Laptop V Desktop specs

roddydogs

Leaving aside the usual "Laptops are more likely to go wrong/Get stolen" bit. it would seem that laptops are actually cheaper now, based on spec.....The cheapest Dell LT is £329, so is the Desktop.............the spec seem to be virtually the same, BUT you dont get a screen, or wireless connection with the Desktop.........so surely this make it the better buy? Discuss.

dispossessed

For the average home user I think laptops make a better buy. They take up less space and if you do need to have a tech look at it, you can take it to them - thus saving money on repairs.

Trevor

macman

If working on a cramped keyboard and a 15 inc screen at the wrong height is not an issue, go for a laptop.
IMHO the 'lack of space' argument is the only valid one for choosing a laptop over a desktop if it's never going to leave the house. And a modern all-in-one or slimline tower unit doesn't take up much space at all.

roddydogs

But you can plug in a different screen/keyboard/mouse into the laptop, cant you?

macman

True, but it rather makes purchasing one in the first place a bit pointless...
There's also the upgradabiity and fixability factor in a PC's favour.

gonzo127

the spec might seem simular however a lot of it is a little misleading,

mobile CPU's are not as powerful as the same 'speed' or version desktop one
mobile GPU's are not as powerful as the same version in a desktop PC
you usually end up with a slower hard drive (5400rpm vs the 7200rpm)

SailorSam

I'm as blind as a bat and like the desktop 'cos i can have a bigger screen and keyboard.
I can see all the benefits of a Lappy though for those who want to take their computer on the move.

Hammyman

roddydogs wrote: »

Leaving aside the usual "Laptops are more likely to go wrong/Get stolen" bit. it would seem that laptops are actually cheaper now, based on spec.....The cheapest Dell LT is £329, so is the Desktop.............the spec seem to be virtually the same, BUT you dont get a screen, or wireless connection with the Desktop.........so surely this make it the better buy? Discuss.

Not if speed is your priority. A desktop with the same CPU, RAM etc will always be faster than a laptop because its not designed to run as cool and power miserly as possible. Take laptop hard drives - very few are 7200RPM yet many 3.5" ones are.

Also everything in the case in the desktop is upgradable. With the laptop you've literally got a CPU upgrade, RAM and HDD.