Author Topic: Laptop or Desktop — which are you? (Read 43041 times)

Ralf Maximus · « **Reply #25 on:** November 17, 2007, 09:37 PM »

No, but plenty of positive reviews (search for Asus EEE to catch them all!)
-Lashiec (November 17, 2007, 09:11 PM)

Hey! I was wrong; there appear to be sellers in the United States after all. And the price is unbelievable: $399 USD. That gets you:

- 900 MHz Intel Mobile Celeron
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB solid-state disk
- 800x480 LED-backlit display
- Integrated Wi-Fi
- Choice of Linux or WinXP

...more than enough for mobile play. I used to own a Fujitsu lifebook P1, which was roughly the same form factor so I understand about small/crappy keyboards. But for pecking away at a Starbucks or watching a movie on an airplane, it's ideal.

Thanks for the pointer!

UPDATE: Added some graphical bling to entice Mrs.Maximus to see things my way. Look, honey! It even comes with cheesecake.

hwtan · « **Reply #26 on:** November 17, 2007, 10:07 PM »

I use a laptop mostly. Three reasons:

1. It saves the trouble of having to move data.
2. You can use it any where you want, on the train, etc.
3. It's more powerful than my company-assigned desktop.

The only thing I missed is the ability to use certain add on cards (e.g. PCI-X)

PPLandry · « **Reply #27 on:** November 17, 2007, 11:46 PM »

I've been using laptops for more than 10 years, and I'm a full-time programmer. Portables are generally less troublesome and you can more them around (hence less tensions and fatigue).

They take less space, consume less power, make less noise.

PLUS, all portables support dual-screen! I have 1400.1050 on the portable and an 1600x1200 external monitor. Works beautifully!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #28 on:** November 18, 2007, 06:04 AM »

-Ralf Maximus (November 17, 2007, 09:37 PM)

That's not you is it Ralf

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #29 on:** November 18, 2007, 06:23 AM »

The size of the computer doesn't matter too much - smaller is better though. The really important things are the human interface devices. i.e. Mouse, keyboard and monitor.

My IDEAL computer would be like this (total fantasy at the moment):

* Large visual display - Preferably of variable sizes for different situations, e.g. airplane vs. desk. Should unfold from a nice compact size up to between 15" and 30". Should also have an included stand/prop.

* Display is touch and laser sensitive. Touch is self-explanitory (ala the MS Surface technology). Laser is below...

* Hybrid wireless laser-pointer hover mouse - Acts like a regular mouse but includes a laser to point at the screen to control the pointer/cursor. Mouse can also be used in mid-air (hover) when you don't have a solid surface available - nice for traveling.

* Massive storage - 1 PB would be good. 4 TB would be ok for right now.

* Speed - Just plain mind-blowingly fast. You can never have enough raw power.

* Unfoldable compact wireless keyboard - Rolls out to full size. Has reinforcements to stabilize it when unfolded so it's hard like a real keyboard.

Sigh... Only a dream for the moment.
-Renegade (November 17, 2007, 09:24 PM)

You can get roll up full size keyboards (and they are waterproof too) here's just one example: http://www.keyboardc...ails.asp?PRODUCT=284

Now how about a roll up monitor - that would be nice, and if it were touch sensivitive!

cranioscopical · « **Reply #30 on:** November 18, 2007, 10:25 AM »

99.5% desktop.

Seldom use a laptop (or any computer) when I travel.
Sometimes use a laptop on the porch during the summer but prefer to read or snooze.

The cycle is: buy a laptop every now and again, use it for a while, return to desktop, forget about laptop, laptop joins pile of previous redundant laptops, pile reaches critical mass, pile given away. Buy another laptop *sigh*

Ralf Maximus · « **Reply #31 on:** November 18, 2007, 10:46 AM »

You can get roll up full size keyboards (and they are waterproof too) here's just one example: http://www.keyboardc...ails.asp?PRODUCT=284
-Carol Haynes (November 18, 2007, 06:23 AM)

Have you actually used one of these? I have. In a word: ugh. It's like typing on a bunch of semi-inflated jelly-fish. It's okay for emergencies, or in our application, ruggedized gear intended for construction sites. But using one for any length of time will make you long for the clean usability of a Blackberry.

