Laptop vs Desktop

The topic basically says it all. Right now my machine is archaic and the only component I would keep in an upgrade would be my floppy drive. It doesn't even have a DVD drive, just a regular cd-drive and an 8x burner.

Basically, I'll be graduating high school and hitting college in the fall and will be getting a nice new machine, or money to put one together myself, if I opt for desktop of course. Anyways, I wouldn't mind a really nice alienware laptop because its not like I plan to quit gaming. I got to plenty of lans and quite frankly, I enjoy laptops more. Hopefully the 4200go will be out by then.

Too bad alienware's only last like 1-2 hours on a battery. =( Ah well, any opinions? Oh yeah, how is the integrated sound on the laptop ? Thanks.

short and sweet... want mobility? get a laptop.

I agree with the above, if you like mobility get a laptop. A lot of campuses also have wireless networks, so that's another laptop bonus if your school has one. Check out Dell, they've got pretty decent laptops, and they're cheaper than Alienware.

I'm in the same predicament. I think the deciding factor will be the 4200Go. But when the time to get the computer actually comes around, I think that Alineware will be up to date on the most recent technology.

The high-end Toshiba Satellite series looks nice, too.

Another feature that I'm hoping will come with the 4200Go is the option of DVI-Out instead of the standard D-Sub. Almost all laptop displays ghost terribly. This way, you could hook up a flat panel monitor at the dorm room, and then disconnect it whenever you went to class and whatnot.

I've got to go with the opposite side here. For me, the price break you get on a desktop vs. a laptop was well worth it for me. Also, think about screen size...if you can afford it, you can get a nice sized LCD...doubles as a DVD player (it's nice on my 17", can only imagine on something larger)...but that's just me.

your going to college? then laptop all the way man, you will NOT be dissapointed. the mobility plus the performance will make you wonder why you did not get one sooner. whether it be alienware or something else, im sure you will be glad you did.

I went through this dilemma last year as a high school senior. To make a long story short I went with a high performance desktop. I have not regretted this decision at all. I have yet to come across an instance where a laptop would be needed. Even the kids who have laptops never really take them out and about. There are some really nice laptops though. Good Luck

It may be too early, but think about what you'll be doing while your in college in general. Will you be living in a dorm or off campus? Your major? If your going to be writing/typing papers or into a lot of computer work, a laptop would come in handy because you could work on things whenever you wanted. I myself will be using the computer alot and have been so far (i'm a jr. in comp. sci major) - but I have managed very well with just a powerful desktop and no laptop. Sure i've had to deal with some of the crap in the computer lab (well crap in my opinion :) ) But they get the job done. I do the majority of my homework in my dorm room though, so it works out. I usually only use other facilities (library, etc..) for studying for tests and big things because there is less distractions. Basically think about whether you want ultimate portability, or more power/usability in the dorm with a desktop PC in your room. I think personally those alienware laptops are nice, but the battery power is a huge turnoff, there's no way I would want to deal with recharging all the time, or having to haul an ac adaptor everywhere. If going for a laptop look for a comprimise between power and battery life. If you go with a desktop pc then that's not even a issue, your spending power is your only limit. Anyways think about what you'll get the most out of your money for, and good luck in college (p.s. have fun!)

Money is not an issue. That doesn't mean I'm going to go and spend 5grand plus on a desktop with a 23 inch flatscreen plasma monitor with a foldout waterbed though. The alienware is a huge huge drain on battery power which sucks, but it doubles as an actual gaming machine. I'm really concerned about Doom 3 though. I have Klipsch 5.1 speakers that are just begging for it come out.

Great posts so far guys, any more opinions?

how about this. Shuttle just came out with there new Nforce 2 small factor system. Look into that with a nice 17-19LCD. Gaming plus very small size:)

If you buy alienware i will hunt you down and murder you for wasting perfectly good money on their computers. Try someting more refreshing like a Sager laptop from http://www.pctorque.com ... they are the exact same laptops (same design, same people who design them, same parts, everything except for paint job and price :p)

Lets be realistic here. You're not going to take your laptop anywhere to do your homework on it. You will end up doing all the work you need to do in your room, much as I have done myself. ;) In my opinion, get a desktop and build it yourself. You know what you're getting, can usually pick out top of the line components, and get it for much cheaper.


www.newegg.com <--- great customer service!

