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Question for those with a LAPTOP AND DESKTOP?

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I've got a 2.0 GHz P4 desktop with 512 MB RAM and a 15" DVI flat-panel monitor. I never really thought a laptop was a necessary thing to have, but my school has been expanding wireless access like crazy (hopefully it'll be in green spaces soon, but I digress) and I'm more and more seeing a laptop as an extremely useful tool.

I have ZERO intention of getting rid of my desktop, as I have a set of Logitech Z560s and a Dell Axim, and I wouldn't dream of just relying on a laptop. But for those with both a laptop and a desktop, do you use both? Or would it just be wasted money for me?

BTW, I'm not sure what brand I'll get, but it'll definitely be an Intel P4-M (1.5GHz or greater) with Centrino and integrated wireless, at least 512 MB RAM, and hopefully under $1300.

Are there any really new and cool technologies on the horizon for mobile computing? Should I hold off?
 
D

dman

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
9,110
0
76
Desktop = 'Mo Power for editing video, playing games, etc. More expandability.

Laptops are capable of some impressive stuff but are also much more expensive to do all that.

I use both, sometimes my desktop is busy video editing so I'll use the laptop for surfing.
 
N

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
I use both.

the only thing I use my laptop for is surfing the net in the tv room, watching movies in bed, and working on my website at work.

I still use my desktop for games, storage, and 75% of my home internet usage.
 

Originally posted by: Nik
I think you should post in the correct forum.
Click to expand...
I'm not after technical advice. I'm looking for personal experiences from people who have both laptops and desktops. Rather than crosspost in the SFF and the GH forums, I'm choosing to post in OT to get general responses, not discussion on the technicalities.
 
B

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
Desktop for me is my games and file server. Laptop is my general use computer so I can be anywhere around the house and be online. If I ever need to do anything on my desktop, I can always use remote desktop.

My new XP-M based laptop is rather speedy and has good battery life, not to mention cheap.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,012
431
136
I used our Compaq Presario 1500T as my "main rig" for 2 years and just switched back to a desktop with 19" LCD.

Unless you need and plan on using the portability (our laptop remained in the bedroom plugged in 99% of the time) then I would go with desktop. Plus if anything breaks, it's cheap and easy to fix.

This will be my next laptop, I like the Dell 700M but the 12" display is too freakin' small.
 
S

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
if you can afford it, go for it.

but if your "usefulness" includes posting on ATOT or checking out pics on bbzzdd, i don't see the point of having wireless web.

and rossman... it's a hp! my friend had the 300m and i played around with it. i really loved it and the build quality is excellent.
 
C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
76
Originally posted by: RossMAN
I used our Compaq Presario 1500T as my "main rig" for 2 years and just switched back to a desktop with 19" LCD.

Unless you need and plan on using the portability (our laptop remained in the bedroom plugged in 99% of the time) then I would go with desktop. Plus if anything breaks, it's cheap and easy to fix.

This will be my next laptop, I like the Dell 700M but the 12" display is too freakin' small.
Click to expand...

very nice, i was looking into the compaq equivilant but couldnt find a review
 
A

amdguy

Banned
Jun 23, 2004
529
0
0
no it is not a waste of money

my T40p is the perfect companion in school for lecture note taking, keep track of my assignment and stuff...

also allows me to work and access the internet in the campus on the fly since the computer lab are crowded, noisy and have lame computers.

at home, when i want to game, do some heavy duty digital photo work or movies, my desktop kicks in
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,012
431
136
Originally posted by: sniperruff
and rossman... it's a hp! my friend had the 300m and i played around with it. i really loved it and the build quality is excellent.
Click to expand...

HP/Compaq sucks except for:
Laptops
iPaq PDA's
Corporate Enterprise Desktops
Servers

I would buy another HP/Compaq laptop in a heart beat. Our Compaq 1500T has been 100% rock solid and turns 2 years old this month.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,012
431
136
Originally posted by: shady06
Originally posted by: RossMAN
I used our Compaq Presario 1500T as my "main rig" for 2 years and just switched back to a desktop with 19" LCD.

Unless you need and plan on using the portability (our laptop remained in the bedroom plugged in 99% of the time) then I would go with desktop. Plus if anything breaks, it's cheap and easy to fix.

This will be my next laptop, I like the Dell 700M but the 12" display is too freakin' small.
Click to expand...

very nice, i was looking into the compaq equivilant but couldnt find a review
Click to expand...

Thanks, it wasn't easy to find had to do some unique Google searches. Just wish it had a little beefier graphics card but seeing as I'm not a gamer it really shouldn't be an issue for me.
 
W

whattaguy

Senior member
Jun 3, 2004
941
0
76
I use my desktop for audio/gaming, and use my laptop in the lecture hall and in coffee shops for writing papers. There is also less distraction on my laptop...I'll get my work done.
 
J

jdiddy

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2004
3,905
44
91
Having both is definately not a waste of money. Your looking at a Centrino model which is usually not joined with a high powered video card so heavy gaming is not an option on this type of laptop. That leaves your desktop for any heavy gaming and file storage.
 

Originally posted by: jdiddy
Having both is definately not a waste of money. Your looking at a Centrino model which is usually not joined with a high powered video card so heavy gaming is not an option on this type of laptop. That leaves your desktop for any heavy gaming and file storage.
Click to expand...
Meh, I don't really game much on my desktop anyway - at the most, UT2004 is what I play.
 
D

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
Originally posted by: dman
Desktop = 'Mo Power for editing video, playing games, etc. More expandability.

Laptops are capable of some impressive stuff but are also much more expensive to do all that.

I use both, sometimes my desktop is busy video editing so I'll use the laptop for surfing.
Click to expand...

Ding Ding! Teh Winnar!

I have several of both now. I use them all (well, myself and my family use them).
 
silverpig

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
I'm gonna be getting one soon I think. I've got a desktop, a little server/seti cruncher, and a router box already. I'll bring the laptop to school (wireless everywhere) so I can do homework/assignments/surf during breaks. It'll make me more productive. I won't run much in terms of games or anything on it though.
 
G

gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
29,239
2
0
no, not a waste of money... like you, my school has wireless in many places and it's really great to be able to just work whenever, wherever. but sometimes i don't feel like getting the laptop out of my bag so i just turn on the desktop... or if i want to watch pr0n, then the desktop CRT's are bigger and thus better :p
 
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