Does a Desk Top Last Longer Than a Laptop?

[Chattyaholic]

We have an old, old, OLD desktop computer. A year ago I bought a laptop and had planned on JUST using it when we went on trips or camping. But, the laptop is so much faster that I find myself using it ALL the time, surfing the internet, e-mail, DISin' and playing the Sims. But, I once heard that laptops don't last as long as desktops do, is there any truth in that? I'm seriously considering getting a new desktop just so I can go back to using my laptop more sparingly. Should I go ahead and do that?

 

[gshoemate]

I think one reason this is said is because most people take their laptop here and there and it gets banged up more . I know when we got my laptop my DH wanted to make sure we got a warrantee on it. But i've had my laptop for only 1 1/2 year so I can't tell you from experience.

 

[Itsanalias]

Only if you drop the laptop. Today's laptops last a loooong time.

 

[LarryE]

Desktops usually do last longer because you can upgrade them.

It's harder to upgrade laptops and that is usually just with memory, everything else is built into the motherboard.

 

[whtyger97]

Desktops are both alot easier to upgrade and a lot more upgradable. Technicially i have the 'same' desktop computer i had 4 years ago, except i don't think any of the parts are the same.
In a laptop if the screen goes bad, the computer is too, but on a desktop you can replace it seperately (even if you know nothing about how to build computers). Same with the keyboard and mouse.
Also laptop computers tend to be slower then a desktop computer bought at the same time so you would notice a need to upgrade the laptop before the desktop.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I am having some trouble with the screen......although twice it was when I had the laptop in "standby mode" and it messed up when I turned it back on. And now, just here while I've been DISing, the screen went black for a second but then the picture came back. If the screen "goes bad" you have to replace the whole computer?? Yikes!! I've never dropped my laptop, and if it's not on the desk it's in the case so I feel that I've taken very good care of it, but hate to start having problems with it when it's only a year old. Sigh....

 

[Towncrier]

The components inside my Dell notebook computer run a LOT hotter than in my desktop system. I know of at least a couple of people here at work who have had the hard drives in their notebook computers fail prematurely (most likely due to the heat). Due to the ultra miniaturization of the parts inside a notebook computer, it's only natural that they would experience a higher than average failure rate. Just my opinion.