Desktop vs. Laptop

[TimeforMe]

We are in the market for a new computer and I am really considering just getting a laptop. Is there anyone who just owns a laptop and NOT a desktop at all? Any regrets? The thing I like best about my desktop, however, is that we have a huge monitor and I'm afraid I won't like the smaller screen on a laptop.

Is there any downside to not having a desktop besides that? All opinions are appreciated!

 

[momrek06]

We are in the market for a new computer and I am really considering just getting a laptop. Is there anyone who just owns a laptop and NOT a desktop at all? Any regrets? The thing I like best about my desktop, however, is that we have a huge monitor and I'm afraid I won't like the smaller screen on a laptop.

Is there any downside to not having a desktop besides that? All opinions are appreciated!

Well we have both at my house and I am thinking if you already have a desk top...then absolutely get a laptop! You will not regret it one bit. To just get up and go anywhere and have your computer with you is the best. And with so many stores, restaurants, airports, hotels all going wireless, it really is awesome!!!!!!!!! JMHO!!!

Get yourself a LAPTOP!!! :

 

[lilyv]

About a year ago we got a Toshiba laptop with a 17" screen. We generally leave it in the office, and love it!! The office is neat, clean, and no wasted space taken up with great big honkin towers. I would never get a "desktop" again.

 

[WDW~Lover]

About a year ago we got a Toshiba laptop with a 17" screen. We generally leave it in the office, and love it!! The office is neat, clean, and no wasted space taken up with great big honkin towers. I would never get a "desktop" again.

that is one reason why I have an imac! it is neat, clean and just the best thing to have!! But I also have both, a desk top imac and a macbook pro. I could not live without both! I have had it as just desk top and then just laptop. To me, I need both.

 

[NMAmy]

All we have are laptops. DH does have a big monitor on his desk in the basement that he hooks his laptop up to when he has to work on big projects with lots of small type.

 

[TimeforMe]

Well we have both at my house and I am thinking if you already have a desk top...then absolutely get a laptop! You will not regret it one bit. To just get up and go anywhere and have your computer with you is the best. And with so many stores, restaurants, airports, hotels all going wireless, it really is awesome!!!!!!!!! JMHO!!!

Get yourself a LAPTOP!!! :

Sorry--I should have been more clear. We are looking to replace our current desktop but not sure if we should just get a laptop instead.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Funny thing.. my desktop just died last week.. My DH and I went back on fourth on Desktop/laptop and as always I won and we replaced it with a Laptop.. smaller screen is taking some time to get use too... but we are keeping it on the computer desk and it is sooo much cleaner looking and I LOVE the idea of being able to take it with me to do work off the WI FI sites..
it will be very useful while my hubby is in surgery this friday and in the hosp for 5 days after -(spinal fusion) long Operation so I can play my games at least and surf the net.

 

[TimeforMe]

But I also have both, a desk top imac and a macbook pro. I could not live without both! I have had it as just desk top and then just laptop. To me, I need both.

Why do you need both? This is what I am trying to figure out--will I miss my desktop?

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

We had a desktop and now we have nothing but a laptop. I love it. We have a wireless router and I can take my laptop everywhere. I've even been able to use it on the front porch. I haven't tried the yard yet though.

My laptop screen is about 17" so its not that small. I was advised by a friend once to get something atleast that size so I could watch videos on it.

I've even taken it on vacations which is great too.

 

[WDW~Lover]

Why do you need both? This is what I am trying to figure out--will I miss my desktop?

well, for one..for travel. two, I am a student and like to be able to take my laptop with me. three, when I do not want to stay in my office I wil take my laptop to bed with me. and I also have been in and out of the hosptial so I have taken with me then also. I just cannot stand to look at one or the other for to long! when I had just the laptop, I found I got headaches alot.

And I actually just ordered a pc just for gaming with an 24 inch screen. so I will have 3!lol my imac is a 24 inch and my laptop is a 17 inch. so either of them are small screens

 

[Micca]

I have one of each and am happy about that. I worked exclusively on a laptop for about a year, and that was fine too.

 

[maelstrom]

Get a laptop and an external screen to hookup to it when you're at home. That's the best of both worlds.

