Laptop or desktop?

[ksmith]

Given that my iMac desktop is officially kaput, I'm considering what to get next. I have a MacBook, which I like, and an old iBook that I hope lasts for some time to come. But I am sure that in the next year I will need a new system, and I'm wondering whether to go with a desktop or another laptop. The two knocks I've heard against laptops over the years are 1) they're slower than desktops, and 2) they're less sturdy. Is that still the case?

At the dayjob, I have a laptop with a docking station, and I do like it. One possibility is to buy another laptop along with a monitor (I already have a keyboard), and use that as my desktop system.

I don't play games, makes movies, or do any other resource-intensive stuff. This is another consideration.

So, comments welcome--do you have a desktop? Laptop? Both? Are desktops going the way of the dodo?

Comments

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

I still love my Mac PowerBook. Like you, I mostly use computers for writing and the Internet. Since most of my work takes place either in the living room while watching my daughter or in a cafe, a laptop just makes the most sense for me.

My poor old desktop just kind of sits there. At this point, I only use it for my iTunes library, printing, and back-up storage.

[menime.livejournal.com]

If you aren't needing anything for more than browsing the internet or writing then I would say get the laptop. It gives you mobility and freedom that a desktop just can't give you. The only downfall in my opinion on laptops is that they are harder to upgrade than a desktop over time.

[topayz4.livejournal.com]

I've got a 15" laptop with an external keyboard and mouse. I've been using it this way for over a year and it really works for me. The laptop sits in a position where I use the screen for my monitor, and the external mouse and keyboard are where they would go for a desktop. Personally, I don't feel the need for a bigger monitor, so this works just fine.

I used to have a desktop and a laptop and got really tired of moving files back and forth. Now the laptop itself works as both.

And, while this is probably obvious, do make sure that even if you don't need a lot of power that it will do what you need it to do. Once upon a time, not so long ago my hubby bought me a laptop, bottom of the line because he figured all I had to do was word process on it. But, he didn't take into account that novels are big and it was so slow it couldn't load a 400 page document. I had to write everything single spaced :D

[galeni.livejournal.com]

speed is more of an issue with Photosop etc than word processing so a laptop should be fine. You could also get a laptop and a FireWire drive for storage and backup and have it all. Laptops are sturdier than they used to be, too.

Me, I have an iMac because I watch DVDs on it and web design so need a big screen.

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

I have a desktop (two, in fact) but my primary use for them is graphic design, so I need the giant monitor and massive processing power. Well, really, it's the monitor. I have a 21" at home and a 30" at work.

I dislike laptops because I hate the position of the keyboard (what is with the four inches of wrist space? Hurts my shoulders). However, I often find myself wanting a laptop so I could bring my writing around with me on a computer. Mostly I do first drafts by hand, but sometimes I feel the urge to compose electronically.

My other objection to a laptop is the weight and bulk. Perhaps when they become less than a pound and fold up into one's purse (but with a 17" monitor and 104-key keyboard--sufficiently advanced technology, you know), then I would want one for sure.

Given your use patterns, I think a laptop is best suited for you. They're probably more sturdy than desktops, but they take more abuse. Desktops don't have to withstand banging around. The worst risks they face are inadequate ventilation, cat hair, and the occasional spill on the keyboard.

[(Anonymous)]

The iMacs are faster for the dollar. Interesting.

For me it all boils down to how you want to use it. I'm not a gamer, so I don't need ultra speed. My 1.83 GHz machine is fast enough for my occasional gaming fits.

I usually use my laptop in my lap. But I tend to slouch and my back gets tired. Also, even with glasses, I find the text size on the MacBook Pro to be hard to read.

When either the back or the eyes get too snarly, I move to my 24" Apple monitor, which I plug into my laptop. I also have one of those bluetooth keyboards so I can have an ergonomically correct desk. For me, being able to do both is a godsend.

I prefer having only one set of files to backup and maintain, which is why I have only one computer.

My next Apple gadget is a Time Capsule so I can run Time Machine. I really, really, really want easy, automatic backup.

Adrianne

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

Laptops vs Desktops

The age old question.

I'd have to say that laptops are much more sturdy then desktops. If every time you plugged your desktop in, you had to replug all the cables in the back, adjust the monitor through it's full range of mobility on it's stand and move it from room to room on a regular basis (to say nothing of traveling with it) I'd wager that things would start to break down in the first 30 days.

Get a service plan (Apple has, I think, at least two plans, a no-questions asked plan ($$$$) and an all questions asked plan ($ or maybe $$). For a laptop, the fewer fingers they point and more things they cover the better, so consider paying for the broader plan if you get a laptop.