One of my friends just purchased a new Alienware laptop, and the gaming performance is piss poor. If your doing any gaming go with a desktop, and spend the rest of the money somewhere else.

Why not just go with a decent desktop and an older laptop to do word processing and take notes for class? You could find an older P2 or P3 laptop for pretty cheap. Ebay is king for that kind of thing. This way you will have the power system in your room and the mobility of the laptop when you need it. I bet you could put together a smoking desktop rig for around $1500, and find an older laptop for around $300 or $400. That's tons cheaper then a $3,000 to $4,000 high end laptop.

Even after looking at everyone's opinions, I'd still go with the laptop. Think about coming home for vacation and stuff - moving in and out of dorm rooms/apartments. You're not going to want to lug around a desktop and possibly very heavy monitor.

when i went to college, i choosed desktop.. guess what, i upgradaed like 90% of my system in less than 2 years

with a laptop i would never would have made the upgrade, due to high prices,. if you are a gamer, desktop no question

damn. Dude really look at Shuttles Small factor systems!! here is a link to a good review LInk here

My concern with those small form factors are the power supply, only 200w. I'd really like to put in a nice soundcard as well. Hrmm...thats really tempting. Shuttle case...LCD screen...big backpack and your LAN ready. :)

mmmmmm.... http://www.hypersonic-pc.com/2001/systems-mobile.htm
:D :cool:

I likes them hypersonic but that shuttle case DOES have a pci slot (it was listed as 8x agp/1 pci so I didn't notice it) yah! By May all the new video cards should be in full swing so I should be able to pick up something great by then.

Small form factor + lcd monitor = yah !

Think about this, also. Where are you going to find the money to upgrade a desktop if you get that? You'll be broke! And the money you DO have will be spent on food and booze.....well, ok, just booze.

ok. admitted, graphix will never match a desktop. think about this tho. When you want to go home, taking a case around is a pain in the *** unless it is a shuttle.

My brother had a choice and he went with the desktop. well guess what, he was miserable. He had to move dorms 2 times and then into his apartment, and it was such apain. he had to use campus computers at labs and couldnt stand them.

This year he got rid of his old computer and picked up a mid range dell of ebay. He couldnt be happier. since it came with a wireless card, he spends alot of time within outside and at frineds apts. and stuff. His college has a nice Wi-Fi area, with close to 20 blocks completely wireless and spots all over the city, (True free networks, not hacked war drived networks)
Trust me, Wireless laptop is truly a beautiful thing and you will appreciate it. If screen size bothers you, you can always jsut dock it back in your room.

Also, consider NOT getting an alienware. sure they are damn powerful, but battery life is a joke. settle for a high end toshiba or dell, which have battery lives clsoe to 12 hours or so under normal stress. you will appreciate it on long car trips where you can use it at a GPS unit while driving or as a DVD player when someone else is driving (I hope!) The possibilities are endless

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Originally posted by Lord Cecil
My concern with those small form factors are the power supply, only 200w. I'd really like to put in a nice soundcard as well. Hrmm...thats really tempting. Shuttle case...LCD screen...big backpack and your LAN ready. :)

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Excalty my point. Read the review they are XP3200 rdy and support the 9700 fully. Also get a cheap lappy for notes and you will have the best of both worlds:cool:

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Originally posted by downrodeo

My brother had a choice and he went with the desktop. well guess what, he was miserable. He had to move dorms 2 times and then into his apartment, and it was such apain. he had to use campus computers at labs and couldnt stand them.

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i cahnged 3 times dorms and never was unhapy in moving my computer. becuase it´s the most important thing i have. if it was a furniture that i didn´t like then i would complain ;)

Put a big *** handle on your case if moving is that big of a deal. I still say get an older laptop and a decent desktop.