Now how about a roll up monitor - that would be nice, and if it were touch sensivitive!

Believe it or not, these are coming! The new generation of "electronic paper" is a 3mm thick LCD panel that's flexible enough to roll up like a projector screen. There's no back light, so you have to supply your own -- maybe the perfect outdoor solution at last.

I'm holding out for the freestanding 3D holo-projector display that springs from my laptop. Guaranteed to be totally annoying on airplanes.

wallee · « **Reply #32 on:** November 20, 2007, 08:44 AM »

I picked "other"
My HP Pavilion notebook was marketed as a desktop replacement.

It's a little to big to really be a laptop.

Why.. mobility, mobility, mobility...

digitalzen · « **Reply #33 on:** November 20, 2007, 09:38 AM »

I built my own computer (Intel 945, 3.2 Pentium D, 4 GB RAM, 2 x 250 HDD, etc.) because the prices on machines that would handle the huge RAW and video files I play with were outasight.

I briefly considered a laptop because I figured it would be handy when I travel, especially for downloading images off the cameras and cards, but didn't want to deal with hauling additional equipment nor the additional security. If I ever do begin traveling out of the country again, I'll probably go that route because of lack of access to other means.

Should I go with a laptop, it would primarily be for storage and uploads to my server, so it wouldn't have to have all the power of my desktop. No way I'll be replacing the DT. I like being able to upgrade and troubleshoot the guts of the machines I own, and laptops are simply too much trouble to work on. Then there's the problem of when they're broken, they're broken. I can't get another (whatever) overnighted from Tiger and have it back up in two days.

Apples and oranges, really.

nitrix-ud · « **Reply #34 on:** November 20, 2007, 10:16 AM »

laptop !

1- almost no noise
2- less space
3- power consumption much lower
4- you can use it where you want (i'm carrying my laptop all the time)
5- much better for my back (screen and keyboard positions are always perfect)
6- usually much better keyboards
7- great screen (mine is 1920x1200)
8- not as fragile as a desktop (just try to carry a desktop computer for a week

)
9- much easier for me to help a friend (you know what i mean) when he can actually come with his computer !!

desktop is a good choice as a multimedia center right under you flat-screen TV

f0dder · « **Reply #35 on:** November 20, 2007, 10:41 AM »

Hm, I find laptops to have crummy keyboards and uncomfortable working positions - and I much prefer a 17" or 19" TFT to laptop-size displays (I'd find a 17", and probably even a 15", way too cumbersome to be decently portable).

Ralf Maximus · « **Reply #36 on:** November 20, 2007, 11:43 AM »

-Ralf Maximus (November 17, 2007, 09:37 PM)

That's not you is it Ralf
-Carol Haynes (November 18, 2007, 06:04 AM)

Hardly. I am not the least bit cheesecake... more like doughboy. :-)

Cecebee · « **Reply #37 on:** November 21, 2007, 08:05 AM »

Both. Only use the laptop when on the road though. Laptop just isn't fast enough for day to day use on the desk.

normeus · « **Reply #38 on:** November 21, 2007, 11:51 AM »

Asus - Eee PC - Pearl White:

comes with LINUX not windows but you could buy windows and install it.
on sale at BESTBUY for 399 plus S&H taxes and Recycle fee.
it is backordered so it would take about 2 weeks to get one.
I was doing reseach because I want something portable to write code.

Ralf Maximus · « **Reply #39 on:** November 21, 2007, 11:55 AM »

I was doing reseach because I want something portable to write code.
-normeus (November 21, 2007, 11:51 AM)

Sweet! Though I imagine I'd have to get the Windows drivers from their website. Thanks.

However, I'm not sure this is the beastie you want to write code on... the keyboard is teeny tiny, it's only got a 4GB flash drive (depending on your dev environment, this might be pushing it) and it tops out at 900 MHz.

I think it'd be dynamite for writing haiku or ransom notes (or ransom notes in haiku) but for serious development? Nah.

Edvard · « **Reply #40 on:** November 21, 2007, 07:06 PM »

Hmm...
Laptop:

Laptop or Desktop — which are you?

or Desktop:

Laptop or Desktop — which are you?

