Buying advice for my final computer: laptop, all-in-one desktop, or what?

First of all, I doubt this will be your last one, especially if you began to enjoy your new PC There are many ways to go about this, but if you are looking for video editing with speed, you have to have;

1. Quad core or above
2. SSD (night & day difference)
3. USB3 (if you are going to have an external drive containing all your files)

Just to note, I bought a relatively cheap Quad Core Laptop for my mother, but replaced her hard drive with SSD, and it's faster than my own laptop with similar configuration. I also built my desktop using following components;

ASUS P6X58D motherboard
Core I-7 920 2.66GHZ
6GB RAM DDR3
XFX Radeon HD 5850
Coolermaster ATCS case
OCZ SSD 120GB (used previously)

This is all under $1,500, and I can tell you that this is plenty for your video editing need.

Frankly, with that amount of money you could outfit yourself with an acceptable desktop AND a decent laptop. I suspect you'll find that having a permanent desktop unit in an "OFFICE" for doing various tasks PLUS a mobile unit to cover other parts of the house will come in far more handy than some single killer gaming machine.

Plus (I am assuming you are sharing your home) it will mean that you still have options for taking care of business if your S.O. decides to research knitting patterns, celebrity gossip, or is chatting with a sibling via I.M. or Facebook or checking out pics or vids of some of the family ankle-biters.

Today's Intel Experimental Technology have a series of processors with extraodinary capability, also you must look for the latest version of Windows Operational System, which is now Windows 7 and for the best experience web browsing Internet Explorer 9. Those are the most important stuff that you should consider, the lateet technology. The portability is up to you, but there is nothing like be in the back yard video chating with the loves ones. And the best of all; all these features have a friendly tutorial site. You can up grade everything and stay update. Good luck...

Having recently purchased another small desktop computer and not being totally happy with my choice, I would rather recommend the purchase of a nice fully loaded slim, sleek laptop computer. I find myself enjoying my 5 year old Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop more than I enjoy my new Dell Inspiron Zino HD. I wish I had just upgraded to a newer laptop, mainly because of the portability and newer sleek designs available, but was not ready to dump my Inspiron 6000. Big mistake to replace my Dell Studio Hybrid with the unknown Dell Inspiron Zino HD. Oh well... perhaps I'll adjust to it. I've finally figured out a way to deal with it's lack of usb ports, thanks to my monitor having hub ports.

Please just make sure that you like whatever it is you get, and if you don't, then do something about it early. I waited too long to make up my mind and now can not return my purchase, and instead must adapt to something I am not so sure I like or will like.

Good luck to you.

I hope this is helpful.

Go for the laptop.

Laptops are freedom. As I write this I'm at a McDonald's so that my daughter can play in the play area, and I'm on my laptop using their free wi-fi. The freedom to compute anywhere in your home is compelling enough, but being able to compute anywhere you want... vacation, visiting family, McDonalds... you can't put a price on that.

I have two 10year old laptops that continue to work fine. And that's back in the day of high heat high power consumption days. I just sold one of them and the other will probably just give to someone in need.

Get yourself a cooling pad, like a Targus ChillPad - and that'll keep your laptop nice and cool.

My advice is actual on what not to buy. Acer has some nice looking products out their at reasonable prices,but if you do a little research you will see that their warranty support is little to non. My advice is stay away from acer at all cost.

I am typing this message on an All-In-One the only reason I have it is it was purchased from a relative cheap and my desk top computer died. (which I back up to an external hard drive every second day, more often if it has been busy, and I back up the external drive to disks continually as I had my 1st external drive die it was expensive to retrieve the information,)my desk top had died with a bang so purchased the A-I-O, I have found it cant be upgraded, just as a laptop can't, and it weighs a ton it is much heavier than the old desk computer with tower, the only thing I like about it is the screen, it is a touch screen, as soon as I can go back to a conventional computer it will be a tower but with a touch screen attached to it.
I also have a basic laptop that I use away from home to transfer photos onto and quickly browse to check the quality, before moving to another location. and I can connect it to our car power via an inverter as when on a trip the battery sometimes runs out before the day is through.
my suggestion Desk top with tower upgradeable plus laptop with inverter for car power if you travel. at least 1 external hard drive to use on both computers and lots of disks
Hope this helps.

