Desktop vs Laptop
-
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleI've used/abused/dropped/traveled internationally (high humidity destination)/banged/left plugged in and closed for months. My laptop and the battery has never burst, gone bad, caught fire. The display is fine (I always use the display cloth when closed and traveling. It's a cloth between the keyboard and screen.). I would have to suggest a top-tier laptop for you. You just don't strike me as being satisfied with a desktop. Get a rock-solid Dell Precision and you should be good to go. Pack it wide and deep with a warranty and you'll even be smiling. That's my advice and believe me when I say my laptop has gone everywhere and done everything. I frequently drive with it closed and running and in the backpack. I abuse the crap out of the thing and it just churns on.
-
I've used/abused/dropped/traveled internationally (high humidity destination)/banged/left plugged in and closed for months. My laptop and the battery has never burst, gone bad, caught fire. The display is fine (I always use the display cloth when closed and traveling. It's a cloth between the keyboard and screen.). I would have to suggest a top-tier laptop for you. You just don't strike me as being satisfied with a desktop. Get a rock-solid Dell Precision and you should be good to go. Pack it wide and deep with a warranty and you'll even be smiling. That's my advice and believe me when I say my laptop has gone everywhere and done everything. I frequently drive with it closed and running and in the backpack. I abuse the crap out of the thing and it just churns on.
Thanks code-frog. That's exactly what I needed to know. That settles it...I'm getting a laptop! :-D
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleI can hardly imagine doing development on a notebook/laptop. The screens are becoming larger but I just hate those notebook keyboards. When I joined my current company they gave me a notebook, I rejected it and they quickly bought me a desktop. I just love the freedom to upgrade my hardware as the desktop gives me. My choice is clear; for development: desktop, for other light work: notebook. With love, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
-
Thanks code-frog. That's exactly what I needed to know. That settles it...I'm getting a laptop! :-D
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleA laptop was my first system when I incorporated in 2004. I still have it. I still love it and it's never let me down. I call it 'My Axe' like a bassist refers to their guitar. When I envision you, your skills, mobility and your flair for experiences it just screams laptop. You will have many opportunities to code and sit and think in some unique places. Creativity flows from freedom. You are both creative and spontaneous and a desktop would be a horrible restraint for you.
-
I can hardly imagine doing development on a notebook/laptop. The screens are becoming larger but I just hate those notebook keyboards. When I joined my current company they gave me a notebook, I rejected it and they quickly bought me a desktop. I just love the freedom to upgrade my hardware as the desktop gives me. My choice is clear; for development: desktop, for other light work: notebook. With love, Paul.
Jesus Christ is LOVE! Please tell somebody.
Paul Selormey wrote:
I can hardly imagine doing development on a notebook/laptop.
I agree. My plan is to hook my monitor and keyboard into the laptop when at home, so it would be just like having a desktop. When I travel or want to be a geek in public, I could then write code on it "as a laptop."
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
A laptop was my first system when I incorporated in 2004. I still have it. I still love it and it's never let me down. I call it 'My Axe' like a bassist refers to their guitar. When I envision you, your skills, mobility and your flair for experiences it just screams laptop. You will have many opportunities to code and sit and think in some unique places. Creativity flows from freedom. You are both creative and spontaneous and a desktop would be a horrible restraint for you.
You seem to know me pretty well... When did you install a camera in my apartment? :~
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleNotebook, no question. The trouble is, to get the specs you want, you may need one that's over heavy
Christian Graus - C++ MVP 'Why don't we jump on a fad that hasn't already been widely discredited ?' - Dilbert
-
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleJosh Smith wrote:
but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop
Why compromise when you can have both[^]? :laugh: (nb: the link appears busted but you can see a pic from the article[^] (Google cache) here[^]). I was seriously considering getting one of these beasts but got a small form-factor FragBox instead.
0 bottles of beer on the wall, 0 bottles of beer, you take 1 down, pass it around, 4294967295 bottles of beer on the wall. Awasu 2.2.4 [^]: A free RSS/Atom feed reader with support for Code Project.
-
Notebook, no question. The trouble is, to get the specs you want, you may need one that's over heavy
Christian Graus - C++ MVP 'Why don't we jump on a fad that hasn't already been widely discredited ?' - Dilbert
Christian Graus wrote:
The trouble is, to get the specs you want, you may need one that's over heavy
That's ok. I have gigantic muscles. Thanks for the feedback.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleWhy not a nice desktop and a dirt-cheap laptop? You can skimp on processor / video, so long as the keyboard and screen are decent - just Remote Desktop in for the heavy stuff. FWIW, often i use my work laptop docked. But i don't shut the lid. Why give up another screen...
---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums
-
Why not a nice desktop and a dirt-cheap laptop? You can skimp on processor / video, so long as the keyboard and screen are decent - just Remote Desktop in for the heavy stuff. FWIW, often i use my work laptop docked. But i don't shut the lid. Why give up another screen...
---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums
Shog9 wrote:
Why not a nice desktop and a dirt-cheap laptop?
I would hate the laptop and regret buying it. Since my pleasure programming is in WPF, I need high-end hardware to enjoy it.
Shog9 wrote:
FWIW, often i use my work laptop docked. But i don't shut the lid. Why give up another screen...
