Question for those with a LAPTOP AND DESKTOP?

[thomsbrain]

after using my laptop for a week, i realized i had no need for a desktop and sold mine to my brother. my laptop will handle anything i can throw at it (i do tons of super-intense audio work, for example) and then some, even games and things. the downside is it weighs a ton and it was expensive. as for storage, i just threw my desktop's 200 GB hard disk in a cheap USB 2.0 enclosure and I was good to go.

desktops are great for cheap speed, but if you're already shelling out for the laptop, a seperate desktop is kinda pointless. better to spend it all on a killer laptop.

 

[Abhi]

I just use a desktop replacement laptop

 

[dmurray14]

I have a 1.5ghz desktop as well as a 2ghz laptop, and I rarely use the laptop. When I do, its for crusin the net while watching tv or taking it on trips. That's about it.

 

[edro]

Since I graduated college, I have used my laptop once... (in 8 months) and that was as a portable picture holder to dump my digicam pics to.

It just sits in my closet.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: edro13
Since I graduated college, I have used my laptop once... (in 8 months) and that was as a portable picture holder to dump my digicam pics to.

It just sits in my closet.

I'll buy it from you for $50.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: edro13
Since I graduated college, I have used my laptop once... (in 8 months) and that was as a portable picture holder to dump my digicam pics to.

It just sits in my closet.

I'll buy it from you for $50.

I'll bid $60!!

 

[hdeck]

i have both. back when my laptop battery and wireless card worked it was great to have for campus and class. now it just sits there like a slightly more mobile desktop.

*note* of course the battery screwed up and the wireless card died after warranty was out

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Abhi
I just use a desktop replacement laptop

Similar experience: make use of a DTR and a file server. Also have a number of peripherals (storage, optical devices, etc) connected over 1394a. Specification-wise, my DTR doesn't really want for anything (in the most non-braggart manner, my DTR blows by most desktops), and was reasonably priced for the power it grants. Cannot see going back to a desktop in the near future.

One curious note:

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.

These could, of course, be connected to a notebook as well.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: edro13
Since I graduated college, I have used my laptop once... (in 8 months) and that was as a portable picture holder to dump my digicam pics to.

It just sits in my closet.

I'll buy it from you for $50.

I'll bid $60!!

it can be a 486DX with a 10 inch LCD with 20 dead pixels and a dead battery and a 5.25 inch floppy drive...

 

[ElFenix]

school has wireless, plus i don't like to work on my desktop because it is way too tempting to play a game or do something other than studying. so i'll take the notebook to the guest bedroom or the local library and do my work there.

 

[slydecix]

I bought a laptop to take with me to New York this summer and now I use both that and my desktop at school. It's extremely useful to have for me, cuz if I have to go home for the weekend (I live close by, just 45min away) I can just toss my laptop in my bag and go.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: jumpr
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?

I use both. I have an amd 64 3200, 36gb raptor, 200gb maxtor, ati 9800 pro for a desktop

and an HP 1.7m new laptop.




My laptop what I use mainly for work. If my job wasn't an information systems specialist I would probably just get a nice pda and sell my laptop

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

I had built my desktop about a year before college, then I found out Virginia Tech required me to have a laptop if I was going into engineering... which is why I have both.

Its been nice to be liberated from my dorm/apartment whenever I needed a computer with my particular suite of applications installed... and absolutely invaluable when I was on vacation in Greece, no matter where I was i could unloaded my digital camera's contents onto an HD and delete the card. I live off-campus this year, so its good to be able to just throw my laptop in my bag and get online anywhere I need to.

Gaming on laptops is pretty pointless in my opinion if you've got a primary desktop system... any game released in the last 2-3 years will chew up your battery in half an hour.

If you've already got a desktop system, look for something light with long battery life and a good P4 (non-celeron) proc. Centrino technology is excellent. Skimp on the video card - you wont need much horsepower there.

And hey, if you've got a good budget to go on:
http://www.panasonic.com/computer/toughbook/home.asp

I hear these things can stop an AK round. Magnesium-alloy chassis, cushioned HDs... ready for the torture that is college life.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

I got rid of my laptop... heavy ass dell 5100 (not very useful if I can't lug it around without breaking my back)

I'll stick to my desktop for now until a good deal comes up on either a mac powerbook or a ibm thinkpad.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Wrong forum.

I use my desktops for normal things like email, writing, surfing, testing software, etc. My laptops I use for sufing from some place other than my desk, writing while I'm out somewhere, etc.

Definitely think about what you want to use it for. If you want portability, an 8lbs + notebook is a mistake.

 

[JoeKing]

I do a little consultation work on the side. And it really impresses the clients when I show them what I have in mind with my nice big 15.4" WSXGA display

I still havn't made enough to justify the notebooks cost, but oh well. Desktop for the production work, and laptop for portable power.

 

[rgwalt]

I have both. My research fellowship for grad school bought me my laptop though, so I didn't have to make the investment. If I had to choose between the two, I would choose my desktop any day. However, the laptop has been invaluable to me as a graduate student. I keep it in my office at work as my primary computer, and I use only use the Linux boxes to run code. I take the laptop anywhere I need to go to give presentations (class, conferences), and I take it to meetings and seminars to take notes or for entertainment.

However, as an undergrad, I bought a laptop thinking I would take it to class with me, or have it to use in the library, etc. As it turned out, I only used it once every 2 or 3 months. My undergrad program provided a very nice computer cluster for us to use though, so I was rarely without ready access to a machine.

$1000 to $1500 is a lot of money to drop on a machine that you aren't sure will see much use. My advice would be to make the investment on a nice, *light* computer to use on campus, and keep a docking station of at home. If you can afford it, I would go with an IBM Thinkpad.

Ryan

 

[spunkz]

definately go for something light w/centrino for wireless and long battery life. If you dont truly need a laptop and you get one that is huge, especially if you already have a pda, you'll never want to take it anywhere.

some of the newer averatec models are cheap as well as functional, so thats my recommendation. I use my laptop at school, on trips, and even at home where i just need a change of scenery from my desk, either to get work done or just surf from my bed.

 

[welst10]

I have both, a dell 8300 and an ibm T21. love the setup. I mainly use the ibm in bedroom and bathroom.

 

[coolred]

I have both, a dell 8300 and an ibm T21. love the setup. I mainly use the ibm in bedroom and bathroom.

Thats ATOT dedication right there, but also an excellant idea, LOL

 

[welst10]

Originally posted by: coolred

I have both, a dell 8300 and an ibm T21. love the setup. I mainly use the ibm in bedroom and bathroom.

Thats ATOT dedication right there, but also an excellant idea, LOL

that's what wireless router is for, lol

 

[EngenZerO]

no... both are very important...

laptop is great for work. i take mine daily to work and always have it running next to my work box. i can have my aim running, my own internet browser, and all my files needed from home right there on the lappy. its also great for bathroom runs and when u feel like just laying in bed and when its nice outside and you just want out.

desktop is great for everthing else. gaming, working, surfing, ripping, etc. its the best off both worlds.

 

[CrazyDe1]

I haven't used a desktop in 3 or 4 years

I don't play many games other than WC3 and that runs fine on a laptop. Not to mention it sucks sitting at a desk to do work or answer emails or surf the internet when you can do the same thing while watching TV and being able to take my home computer to work.

 

[TwiceOver]

Laptop for basics. Desktop for games.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: amdguy
rossman, can i have your picture please?

Take your pick

The very last one is you isn't it?!