awwryt.. laptops will definitely become obsolete in a span of 2 to 3 years... they cannot be usually UPGRADED... there screen size is defined...and it is unreasonably expensive..

the only plus point with a lappy wd be it easy to move here and there... nut again chances of it getting stolen is very high..

now.. my favorite DESKTOPS... dude.. its like a tanker.. fill it with everything u have got..

ok .. if i have 2000$ what would i do with it..

first i ll go for a huge CABINET..
here is the link for some companies that manufacture huge cabinets with amazingly huge capacity power supply box:-

http://www.google.co.in/images?hl=en&q=cooler+master+cabinets&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=SSS5TNGLEJCGvAOP4-imDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDMQsAQwAw&biw=800&bih=509

http://www.indiabroadband.net/desktop-computer/25737-best-desktop-cabinets.html

ok after the cabinet i would go for processor... i guess latest is core i 7... just go for the latest processor in the world

next comes the mother board.. dude.. do not compromise on this and processor..

http://www.pcworld.com/shopping/browse/category.html?id=10023&tk=pcw_01_SHOP+MOTHERBOARDS+ALL+INTL&utm_source=Google-CPC&utm_medium=INTL&utm_content=Shopping&utm_campaign=SHOP+MOTHERBOARDS&utm_term=SHOP+MOTHERBOARDS+ALL+INTL

ok after cabinet, procesor and mother board comes GRAPHIC CARD AND RAM...
NVIDIA is the name.. go for any 1 gb dd35 ones or 1 gb dd3 ones... do not go below this... never used ATI or any other...

then comes ram... best processor can support upto 40 to 50 gbs of ram(ddr3) (i am not too sure)... so DDR 3 and u can have 2 gb slots * 2 that is 4 gb ddr3...

(man i am building a monster pc here)

ok after cabinet, mother board, processor , graphic card , ram.. nothing remains actually...

actually if u are in some cold country, heating should not be a problem ... but if u come from some 40 degree average place be sure u have an ac in the computer room or u can go for cooler agents... which are very expensive.. if it comes with the cabinet then.. u r in luck!!!

then comes hard drive.. i ll suggest.. do not go for many internal hdd...instead i will go for 1 350 gb hdd internal and i ll take 2 2 TB hdd external...

MORE THE INTERNAL HDD CAPACITY, SLOWER THE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IS...

so then we are left with monitor, mouse, speakers, modems, keyboard (buy the heaviest keyboard in town).. contact EBAY for that... u shud get a cheap deal there...

thats it my friend... u ll leave something amazingly huge for your fore children .. they will build a sculpture in your name and respect u for generations...

i ll work on the price and ll tell u but i am super sure it all should come under 1000 USD


ohh i forgot .. about OS.. buy windows 7 or wait untill microsoft launches windows XP fpr free.. XP is the best... actually 98 is but XP is more jazzy

It should be not difficult to make a decision between the laptop and desktop. Usually you should have at least two PCs, laptop and desktop. The laptop should be Apple but the desktop can be other brand name unless you do not care the budget. If you do not want to take your PC go outside, it is unnecessary to buy the laptop but desktop. However, you should try to get the desktop with a Blu-ray burner or the PC can be installed the Blu-ray burner in the future.

Brian, I cannot tell you what is best for you but I can tell you what works for me at 60-years old. Maybe you will find something that fits.

I keep an older desktop on hand with a high end audio system as part of my radio broadcast engineering business. I just updated the graphics to handle Adobe's Flash Player 10 under a slower 1.3Ghz CPU and it keeps ticking after 8-years. If it gets corrupted, I don't care. The very first thing I did was clone the hard drive when I bought it. Since then, I've had to clone it back twice when lousy software collapsed it. If I were really concerned, I would put an external drive on it. I really, really prefer to restore a major disaster by cloning. That's hard to do with a laptop. I have NEVER had success with a manufacturer's restoration disk.

