Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

I'm in the market for a new computer being that my Sony desktop is suddenly antique (6 years old) and slowing down due to low ram. Has 512MB, but can only expand to 1GB. My available ram is down to 57.20MB and it has a 80GB hard drive.

We were in one of the local computer stores and they had 30-40 laptops on display but only 4 desktops. Was told desktops are on their way out and laptops are the big sellers along with computer TV's.

I like the the idea of being portable so we're leaning toward a laptop with 250GB hard drive and 3GB ram.
Not into games but do a lot with photos and some video.

So my question is, what is everyone using or buying these days?

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4279 Location: South Cheshire

Hi Stuchamp

The company I work for does amongst other things support desktops & laptops. On the maintenance side we will charge twice as much to contract maintain a laptop against a similar spec desktop, quite simply because there is twice of much chance of a hardware failure on laptops.

The reason for this are that they are mobile and will get knocks that a desktop wont, and are more susceptible to heat damage, there is a huge amount of heat generated by the electronics and it’s just more difficult to get rid of it in a small cased laptop.

The benefits are of a laptop though are great especially with all the 3g wireless stuff built in. In the UK you can walk into most McDonalds and connect to their wireless for free at good speed Very Happy

the down side is that you have to eat something!! Crying or Very sad

.

So if you go for a laptop make sure it has a good at least 3 year warranty / maintenance contract, check whether it is return to manufacturer or if they come to your house and fix next day.

With regards drive space, you can buy additional hard drives, that just plug into the USB so cheaply these days, its not the problem it once was.

All the manufacturers produce product “roadmaps” so check these out to make sure you are not being sold “last years model”

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22820 Location: UK

I'm using a Compaq desktop (tower) that I bought maybe 4 years ago now. I like the idea of a laptop although I'd still need a desktop unit I think, if only because you can plug extra cards into them, something that you can't do (AFAIK) with a laptop. Plus I prefer the full size keyboards too!

RJ
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4279 Location: South Cheshire

Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

I prefer desktop but laptops are a handy tool for those of us on the go.

The one criticism that I have about new computers is not concerning the hardware but the Windows Vista OS... I liked XP, but Vista is a major step backwards IMHO.

It uses up much more of your RAM which makes it necessary to buy 2 or 3 gig of RAM memory for smooth running simply to accommodate Vista!

Greeney in France · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

Personally I have had laptops now for the last 6yrs, I would not go back to desktop. Yes I have to be mobile too as a forensic psychologist visiting crime sites, police stations and prisons but I think that now the price and hardware has blurred its just about preference.
The touch pad is really easy to get used to the nipple is pretty much obsolete apart from where it should be Twisted Evil

With wifi and internet getting faster the way to go is mobile, it also means if I need to work on a case I can do so in my lounge occasionally looking up to smile at my wife and kids instead of hiding myself away at a desk in my office and have them complain I am never "there"
Try getting used to French Keyboard and French Vista then you know what work is Rolling Eyes

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pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

My desktop is about 2-3 years old and seemed to be on the blink, so I've just bought a new laptop. Since buying it the desktop has behaved perfectly (do you think it knows?)
I still prefer the desktop for writing anything substantial, can't seem to get used to the nasty little panel that replaces the mouse on the laptop, but they have come a long way. Seems only yesterday my company were having to pay nearly 3K for a unreliable limited and heavy laptop.
Today you can buy one unbelievably superior for under £500.

Another idea for the laptop was tapping away at it in the lounge while the Memsahib was watching telly, but anyone who has tried this will have found the mindless noises coming from the TV numb the mind and destroy any creativity.

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

Tried out a friends laptops Wednesday night. One was a Dell and the other an HP. Both were nice units but I just couldn't get comfortable using them. Be nice to have one to use occasionally but I'm staying with a desktop as my main PC.

I priced out a custom built Dell but I like this HP.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8661593&type=product&id=1196470438977

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

Decided to stay with a desktop and bought the pc in the above link.
I'm now one happy camper! Very Happy

Computer works great and I put in a KVM switch so I could still use the old pc also.
Thanks for all the info!

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 681 Location: Hampshire, UK

Get a decent lap-top, I use a Dell, then get wireless broadband and you'll never look back. You can sit in the lounge, garden or kitchen doing "stuff" as you please. If you travel you can get a 3G card from Vodaphone and work on trains etc. It's a no brainer. Rich...

Uncle Joe · Guest

I would like to have a laptop myself. It would probably be a good idea for internet use. But, now and again I do a bit of CAD work, using one of three different programs. For that, a laptop is not at all suitable for a couple of reasons. So it has to be a Desktop for me, as I cant afford both...

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

I got a great wife! Very Happy

Last week I bought a new HP desktop and this week the 'better half' says we should also have a laptop.
So after a trip to the computer store we now have a new Sony laptop.

Since we were getting new PC's, she also decides that I need a new printer so I now have a new HP Photosmart printer-scanner-copier!

Maybe next week she'll get me a new LCD flatscreen monitor. Wink

Greeney in France · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

My missus did that I bought myself a nice new laptop and within a week makes huffy noises and keeps complaining here computer is old and slow, now we both have laptops and sit tappity tapping away in the lounge together
I had to get her an English one though as her French is crap. For some reason or other she gets me to do all the talking!! dont know why? Embarassed

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pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Quote: For some reason or other she gets me to do all the talking!!

Please, please! Tell me how I can train my memsahib to do that Greeney- without having to move to France that is. Wink

Greeney in France · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately I didn't say she doesn't talk...
Its just when a French person turns up she legs it into the garden Cool

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