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Laptops, really that useful?

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If you need to use the computer away from home, you'd go with a laptop. For example, I use mine at school. Sure, you can use one of the computers there, but I prefer to use my own computer that has everything configured the way I want it, with all the programs I need on it.

At home, I almost never use it. Buying a laptop as a desktop replacement that you're only going to be using at home is just silly. Even if you spend $2,500, a cheap custom built desktop system will outperform it. Maybe if you live in an *extremely* cramped apartment, where every cubic inch of space counts... But there are some pretty decent micro-ATX boards and cases out there.
 
It depends on your personal situation a lot. If you're in a line of work where you're out and about without access to a desktop and need computer access, then obviously a laptop type device is the way to go. A smart phone isn't always enough to take care of things.

If you're in college and in a relatively high-tech campus, then it might not be that big a deal. Most college students can get away with a desktop in their room and then use the campus computers as need be. I would say that taking notes with paper and pencil will probably lead to paying attention more in class anyway since it's so easy to get distracted with a laptop on hand.

As everyone's already mentioned, you sacrifice some power for portability. If you're hardcore gaming like a lot of students, a desktop would make more sense since their GPUs are going to be a lot more powerful to handle the newest and most intensive games.

Battery life isn't that big a deal if it's a main concern. There are plenty of portable models out there that can get 6+ hours easily.
 
The only thing I ever use a computer for at home is surfing the web while watching TV, so for that a laptop is a must. I find myself using my phone more and more for surfing instead of the laptop though, so I think once I get a cell phone with a bigger screen like the next gen droid X instead of my iPhone I might not use a computer at all at home.
 
HardcoreRobot said:
probably not for anti-social basement dwellers

i love having my netbook when i got on trips, or even over to friends places
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my god let's not even go that far, i love having a laptop at home

bring laptop to couch, desk, kitchen, bedroom, w/e.
 
If travel frequently and need access to work/e-mail then, yes, they are extremely useful.

If you just want to type a post on ATOT while sitting on the toilet, then, not so much...
 
God Mode said:
An Ipad or something equivalent makes more sense.
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Unless you need to do actual work, in which case having a keyboard is rather important. For updating your Facebook profile an iPad is fine but I'm sure as hell not going to spend five hours drafting case write-ups on an iPad.

ZV
 
Ns1 said:
my god let's not even go that far, i love having a laptop at home

bring laptop to couch, desk, kitchen, bedroom, w/e.
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yeah, thats true... now that i think of it, my netbook is never far away... in the kitchen so wife can look up recipes, anytime TV is on to check on games & atot, ill even put it next to my desktop when i game so i can gchat with people. forget sundays too... directv supercast on and i drag that thing all over the house with me.
 
HardcoreRobot said:
yeah, thats true... now that i think of it, my netbook is never far away... in the kitchen so wife can look up recipes, anytime TV is on to check on games & atot, ill even put it next to my desktop when i game so i can gchat with people. forget sundays too... directv supercast on and i drag that thing all over the house with me.
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all this and more!
 
JimmiG said:
If you need to use the computer away from home, you'd go with a laptop. For example, I use mine at school. Sure, you can use one of the computers there, but I prefer to use my own computer that has everything configured the way I want it, with all the programs I need on it.

At home, I almost never use it. Buying a laptop as a desktop replacement that you're only going to be using at home is just silly. Even if you spend $2,500, a cheap custom built desktop system will outperform it. Maybe if you live in an *extremely* cramped apartment, where every cubic inch of space counts... But there are some pretty decent micro-ATX boards and cases out there.
Click to expand...

For the vast majority of people, they don't need a powerful desktop. A laptop or netbook is all they need. My brother finally broke down and got a laptop, his desktop which I custom built for him, hasn't been turned on in months.

Even with a work laptop, home laptop and desk pc, outside of work, I use my home laptop the most. Nothing beats doing work, school, surfing on the couch or bed.
 
I think I'll just pass on the whole laptop thing. I don't need a computer in my house besides where it is: the desk. I don't watch TV. I don't venture outside my bedroom much when I am at home except to get food, use bathroom, etc.

I was just wondering if maybe there was some justification I could have for having one. I can't really find one and the power these things have is far too little for me to justify the price I think.
 
TridenT said:
I think I'll just pass on the whole laptop thing. I don't need a computer in my house besides where it is: the desk. I don't watch TV. I don't venture outside my bedroom much when I am at home except to get food, use bathroom, etc.

I was just wondering if maybe there was some justification I could have for having one. I can't really find one and the power these things have is far too little for me to justify the price I think.
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Are you planning on moving out of home soon? You might find you'll prefer to hang out in the living room with your roommates with a lappy when you do. And you'd have an easier time affording to purchase now than when you're out of home.
 
TridenT said:
I think I'll just pass on the whole laptop thing. I don't need a computer in my house besides where it is: the desk. I don't watch TV. I don't venture outside my bedroom much when I am at home except to get food, use bathroom, etc.

I was just wondering if maybe there was some justification I could have for having one. I can't really find one and the power these things have is far too little for me to justify the price I think.
Click to expand...

If you're living with others, you might find it difficult to study at home. I lived with four other guys, add gfs and other randoms, it can be hard to concentrate.
 
I used to be totally anti-laptop. Until I got my current Acer for like $550. It handles all of my day to day use just as quickly as my old desktop, takes up a fraction of the space, and is easy to bring to a bar or bookstore to do some homework out of my house. I miss PC gaming a little bit, but have an xbox 360 when I have the urge to kill shit.
 
GodlessAstronomer said:
Are you planning on moving out of home soon? You might find you'll prefer to hang out in the living room with your roommates with a lappy when you do. And you'd have an easier time affording to purchase now than when you're out of home.
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I move in a month. I really doubt it. I'm sure whoever I live with I will not be on that good of terms with. The last part isn't a concern.
 
Capt Caveman said:
If you're living with others, you might find it difficult to study at home. I lived with four other guys, add gfs and other randoms, it can be hard to concentrate.
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I'll be living with one or a max of two other person(s) unless I find a place with incredibly great rent costs and right next to my college. I'm not too concerned.
 
TallBill said:
I used to be totally anti-laptop. Until I got my current Acer for like $550. It handles all of my day to day use just as quickly as my old desktop, takes up a fraction of the space, and is easy to bring to a bar or bookstore to do some homework out of my house. I miss PC gaming a little bit, but have an xbox 360 when I have the urge to kill shit.
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I cannot stand consoles for FPS, so... I cannot really replace my gaming fix with a console.
 
I have a great desktop system but really love my laptop particularly for use in the evenings, surfing from the sofa🙂
 
TridenT said:
I really don't see the need to make friends with them. Pay bills on time, keep shit clean, be quiet, call it good.
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I'm an introvert and even I see the good that comes out of being in socialable terms with a roommate.

I'd hate to live with you - not talking with roommates is a way to cement the "awkward" title. Nobody likes being around awkward people.
 
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