That said, I just replaced a Toshiba A45 Windows XP laptop that really serviced me well as my primary business machine. The fan failed after 5-years. I found a fan. What I couldn't do was get the case open to replace it and the cost of service led me to retire it in favor of an HP dv6-2150 laptop that is surprisingly well equipped for under $700. I'm very impressed with it. This time, I put a 1-terabyte Seagate Black Armor external drive on it that handles scheduled backups of the operating system and my critical files automatically and in the background. I use it in the field as a broadcast test instrument, too. It is really convenient and VERY efficient with Intel's i3 core processor under Windows 7 / 64 bit.

Photos? I took over 5000 8mp shots during an afternoon horse show in 'rock-n-roll' mode. As I filled each card, I dumped them to the HP laptop while filling up the next card with fast action shooting. At the same time, the show riders were able to watch the photos in a fast moving slide show. I wound up selling over a hundred photos and I do NOT do this as a professional. I can still be obnoxiously picky for the rare and really serious edits.

It's an avocation for distraction. I do not get into massive editing; Canon's "Digital Photo Pro" is all I need for cropping and correction. I can't justify Adobe. I don't think a serious pro would use a laptop because I have found it IMPOSSIBLE to align a laptop screen to match photo color and contrast. When I have a really serious edit to accomplish, I use the desktop with corrected monitor.

Bottom line ... a laptop would likely hold up very well, but there is no denying that a standard sized desktop has the advantage with repair, upgrades and service life. Repairing a laptop is a true pain, but it sure is hard to beat the versatility.

$2K can buy a heck of a laptop or desktop ... or well equipped versions of BOTH!!

It would save you a LOT of cash and fully guaranteed for a year.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTkyMTQ3ODE

When your year is almost up, get AppleCare Protection Plan and that will take it to 3 years. All up, it could set you back about $1250 and you'll still have about $700 to play with to buy a cheap $20 mouse. or a G3 dongle.

Remember, you're retired; time to take it easy.

I've used a MacBook Pro and their predecessors as my only computer for a long time; decades actually. I'm ready to make a change and I think it applies to you as well. (Not just because I'm 60 and my dad is 86 and on his 3rd MacBook.)

The MacMini is one fast and capable machine, with excellent software for camera work (and everything else). With your budget, you can buy whatever flat panel display that fits your needs and buy an iPad for your portable needs.They sync their data together fluidly, and eliminate so much of the PC confusions that I see with many of my clients. Though it isn't in your specification, I've found that the iPad does everything I need when doing tech support for my corporate clients as well.

Together they fill a complete checklist of what you want if you described the perfect computer. While not technically portable, the Mini is easily moved from room to room if you don't want to be stuck in the home/office all the time. Answering emails while walking in the park with the iPad, or taking the "real" computer to an in-laws for an extended stay (a flatpanel display is always on sale somewhere local) is elegant freedom.

I've found that if you get the 3G version of iPad, you can live with only a cheap, non-3G cell phone, further helping the budget.

Hello Brian
Maybe this may help you. Ive been using my Dell Inspiron 8200 since 2002. Its on its second hard disk now and I've upgraded (doubled) the memory to a full 1 GB, but my noisy (ventilator) little laptop with 1.7 GHz (CPU) is still humming away. I use it mostly just to surf the internet and read email these days.
On the road I have a newer HP compact with Vista installed that I got in 2008. Its a lot faster to say the least.
However, the point is, I wouldn't worry about the ventilator fan conking out on you. Even in Saudi Arabia. For $2000 you can get yourself a really nice laptop. Since your a photographer and Vidio enthusiast I assume you need a lot storage, memmory RAM and a good graphics card. Therefore I would recommend a laptop with a separate graphics card (no integrated) and at least 4 GB RAM.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Robert

Whatever you end up with make sure it's not from an unbranded firm, many use inferior parts, especially cases, also the warranty's end up costing you more money.

