Laptop versus Desktop

[soccerchamp76]

For college (still got a ways away, around 8 months or so) I was wondering if I should go laptop or go desktop.

So far here are my pros and cons for the desktop:
Pros: Performance:Price ratio is awesome (www.newegg) and buy the parts seperate and build my own computer; Safer (harder to steal a desktop)
Cons: Not portable

Laptop:
Pros: Take to class; if wireless cmapus, can go on internet from anywhere on campus;
Cons: Poor performancerice ratio; security; dealing with batteries

[Lasereth]

My friend had to buy one for UNC. He says that it sucks not having a kick ass gaming machine. He paid $3,500 for it (through the school's "deal" system) and it's only a 1.8 GHz P4 with a 32 MB video card. He wants a gaming desktop, and was thoroughly surprised at how cheap they were. If he had a choice, my friend said he'd definitely get a desktop gaming machine simply because they are so much more powerful/cheaper.

Are you a PC gamer, and would you actually take the laptop to lots of places?

-Lasereth

[soccerchamp76]

My senior year in high school our school decided to have a campus-wide wireless network (grade 6-12). It is pretty awesome to have my own laptop and be able to get onto the internet from the gymnasium (seperate building).
Also, with the laptop I would take it to classes and around campus but the big downside I see is upgradeability. With the desktop I could easily upgrade the video card, sound card, memory, processor and motherboard (that would take a lil more time), and stuff like that, while a laptop would be a lot harder to upgrade.

[Renegade]

Buy and build a good desktop then with the money you save buy a cheap laptop for portability. That way you can still use it in class and wirelessly go on the net, but you still got a solid desktop. I'm sure you could get a cheap laptop that has enough performance for notes and browsing the web.

[vulture]

If you are a PC gamer, I would say you HAVE to go with a desktop!

But if you're not so keen on playing, but more on getting some work done, well... thats more difficult.. so let's see...

There have been mentioned some good point in the posts before mine, so here are just a few random thoughts:

Sure it's nice to be able to have your laptop always around, but do you really want that? I'm going to college myself in 3 weeks, and I really don't want to carry 3 kilos around all the time.
It's not so much the weight, but the extra piece of baggage.
Plus you have to keep an eye on it all the time.
Especially if you have some private material on your HDD.

About the battery: The Laptop I use at work has two batteries, which gives it a lifespan of about 6 hours, at max. capacity.
Now that I think of it, thats hardly enough for an entire day...
Do you have free acces to outlets at your college?

Thats all i can think of right now, hope it helps

[charliex]

if you pay a lot for a laptop you can get a gaming machine, but battery life will suffer, so you buy a centrino with a powerpad and it'll last all day.

my sager/alienware laptop lasts about 1-2 depending, but its a 3.06HT radeon 128MB 9000 pro/m9 ( the 9500/m10 is out now) , it'll play just about any game out there, its got a dvd-r, tv tuner, video capture, removeable mp3 player , 1600x1200 , but at a cost.

then i have my tr1a( well i dont since i just returned it since the tr2a is coming out in a week or so ) its 3lbs with a 7 hour battery life, but about the best games i can play are quake and age of empires.

finally a hp ze5185 which is between the both, its about 7lbs 2.4 ghz with an M6 and lasts about 2-3 hours, it has a large screen.

with two batteries i'd get a max of 14 hours with light use, or i could get a power pad for around 20, again at a cost, i think that'd be plenty for a days needs.

The ony desktop i use now is the sever, which just serves files, so far ive had no need for a non laptop based pc.

most places you'd hang out would have power outlets i bet, i wonder if classrooms have outlet at desks now?

Can't imagine life without one now, wireless networking on battteries, can go anywhere around and outside the house.

[rubicon]

I agree with someone's suggestion about a gaming desktop and a used laptop. The only thing with a used laptop is the reliability (and outdated technology).

You didn't mention your buget but you might be able to get both. You can build a great desktop for $1000 and my dad recently bought a $1000 laptop (brand new) at Best Buy. The laptop is an Athlon XP 2400+ with everything a desktop has including 802.11g.

You don't mention your reasons for the laptop (ie: portability for doing homework, taking notes in class, etc.) but you might also consider a handheld like the Palm Tungsten series with a keyboard - if you just want to take some notes.

Keep in mind that a desktop is easy to upgrade but the rate at which technology is advancing, would you really upgrade it? Popping a $400 video card into your Athlon XP 2000+ isn't going to make it run as fast as a P4 3.0 GHz with FSB of 800 MHz. I've also found that when your CPU speed and bus has hit the wall, it's time to buy a whole new system - upgrading a piece here and there doesn't really do it.

I have an Athlon XP 2000+ desktop and a Mac PowerBook. The laptop has been indispensible for work and home - I'll never go without one.

[soccerchamp76]

The one factor would be to visit the college that I will go to and see how many students are using laptops and if their campus has a wireless network, which would be awesome.

[tekaweni]

This all depends what youre going to use it for. Want graphics/performance? Desktop rules. But if youre a student who's going to need portablity then you need a laptop.

An oft unsidered aspect is that laptops arent as easily upgradeable. Buy a Dell or IBM especially and you'll soon find out what I mean.

Hope this helps
Kim

[Boner]

How much are you looking to spend?

If the only reason you'd want a laptop is for wireless internet access, browsing, and school work, I'd go ahead and build a decent desktop PC.

Then I'd start saving up to buy the cheapest Dell, HP, or Sony (around 700-800). Machines in that range work great for surfing, and its easier to stomach having a $700 machine stolen vs. a laptop intended as a desktop replacement costing several thousand.

Honestly, I don't think I would have used my laptop much in college. They are an extra 5-10 lbs to lug around and are easily stolen or dropped. I also think back to the kid that whipped his laptop out in my Java class, and how everyone was thinking about how big of a nerd he was.

If you just want email, note taking, etc., a third option may be a PocketPC device. They work great for email, and many have the option to drop a 802.11b card in the back of them.

[Lunchbox7]

I recently bought a laptop and I love it. It is heaps faster and more powerful than my old desktop PC. I can take my computer to work, sit infront of the TV, lay in bed (good when looking at porn), take it to uni. Its heaps good. I dont use the battery that much. I just plug it in. I fully recommend the laptop. The computer isnt bad either.

[hahaha]

If you're going gaming you have almost no choice but to buy a desktop if youre thinking about playing the next gen of computer games. If you just plan on using the laptop to browse the internet or take notes, buy a cheap used one maybe. Performance laptops are not worth the price IMHO.

[Philipr]

One suggestion... How about a lap top for study, and an Xbox/PS2/Game Cube for games??

Remember, you are there for study, gaming should be a sideline. And having the good games not on your computer makes for less temptation at exam time.

Just a though.

Philip