Upgrade desktop or trade in laptop

[Nana2Callie]

Suggestions needed. Looking for the best, but cheapest alternative here. Desktop is desperate for an upgrade and has no trade in value (purchased in 2005) or I could trade the laptop for a bigger and better laptop to replace desktop all together. Basic computer stuff - internet surfing, homework, photos, etc. thanks for your suggestions.

 

[wiigirl]

I honestly would go for a replacement. Upgrading usually costs close to purchasing a new one and won't get you near the speed/power upgrade you are looking for.

 

[Pigeon]

It depends on how you use your computer. I agree you probably will do just as well to get a new desktop as to upgrade. In my experience, you get a much better desktop than you will a laptop for the same price. If the portability is important to you then the laptop may be the best way to go. For me, I'd rather have a better desktop.

 

[ManyMinnie]

I'd rather have a good desktop than a laptop, so I would say purchase a new desktop.

 

[IUTBAM]

We have a circa 2005 desktop that is hanging on (Windows XP...it's crashed a few times, but I was able to reinstall the OS so that we can at least surf the internet on it, lol) and a circa 2009 laptop (Windows Vista) that has some quirks but works fine.

We wanted another laptop for our college DD to use primarily, so I got one right before Christmas. The laptop is great but I hate hate hate hate Windows 8. Call me an old dog who can't learn new tricks, but I HATE it...my husband hates it, and even though my college DD has figured out the basics so she can actually use it, she hates it too. I've talked to so many people and read so much on various PC forums about how MS really blew it with Windows 8. I would love to upgrade our desktop and maybe even buy another laptop, but until they come out with something "normal" and more user friendly, I will stick with what we currently have. Window 8 is the bane of my computer existence.

 

[Sadie22]

There is a way to set Window 8 to classic mode so that it looks and works more like Windows 7. The professional forums I frequent have people saying Window 8 is great, runs faster, etc. Our local library offers classes for those who need to update their computer skills. So does the community college (for a fee). Perhaps those exist in your community and would be helpful to you.

 

[IUTBAM]

There is a way to set Window 8 to classic mode so that it looks and works more like Windows 7. The professional forums I frequent have people saying Window 8 is great, runs faster, etc. Our local library offers classes for those who need to update their computer skills. So does the community college (for a fee). Perhaps those exist in your community and would be helpful to you.

I have computer skills (I've been using a PC regularly since 1999); I just hate Windows 8, and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. I'm not surprised the "pro's" like it, because they are probably tech-savvy IT people...I like to think I represent the average American who uses a PC for fun and recreation! lol

 

[dtstampz]

This makes me glad I went with Windows 7 for my new custom laptop from HP. It ended up costing more than just walking in to a store & buying a laptop with Windows 8, but I think I'll be happier with it. Thanks for everyone's comments!

 

[timmac]

To whatever extent you're willing to share, OP, I'd be interested to hear more details about what exactly you have now, what you're looking to get, and what your budget looks like. Answering the question as written completely in the abstract may be kind of difficult.

That said, I have my doubts you could really do much to upgrade the 2005 desktop at this point. But still, knowing details would make the discussion more interesting.

 

[Nana2Callie]

I'm happy to share details - I have an HP Pavillion a1230n desktop (paid a fortune for it at the time). Also, I have an Asus laptop - paid around $400 a couple of years ago. I have realized that the upgrade for the desktop really isn't a realistic option - the cost versus replacement - it just doesn't make sense. Now, I'm wondering if I can just "desktop" and go with the laptop. I do need to purchase new printer and would like to get a nice wireless that has reasonable priced ink without a scanner. I'm not a gamer, do basic stuff on computer. Budget... really need on the cheaper side especially since what I already have invested. Thanks for ALL thoughts and suggestions.