I donno... I'm torn.

BTW-that's not me and those aren't mine, but something about brass gears and ticky levers make me all gooey...

steeladept · « **Reply #41 on:** November 24, 2007, 10:09 PM »

I chose other for several reasons...but most go back essentially to what others are saying.

About 3 years ago I built my own machine because I can

and really not for any other reason, really. I chose all my own parts and fought with a few minor gliches and incompatibilities. I built it as a mid-ranged gaming rig, mostly out of cost concerns, and used it for about two years. At the same time, I had been using a laptop at work.

About a year ago, my mother got very sick and the family packed up and moved in to take care of her. After her death, we have stayed here and still are moving stuff in, so we are hardly what I call settled. One of the things packed during that time is my desktop computer. We pulled it out for a short while to replace her PC that fried from a surge, but packed it away again when another surge destroyed the new surge suppressor. It has been packed away ever since.

When I was using both, I was using the laptop about 60% of the time, the desktop the other 40%, and almost always for gaming. Since then I have been using the laptop 100%, but have not changed my machine roll - I just don't game anymore. Well that is not quite true, I just haven't PC gamed in the past year. I find the laptop more than a match for everything I do, from programming (learning anyway) to internet to picture enhancement, to actual work (desktop support work if interested). My company provides the laptop, a docking station, and all the peripherals to make the laptop a suitable desktop when docked. It is very adequate and quite comfortable.

So I guess my rambling is basically getting to why I chose other - I used to use both more or less equally, but now I use my laptop equally in docking station and out. Is that laptop or desktop? You decide, I am tired

dlagesse1992 · « **Reply #42 on:** November 28, 2007, 02:17 PM »

I use a laptop for many reasons:
1. I need one for school - I use it in class.
2. Portable
3. At my desk it is powerful enough that I can plug my keyboard and mouse in and have essentially a desktop.
4. I can write on it. (tablet PC).
5. Why not?

DJMusic · « **Reply #43 on:** December 02, 2007, 07:37 AM »

I don't really know why I preffered a laptop but it sure does good work. I have 2 laptops, the second one is just a few days old

Laptop 1:

Packard Bell EasyNote ...
1 GB RAM
60 GB Harddisk
64 MB Videocard from S3
15.4 Inch screen from S3
DVD-ROM
1.5 GHz Processor

Windows XP was installed but the computer crashed. That's why I bought a new one. I'm trying to install other OS's, but none of them please me at the moment

Laptop 2:

Compaq Presario V6640ED
2 GB DDR2 SRAM (2 Dimm)
250 GB Harddisk
LightScribe Super Multi 8x dvd/rw-drive with double layer support
Lithium-ion accu
HP Remote Control (for Windows Media Center)
nVidia GeForce 7150M with shared videomemory (559 MB)
AMD Athlon 64 Moblie Technology TK-55 and 512 KB L2-cache (1.8 GHz)
15.4 Inch WideScreen
802.11b/g WLAN
5-in-1 Card Reader

This one has Windows Vista Home Premium installed.

zridling · « **Reply #44 on:** December 03, 2007, 07:19 AM »

Wow, you have good tastes, DJMusic! I envy laptop #2.

e712 · « **Reply #45 on:** December 14, 2007, 07:57 PM »

uhhh. Both. Laptop, Latitude D600, and Desktop, Optiplex 270, and 6Gig microdrive to carry all my data. From the coffee shop I can ssh into a linux box for data. I'm working on VNCing to a windows box. I've become data centric: the microdrive and the ssh box have my data and I try to make it not-matter which machine I'm using.

CodeTRUCKER · « **Reply #46 on:** December 14, 2007, 09:03 PM »

I have a desktop available, but I use an external keyboard, mouse and La-Z-Boy.

mrainey · « **Reply #47 on:** December 14, 2007, 09:10 PM »

but I use an external keyboard, mouse and La-Z-Boy

You and I have a remarkably similar approach to computing!

Darwin · « **Reply #48 on:** December 14, 2007, 10:09 PM »

Yes as do I... though in my case it's "Lazy Boy"

Poll

Is your primary computer a Laptop or Desktop?

Author Topic: Laptop or Desktop — which are you? (Read 43041 times)