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Shall I go for a desktop or laptop?

Middy
Middy Posts: 5,394 Forumite
My friend's dad had a look at my PC and he said that if I did replace my HDD, something else may go due to the age of the PC.

My parents will be partially funding for a replacement. I am not too sure if I wanted a laptop or a desktop.

I currently have a desktop. I have no issues with space.

I will be using the computer every day for internet (social networks, downloading music, watching video clips). Plus I will use it for a few MS Office files. The only game I play is Football Manager - the min specs are 2.0 GHz and 1.0Gb RAM
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Comments

  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 16 October 2012 at 1:37PM
    3.5 years isn't old.

    something else may go, but something else may not is more likely. Unless you do a disk diagnostic, you won't know if the disk has failed for sure.
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • Cisco001
    Cisco001 Posts: 4,182 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Personally would go for desktop if you don't need to move around. They are easier and cheaper to fix if there is any problem.

    How old is your existing machine and what is the specification?
  • Desktops do give you more bang for the buck, they are easier to upgrade and repair etc

    That said, what you say you require is not resource hungry and so even an entry level laptop would probably do what you require. The only real question then is if being able to be mobile (even if it is just around the house) worth the challenges of having something that is closed to a sealed unit?

    Personally I like occasionally bringing the laptop infront of the TV rather than having to decamp to the back bedroom but then these days as many people have tablets for that kind of thing
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I like sitting here, lap top on my er 'lap'

    Watching the telly, cuppa tea,

    Laptop every time for me.....
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • googler
    googler Posts: 16,103 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Middy wrote: »
    My friend's dad had a look at my PC and he said that if I did replace my HDD, something else may go due to the age of the PC.

    Replacing the HDD will not, of itself, cause any other component to 'go'. A new HDD will not stress the other components, won't have to mechanically fit in with other components, it's.... just a replacement drive.
  • grumpycrab
    grumpycrab Posts: 5,031 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    If money is unlimited then laptop; if you need something portable then laptop; otherwise desktop. More reliable.
  • Guardsman
    Guardsman Posts: 991 Forumite
    Desktop for the larger monitor and the use of a proper mouse.
    I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    Make and model number of current desktop?
  • Don't replace your current desktop unless you have to. The desktop that I've at home is over 7 years old (had to change the hard drive once) and it still going strong for light usage.
  • booler
    booler Posts: 1,365 Forumite
    googler wrote: »
    Replacing the HDD will not, of itself, cause any other component to 'go'.
    I think perhaps he meant that it may not be worth replacing the HDD because of the age of the machine.

    In other words something else might go because of its age rather than as a consequence of fitting a new HDD?
    "Some folks are wise and some are otherwise." - Tobias Smollett
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