Desktop v. laptop

[sweet angel]

I will be in the market for a new PC shortly. My 4-5 year old Sony is almost out of memory (yes, it's got a whopping 40G hard drive -- STOP LAUGHING!) and I've transferred everything I can from C to D -- there are some files that I don't know how to transfer and don't have disks for.

Anywho, I don't know whether to look for a desktop or laptop. I'd like to stay under $1000 (well under, if I can). I'd like at least 160G memory, and if it's a desktop, I definitely want a flat monitor.

Alternatively, if anyone knows how to move programs like WordPerfect, Photoshop Elements, etc. from C to D without uninstalling and reinstalling with disk, please let me know as that will buy me some time.

Also...when installing new programs, sometimes it asks for which drive I want to install to, in which case I say D, but sometimes it just assumes C and I can't move it! Any ideas?

So there you go...I started out with one question and worked into a bunch of others. Basically, desktop or laptop and why?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bicker]

First, just so you understand what the sales dude might say to you when ordering your computer: "Memory" typically refers to how much RAM your computer has. The hard drive is typically referred to as "Storage". BOTH are important considerations. At this point, I'd be sure you get at least 1GB of memory. 160GB of storage sound like a good number.

Most software cannot be moved... it must be reinstalled. If the software's installer is written well, then you will be able to install it where you wish; otherwise you won't. Generally, the risk involved in hacking your system to overcome these limitations is not worth it. I'm a software developer and won't mess with that stuff.

A desktop will give you the most amount of power for the least money; a laptop will allow you to carry your computing with you, around the house or around the world. It's as simple as that. I tend to think the decision between desktop and laptop is made before you even decide to buy a new computer... for me, I found myself constantly running back to my office to check things, and I found myself constantly at a disadvantage at meetings (for business stuff) and while on vacation (for checking personal email, reading The DIS, etc.). So I knew I wanted a laptop. But I had a desktop already. I do see my laptop as an extension of my desktop. I couldn't afford a laptop as powerful as my desktop, and I need that power for processing my camcorder video, cropping and fixing my digital photos, etc.

 

[Corwin12]

I love my laptop. I replaced my desktop with a latop 6 years ago and could never go back. I am on my third one: Intel Core Duo 2 at 1.83 Ghz, 2 GB RAM, 100 GB HD, 256 MB dedicated graphics card, and a CD/DVD writer combo drive.
I only spent about 1100 after rebates.