Better to buy tricked out laptop and docking, or smaller laptop and desktop

[CaptainKahuna]

Here's my quandry: I want a small laptop for taking to class with integrated wireless (probably one of those with a 12.1" screen if that gives you a size idea). But I also want to game and have a big screen, a lot of drives and storage in my dorm, which would suggest a larger laptop.

I have $3000 to spend on PC equipment, do I:

a.) Buy a fast laptop, docking station, 19" LCD, and an external HD as described here

b.) Buy a less powerful laptop, but smaller, as described above, and spend the rest on building a good desktop PC to hook up to the LCD and sync it with my laptop when I come back from class

Advice and product recommendations if you can please. I'd really like it if you've had experience with any of products you recommend. Thanks a lot everyone.

 

[MDE]

I'd get a cheapie Hot Deal laptop and then splurge on a cutting-edge desktop after the dust settles with the R420\NV40\Socket 939\Socket T situation.

 

[JBT]

option B
Wheres the poll?

 

[Ionizer86]

Smaller = costlier. But yea, right now there's a 3LB laptop on sale for $820 from Dell. Usually 3LB laptops are like $1500. I'd get that (even though it only has a P3-M) and upgrade it with a bit more 3rd party ram then spend the remaining $200+ on desktop stuff.

Option c: the one I'm going to use in college. Pocket PC with wifi, foldable keyboard, and accessories, and a nice desktop.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: JBT
option B
Wheres the poll?

seconded

 

[CaptainKahuna]

Originally posted by: JBT
option B
Wheres the poll?

I forgot, and now I can't add one

 

[myocardia]

Option B's definitely the way to go. Gaming on a laptop works about as well as having sex on a teeter-totter. (You know, possible, but not all that enjoyable...)

 

[myocardia]

Oops, I forgot the notebooks. Here's a link to some pretty decent, thin & lightweight notebooks that don't cost a fortune, so you can also build a kickass gaming rig: only place I know of with a large selection of notebooks at pretty decent prices. They also sell many more notebooks than just those, so here's a link to their main notebook page: link.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Option B's definitely the way to go. Gaming on a laptop works about as well as having sex on a teeter-totter. (You know, possible, but not all that enjoyable...)

Small high quality laptop, decent Desktop.


Think about it. You can get a gaming Laptop:

LCD = bad for games with a lot of movement, lower resolution, smallish size
Battery Life = Less then 2 hours, not even enough time to watch a single DVD movie on a long car ride or whatever.
Weight = A extra 7 pounds to lug around is fun for about a week then you start getting irritated. Not to mention:
Keyboard + mouse = Laptop keyboards are not designed for gaming, and touchpads just plain such.
Size = A 16-17inch screen is cool and all, but having to carry it around isn't.
And slow harddrive.

So along with a mouse + possible extra battery packs (if you care) or having to find a plug for it everywere you go.

Also think about the heat those bad boys put out. Think about a laptop being on your lap with a 3.04ghz pentium 4 less then a half a inch away from your skin. After a bit this becomes very uncomfortable.

Desktop replacement laptops are great for replacing Desktops, but they suck for gaming. If your casual gamer it can be perfectly wonderfull. It's a nice form factor. Your finished using it you just fold it and put it away.

But for gaming you get the expense of a laptop with the convenience of a Desktop and the advantages of neither.


Personally I am a big fan of ultra portables. Like some from the Fujitsu lifebook lines. Slow with 1ghz to 1.6ghz proccessors, but small, super super long lasting batteries. Some weigh in at under 3.5 pounds. Good stuff. Some are like PDA's with keyboards, but faster and infinately more userfull.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

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