tower vs laptop

[sixpence999]

We are contemplating changing from our tower to a powerful laptop. Please could anyone offer advice on what to do and what we should go for- we are very confused. We think we will stick to windows rather than go down the apple road. Would be grateful for any advice. Thanks.

[MarkRae]

First things first: why do you need a laptop...?

[sixpence999]

less wires - portable although it doesn't need to be

[MarkRae]

> portable although it doesn't need to be

OK, so you don't need a laptop...

[craft1948]

I have one of these and I love it. I used to have a laptop but don't need one now, and the large screen is great for TV catch-up.

http://www.amazon.co....Premium/dp/B003WJ9GXI

[tamborine]

luv my Dell latitude D620 with 100+Gbs & wifi. Had it 5y & just bought a new battery. I rarely use my desktop - that's for visitors as I dont allow others on my lappy.

[wildwood]

I've had more than my fair share of bad experiences with laptops, they seem to cr@p out suddenly and are expensive to repair. Many laptops run too hot so should not be used on the lap as it restricts the airflow. Then there is the limited battery time before you have to recharge.

If you want versatility and ease of use you can use a laptop with a larger monitor, even a mouse and conventional keyboard if you want, but then use a laptop cooler under it. Then if you need the portability, it is still there.

It is easy to change/update the hardware in a desktop and you can run multiple hard drives for backup

[venator]

When components are made smaller, they are usually more expensive.

Likewise, the smaller air space in a laptop and the need for a large battery cause heat problems.

Furthermore, the lack of space makes repairs expensive, and precludes expansion.

I agree with MarkRae, if you don't need portability, why pay for it?

[Old_Geezer]

You need to know your requirements to see which fits them best. Personally I "hate" the laptop, piddling little thing that forces you to type in a confined area over the top of a "mouse substitute" pad that is awful to use such that you need a "proper mouse" taking up one of the USB ports to even approach bearable use. Not to mention the screen, or the lack of ability to modify/upgrade. But some seem to actually "like" it for its portability (or something they see in it) so who can say what fits you apart from you ?

[snags]

''piddling little thing that forces you to type in a confined area''

^ Not if you get a 15 or 17 inch screen. How many people have/need a 20 inch plus size screen?


''such that you need a "proper mouse" taking up one of the USB ports to even approach bearable use''

^ Not if you get a wireless mouse.


''lack of ability to modify/upgrade''

^ RAM and Hard Drives can be upgraded. What else would the 'average' user need to upgrade?

[sixpence999]

Thanks for all your help.

[beso]

snags //Not if you get a 15 or 17 inch screen. How many people have/need a 20 inch plus size screen? //

Big laptops are the worst. They are either heavy and loose most of the portability or ar flimsy and easily damaged. They have very poor battery life.

At work I have two 22 inch wide screen monitors and could use another. Once you have had two monitors it is hard to go back. At home we have a 19 inch and a 15 inch.

snags //''such that you need a "proper mouse" taking up one of the USB ports to even approach bearable use''

^ Not if you get a wireless mouse.//

A wireless mouse takes up a port for the receiver unless you go Bluetooth. Laptop keyboards are far, far slower to type on.

A compromise is the all-in-one construction. Decent size screen but I don't know how they go for expansion.

If you really must go with a laptop then have a look at the Asus range.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't normally type on the screen, however I have 2 screens at work and even then it seems cramped on occasion with the number of things I need to look at together. At home I have a 19" screen that is adequate most of the time, but were it larger I could change the resolution to make it easier to read and yet still have the same stuff on show. Why would anyone settle for less if they could avoid it ?

Cable mouse with transmitter or cable mouse, it still shows the inadequacy of the laptop in that it needs other things plugged into it to make it easier to use when it is supposed to be a self contained portable device.

Where are the extra bays for further drives, or the bus to plug in your TV card or whatever takes your fancy ? Let's be fair here, the laptop is woefully lacking in the upgrade stakes.

[wildwood]

to be fair to the humble laptop, you can buy mains powered 'stations' for some makes that have facilities for expansions of posts and even extra hard drive.

We got rid of the laptops but have bought a small 10" netbook for when we do need portability for email etc., cheap and small.