 

[timmac]

Sadly, the laptop probably isn't worth a ton as "trade" either, as $400 is definitely lower end anyway, and now a few years later, I'd wager you can probably fetch maybe $100-150 on eBay, depending on exact specs, condition, etc. Of course, the "good" news is that you can get a brand new one for the same price range and have something that will be at least decent for a few more years. When I hear of using a laptop as a desktop replacement, I usually think immediately of large screen and powerful powerformance, but it sounds like that may not be entirely the case here. Let me ask this: what's keeping you from using your current laptop instead of your desktop? Perhaps that will illuminate some more suggestions.

As for a wireless printer, I currently have an Epson NX420 (which does include a scanner), and the ink is very reasonable, as there are a lot of third parties that sell it on amazon (from Epson directly, not so much, ha).

 

[Disbug]

Are you maxxed out on memory? My sister just recently went through the same scenario you describe. Surprisingly she was able to quadruple her memory and the machine is back to humming along like new. (I would have thought she needed a new desktop....) So price out your memory modules and see if that is an option. It cost her $100 as opposed to $600-700 for a new computer.

 

[djmeredith]

I just did hours of research on laptops over the weekend. You can get a good laptop for under $500. I have an old Acer laptop from Wal-Mart that cost under $300 and has lasted me almost 6 years. It still works great but is slow so I decided to get a new one. I use mine for Internet, word processing, and some photo editing/designing. After all my research, I ended up finding a new Acer Windows 7 PC at Wall-mart on clearance for $290. If it lasts half as long as my old one its money well spent. I haven't used a desktop at home in many years and don't miss it!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't think I would ever go back to a desktop. Laptops are much more convenient and the prices have dropped so much that they are competitive with desktop prices.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I have a desktop and a laptop and I rarely use my laptop. The desktop is a new Dell my husband bought me for Christmas to replace and old slow one. It has Windows 8 on it. At first I hated Windows 8 too because it's not very user friendly and is so different from Windows 7. But once I got the hang of it and figured out how to work it I don't mind it too bad. If I had to choose one or the other I would choose the desktop. I use it way more. But if you are needing something really cheap you would probably be better off buying some off brand laptop. But you really do get what you pay for. My ex bought my kids some cheap laptops for Christmas and they are little pieces of crap. One already had the screen go out and it is only a year old. You can get a really hood desktop from Dell with quad processors and a TB of memory for around $650.

 

[Pigeon]

I've got a really cheap laptop ($300 emachines) as our second computer. It's about three years old and it's been great. We don't use it for anything fancy, mostly the kids use it when they both need to do homework at once and I do wordprocessing or surfing the net on it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another cheap laptop if that's all I needed it for.

 

[CocaColaGuy]

We have several laptops, and will never go back to desktops! (My desktop is a laptop that the screen went out on.)

If you decide to stick with a desktop, do you really need a wireless printer? I mean, if you go with only the desktop?

Keep in mind that a laptop can easily be used as a desktop with a USB/wireless keyboard and mouse. I have a wireless mouse for my main laptop and now hate using the touchpad, even though it works just fine.

Also, Windows 8 is a real pain in the neck! I think it would have been OK if it was partially worked into Windows 7, but it is completely new! Keep in mind that Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, etc...are all basically the same, so using the newer versions were not much different that using the older versions. Windows 8 is a radical departure from the norm. I have 8 on my main laptop, and although I am used to it, I am not sure that I see the benefits of it!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just ordered a HP laptop from BJ's Wholesale club that has windows 7 on it. Paid $600 for it. 2.5 ghz speed. I ordered it after purchasing a laptop over the weekend at BestBuy that I hate. Its a HP envy m4 with windows 8 and it 2.20 ghz but it is slow as can be. The internal processor shows it is only running at 1.1 ghz. My 8 year old Dell is faster than this machine. I simultaneously watched a news video on my old dell and new BestBuy HP and my 8 yr old Dell ran it much faster. So this HP is going back to BestBuy

I'd say a laptop over a desktop because of portability