 

[Kath2003]

I own two laptops and one desktop. If I had to only have ONE, I would have a laptop, just because it's so useful to be able to move it around.

The compromise is on what you get for your money. You could get a super-fast desktop PC with a nice big screen for the same price as a decent enough small laptop. You pay a big premium for the size factor.

A word of advice with a laptop: purchase an extended warranty and get some accidental damage insurance on it. It's easy to replace components for a desktop, it's very, very expensive to do so for a laptop.

 

[WDW~Lover]

A word of advice with a laptop: purchase an extended warranty and get some accidental damage insurance on it. It's easy to replace components for a desktop, it's very, very expensive to do so for a laptop.

This is so true!! 3 months after I got my DD her laptop, she SAT on the screen and it cracked. I am still paying for it! and that was 2 years ago!! I did take out insurance on it. but no insurance covers a cracked screen! that is the only downfall of a laptop. If you do go this way, make sure you get a great case to carry t in also!

 

[lilyv]

Before you get too far into deciding where to purchase, be sure to always read up on policies at each store. I think Costco has one of the best deals on computer returns and they automatically extend warranties. I'm sure there are other places that are great, as well.

I also generally use my Amex card as it has great purchase benefits.

 

[horseshowmom]

We had both a laptop and a desktop. When our desktop went out, we were getting ready to purchase another one. The more we discussed it, the less we could come up with a good reason why.

We wound up not replacing the desktop. We do use a docking station with our laptop now (but only because I bought DD a new laptop, and it came with one that would also fit our laptop, and she didn't want it).

If the larger monitor is important, just add that to your purchase. You may want to consider the docking station, because it's nice to have everything hooked up to it (printer, mouse, etc.) and just to put your laptop in it. I can't imagine ever being without a laptop now (I take mine everywhere).


ETA: I really like the Dell D series (I've got a D610, DD has a D630). They both have next business day warranties along with Complete Care (which will cover a cracked screen that was mentioned above as well as being dropped from anywhere or an electrical surge). I actually bought DD's laptop brand new on ebay from a great seller at a savings of about $300-$400. You DO have to be careful about which seller you buy from though. You also can order from Dell's outlet on their site and save some money, or you can just order through their site.

 

[DLBDS]

I replaced my ancient Dell desktop with a 17" Dell laptop. I would NEVER go back. I like being able to DIS on the couch! Also, I can't haul my desktop with me to Orlando! Wireless is the key to laptop heaven.

 

[TimeforMe]

We had both a laptop and a desktop. When our desktop went out, we were getting ready to purchase another one. The more we discussed it, the less we could come up with a good reason why.

This is where I'm at now. I DO like my big desktop monitor, but I suppose I can get a larger laptop (17") and keep my desktop monitor, too, in case I want to hook the laptop up to it, right?

I didn't realize, however, that desktops are faster.

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are always so helpful. I have some more questions, but will probably put them in a separate post. Thanks again!

 

[horseshowmom]

This is where I'm at now. I DO like my big desktop monitor, but I suppose I can get a larger laptop (17") and keep my desktop monitor, too, in case I want to hook the laptop up to it, right?

I didn't realize, however, that desktops are faster.

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are always so helpful. I have some more questions, but will probably put them in a separate post. Thanks again!

I can honestly say that I never saw much (any) difference in my laptop and my desktop. I don't do gaming though, so that may make a difference.

I will warn you that the laptop with the larger screens are heavier. That's why I got DD a new one. She got tired of carrying her D820 around (with a much larger screen).

You could probably get a large monitor for a reasonable price and connect it to the docking station (so you wouldn't have to keep re-connecting it).

 

[JR6ooo4]

This is so true!! 3 months after I got my DD her laptop, she SAT on the screen and it cracked. I am still paying for it! and that was 2 years ago!! I did take out insurance on it. but no insurance covers a cracked screen! that is the only downfall of a laptop. If you do go this way, make sure you get a great case to carry t in also!

EEEEHhhhh. That is the "wrong answer" buzzer.

We have a "personal article" policy through state farm. It covers accidental damage. Like dropping a laptop or camera. Though I have never tested it.

We pay about $130 a year for $5000 in coverage.

Mikeeee