Laptop versus Desktop ??

[A Mum]

(Sorry if there is a thread out there somewhere already)

Okay - so first of all let's just establish that I am really dumb - so some of you might find this a really dumb topic/questions !!

My 'kids' computer is on its way out and I am contemplating rather than buy a new Desktop computer - buying a Laptop for them to use instead.

My reasoning for this is - then it's portable and I can take it on holidays with us - or if I go visit my mother or whatever I can take a laptop with me.

HOWEVER

My son is protesting - he believes that laptops are much slower than Desktops and I am doing him an injustice?

I suppose it just goes by 'memory' or what is it that makes one faster than the other,
What should I look for?

Anyway I am interested in your thoughts on this?

Thankyou in advance

[Alaska]

The Big issue here is Games you need better specs to run the latest and greatest games.
It is cheaper in a desk top to get the same specs (RAM, Speed and Graphics card) for a laptop.

I have one of each and the relatively cheap Laptop does everything from running movies, Office, old games and email.
But when the need for a serious game arrives then there is a line up for the Desk Top.

[A Mum]

Thanks for the Alaska

I don' think they play that many games - I think they're more into Facebook and Facebook type games - so I really don't know what his problem is...lol... He said his friend has a laptop and it's "as slow as" ... and I'm like - well how old is it? ... how much junk does he have on it?

But I will ask him about games.

Thankyou for that

[Dog_ger]

Desktops are far faster than Lappies.

Cheaper too.

It all depends on your needs.

The more you spend the better you get.

Lappies are portable.

Go anywhere....

I don't want to carry my 32" desktop screen too far.

You could get a faster lap top but it would probably cost you more than a desktop?

[Wedgie]

Yeah its all what bang you want for your buck.
If you want better equipment that will run faster and better you get a normal pc.
If you want mobility you get a laptop.
You can either pay more for the laptop with similar specs to a desktop pc or get lesser specs for that laptop.
There's some great laptops just below $1500 which would handle any game at the moment but you can build a normal pc for well under 1k that would do the same.

[A Mum]

Thankyou for that info

[Psyber]

Also to use a laptop efficiently at home you really need to plug it into a decent size monitor [20" plus], a full size keyboard, and a mouse to avoid the b***** track pad thing!
So, to avoid the inconvenience of plugging it in and out you may want a docking station for more money.
Those negatives stated, I am thinking of doing that with my Core2Duo laptop because I already have it, and the external devices, and no longer need its mobility.

[Alaska]

Yes the portability thing is really good. Take it on Holidays and get updates on cheap accom, weather, tides, where to eat or where not to

[Media Park]

Probably if you are "really dumb", the only question I get asked often at work about them is...

"what's the difference between a laptop and a notebook?"

the answer is that they are the same thing...

Having said that, I'd buy a laptop any day of the week over a desktop...

You can always spend more $$$ and get a better featured laptop that makes it as good if not better than the desktop.

And you mentioned travelling... Makes the laptop a given...

[Wedgie]

If he's going to be a gamer, then its a no brainer, desktop as easier to upgrade and better value.

[A Mum]

Given that he's got a playstation and a WII - I'm not going to let him play games on the PC.

It's mostly for internet searchign for homework and for interacting with his friends on Facebook and MSN etc.

Leaning towards Laptop... still deciding but..lol.

Thanks everyone for your input

[Alaska]

Hey we have all of them WII, PS2,3, PSP, Blackberry, XBox, IPhones Ipads ordered.
It is only if they(I) do some serious gaming Warcraft, Dawn of War, etc they will need a PC to get the value.

[Ian]

Given that he's got a playstation and a WII - I'm not going to let him play games on the PC.

Good luck with that Mum

[A Mum]

Given that he's got a playstation and a WII - I'm not going to let him play games on the PC.

Good luck with that Mum

Thanks Ian

He's not into games on the PC anyway - so we'll just keep it that way...lol

[Wedgie]

Yeah what Ian said as computers are the best gaming consoles around!
I suppose another factor is you can put a desktop in an area where you can easily see what's going on where he can hide a laptop in his bedroom and get up to all sorts of troubles. As he's a teenage boy this should be a big consideration!

[Dog_ger]

I have the latest quad core desktop with a 32 inch LCD screen.

Connected to LG 5.1 surround sound system.

I have a devoted room for my gaming.

I play World of Warcraft online.

I think someone is coming down my hallway to get me.

A truly fabulous experience.

Get one of these and you will never regret it.