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Laptop V Desktop specs

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.

Comments

  • 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
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • roddydogs
    roddydogs Posts: 7,479 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    But you can plug in a different screen/keyboard/mouse into the laptop, cant you?
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • gonzo127
    gonzo127 Posts: 4,482 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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)
    Drop a brand challenge
    on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
    10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
    20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
    30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)
  • SailorSam
    SailorSam Posts: 22,754 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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.
    Liverpool is one of the wonders of Britain,
    What it may grow to in time, I know not what.

    Daniel Defoe: 1725.
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    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.
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