I took a look at that new Mac ultra thin laptop recently, and was very impressed with it's rigidity. My existing (PC-based) clunker laptop (15.4 inch screen) is absolutely floppy in comparison. It used to be you had to have size and weight if you wanted a sturdy business class portable, I think Apple is changing that rule.

Good luck!

[mindyklasky.livejournal.com]

You know that Apple is announcing new laptops - I think, tomorrow? I'd wait to see what they're doing before I tossed my hat in any ring!

[davidlevine]

Many writers seem to get along fine with only a laptop. I have a laptop that's mine and a 24" iMac that's shared with Kate. Sometimes it is nice to have that very big screen, and the large hard disk means I don't have to worry about it filling up the way I do on the laptop. Desktops also provide more CPU speed, memory, and disk capacity and speed per dollar. I use ChronoSync (I think it's just $30 and well worth it) to keep my files on the two machines synchronized.

As to the question of durability, I've read so many people blogging about their Mac laptop dying (I've even been in the room when it happened a couple of times) that I always buy AppleCare for laptops. Same for the Mac Mini, which has been kind of problematic, but the iMac seems to be solid (well, except for your experience). The main reason for laptops dying is that they are moved around a lot, which is hard on the hard disk; the various moving parts associated with the hinged screen are also prone to fail.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

I'm a desktop (non-Mac) user...I have the laptop so that I can do stuff when I have large chunks of time away from the desktop...which is infrequently...I'll probably replace the laptop with a eeePC or something when I get around to it. My primary machine is a desktop with a few large LCDs...I love the screen space...even when only doing web or email.

YMMV! A docked laptop with a nice big monitor might be the way to go.

Personally, I like that I can easily fix/replace individual components in the system without much expense...that is a function of both the desktop and not being in a monopolistic parts arena.

[mithriltabby]

I have a desktop machine at home that I use when I need a big screen (1600×1200); it also functions as a file server for the rest of the house, controls the printer, etc. I have a laptop that I use to surf the Web while lounging on the sofa, and to take along when I need a computer outside the house. I upgrade them rather slowly; the laptop is a 700MHz P3, and it has problems with things like Flash video...

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

I have both, and do occasionally fantasize about getting a swoopier laptop and some docking-station type accessories and tanking the desktop altogether. Having three computers for two humans seems awfully excessive at times! But it is slow, and that does bug me.

And I do also worry that sooner or later I am going to be out with the laptop and I'll drop it, or get drenched, or pasted in some way, and it'll die. The desktop serves not only as a backup in the sense of "my files are backed up" but also in the sense of "and if that does happen, I don't have to rush out and spend $TooMuch! immediately to replace my primary computer.

[lingtm.livejournal.com]

I agree with getting a laptop. Since you're mostly using it for writing and internet, I'd suggest a laptop. You can also get laptop mounts/docks for when you want to work at a desk. My work computer is a laptop (because I have to take it with me to clients). When I work on it at home, I have it on a mount and attach a laptop and keyboard to it. It works really well.

Desktops definitely get more bang for the buck, but you're stuck at a desk and you don't need anything really powerful. So I vote for laptop!

[thebluerose.livejournal.com]

The major difference between a laptop and desktop isnt speed these days (tho it used to be) The biggest issue is still capacity and upgradeability.

IE the size options for hard drives in laptops is still quite limited.

The options to remove key components and replace with faster newer ones is also much more difficult/expensive with a laptop.

If I was an author writing a book, the biggest thing I would want from my computer hardware is the ability to backup the precious words Im writing.

If you get a PC (sorry I live in a PC world but this should apply for MACs as well) then you can do things like get two hard drives and set up as RAID 1 mirror, so everything gets backed up onto a second drive as you are typing it (so in event of main drive failure the data is still safe)

I would still back it up on some external storage as well and store that offsite (in event of fire/flood/natural disaster etc)

Re sturdiness - laptops are designed with movement in mind, the biggest killer of laptops is having coffee (or red wine) spilled on the kbd and leaked thru to the innards. What kills more laptops is casual abuse, rather than any particular failure of the hardware in and of itself.

What it really boils down to is how do you want to use your PC? Do you want the flexibility of working from the sofa while watching TV cos you can? Or do you want more security for your data and compromise with less portable hardware?

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

I have a laptop and a desktop. I mostly use the desktop (a 2005 iMac), with its 17" screen. But I can easily haul out the laptop for excursions. I like the combination.