Why We Have Two Computers

[sdelmonte]

Or rather, why we HAD two. Our desktop unit - which I bought refurbished from the Museum four years ago - has given up the ghost. There was a surge. And there is no debate here - the surge didn't work. Power supply, motherboard and video card are all fried.

I am so glad we have the laptop. But as we still want two computers, I am now in the market for a new desktop. Unless someone can convince me that having a second laptop and forgoing a desktop completely makes sense.

Any recommendations from the masses? Any desktops you like? Any brands to avoid? Is it safe to go with a laptop instead and not have a desktop at all?

Thanks.

Comments

[innerbrat]

I'm not trying to sell you a laptop, but if all your peripheries work, then I don't think a laptop would set you back very much more than an equivalent desktop - you could get a laptop, use it as a desktop with your existing monitor, keyboard and mouse and still have the laptop advantage of being portable.

[wakeupnew]

I've been functioning really well without a desktop for years; my parents' big old desktop is giving up the ghost and they're looking into getting a laptop to replace it, too. It all depends on what you want to do, I guess, and what you're using it for. I love the portability of the laptop, both inside and outside of the house; my computer is new enough that it has all the graphics and storage capabilities of an older desktop, and I find it much more convenient all around. The only time anyone ever uses the desktop in my house is (A) with a whole lot of swearing, because it's a piece of crap and it's in the unfinished, cold basement, and (B) when they need to check an email account that is unfortunately tied to that one computer.

Anyway, tl;dr, I'm not a desktop person and I've been very happy without one! My parents are essentially without one now, as everyone just passes laptops around and rarely uses the basement computer, and they like being wireless, too.

But as for desktop brands, we've had Dells in the past and they usually seem to last just about five years before totally going to crap.

[gramarye1971]

Pretty much seconding all of this. If I lived in a more 'forever home', I'd probably buy a functional desktop just to run as a dedicated home server/file downloader/MP3 storage unit/media center, but I'm too nomadic right now to consider that.

[skygiants]

Thirding! I use my laptop for everything; if for whatever reason I am forced to use a desktop, I very quickly find myself shooting yearning looks at the couch where I could, like, curl up and use the computer. But more relevantly, it's really convenient to have the portability factor when you need to use the laptop for - say - a recipe, or instructions for something that you are doing not in your office. I don't see much point to having a desktop for myself except for the larger screen, honestly.

[misslucyjane]

Fourthing. I have a desktop but it's been in pieces for over a year now--I use my laptops for everything, and backups go to an external hard drive.

[wickedtrue.livejournal.com]

I am actually pro-desktop, but I am only pro-desktop if you spend the money on it. I've got a very beloved iMac that I spent a good chunk of change on, but it included extremely advanced graphics and et al (terabyte hard drive!) so I can do everything and won't need to worry about upgrading for several more years.

It depends on what you guys really need. I've got a good, solid desktop and a netbook to let me get online, write, and entertain myself when I'm outside the house. What do you use your desktop for besides regular computer stuff? Do either of you guys have a hobby that it makes more sense that stays in one place?

As for brands, I've had several problems with Dell over the last several years. My old laptop needed to get all its insides replaced every year. I was surprised, but one of my cousins got one of the HP touch screen computers recently, and they've been really pleased with it.

[gramarye1971]

This is a good point -- for things that require advanced graphics or processing power or other media- and memory-heavy uses like recording/mixing sound, desktops generally tend to come out better almost on the price point alone.

[sdelmonte]

My biggest concern is really that desktops are supposed to last longer, and I don't want to have to buy new laptops every two or three years. I am just not sure how true this is now, given the improvements to laptops and the trouble I've had with desktops over the years in terms of being obsolete.

[wickedtrue.livejournal.com]

It's kind of still true, but more of in the general wear and tear laptops get if they travel a lot. Or get water spill over them or things like that. It isn't true at all when it comes to parts any more. Like with Dell, the same parts go into the desktop as they do in the laptop. If you want to make a laptop a desktop with the option that you could make it portal, that's a valid thing.

Again, I'm pro desktop. If you're worried about it being obsolete after two or three years, a desktop might be a better option so you can upgrade it a little easier (sometimes. if you get a prefab desktop, sometimes you can't change out certain things on the motherboard, but everything else should be find). But, you CAN upgrade a laptop. That's gotten much easier lately. Thing to remember, though, is that computers are designed these days to be trashed and bought new after two or three years because that time period can make a computer ancient because of such quick technology jumps.

I say go and price stuff that's what you want and need in both desktop and laptops. Both are really cheap right now. If you want more harddrive and graphics, a desktop would probably be better price option but not always! More people are going to laptops are their only computer, so you can sometimes get a great deal on those.

I'm being verbose, I'm so sorry! And I'm saying all this assuming you guys are going PC. If you're going Mac, it's a bit of a different ballgame. I hope you guys find something you like! :D!!!

[ceitfianna]

I think it depends what you want from it. My laptop is currently my only computer and its a larger laptop with a 17 inch screen from HP.

It works for me and I can carry it around if I need to but then I don't need it for taking notes in class.

So I think if you figure out what you use your computer for the most and do you want that portability since honestly you can get laptops with the same screen size and comfort of a desktop.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I like having a laptop and a WiFi connection, so I can work anywhere in the apartment. Nomi and I have two laptops, no desktop.