Desktop Replacment Laptops are silly

[venk]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: venk
SFF PCs are easy to transport also and they are a LOT cheaper and if you go wireless, the only cables you need are two power cables and a Monitor cable. Even if you have a full desktop i'm guessing youa ren't walking up 40 flights of stairs to your friends place. It's not like desktop computers are absolute bricks.

I disagree venk, a SFF PC is easy to transport, but you still need to lug around a monitor.

15" LCD flat Panels are tiny and besides most of this stuff will be in your car for the majority of the trip. Besides, is a little extra work once a week really worth forking over $2 grand for something that will be completly outdated in 1 year and is pretty much non-upgradable?

Still takes up more space on a desk, and a comparable 15" LCD is going to add considerable cost to the premium you're already paying on the SFF PC. In addition to that, you're also limited on your upgrade components in the SFF PC, just like the laptop. Not to mention that a lot of college students don't want to spend the time researching how to put a SFF PC together.

1)SFF are usually sold in barebones configurations, just add CPU and RAM, presto. I'm not talking about the dumb blond pysch major who wouldn't sleep with you, i'm talking more about people with decent computer knowledge spending 2 grand on these. If you want more upgrade options than a SFF PC, get a mini-tower.

2)If asthetics is the only reason, I can't argue with that. Some people spends LOTs more than 2K trying to improve the aesthitcs of a living space.

3)15" LCD's are dirt cheap, you can get them for $150 or less (AR) which covers the difference between a budget desktop and a budget laptop but doesn't close to covering the difference between a high end PC and a "gaming laptop" with similar specs.

1) CPU installation, RAM, Hard Drive Installation, Keyboard, Mouse, Floppy Drive, DVD+/-R/RW, and Video Card. Not to mention worrying about which video cards will fit in the SFF PC, and which hard drives may overheat with the SFF PCs. Add to that most of them only have 2 memory slots.

2) Space is a valuable resource in college, especially with extremely small dorm rooms. To some people it's invaluable. So if you have a very good performing laptop, it may make all the difference.

3) Most desktop replacement laptops come with 17" XGA monitors, which are damn good quality.

1)All of which the typical ATOTer can do in their sleep. If you are talkiong about non ATOTers, you can buy mini-tower and "small PCs.

2)I went to college with a 19" CRT and a full tower desktop and still had plenty of room and not that much less room than my neighbors and their laptops. Like I said earlier, you can't convince someone not to pay for asthetics, but that reason only doesn't convince me for most people, who don't really care about footprint, that a desktop replacment is a good idea.

3)Still, a quality 17" WS LCD can be had for $300, closer than before, but still a good $700 cheaper than a Desktop replacment.

 

[DigDug]

All I'm comparing what we got roughly for that money. Now if you have no problems with dropping another 2-3 grand on a TV, more power to you, but thats not the discussion. All I'm saying is that gaming laptops are not worth the premium.

All you are doing is making no sense. They are worth the "premium" if it provides you with the functionality you desire. I travel on weekends and like to bring a computer with me - the desktop replacement is perfect as it allows me to have just one desktop-style computer with all my work and software on it that is portable *enough* to take on the train to my parent's home or my girlfriend's place where I'll spend the weekend. I don't tote it around every day, but every so often. It's PERFECT for my needs.

If you are proud of throwing together a computer from Newegg and staples rebates, then just say so.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I'm playing Oblivion while laying in my bed until I get tired. Let me know when your SFF can do that.

i'm playing oblivion on my 32" LCD TV/MONITOR while laying in bed, lemme know when your 17" Screen can do that considering we probably payed the same price for all the hardware.

Yes, but I'll be playing Oblivion from my hotel bed when I have to go to Washington DC in a few months. Plus I can play Oblivion and watch the Colbert Report at the same time 😛

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: venk
SFF PCs are easy to transport also and they are a LOT cheaper and if you go wireless, the only cables you need are two power cables and a Monitor cable. Even if you have a full desktop i'm guessing youa ren't walking up 40 flights of stairs to your friends place. It's not like desktop computers are absolute bricks.

I disagree venk, a SFF PC is easy to transport, but you still need to lug around a monitor.

Mod a 7" lcd on the side ftw?

Might as well get an old "portable" circa 1992.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I'm playing Oblivion while laying in my bed until I get tired. Let me know when your SFF can do that.

i'm playing oblivion on my 32" LCD TV/MONITOR while laying in bed, lemme know when your 17" Screen can do that considering we probably payed the same price for all the hardware.

sure, I can just hook up my Inspiron's dvi cable to the 42" LCD in my bedroom and play Oblivion while laying bed too...what's your point? Did you think that laptop's don't have external monitor connections or something?

