I want to buy a new computer but I have no idea which is better, a laptop or a desktop. I already own a netbook so portability isn't a problem but most desktops I've looked at are really expensive. Could someone please recommend me a fairly inexpensive desktop/laptop with good specs that will last me 5+ years? Thank you :D
abbyisme: I want to buy a new computer but I have no idea which is better, a laptop or a desktop. I already own a netbook so portability isn't a problem but most desktops I've looked at are really expensive. Could someone please recommend me a fairly inexpensive desktop/laptop with good specs that will last me 5+ years? Thank you :D
I suppose the first question is what do you want to do with this machine, play games? or surf the web etc? 5+ years is a long time for a machine, my philosophy is spend less but upgrade frequently as opposed to spend lots and expect to be good for many years.
Mainly games, photoshop, listening to music (though I'm not too fussy when it comes to speaker quality) and internet.
I wouldn't mind changing computers more often but i don't want something badly made if that makes sense.
To me it seems that laptop price and performance are not so different from desktops anymore, so it is more a question of flexibility. There are two aspects to flexibility:
One is the ability to move about the house and take the computer outside the house. Obviously the laptop wins here, but you already have a netbook.
The second part of flexibility is the ability to change/upgrade components as required. Can you predict your needs in several years time? The desktop is the better one if upgrades are needed.
However, you added this criteria...
abbyisme: ...fairly inexpensive desktop/laptop with good specs that will last me 5+ years? Thank you :D
Think back 5+ years (we are talking 2007) and name a laptop that would still be performing well today? At work we were starting to use the Lenovo T61 and this is still a decent machine... but I don't think it would have been called "fairly inexpensive" when it was new.
Think what else has changed in the last 5 years... Nokia introduced the N95 in 2007 and Apple unveiled the very first iPhone.
So how to purchase a laptop to meet the needs of 2117 and what will those needs be? Will everyone be wanting a touchscreen or perhaps something else we haven't though of yet?
What happens if the laptop keyboard or LCD fails? Repair or replace?
For these reasons I'd go for the desktop option - if space/clutter is an issue, get a slimline monitor plus wireless keyboard and mouse. Hide the tower under the desk or somewhere like that.
I would reccommend you go have a look at computer lounge. Post on thier forums and see what sort of deal they can do for you. I will have a look at electronic retailers when I get home (if someone doesn't before me).
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#99221 14-Mar-2012 22:14
