computer Issues & Video Gaming

I love my work laptop. I love the portability of laptops, especially since we have wireless networking now. I can take my laptop anywhere and surf the net, post, or play partypoker. But I voted for the desktop. The reason is that technology becomes obsolete very quickly in this day and age. In order to keep up realistically, you need to upgrade something once a year. With laptops, this is extemely difficult, even impossible on some models. With custom built desktops, upgrading is very easy and often inexpensive.