Yeah, but you payed $2000 for your laptop (assumption on my aprt considering what gaming laptops go for) and I payed $2000 on my desktop AND my 32" TV. All I'm comparing what we got roughly for that money. Now if you have no problems with dropping another 2-3 grand on a TV, more power to you, but thats not the discussion. All I'm saying is that gaming laptops are not worth the premium.

I thought the thread was about how "Desktop Replacement Laptops are silly" since that's what the thread title is. Indeed they are not silly, otherwise manufacturers wouldn't be making them. You can't win this argument venk. People actually use their laptops as replacements for their desktops since there are some uses that desktops/sff's are just not well suited for. Working in multiple locations, playing video games on vacation, on a plane, in a train (but not in the rain 😉). I'm not dissing SFF's because they are functional and look aesthetically pleasing in addition to being decent gaming machines. But it's not as mobile as a laptop. I do cede the price point issue since there are some tradeoffs to that mobility. But to discount the whole market segment because of it is a little premature.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: venk
SFF PCs are easy to transport also and they are a LOT cheaper and if you go wireless, the only cables you need are two power cables and a Monitor cable. Even if you have a full desktop i'm guessing youa ren't walking up 40 flights of stairs to your friends place. It's not like desktop computers are absolute bricks.

I disagree venk, a SFF PC is easy to transport, but you still need to lug around a monitor.

15" LCD flat Panels are tiny and besides most of this stuff will be in your car for the majority of the trip. Besides, is a little extra work once a week really worth forking over $2 grand for something that will be completly outdated in 1 year and is pretty much non-upgradable?

Still takes up more space on a desk, and a comparable 15" LCD is going to add considerable cost to the premium you're already paying on the SFF PC. In addition to that, you're also limited on your upgrade components in the SFF PC, just like the laptop. Not to mention that a lot of college students don't want to spend the time researching how to put a SFF PC together.

1)SFF are usually sold in barebones configurations, just add CPU and RAM, presto. I'm not talking about the dumb blond pysch major who wouldn't sleep with you, i'm talking more about people with decent computer knowledge spending 2 grand on these. If you want more upgrade options than a SFF PC, get a mini-tower.

2)If asthetics is the only reason, I can't argue with that. Some people spends LOTs more than 2K trying to improve the aesthitcs of a living space.

3)15" LCD's are dirt cheap, you can get them for $150 or less (AR) which covers the difference between a budget desktop and a budget laptop but doesn't close to covering the difference between a high end PC and a "gaming laptop" with similar specs.

1) CPU installation, RAM, Hard Drive Installation, Keyboard, Mouse, Floppy Drive, DVD+/-R/RW, and Video Card. Not to mention worrying about which video cards will fit in the SFF PC, and which hard drives may overheat with the SFF PCs. Add to that most of them only have 2 memory slots.

2) Space is a valuable resource in college, especially with extremely small dorm rooms. To some people it's invaluable. So if you have a very good performing laptop, it may make all the difference.

3) Most desktop replacement laptops come with 17" XGA monitors, which are damn good quality.

1)All of which the typical ATOTer can do in their sleep. If you are talkiong about non ATOTers, you can buy mini-tower and "small PCs.

2)I went to college with a 19" CRT and a full tower desktop and still had plenty of room and not that much less room than my neighbors and their laptops. Like I said earlier, you can't convince someone not to pay for asthetics, but that reason only doesn't convince me for most people, who don't really care about footprint, that a desktop replacment is a good idea.

3)Still, a quality 17" WS LCD can be had for $300, closer than before, but still a good $700 cheaper than a Desktop replacment.

1) Last time I checked, the typical ATOTer was not nearly representative of the majority of PC users. The majority of PC users would not be able to put these systems together easily. Also, those mini-tower and "small" PCs still don't come down to the size of Desktop Replacements.

2) No use in arguing.

3) A similar SFF PC compared to the Dell XPS M170 will run you roughly $1700. That's only $300 less than the Dell XPS M170, and doesn't include the warranty Dell provides you.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I'm playing Oblivion while laying in my bed until I get tired. Let me know when your SFF can do that.

i'm playing oblivion on my 32" LCD TV/MONITOR while laying in bed, lemme know when your 17" Screen can do that considering we probably payed the same price for all the hardware.

sure, I can just hook up my Inspiron's dvi cable to the 42" LCD in my bedroom and play Oblivion while laying bed too...what's your point? Did you think that laptop's don't have external monitor connections or something?

