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General discussion

Laptop vs PC

Feb 14, 2005 9:56PM PST

Hi guys.

I've currently got a Pentium 2, 450MHz PC. (Prehistoric, right?) So I'm considering buying a new computer, but am unsure whether to invest in a fairly decent laptop, or a slightly better desktop.

My basic requirements are speed and XP, so obviously the processor comes into the equation. The prices here (UK) suggest that for about

Discussion is locked

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Just my opinion
Feb 15, 2005 12:33AM PST

Unless you buy a top of the line laptop and intend to sell it within a year, resale value should not be a consideration. If you find often that you'd like to take a PC with you somewhere, that's important. Think this way, however. If you had two PCs available all the time...one a desktop and one a laptop, which would you go to for general use. Unless you have worked a lot with the smaller keyboards an other compact designs of the laptop, my guess is that you will find it more cumbersome to use. My choice for what I do would be a desktop. I also have a laptop for business use but much prefer the full size animal. It's a tough decision.

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My View Point
Feb 15, 2005 1:18AM PST

Unless mobility and/or space is of importance I would go for desktop. I have friends who bought laptops who have come to me for instructions and this requires me demonstrating on their laptop. It makes me appreciate my big old clunky desktop with full size keyboard and nineteen inch monitor.
By the way, the friends who bought the laptops do not need mobility or space. They bought them because it was the "in thing" to do.
Another BTW. Don't rule out gaming. I had no interest in gaming until I met trainsimming and flight simming. It can get to you.

DC

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Mobility could become an issue in the future...
Feb 15, 2005 6:27AM PST

In the near future it might be more necessary to be able to move my computer about. Also also a laptop has more independence from the rest of the family.

We only have 1 internet access point and I don't like the look of the hassle involved with LAN, so Wi-Fi would be a better option. Also it means I can take the laptop to some places I've seen with WAPs as another access point.

I doubt that I'm suddenly going to get into resource hungry gaming, so it's just music, internet, work and DVDs for now Happy

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I have both
Feb 15, 2005 6:37AM PST

and I find myself using the notebook more and more. My notebook is more of a desktop replacement than a mobile computer. I like being able to use it while lying on the couch. If I had to only have one, it would be a very difficult choice.