conuly | You know....

In order to use this laptop, I have to use a (new) monitor, an external mouse and keyboard, and external speakers.

That's practically an entire computer right there. Do you think, when I get a new computer, it may be more cost effective to go with a desktop? All I need now is the computer part of the computer. I don't need it to be portable, and in fact it's probably better for me if it isn't - I spend enough time online as it is.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

archangelbeth

Be worth pricing out as a desktop, yeah, if you don't tend to set the thing on your lap. (I have a laptop that has a USB aircraft-carrier keyboard on top of its integral one, because of failing E key... But I put it in my lap!)

From:

kengr

Well, one *big* advantage of a desktop is that it's easier to fix/upgrade.

They also tend to not overheat as much if you take reasonable precautions.

From:

elainegrey

In general, i think desktops are less expensive. The mobility and flexibility are things i use a great deal though. I use my inexpensive laptop far more often than my powerful desktop.

From:

wpadmirer

The new desktops are so tiny they ARE portable.

From:

malada

If you don't need the portability then go with a desktop. When something breaks you can more easily replace it or upgrade it.

My present system is 8 years old and has had numerous upgrades which keeps it up to date. However I'm far more geeky than your average user having assembled my systems in the past.

-m

From:

jakegrey

Yes. Laptops make some rather unhappy compromises between performance and portability.

If you're not heavily into gaming, 3D rendering or other hardware-intensive stuff, you can buy a serviceable seller-refurbished desktop PC for less than $50 on eBay.

From:

cactuswatcher

I've always used a desktop for the net. They can be cheaper to begin with and the Internet is really hard on computers. I think the last two desktops I've bought just for use on the Internet cost less together than the laptop I bought 8 years ago. Since a desktop's monitor doesn't get carried around much, it will last far beyond what the computer will. Of course, buy a computer new and they will give you a mouse and keyboard, but you may like to use what you've got better and that's not likely to be a problem. Those external speakers you already have will be nice to use with whatever you get next.

Edited Date: 2018-05-23 01:30 pm (UTC)

From:

wendelah1

I think for the money, you can get a better, faster desktop computer. So yes.

From:

thewayne

I had a laptop with a fried display and did exactly what you did with an external monitor/keyboard/trackpad for a while, it works great. And you can easily buy just the computer box. Frequently you'll also get a keyboard/mouse bundled in, but it's never bad to have spares of those (drink accidents happen).

If you don't do any gaming, specifically playing 'latest and greatest' gaming, you can get by with an older computer. There are sources that sell refurbished computers pretty cheaply. And if there's a Fry's Electronics in your area, you'd be set. They sell both refurbs and generic boxes.

And congrats on the new monitor!

From:

silveradept

If you don't need to be able to carry a device wherever you go, a desktop will be cheaper, generally speaking, and you'll be able to make it last longer and give it more power for less expense down the road. The $500 USD I spent when my last desktop died (after five years or so of service) should get me through another five at least before there are any points where I start bumping up against generational obsolescence, and even then I should be able to rumble on part that, barring failures, with strategic upgrades.

From:

lusentoj

From all the stuff you were using I actually thought you were already using a desktop! I've had a few reasons for using a laptop:

1. Ages ago I used to bring it to school and type notes on it instead of handwriting notes, and view the class's PPTs on it instead of seeing them on the projector etc. I also used to go to the library and work there, or do stuff on the train for example. But lately I don't/can't do any of that.

2. A laptop is just plain smaller, so when I want to watch TV in bed, have to move or evacuate, need a lot of desk space for something else or whatever I can just pack it up and go.

But as for how I actually USE it now, aside from watching TV it'd actually be best to have a desktop because I need a bigger screen. Any normal "portable internet" stuff is stuff I can take care of on my phone.

From:

bibliofile

If you normally use your computer at a table/desk anyway, then yes, go ahead and get a desktop. For a given setup, the desktop will cost less; or for a particular price, you'll get a more powerful desktop than laptop. And you already have the monitor, which is the second-biggest expense.

(Yay, new computer!)

From:

conuly

From all the stuff you were using I actually thought you were already using a desktop! I've had a few reasons for using a laptop:

It sits on a desk, technically, so....

From:

conuly

Note: Fuck planned obsolescence.

From:

conuly

Don't need better and faster, mostly just need functional, but that should be cheaper, so.

From:

conuly

They also tend to not overheat as much if you take reasonable precautions.

Shouldn't hide them under a blanket, you mean :)

From:

conuly

Not with this monitor they aren't.

From:

silveradept

Agreed. At this point, mostly, the improvements being made are in getting able to manage the system most effectively through parceling the work out to the central processor's various cores efficiently and in bringing up the speeds of RAM and the hard disk drives so that everything works smoothly and quickly. We're not getting the leaps and bounds of performance that came with packing even more transistors on a chip any more.

From:

conuly

The only thing I'd want it portable for is to watch movies while I cook/clean, but it might make more sense to get a cheap tablet for that.

From:

kengr

More like "if you don't have air conditioning, aim a fan at the case"

From:

conuly

I don't think a fan will fit under my blanket mound.

From:

archangelbeth

*plays Star Trek Online on a Mac laptop (high end), running Bootcamp*
*looks innocent*

From:

kengr

Cardboard shroud on fan to dryer hose to blanket mound. :-)

Yeah it wouldn't work, but...

(One of the things I love about my cpap is that on cold winter nights, I can pull the blankets over my head and not suffocate :-)

Besides, you don't need the *computer* in the mound, just the display, mouse, and maybe keyboard.

From:

jakegrey

For the price of one of those things you could have a desktop that'll do you 4K 120fps photorealistic nosehair rendering in Medal of Duty 4.1: Operation Dead Horse, with enough money left over to cover it in garish multicoloured LED lighting bumpf like a chav's riced up Vauxhall Corsa.

From:

archangelbeth

Ah, but you see, by buying a laptop, I do not have to buy a desk!

I am saving a lot of money here.

From:

al_zorra

As someone who travels a lot, both at home, and to other places, a desktop is a lot better investment if you uin terms of bang for the buck, endurance and ease of use -- if don't have to go anywhere. Speaking from experience with both. And the desktop really does cost less, speaking of bang for the buck. Sigh.

From:

conuly

Cunning plan, that.

From:

archangelbeth

**ginormous halo emoji**

From:

didotwite

Which speakers did you get? My college set is beyond soldering

From:

conuly

An old set I already had!

From:

cellio

Yeah, the premium pricing for laptops is because of the portability and flexibility. If you aren't using that, you'll get more bang for the buck and easier upgrades in a desktop. Which no longer needs to mean "huge tower".