desktop or labtop?

[tool]

Im going off to university next year and im getting myself a computer. My first choice was a desktop but 3 of my friends got labtops and I find there pretty awesome. So now im turning to AO for some tips. does anyone have a labtop? is a labtop as upgradable as a desktop?

thx.

[PyRo]

Desktops don't have as much of a tendency to disapear as laptops do. I don't think you can do as much with a laptop as a desktop. I would never think of playing games on a laptop either.

[davidb]

I was just playing Max Payne 2 on my new laptop earlier. [Strongbad voice] Looks-a pretty nice. [/Strongbad voice]

I just got a Toshiba Sattelite P25 and let me just say.. It's AWESOME. Like in the true sense of the word, too - leaves you in awe and wonder. Case in point - I'm lying in bed right now, not plugged in to anything (save one electrical socket), making this post. Support for wireless internet, cable/dsl internet, dial-up, whatever - with no setup required at all. It has a 17 inch widescreen display, Hyper Threaded P4 (3 gigahertz), GeForce FX, 60 gig hard drive, DVD-CDRW, and harman/kardon stereo speakers, w/ a built in sub. This thing does NOT sound like a laptop at all (many sound about like headphones sitting on your desk turned all the way up). I've watched a couple of movies on it, and it gives a VERY convincing impression of surround sound - Excellent quality. As for upgradeability, it has a second modular bay in case you ever want to put in anything else.. Though I'm not sure at the moment what more I'd want. Mine doesn't have it, but the top-o'-the-line model also comes with a built in TV tuner.

Pyro may not want to play games on a laptop, but I can't wait to play Half-Life 2 or Doom 3 on mine.

[shartley]

[FragTek]

There is no better college computing solution than getting a laptop. The ease of taking a computer to class to take down notes, type reports, do research, or whatever... Mobile computing is key for college IMHO.

[cphilip]

Yep and many Colleges are REQUIRING lap tops...

Mainly wireless connections now in class rooms and Professors are making notes and such availible on the web. And allowing work to be turned in via media. So taking the lap top to class is becoming a nessicary thing.

So get a lap top. I still think a Desk Top in the Dorm room is a good idea as well. Much easier for long spells of work. And they cheap too.

[devildog]

realize youre going to pay atleast twice, maybe 3 times as much for a laptop, 3 times if you want one that plays games.

if you do want your laptop to play the latest games, make sure it has the geforce fx 5600go video card, or the ati 9600 mobile video card, otherwise you wont be playing anything good.

[p8ntball1016]

I've never used a "labtop"

[Python14]

Yea, like phillip said, Laptops are becoming more and more neccissary at schools. Go Laptop.

[vf-xx]

Well it's been stated before, but not enough IMO.

For a laptop that will "replace" a desktop you will spend enough on the laptop to set up 2 complete desktops.

Laptops are like gaming consoles, you really can't upgrade them so when you need new hardware you'll have to shell out for another one. Also you have to take MUCH better care of it than you have to on a desktop. You break something on your laptop and IF it can be fixed your computer will be down for a while. Break a desktop and you can usually replace the broken part in a day.

When I started college in 99 I didn't have a computer. I used lab computers or neibor's computers. I got my desktop in Fall 2000 and that worked fine for me right up until now. Just before thanksgiving I picked up a laptop for the following reasons:
1. I needed to run Autodesk Inventor, which my desktop couldn't run without reconfiguring.
2. I now work 40 hours a week at a job that I can do homework at.
3. I'm not really a computer person and my desktop has serious "issues"

I picked up a Toshiba A35-S159 and its been worth the money so far. Since I didn't buy this for gaming I didn't shell out for the high end video, but I did go for wi-fi and stuff.

If you decide to go for a laptop make sure that you can actually use what you're getting. Make sure that your school has WiFi networks and if so find out what type (B or G).

As for taking the laptop for class to take notes. I keep hearing about it but I have yet to see it. Generally people can write faster than they can type. Plus if you're taking math or engineering classes it won't help you for notes either.

Also realize that there are upkeep costs associated with it. In the case of a laptop you have battery costs. Generally batteries will only lasts about 1.5 years. These batteries are expensive too.

Personally I'd go for a desktop unless theres an overwhelming need (not want) for a laptop.

[tool]

thx for all the info guys but for now i think im gonna stick with a desktop mainly for $$$ reasons, but its only for next year so i guess things could change. At the university im going (hopefully) they say we dont even need a computer cause they have some there we can use.

[Restola]

A great gaming pc (any pc can type a report and browse the web) is much cheaper and easier to work on than a laptop. I think you made the right choice.

There has never been a time in the last 3 years of college that I've wanted/needed to take my computer out with me.

[p8ntball1016]

Originally posted by Restola
A great gaming pc (any pc can type a report and browse the web) is much cheaper and easier to work on than a laptop. I think you made the right choice.

There has never been a time in the last 3 years of college that I've wanted/needed to take my computer out with me.

Good idea. Many gaming pcs have excellent software as they are designed for students.

[spazzed]

Originally posted by tool
thx for all the info guys but for now i think im gonna stick with a desktop mainly for $$$ reasons, but its only for next year so i guess things could change. At the university im going (hopefully) they say we dont even need a computer cause they have some there we can use.

They'll have labs n' stuff, so you'll be fine

Our library even has laptops we can check out & roam around (the library with)..good stuff

[PyRo]

I was planning on getting a laptop for school. After being here for a semester though I see no need. I have yet to see one person take a laptop to class, and yes we have wireless internet and they are allowed to take them.
I personally think I am better off hand writting notes then typing them. It helps me to remember them better. I see no reason to transport a computer for me rather than to pull stuff of my digital camera.
I know the school down the street requires laptops and most people there don't reallly use them too much. They are all rich so they don't complain about being forced to buy very overpriced computers through the school.