Most of the replies offered do not apply to the OP, basically it's people boasting how fast the CPU, how big their HDD and how "Kool" their set-up (pardon the pun). It's necessary to read and understand the needs of the OP before replying. To grasp that the Gentleman is 70 Years of age (nearly) and cannot lug a juggernaut on his back or be playing any hard-core games. He wants a system mainly for photo-editing.
As to the time for it to become obsolete, it's dependant on the requirements (I know people who are still using Windows 3.1 on an IBM system just as ancient).
People's opinion will always differ, you'll need to sort-out what is good advise replied from the ridiculous, which is far more complicated than choosing your ONE computer.

Having bought my mother her most recent computer for her 99th birthday (2 years ago), I spent some time setting it up for her poor eyesight. With macular degeneration she needs to use a large font and a large monitor (23") is critical to getting enough text on the screen so she can read easily. Monitors that size are under $200 and invaluable. So, I'd argue for the desktop with a big monitor (or one of the large iMacs.)

First, at 69 years old don't be surprised if this is not your last computer. Second, the type computer depends on your circumstances: Do you have one or two homes (or more)? do you travel? do you do your own financial planning and tracking and it is important to you to be up-to-date daily on the market? Third, why just ONE computer at today's pricing?

If you have more than one home where you divide your time between for months at a time, then you want a top of the line "portable"and an external keyboard and mouse setup at each location with internet high speed access at both----perhaps seasonal turned off. You want Wi-Fi at both locations and this might be supplemented with an extender at both locations to expand the coverage throughout the house.

If you have one home you want a top of the line desktop with Wi-Fi setup throughout the house as above.

I suggest a Netbook to supplement the base computer. This can be the one you move to the kitchen or bedroom. it will be our travel computer.

I'm 74 with two homes we generally split about even time at for long months and have a top of the portable to move between homes to be used as a desktop. For traveling I use a Netbook. We generally try to go someplace for a month during the year (Utah, London, Southern Calif)and rent an apartment or condo and take our Netbook. We are gettting ready to move from our summer home to our winter home and the main portable is now packed to be loaded in the car so I'm using the Netbook as the main computer with a n external keyboard and mouse.

In one location I have high speed internet through cable and at the other via DSL. At both locations I have the CISCO Valet M-20 (the higher powered valet and use in one location an extneder by CISCO soon to be replaced with one like I use at my summer home,a Hawking which is much easier to setup then the CISCO and works better too.

I retired as well and wanted the ultimate computer but found out it can't, for me, be ONE computer. I bought a full tower with the fastest Intel processor, and RAID drives for my "main" computer. It is just super for surfing the net over a wired connection, and since I do lots of engineering projects and send many emails, this is a computer that I love! But it's not mobile, so I bought a little Acer netbook, another computer that I love. I take this thing everywhere and tap into wifi systems all over the area, including my own wifi network. When my wife asks me a question about something I whip out the netbook that is in "sleep" mode, and in a couple minutes have Googled the answer. (I have a 3rd crappy Dell laptop that was given to me that I use for my weather station server and for my CNC). So I recommend getting BOTH, a fast stationary computer, wires and all, AND a small netbook. Tiger Direct offers incredible deals on fast gaming computers, as barebones, parts or complete systems and they have the best price on netbooks. Both computers can easily be bought for the $2000 budget Brian has.

Being retired, you are going to end up computing at home, at your desk, not on an airplane, or in some far off hotel. What you need is a great PC, with a nice big monitor, something sturdy. Laptops will get you there. So will a motorcycle. What you want is a nice big, tough, reliable car or truck.

You mention the wires as a disadvantage. It takes a very few minutes to connect a monitor and a printer to the tower, as little as two minutes, even, and ow you have the equivalent of a laptop as far as wires are concerned. And, with the work you describe, you are going to add a scanner, perhaps a phone, other stuff like an adaptor for a network, etc. and hooking these to a laptop leaves you with obvious wires all over the place.

So, to avoid a couple of wires, you are gaining a lot more nuisance and inconvenience.

You don't need to spend $2000 for a great computer, unless you are thinking of an Apple. Save the extra thousand for printer, scanner, good speakers, sofweare, and several years of print cartridges, and other supplies.

