Desktop vs Laptop

J

john95

New Member
Hey,
I am currently on a 2006 iMac and am looking to switch back to a PC mostly because of gaming in the next year or so. The issue at the moment is deciding between building a desktop or buying a laptop. I am currently a Sophomore in highschool, so this future computer will most likely also be for the majority of college. My parents are also in the process of getting divorced, so I'll be moving back in forth between two houses starting in the next few months. (Every few days)

My older brother recently built a desktop, but is a senior in college so really only has to worry about moving it around for a few more months. He recommends I build a computer on a lower budget and save some money for a netbook, which I can just use to take notes, basic word processing/searching the web in college. He says buying an expensive laptop (right now looking at Sager probably) isn't worth it because it will become obsolete pretty quickly, while I can just continuously upgrade a self-made desktop.

Basically the pros of a laptop will be mobility, while cons will be more money for less power. Pros for a desktop are more power for less money, easily upgraded, so longer lifetime, while the cons would obviously be mobility.

What would you guys recommend?

I am torn on what I should do. I haven't finalized a budget yet, but it will probably be somewhere in between $1000-$2000.

In terms of gaming, at the moment I am playing Starcraft 2 which my mac is on the bare minimum of handling. Probably will be playing Diablo 3 when that comes out. I also play some graphic intensive RPG MMOs once in a while.

To be honest I guess the laptop makes the most sense even though I would prefer building my own computer. I just wanted to get a second opinion.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

John

EDIT: Also apologies if this the wrong forum, I couldn't decide as to where I should put this.
 
john95 said:
My older brother recently built a desktop, but is a senior in college so really only has to worry about moving it around for a few more months. He recommends I build a computer on a lower budget and save some money for a *netbook, which I can just use to take notes, basic word processing/searching the web in college. He says buying an expensive laptop (right now looking at Sager probably) isn't worth it because it will become obsolete pretty quickly, while I can just continuously upgrade a self-made desktop.

Basically the pros of a laptop will be mobility, while cons will be more money for less power. Pros for a desktop are more power for less money, easily upgraded, so longer lifetime, while the cons would obviously be mobility.

What would you guys recommend?

I am torn on what I should do. I haven't finalized a budget yet, but it will probably be somewhere in between $1000-$2000.

In terms of gaming, at the moment I am playing Starcraft 2 which my mac is on the bare minimum of handling. Probably will be playing Diablo 3 when that comes out. I also play some graphic intensive RPG MMOs once in a while.

To be honest I guess the laptop makes the most sense even though I would prefer building my own computer. I just wanted to get a second opinion.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

John

EDIT: Also apologies if this the wrong forum, I couldn't decide as to where I should put this.
Click to expand...

*Netbooks are pretty good I had a gateway and it worked well for me.
Also you can afford to build a really Nice desktop and buy a netbook, I bought mine for a little under 300$.

You can get a case with a handle on it for your desktop which makes it easiet to move, the bad part is they are plastic (I haven't heard of a metal reenforced handle), but if you are careful it can be done :) and ues desktops you can keep on upgrading :D

If you are looking for advice to build a nice desktop then you are in the right place, I guess it could be contraversial but your intentions are to get some desktop build ideas to decide which to go for. I say build your desktop for 1000$ - 1500$ and buy a netbook. Therefor you get both :)

I would put in my 2 sence on what to build but I am still a little shy about it because I am not 1000% sure what most people reccommend, use and which are the best parts, but there are people here that can give you some very good - Budget friendly Ideas. (I comment occasionally on parts as a trial and error to see if every one says yay or says nay) I would say save you money, but no one ever really saves the just spend less. You always end up spending the rest elsewhere ;)
 
Last edited:
Sager is good. However, you can find decent Asus around $1500 are more value for money.
Have look at G73JW or G73JH


I do agree with your brother comment with desktop + netbook.

Get $350 dual core ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM
$300 for monitor/ speaker/ input device.
for tower, may be go for mid-range $1000 with core i5 760, 4GB RAM with AMD 6870
 
Definitely get a netbook (or a cheap laptop) and a desktop for serious stuff. A ~year ago I thought it'd be a good idea to spend $1200 on a laptop that can game and basically do all my stuff. So now I'm stuck with a Dell Studio 17 that's a bloody pain in the ass to lug around and barely fits in my bag (which I bought just so that I could fit it in and it looks absolutely ridiculous), and while it handles a good selection of games there's only so much you can do with a HD3650 and I have absolutely no way of upgrading the mammoth. I now mainly use it as a desktop anyway, which really defeats the purpose, I could've built a killer rig for the money.

And even if you do get a powerful laptop, I beg of you, don't get a 17 incher, you'll regret it. Get a small one and if you think it's a bit too small for you, get an external monitor and perhaps a keyboard for it to use when you're not carrying it around.
 
Look at his post, I think the portability seems more important, as it is for his college. But if you want for gaming, I suggest build a desktop and get a netbook.
 
Could always build the desktop with an easily portable case :/

The Cooler Master Storm Scout and NZXT Vulcan have top handles, making them easier to maneuver. The Vulcan is mATX, as well, so its portability factor is great.
 
Drenlin said:
Could always build the desktop with an easily portable case :/

The Cooler Master Storm Scout and NZXT Vulcan have top handles, making them easier to maneuver. The Vulcan is mATX, as well, so its portability factor is great.
Click to expand...
You aren't going to take those things to a lecture, no matter how portable they may be.
 
^ No, that's what the netbook is for.

However, it does make it easier to take it back and forth between houses.
 
lol

I wonder what the professors would do if someone wandered in with a desktop and set it up for class?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top