is it dumb to buy a desktop computer?

[CyndiLooWho]

It very much depends on what you want it for.

Dh has a custom built gaming tower, b/c he can't get the performance he wants from a laptop. He can also swap out parts whenever he wants / needs to upgrade / replace something.

I have a laptop for the kitchen, the boys have laptops, and dh has a laptop for work (he travels a lot). At the office, he plugs his laptop into a dock so he can use the full size keyboard and oversized monitor. For general computing, these all work very well. But we see about a 3 yr life on these machines, and they can't be upgraded. Now that the boys are old enough to do some minor gaming, we see that my older laptop can't handle some of the things they want to do.

I also have a large all-in-one that I use for keeping track of taxes, my bil's business information, and all my PTA and Scout stuff (I am / have been the Treasurer and Admin person for both these for years). It's also much nicer for gaming, though I don't do the real intensive stuff the guys do. I also expect it to last longer than the laptops, and I can use it to watch Amazon Prime free video on a screen almost as big as our tv. That was a huge selling point for me.

A tablet is a lot less expensive if you want just want something portable to surf, check email and read. Dh has a 10" tablet and I have a 7" (his old one). These are great to tuck into a travel bag or purse and be able to keep up with the world while traveling or sitting in a dr office. We don't have ipads, but the Samsung Galaxy line is wonderful and economical. We like it better than ds14's Kindle Fire.

So, the questions are "what do you want to use your computer for, and how long do you need it to last?" Once you know that, you can get what is best. And if you stick with a low bells and whistles model of desktop / tower, you can get the portability of a good tablet to trundle around with you.

 

[fairy8i8]

I have a laptop...and I am using my husband's desktop to write this because it's just more convenient. He has an amazing screen and I prefer a standard keyboard. Yes, I could get a docking station, blah blah blah, but that is just a lot of hassle to me, especially since laptops are much more expensive for the same amount of capability in general. Also, be forewarned that manufacturers are considering reducing the amount of desktops they make because tablets are so popular now and people are getting them instead of upgrading their desktops or laptops, so if you want one, definitely get a good deal on one in the next year or two.

If you have anyone techie in your family, building one is an amazing deal. My husband built his over 3 years ago for a couple thousand, and for him to get a better computer today, he would have to pay over $6000. He has no problem running the latest games, etc. If you have kids that like to play computer games, then you definitely need a desktop. If you just surf the internet and use basic office functions, then it doesn't really matter what you have (although solid state drives make things amazingly fast).

 

[Poohforyou]

We have a laptop, smart phones, and an old desktop. i do a lot of typing for church, family stuff, etc. and like sitting at the desk with the keyboard at the right height, etc. We have a good monitor and fairly new 4-1 printer.

Thinking of getting a new desktop when they go on sale for back to school. we could also take advantage of the no tax saturday and save that way.

what do you think?

I would personally get a docking station for your laptop and then use the monitor you have. I think desktops are very limiting. If your laptop is already used by others consider getting another laptop. It will give you more flexibility over a desktop.

 

[texasroni75]

We've always had at least one desktop at home. It's the computer we mainly use - for gaming, facebook, youtube, etc. I like it because (1), the kids can't wander off with it to their rooms and break it, (2) it can't be left behind in a cab, in someone's house, or wherever else my kids manage to forget it, and (3), it's much easier to repair if something breaks. I used to work in IT so it's easy for me to open up the desktop case and replace or upgrade a video card, add memory, or replace a hard drive. Laptops, most everything is on-board and costs $500+ to replace a part and you have to ship it off if it's under warranty. I can fix desktop problems on my own the same day.

I have never had a laptop that lasted much longer than 2 years. They overheat, get dropped, and battery life wanes, basically turning it into a desktop since you can't use it very long without recharging.

We did just purchase a laptop for our oldest DD - who is starting college in August. I'm hoping it will last through her first 2 years of school, but doubtful. But, she spends a lot more time out of the house than I do.

 

[Tauwillow]

Our home has 4 laptops and one desktop. The desktop is ELEVEN YEARS OLD, and still outperforms two of the laptops.

I think we will always have a desktop in the house!

 

[PHXscuba]

I was a typesetter for years, and use a keyboard & monitor more intensely than a casual user. So I want full-size equipment. My present desktop is the Apple iMac with a 27" screen. Behind the screen is the CPU, so there's no big box taking up space somewhere, only the monitor. And it's nice to look at. I can actually place 2 letter-size documents side-by-side on the screen and read back and forth, such as for proofreading or updating, or just doing 2 things at once. Or I can open mail in one area, and keep my work open in other areas. I love all my monitor space, and I use every inch. My fantastic Apple wireless keyboard and mouse are also part of the dream set-up I have. If Apple made a 40" inch screen, I could find a way to use up all that space, too.

I agree with this. If you do a lot of typing it is nice to have a full-size keyboard and a big monitor to see everything you are doing. I get claustrophobic using our laptops because I can't see the whole document or website screen and I have to scroll everywhere. Someone else also pointed out that for the same price you can get a nicer desktop than a laptop.

PHXscuba

 

[luvdisney00]

I also love having a desktop. When mine broke a year and a half ago I bought an iMac and my husband kept asking if I was sure I didn't want to go with a Macbook, but I was sure. I have a netbook and an iPad but I like to sit at my desk and type anything longer than a few sentences. I also use a windows desktop at work and we have ipads and laptops available for us to use. I'd go with whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[piglet50]

thanks so much for all of the advice. we're going to compare prices between a new laptop and desktop during the back to school sales with no sales tax weekend here in nc. I think I do want the desktop. it's just more comfortable to me when i'm typing. dh says maybe a new laptop to hook up to the monitor and keyboard. we'll see.

 

[angierae]

Personally, I hate desktops. I hate being tied to ine location in the house. If I want to watch a movie in bed, I can take the laptop. If I want I do something in the kitchen, I can take the laptop. If I want to browse Facebook while watching tv in the tv room - laptop. Of course, we don't have small kids and everyone in our house has their own laptop.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I just replaced my old desktop last December. Everyone in our family has laptops, smart phones and Kindle Fires but I still only use my desktop. I never even turn on my laptop unless I take it on vacation with me.

I will always have a desktop.

 

[Planogirl]

I love our desktop. We have gamers here though.

DH has a laptop but no one else wants one. I have no use for one myself.

 

[dansamy]

I love our desktop. We have gamers here though.

DH has a laptop but no one else wants one. I have no use for one myself.

Gamers here too. Hands down, desktops get you more power for less money.