Desktop or Laptop?

[jjeling]

This computer is on its last leg. It is time to start looking for a new computer. On several occasions today I got the blue screen of death and the hard drive has been clicking. The monitor is already broken and I have this laptop plugged into a desktop monitor for use.

Laptops seem to have an advantage for their portability but lack the amount of RAM and hard drive space. I only memory intensive program Ill be running is Photoshop so Im not too concerned with the speed.

However, in my experience, desktops seem to last MUCH longer. Plus they have huge hard drives now and usually have much more RAM.

Anyone else in the market for a new computer that might have similar questions or suggestions. I plan on spending about $700 so that might give you some information as to what Im working with.

[Fortytwo]

Well, it really should depend on how you're planning to use it. If you'd like to move your computer around the house and to other places, you're probably better off buying a new laptop. If all you do is keep it on your desk plugged in (or occasionally move it to the bed), you should really get a desktop.

Also, you could consider buying a small netbook next to a desktop to have something movable to watch TV on or something if that's all you do with it...

[AntZ]

I have a similar dilemma here. I have had a work supplied laptop/notebook for nearly 20years, which is nearly as long as they have been around and you can imagine how expensive the first ones were. Since the start of the year I have been riding to work and mostly leave the notebook at the office and use a 7yr old desktop at home, which surprising can run everything I need..just slowly. So like you say desktops seem to hang in there longer. But running lightroom is painful and I am considering my options. To be honest not having a PC that is pleasurable to process my photos on is having an impact on how and when I handle my images.

So here are my thoughts so far:
I already have a keyboard, monitor etc so really only need a box and can get one for cheaper than a notebook. The problem is that I am used to travelling with a notebook and would need something to store photos when I do.

Desktop Pros: Cheaper, faster,better specs, bigger HDD
Notebook Pros: Portable, capable of Dual screens, smaller

I don't think RAM is an issue. Most Notebooks can handle 4GB which I would think sufficient and only then you get 64bit Windows.(Not sure about apples here)

Having typed this, I think I am leaning towards a Notebook. I am waiting for the new i5 and i7 processors to become more available before I decide...and working out how to explain to my wife why she gets a netbook and I get the real thing

[Fortytwo]

I've got a dual screen on my desktop PC.

Also, I would never keep my pictures on a laptop. If you drop it, they're all gone...

[Marko]

I hate to say it....but processing photos on a desktop is MUCH easier. I too have dual monitors on my desktop.

If it were me...I'd spend the money on a desktop and great monitor.... and save a few hundred and get a mini laptop a few months later.

[jjeling]

Yeah, Im leaning towards the idea of getting a desktop and then a mini net book in the near future.

I think the net books are more durable than a full size laptop. Much like a tree branch, if you take it when it is full size it is quite easy to break. If you take the same branch and it is now only a fraction of its size, it doesnt break so easy.

I do believe picture are easier to edit from a desktop, but the idea that I can do it from anywhere is kind of nice to. I have several versions of Photoshop so if I do get a netbook Ill load a prehistoric version of photoshop on there.

We will see what happens, It might be a while before it happens.

[AntZ]

I hate to say it....but processing photos on a desktop is MUCH easier. I too have dual monitors on my desktop.

If it were me...I'd spend the money on a desktop and great monitor.... and save a few hundred and get a mini laptop a few months later.

For me in actually processing photos the only time I notice a difference between desktop and notebook is when I don't have a real mouse and don't have a 2nd monitor.

Yeah, I know I can run dual monitor on a desktop, but I have a PC setup in our living room and two monitors is a bit too much to put away when we have guests. I guess that is another reason for a laptop for me.

Ultimately it comes down to portability. If you want to travel with it you need a notebook. Even if a netbook is up to the job the screen is too small for anything other that minor edits.