Yeah, but you payed $2000 for your laptop (assumption on my aprt considering what gaming laptops go for) and I payed $2000 on my desktop AND my 32" TV. All I'm comparing what we got roughly for that money. Now if you have no problems with dropping another 2-3 grand on a TV, more power to you, but thats not the discussion. All I'm saying is that gaming laptops are not worth the premium.

It is, if it fits your needs and budget IMO venk 🙂

 

[mugs]

The amount of times I need to use my laptop someplace where there isn't an electric outlet is pretty low. It's portable, that's all that matters. I'm not going to throw my PC and an LCD in my carry-on bag and take it on a plane. I don't use my laptop on the plane, I use it when I get to where I'm going.

 

[DigDug]

But it's not as mobile as a laptop. I do cede the price point issue since there are some tradeoffs to that mobility. But to discount the whole market segment because of it is a little premature.

He just wants to feel good about building himself a 'puter. That's all.

 

[skyking]

silly for my use, but not for the new project manager. He will be using at the field office 3 days a week, and won't leave it there for security reasons. It will go from field office to car to main office, and that's about it.
He will be using autocad LT on it, as well as the usual apps. The 17" screen will make autocad bearable.

 

[Zenmervolt]

You try taking a SFF PC on a business trip. Or to and from the office every day.

Battery life on my old DTR was about 3.5 hours when new. That's plenty.

ZV

 

[stinkynathan]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: venk

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I'm playing Oblivion while laying in my bed until I get tired. Let me know when your SFF can do that.

i'm playing oblivion on my 32" LCD TV/MONITOR while laying in bed, lemme know when your 17" Screen can do that considering we probably payed the same price for all the hardware.

Yes, but I'll be playing Oblivion from my hotel bed when I have to go to Washington DC in a few months. Plus I can play Oblivion and watch the Colbert Report at the same time 😛

Playing Oblivion on the sh!tter FTW!

 

[SampSon]

Laptops are cheap now.
They are great as a portable desktop replacement.
Your opinion sucks and is mostly based on your weak wallet.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: venk
how can you take notes in class when the battery life won't even make through a single class?

outlets...


anyway, telling other people what is worthless to them is retarded.

 

[AndrewR]

I might be one of the few that has actually traveled with a SFF and an LCD (17", only one I have), and I can vouch for the fact that it is NOT the equivalent of traveling with a laptop. Not even close. I had the SFF case, the monitor, three cables, a mouse, a keyboard, and small speakers and speaker cables -- ALL of which is taken care of with a laptop (though obviously speaker sound is less capable).

At home with my laptop, I can use it in the bedroom, the living room while watching TV, or in the kitchen -- all I need is an outlet (I don't have a desktop replacement, but I use it more corded than cordless so I don't have to worry about the power). Could I do that with a SFF PC? Sure, but it would be biggest PITA.

Are they (desktop replacements) more expensive? Sure. Are there reasons for the expense? Sure again.

 

[BigJ]

Also, just to stress how viable and how they can be affordable (DTR that is), check out this deal from Dell:

XPS M170 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife?
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce? Go 7800 GTX
Hard Drive 60GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 1 Gigabit Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives Featured Upgd-8xCD/DVD burner(DVD+/-RW)w/dble-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) PC-cillin Internet Security: AntiVirus, Firewall, Spyware removal 15-months
Primary Battery 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (80 WHr)
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
XPS Specialized Support Inspiron XPS, Specialized Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service, Support
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience
TOTAL:$1,408.00

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: venk
Why pay double the price for the same (or less) amount of performance consider you can't use the lapto on the road due to horrendous battery life.

Whats the appeal? The whole point of a laptop is shot with the bad battery.

😕

Well, it makes sense for me. When I move back to America, I can throw this powerful, little laptop in a carry on. If I were to buy a comparable desktop, I'd either have to spend in the hundreds to ship it safely back or just throw it in the gutter

 

[InlineFour]

I agree. Either get a desktop or a portable laptop.

 

[swtethan]

my laptop does all i want it to do, but sometimes i wish it could play some games also

 

[her209]

Powerful desktop + slower laptop + XWindows

 

[Imaginer]

All I can say is this....

DTR notebook = 1 physical component for a computer = (I.E notebook) for complete computer functionality in <holds hands together to form a 17" size notebook form> size.

SFF PC = 3 physical components for BASIC computing functionality (LCD monitor/CRT monitor; SFF box; keyboard) plus multiple cords plus the total physical volume of each taking about <forms hands to show desk real estate it would typically take up> desk space - assuming you have desk space to work with. - and not including the 2 other components of basic 2.1/4.1/5.1/6.1/7.1/anything sound speakers, and a mouse.

Sorry, but some people do want the interm performance that lasts about 2 years in a nice form. If they want better, FS/FT forums or EGay FTW.