How to choose between a PC and a Laptop?

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Becca

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If purchasing a 2nd hand PC or laptop what are the advantages/disadvantages of choosing either a PC instead of a laptop? Or vice versa?

If I just want it for home use, so it’ll just sit on my desk and I won’t need to take it anywhere, and it’ll only be for writing letters and for ‘net access.

I think one advantage of using a laptop is that some can use a lot less electricity and of course do not take up as much space.

Also, I think some laptops can have quite a large screen anyhow.

So is there any advantage in purchasing a PC, other than a PC may be cheaper?

Thanks
 
PCs are generally more expandible and powerful. But laptops are pretty powerful nowadays and expansion is facilitated by USB. For the same approximate specification (processor, RAM, hard disk, screen etc.) a laptop will generally cost more than a PC since the components used are more specialised/miniaturised. Laptop repair will generally be more complex and costly than a PC repair. Laptops are obviously more compact which is attractive even if you will not be using them on the move.
 
We have both at home and everyone prefers using the desktop. Better sound & image when watching movies/listening to music. Easier typing/mouse control (I personally hate typing on a laptop compared to a standard-sized keyboard, but that's probably down to force of habit and old age...).

You can get slimline/mini-tower designs nowadays which, when coupled with an LCD monitor, don't take up anything like the amount of space that older PC setups used to.

All depends on your priorities, I guess.
 
Unless you need the space or need to be mobile, desktop (DT) is the way to go.

Most of the reasons are articulated above. heres a few more:
* keyboards on a laptop are not as nice as DT
* can get bigger/better monitors
* can have keyboard movement relevant to screen
* if screen or keyboard die, replacable for free (loads of redundant keyboards monitors lying around). Big problem whan screen/keyboard dies on a laptop
* for similar money, you get a higher spec DT than a LT.
* add-ons are cheaper


BTW, is it evident that I dont like laptops?
 
A laptop is more mobile, you can move it between rooms. Very tidy you can put it away when not using it. Takes up little room when using it.

Thats about it.
 
Another factor is that, due to its poratbility, a laptop is probably more easily damaged - e.g. you are more likely to drop a laptop than a desktop. Well - in most cases anyway! :)
 
Becca said:
If purchasing a 2nd hand PC or laptop ...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't purchase either second-hand if I were you. The pace of technology advance in recent years is such that a model even only a few years old is likely to be a lot less useful, capable and reliable than a new model. That's why someone traded it in in the first instance.
 
New or outlet machines are so cheap these days theres little point in buying second hand old machine. A second hand new machine that would make more sense.
 
Yes - anybody thinking of buying second hand (or even new!) should get advice from somebody with technical knowledge/expertise in my opinion.
 
To be fair, one great advantage of a laptop (goes against the grain for me) is the wireless option. You can roam around the house & suff the net. Eating your dinner, watching TV, in bed, on the loo, etc.
 
BlueSpud said:
To be fair, one great advantage of a laptop (goes against the grain for me) is the wireless option. You can roam around the house & suff the net. Eating your dinner, watching TV, in bed, on the loo, etc.
Click to expand...

Bad for somebody who already has a net addiction problem :p






Does anyone think theres any point in waiting for vista to go through its teething period before buying ? Win XP caused me no end of problems with updates and service packs. In fact Win XP wasnt acceptable to me until service pack 2 came out. I'm wondering if Microsoft have learned anything from this or is Vista going to be the same ?
 
There is only one real reason to choose a laptop over a desktop and that is if you are planning to move it around different places. If you are keeping it in the same place 99% of the time, you are far better of getting a normal desktop PC. Laptops are more expensive, they are slower, they hold less memory and you are limited in the screen size.
 
In fairness you can get powerful laptops for gaming, cad work and large 17" and even 20" screens.
 
Yes - but in general desktops will be more powerful, cheaper and more expandable than laptops and for the same specification a laptop will cost more than a desktop. I'm a big fan of laptops these days though and have twice as many as I do desktops at home... :) But the point above about compact form factor desktops is also well made.
 
Of course you could get a laptop and use it as a desktop, ie just plug in your monitor and keyboard mouse or use a docking station.

Personally I use a laptop as I can use it while sitting in an armchair. (I use the piece of wood that came with this shelf: [broken link removed]. As well as been more comfortable and functional, it stops the laptop from frying my balls!

When I used a desktop at a desk it felt as if I was working when I was using the net. Now it's more relaxing. I don't have to go to the PC to check thinks like eMail ect, I just grab the laptop.

You can get very good deals on laptops atm. There was a great deal at Dell last week for €450. It's finished now, but there will be similar ones soon.

InspironTM 1501
AMD Turion 64 X2 TL50
Windows Vista Business
1024MB Memory
120GB Hard Drive
256MB ATI Radeon 1150
8X DVD+/-RW Drive
56.6k Modem &
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g
4 cell Lithium-Ion Battery (29 Whr)
15.4" Wide Screen XGA TFT Display: 1280x800
 
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