Desktop vs Laptop on Same Price :(

[mysgies]

I am looking to build a OK system in UK and after going through diffrent websites on price I got following:

Desktop Configuration:
AMD 64 3000 AM2 - 50 £
ASUS M2N-VM DH, NF430 - 75 £
250 GB HDD - 50 £
DVD RW - 20 £
512 MB DDR2 800MHz - 40 £
KB + Mouse - 10 £
Case - 30 £
17" TFT - 125 £
Any Speaker Set - 10 £

Total => 410 £ (Without Speakers)

Acer Aspire 5101AWLMi Laptop => 410 £ (http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer_Asp...AWLMi_Laptop_LX.ABH05.237/version.asp)
[
* Processor: AMD Turion 64 MK-36 - 2.0GHz, up to 1.6GHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache
* RAM: 512MB DDR2-533MHz - Low Cost Double Memory Offer - Call For Details!
* Hard Drive: 60GB
* Screen: 15.4" Widescreen TFT (1280x800 - 16:10)with CrystalBrite Technology
* Optical Drive: DVD±RW Super Multi Double Layer
* Graphics: ATI Radeon Xpress 200M supporting 128MB
* Wireless LAN: 802.11b/g - Call for advice on Wireless Networking
* Battery Life (Depending on Use): 2.5 Hours
* Weight: 2.82kg
* Warranty: 1 Year - Upgradeable to 3 Years!
* Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition - ½ Price Upgrade To Windows Vista
* PCMCIA Type II Slot
* Flash Memory Card Reader (MMC, MS, MS-pro, SM, XD)
* Fast Ethernet 10/100
]


Can some one please suggest which is a better buy, please ignore Desktop Upgradeability and Laptop movability and Desktop always outperform Laptop with same configuration (I think what I mention is same configuration).



Any other suggestion to modify the configuration is welcome 🙂

Do reply.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

Desktops will always, at the same performance level, be cheaper.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Ned Flanders
Desktops will always, at the same performance level, be cheaper.

agreed. the real questions are what you'll be using this for and if portability is at all a factor. if you're just using this for basic uses, such as typing, surfing, listening to music, etc. (which it seems), and you may want to move it around, i would go with the laptop.

just a note...i hear the cheap acers are of poor build quality but i'm not sure how the prices are in the UK or what your availabilty of laptops are so it does look like a pretty good deal for the price

 

[oynaz]

Yes, stay away from Acer. They are of very poor quality.

 

[0roo0roo]

laptop hd's are just slow. smaller platter lower spindle speed...

 

[mysgies]

Any 1 else with more on the topic

 

[BladeVenom]

A desktop usually has a bigger monitor, bigger better speakers, better mouse, and a seperate keyboard. Desktops are also easier to fix, easier to find parts for, parts are cheaper, and more compatible. They can also be overclocked, and have more BIOS options in general. RAID. Case Modding.

Laptops usually keep their value longer, although with more cheaper laptops that's probably changing. They are smaller and use less electricity. You can also throw a laptop a lot farther.

 

[bob4432]

you can't take portability out of the equation because that is the main reason to get a laptop. if you don't need portability then a desktop always wins. you are not comparing apples to apples, but apples to oranges.

 

[corkyg]

Like Bob says - the final decision really depends on your usage. Laptops are basically designed for people on the go - a mobile work tool. And, all things being equal (performance, memory, sotorage capacity, etc.) laptops are more expensive to buy. They also do not lend themselves to user upgrades.

If mobility is not a requirement, then you will get more bang for the pound with a desktop.