Bottom line. Hot running, little laptops have their place, but they would be a headache for what you want to do. George

Hi Brian,
Since there are pages and pages of great posts so far, you may not even see this. But, if you should run across it, here is my take on your question...

First, I am not a computer "expert", just a moderately knowledgeable user. I bought the Dell Dimension desktop computer I'm typing in 2000, and taught myself how to use it and upgrade various parts with a lot of help from forums like this and various Internet sources. I have no experience with Macs, so can't tell you which platform to go with other than whatever you are comfortable with.


From my experience, and personal speculation, I vote for a Desktop. Here are a few reasons...

1. Reason being that there is just more room to put components in that might a compromise for space like an all-in-one or laptop might have to make. There is also more room for bigger fans and air space for more efficient cooling, and therefore longer component life. As I mentioned, the desktop I'm using is from 2000.

2. Desktops are more easily upgraded. I've added a larger hard drive (it originally came with a whopping 40GB LOL!), swapped the CD burner for a DVD burner, and added a multi USB/Firewire port card. Some people like to upgrade their video card at some point. With an AIO, that requires a lot more work than a desktop does. Decide you want a nicer keyboard for a laptop? Forget it.

3. If you don't like the monitor, want to get a bigger one, or need to get it repaired, a desktop is so much easier. Unless you want to add a second monitor, with an all-in-one or laptop, you're stuck with what you've got. iMac screens are nice, but if it needs repair, the whole computer must go in.

4. Wires? Other than the monitor, what wires are you saving with an all-in-one or laptop? You still have to plug peripherals in. At least a desktop on the floor keeps them out of sight more. Besides, you can add an external backup or secondary drive to a desktop easily. With laptops and AIOs everything that can't be done with WiFi must be done with a wire. Try finding an internal TV tuner, backup HD, or Blueray Player for an iMac. The asthetics of any computer is mainly the screen and keyboard, both have more choices with a desktop.

5. Cost. Making things small enough to fit an AIO or laptop case, quality components tend to be a bit pricier. I bet a AIO/Laptop will run you more than a similarly speced desktop. Your budget of $2000 will buy you a pretty nice computer + printer (the guy who recommended uploading Walmart all your printing needs is nuts!).


Like Lee said, chances this is your "last" computer are not guaranteed as you never know what future technology holds, or how your needs will change. Having said that, if you want what you buy today to last as long as possible, I'd buy a desktop over an AIO or laptop. If you needs change, they're easier to upgrade or have someone do it for you. Same for repairs. If you can get access to their Business line, I'd look at something like a Dell Optiplex 980. They have a bunch of corporate IT stuff you don't need, but they're built well to last a while. Dell's Business side tech support tends to be decent, especially if you opt for ProSupport, which is 24/7 North American and short wait times.

I have found the toshiba laptop computer very reliable and uses low power, generates little heat.

the laptop now going on 3yrs has not failed with daily use. pictures and editing of these is no problem with this computer.

I have a desktop I use for video editing. this computer has many fans this keeps the componets cool when video editing is being done. you do not need a new desk top to do this type of work. I still use a P4 3ghz processor with sata hard drives . this computer does not ever go on to the internet. since this is the case it runs with windows XP very fast with no unnecessary programs to load up the video work.

Laptop is the way to go to access the internet and just use for comunications ,pictures, other work . bill paying /shopping.

laptops use little power low cost to operate.

desktop with the size and cooling required for video work uses much more power.

I have both PC's and the Mac Pro. Two of the PC's are laptops.

The problem with laptops is that , well lets face it,our eyes just are not what they used to be.
The Mac Pro with a large LCD monitor will be easy on the eyes.
The Mac Pro , being a desktop can be easily upgraded in case you last longer than you expect. And we all wish you do, I'm sure. The all in ones and laptops are harder to work on and less upgradable in general.
The Mac Pro can have its hard drive partitioned . Once partitioned it can run both the MAC OS and a Windows OS. My Mac Pro runs my PC strategy games better than my PC's. I loaded it with crucial ram.
Working on the Mac Pro is a dream.
So while a Mac Pro tends to be rather expensive. You get a quality, extremely adaptable machine.