Desktop or Laptop? Help!

[tinatark]

I'm trying to decide between the two.

Have a new Gateway all in one, thanks to their replacement warranty...this one has a 19 inch screen and is a little too big for my desk area. http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/proddetails.asp?seg=hm&system_id=profile6c

DH's desktop at work is dead and we're considering him taking the Gateway to work and me getting a laptop for home. I use my computer for internet, some software - turbo tax, etc... and photo processing. We would order a Dell laptop - have tried every other brand and thought it's time to give them a try.

Pros:
I have a computer desk in my kitchen - think the laptop would give a cleaner look there. I have high speed internet access - could add a wireless router and lose the wires that clutter up the area, too... could take the laptop on vacation and have internet access everywhere.

Cons:
Not crazy about the laptop keyboards... would have to buy a wireless -capable printer or use the current printer wired when I want to print (not real often, but sometimes).

What would you do? Any pros/cons I haven't thought of? Thanks!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I would totally have voted laptop until mine died for no good reason. Something about a logic board, which I did not understand. It is a Toshiba. DH has a Sony Vaio and he's never had a problem.

Still, I haven't touched the desktop since getting the laptop (except when it was broken.) Luckily, I bought the extended warranty, so the repair didn't cost much.

All in all, I'll stick with my laptop and knock on wood.

 

[hjd0411]

I have a laptop for exactly the reasons you want one. Mine sits nicely on my desk in my lounge room - out of the way when I have guests! I also have the wireless router for internet - absolutely fabulous - no wires, and I am able to use the laptop anywhere in the house. Great to sit on the back deck in lovely weather, reading the Disboards..!!
I very quickly got used to the keyboard - it's not that difficult, really. But I did get a wireless mouse - the pad on the keyboard was too touchy for me. I just got an inexpensive wireless, infrared mouse, and it works really well.
My next investment is the wireless printer - at the moment I have to move the laptop to the printer to print - so of course, not much gets printed at present!
Enjoy your new laptop when you get it...
Heather

 

[love8me]

laptops are more handy

 

[golfgal]

You can attach a regular keyboard to your laptop for everyday use. You can also attach a regular mouse. I would go with the laptop with the extra keyboard and mouse.

As for the printer, you could just have one set up somewhere and since you are wireless, bring your laptop to wherever the printer is and hook it up to print. Otherwise, can you keep your printer in a cabinet in the kitchen near your desk?

 

[crz4mm2]

Laptop. I have wireless router with wireless printing too!! amazing. I LOVE it. Have had my laptop over three years. Going to get a new one soon.
Won't have anything else now. You will get used to the keyboard and the mouse and if you don't, you can get a keyboard and mouse to attach.

Good luck.
I love my dell desktop (but the family uses that!!). Have had it over 4 years. Only had one problem and had in home warranty so they came to the house and fixed it!

 

[putnamm1028]

I have read everyone's reply and now need opinions of which is the best product. I do minor photo imaging work, rely on the internet and MLS, use a real estate appraisal program for work (WinTotal). Don't want to spend more than $1200. Is this possible?
Thanks in advance
BTW, cruisin out this Aug, 19. 7 day special western caribean.

 

[Robinrs]

I also have a laptop and a desktop and LOOOOVE my laptop. I NEVER use the keyboard, added an extra USB one to it AND a retractable mouse.

 

[Nanoer]

I have read everyone's reply and now need opinions of which is the best product. I do minor photo imaging work, rely on the internet and MLS, use a real estate appraisal program for work (WinTotal). Don't want to spend more than $1200. Is this possible?
Thanks in advance
BTW, cruisin out this Aug, 19. 7 day special western caribean.

I don't know what MLS is and if photo imaging means basic something like photoshop then you should be able to get a pretty fast laptop for $700. If you do decide to get a laptop I would not recommend building it yourself but a desktop on the other hand is easier and could save you like $100+ on labor. Hope that helps

 

[tinkerbell36]

Well I've just purchased an apple MacBook - it's being praised like hell and for what you're paying you are getting an incredibly good product. Don't be scared if you are a PC user - so am I, and have never used Mac before, but with their new intel Core Duo Processors you are actually able to boot on Windows so you have the choice between running Windows XP or Mac's (much better and faster) OS X Tiger. It includes their iLife suite which is great for photo and even video editing, has a built in camera, wireless and bluetooth, has a dvd drive with cd burning capabilities, and has a glossy 13.3 widescreen - all for $1099. Check it out - www.apple.com/macbook.

I hope this helps - I know how stressful choosing a laptop can be!!

 

[tinatark]

We're leaning more towards getting a laptop for me - probably a Dell.

I've been looking at their outlet listings on the web site - great prices!

Today at Sam's I saw an HP with the integrated 10-key panel to the right of the keys - cool!

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

We have both. I prefer the desktop for many different reasons. DH prefers the laptop.

 

[SillyMe]

I have read everyone's reply and now need opinions of which is the best product. I do minor photo imaging work, rely on the internet and MLS, use a real estate appraisal program for work (WinTotal). Don't want to spend more than $1200. Is this possible?
Thanks in advance
BTW, cruisin out this Aug, 19. 7 day special western caribean.

Funny, I need one for the exact reasons you mentioned.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The only reason to buy a laptop is if you need one for portability. Otherwise, a desktop is cheaper for the same stuff, easier to maintain, more reliable, and easier to use.