Now there's something I had not considered! Excellent point!! :cool:
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
You seem to know me pretty well... When did you install a camera in my apartment? :~
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleIn no way shape or form am I putting my skills or abilities at your level. But I think you and I are like minded. Our passion is software, it's part of us, it extends who we are and it manifests itself in different ways. There are days where we could be in the most beautiful place we have ever seen and think, "I never want to see a computer again. I just want to stay here." 2 days later in the same place we would say, "WoW! The code this place would inspire would be unreal. I could sit and code here for hours." Acceptance of either statement now wouldn't preclude the acceptance of the other statement later. It would merely depend on where we were at in our creative cycles and the mental construction/assembly process we have when we undertake something we have passion for. Let's just say that I share some of your own love for what you do.:rose: One day you and I could meet, speak briefly and sit down and work separately at a coffee shop as if we had been friends for years and not need to say much. Another day we might be (with laptops present) leave the bags zipped, closed and setting at our feet and talk for hours about everything. It would simply depend on our moods and our level of inspiration at the time. Kind of scary isn't it? A person you have never met has just described you within about 80% accuracy (or maybe more) and the only common denominator is programming and the lounge at codeproject. Don't you think that Chris hoped this would happen when he launched this site way back when? Kind of cool eh?:-D
-
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleI have a desktop replacement laptop now (Alienware Aurora, bought last July) and it rocks. My main concern was noise, especially fan noise, and the laptop is so much quieter than any of my previous home-built desktop machines. It does generate some heat, though, so when I use it at home I leave the lid opened up slightly. I also don't leave it plugged in all the time, which I was afraid would damage the battery. So in the morning, I run on the battery, then once it starts to run low I plug it in for the rest of the day, then unplug it and shut it down when I'm done working at night.
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Ford, what's this fish doing in my ear?
-
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
Shog9 wrote:
Why not a nice desktop and a dirt-cheap laptop?
I would hate the laptop and regret buying it. Since my pleasure programming is in WPF, I need high-end hardware to enjoy it.
Shog9 wrote:
FWIW, often i use my work laptop docked. But i don't shut the lid. Why give up another screen...
Now there's something I had not considered! Excellent point!! :cool:
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleMy display is sometimes open for the same reason and I will frequently use it as a fourth monitor. Laptops extend what you can do and are a great tool.
-
Why not a nice desktop and a dirt-cheap laptop? You can skimp on processor / video, so long as the keyboard and screen are decent - just Remote Desktop in for the heavy stuff. FWIW, often i use my work laptop docked. But i don't shut the lid. Why give up another screen...
---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums
Shog9 wrote:
You can skimp on processor / video
On a development machine that will be running WPF and/or Vista? No way.
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Ford, what's this fish doing in my ear?
-
I have a desktop replacement laptop now (Alienware Aurora, bought last July) and it rocks. My main concern was noise, especially fan noise, and the laptop is so much quieter than any of my previous home-built desktop machines. It does generate some heat, though, so when I use it at home I leave the lid opened up slightly. I also don't leave it plugged in all the time, which I was afraid would damage the battery. So in the morning, I run on the battery, then once it starts to run low I plug it in for the rest of the day, then unplug it and shut it down when I'm done working at night.
--Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Ford, what's this fish doing in my ear?
Michael Dunn wrote:
So in the morning, I run on the battery, then once it starts to run low I plug it in for the rest of the day, then unplug it and shut it down when I'm done working at night.
That's the type of thing I'm concerned about. You see, I currently just have a desktop that stays on for weeks (prbly months) at a time. Having to be concerned about overheating a laptop is not something I want to introduce into my life.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
In no way shape or form am I putting my skills or abilities at your level. But I think you and I are like minded. Our passion is software, it's part of us, it extends who we are and it manifests itself in different ways. There are days where we could be in the most beautiful place we have ever seen and think, "I never want to see a computer again. I just want to stay here." 2 days later in the same place we would say, "WoW! The code this place would inspire would be unreal. I could sit and code here for hours." Acceptance of either statement now wouldn't preclude the acceptance of the other statement later. It would merely depend on where we were at in our creative cycles and the mental construction/assembly process we have when we undertake something we have passion for. Let's just say that I share some of your own love for what you do.:rose: One day you and I could meet, speak briefly and sit down and work separately at a coffee shop as if we had been friends for years and not need to say much. Another day we might be (with laptops present) leave the bags zipped, closed and setting at our feet and talk for hours about everything. It would simply depend on our moods and our level of inspiration at the time. Kind of scary isn't it? A person you have never met has just described you within about 80% accuracy (or maybe more) and the only common denominator is programming and the lounge at codeproject. Don't you think that Chris hoped this would happen when he launched this site way back when? Kind of cool eh?:-D
code-frog wrote:
Don't you think that Chris hoped this would happen when he launched this site way back when? Kind of cool eh?
Yes indeed. :rose:
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself, but am stuck trying to decide whether to get a desktop or laptop. I want to get a machine with Vista on it, a lot of RAM (preferably 4GB), a high-end graphics card, etc. I want those things mostly for my WPF development. Buying a desktop is definitely cheaper (especially since I already have a nice monitor). But, I'm leaving my current employer soon and will no longer have the laptop they let me use. So if I buy a desktop I won't have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment. The only solution, though costly, is to buy a top-shelf laptop and then plug my monitor and keyboard into it when at home. I'm concerned that using a "docked" laptop as my regular home PC will be bad for the machine. Is this true? Does running a laptop with the lid closed for hours/days on end cause the machine to get really hot and deteriorate faster? Thanks for any info on this.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - AristotleMy laptop is a HP ze4000 series with Semprom 3000(I realy like AMD). It's a weak specification, but is perfect to job what I use it: writing. To programming, nothing how the power of the desktop. But remote desktop is a good option too. If you will invest in a laptop, invest too in wireless network (if you have not yet), then you will really will feel the freedom of the laptop :)
:sigh: Still searching for a good resource to LEARN English grammar ... :~
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(John 3:16) :badger:
