Desktop vs Laptop
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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. - AristotleErrm. Should I stop reading now and leave you two alone together?:laugh:
the last thing I want to see is some pasty-faced geek with skin so pale that it's almost translucent trying to bump parts with a partner - John Simmons / outlaw programmer
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before. -
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
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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 had a similar decision to make a few months back. I opted for a laptop - a high-spec MacBook Pro with windows XP. I then bought a 30" display, separate keyboard and mouse and can use it as a desktop at work and still take it with me when I need to travel. I don't find the Mac gets any hotter with the lid closed than open. OK, it's a bit more expensive, but doesn't involve making compromises. John.
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Desktop,It all started with a p-3 450 mhz desktop. Notebook, had an IBM thinkpad, then an Acer travelmate. I sold both of them and now waiting to buy a Dell core2 duo notebook. (just waiting for the prices to come down :sigh:), 2 months back I assembled a sempron machine (desk), it's actually doing good. No worries. From my experience, the conclusion : Desktop + No heating issues. You can dare to run it round the clock. + Gaming. I prefer desktops while playing games. + You'll get high configuration h/w at (comparitively)lower prices for desktops. + Seemless extensibilty to multiple drives. You can have n number of optical drives(internal) if you wish.
- Power problems YAK!!! X| shit f*cking desktop. It tested my patience to the hell. I almost kicked off my p3 machine. The entire machine is just dependent on the UPS. If the UPS misses it's job, and there's a power fluctuation, damn that's it. Particularly in our country, the electricity moves over the lines only with the help of fluctuations X|. - The idiot SMPS . I had seen too many problems with the SMPS. often the switches fails, leading to clueless reboots. F*ck X| - No mobility. if you have the microsoft wireless kit,to some extent you can move around. But with desks, you can never do this while sleeping : Open-Your-Eyes-Turn-Around-SwitchOn-the-Notebook-type-the-logicOrWhatever-shutDown-get-back-to-sleep. LOL. That's a cool life to have your notebook in bed and finish your work whenever you like.NOTEBOOKS + :love: :-O :love: + Mobility. + Open-Your-Eyes-Turn-Around-SwitchOn-the-Notebook-type-the-logicOrWhatever-shutDown-get- back-to-sleep. + It looks good to see someone working with a notebook. That's why all bosses rushes for a laptop I guess :rolleyes:. + Almost everything is integrated. Webcam, finger print recg, bluethooth, wifi etc. Conclusion:NOTEBOOKS ROCK !!!:jig: :beer: :jig:
Code-Frog:So if this is Pumpkinhead. Time for him to run and hide. It's an interesting thought really.
Thanks VuNic.
VuNic wrote:
Particularly in our country, the electricity moves over the lines only with the help of fluctuations
:laugh:
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
I know others have already weighed in, but I've been using laptops pretty much exclusively for the last 6 years for work. I just moved from an Alienware Area 51m desktop replacement to a Dell Inspiron 9400[^] a few months ago. I couldn't be happier. The screen is huge, the notebook is light. I've got a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM, 100GB 7200 RPM HDD, and the 256MB nVidia 7900 GS and a 17" UXGA display at 1900x1200. I've been running Vista on it for months now and it looks gorgeous. Sure, it cost more. Is it worth it that I can work from home, the office, Starbucks, school, the beach, and a friend's house on the same exact machine? Absolutely. And it's not like I don't have the horsepower to do just about everything I want with that Core 2 in there. (Which will run 64 bit Vista if you like.) Everybody thinks the laptop is big, but you already said you could handle a heavy laptop...and to be honest, it's not that big. They just haven't used an Alienware before. ;P I never use it docked. And the only peripheral I plug into it regularly is my wired Intellimouse (still going strong after 6 years...love that thing). My advice: get a notebook. I couldn't imagine being tied to a desktop, and based on your comments, I don't think that's the type of person you are either. :)
Thanks David. That's helpful feedback.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
Thanks VuNic.
VuNic wrote:
Particularly in our country, the electricity moves over the lines only with the help of fluctuations
:laugh:
: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. - AristotleUsing only the laptop you have the advantage to centralize yours preferable softwares configurations and also yours softwares and e-books licenses on one machine.
Andre Xavier
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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. - AristotleThat's exactly what I do, I have like an home-made docking station from which I plug external drives, keyboard mouse and stuff. But I sure miss the raw power that a desktop gives you and I curses the lack of upgrade capability of the laptop. I youre not a gamer and you don't use VS2005, you should be ok with a laptop, but the desktop is sure more versatile. But more static... It's really up to your needs...
Jean-Michel Aubin Software Engineer Imaging division Matrox Electronics Ltee.
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That's exactly what I do, I have like an home-made docking station from which I plug external drives, keyboard mouse and stuff. But I sure miss the raw power that a desktop gives you and I curses the lack of upgrade capability of the laptop. I youre not a gamer and you don't use VS2005, you should be ok with a laptop, but the desktop is sure more versatile. But more static... It's really up to your needs...
Jean-Michel Aubin Software Engineer Imaging division Matrox Electronics Ltee.
MitchAubin wrote:
I youre not a gamer and you don't use VS2005, you should be ok
Why not a VS2005 person? I am and I'm in the same position of looking for a good development laptop. heck, i saw an hp at best buy that i thought i could use... 200gig hd and 2g ram and 17" monitor and Vista Ultimate. That's a pretty hefty box. I didn't get it cause I wanted to see what i could find about dual booting Powerbook and Vista (yes, i know i'm a sadist). Louis
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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 -
That's exactly what I do, I have like an home-made docking station from which I plug external drives, keyboard mouse and stuff. But I sure miss the raw power that a desktop gives you and I curses the lack of upgrade capability of the laptop. I youre not a gamer and you don't use VS2005, you should be ok with a laptop, but the desktop is sure more versatile. But more static... It's really up to your needs...
Jean-Michel Aubin Software Engineer Imaging division Matrox Electronics Ltee.
I have the option of using either a desktop or a laptop for work. I have chosen to use the laptop because with a laptop I am allowed to work from home. I use VS2005 on the laptop. VS2005 runs fine on the laptop (Intel Centrino Duo @ 2.2 GHz ea. and 2 GB RAM). However I am a gamer and my machine of choice for gaming is a desktop. There is no comparison in the performance one can recieve from a desktop vs. a laptop for gaming. I also prefer to have more options open to upgrade the computer for my gaming PC, which is another reason for chosing a desktop for gaming purposes.
jgehman Software Engineer
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Why close the laptop? I run a laptop with an external monitor attached all day long 5 days a week. I love having the second monitor, the extra real estate is really nice.:)
Even with a docking station you can't have more than 2 active displays on my dell, and sitting far enough back to see the 14" 1400x1050 lcd and 19" 1600x1200 CRT monitor at the same time makes hte LCD text too small for comfort, so I use a 19" 1280x1024 LCD for my 2nd display. At some point I intend to get a pair of VGA-DVI adaptors and swap the flat panel for the 17" 1600x1200 CRT on my old test box. Within reason resolution > screen size. :)
-- Rules of thumb should not be taken for the whole hand.
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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 been using a laptop (toughbook CF-51) as a primary development machine for a few years now.. Some laptops get too hot, others don't. Depends on the model and design. The toughbook is notorious for running hot. My solution was to get a small muffin fan and set it to blow across the laptop to help keep it cooler. I also set it on some feet to keep it 1/4 inch off the desk and allow the fan to blow air across the bottom as well. I leave it on 24/5 and turn it off on Friday unless I might need access to it remotely over the weekend. It has held up well, only had one go squirrely on me after it was borrowed while I was on vacation for a few weeks (and they didn't do the fan+feet thing). I do have an external K, V & M that I use with it. Makes all the difference in usability. Laptops are great for convenience, but just not as easy to use as desktops. However, I'd rather not use a laptop for development, especially with VS 2005. Laptop disks have a slower transfer rate than their desktop cousins, the CPU-memory (SODIMM) is slower and they usually have a slower CPU (all factors in compile time). You also won't get much compile time on batteries as battery lifetimes are generally specified idle, screen dark (or off), disk not spinning, etc., none of which are true when using it for development and especially when compiling. On the other hand, it sure beats having to lug a desktop system around with me when I'm visiting customers or borrowing a laptop and having to leave my familiar computing environment behind. YMMV. It can work, but I'd still rather have a desktop to develop on, given a choice. Hope that helps.
patbob
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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 was in the same place 2 months ago; leaving work and giving up a laptop. I finally went with the desktop, more performance, more robust and less expensive and while I'm pretty happy with it I have to say that on a cold day I really miss being able to move to where the sun is streaming in. I also have to share it with the rest of the family so maybe we'll just go ahead and buy a laptop too
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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.
I suposse you don´t have to move between offices in diferent cities. When I moved to this company, they give me a laptop, since, I don't imagine me coding or doing anything on a desktop. Altough I have on desktop at home, that's the one my wife in daughter use. On the keyboard, I only can say I don't use it for calculations, then I don't have any problem about it... Fer...
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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:
Desktop vs Laptop
Desktop is interesting but uncomfortable, has to be the right moment Laptop is much easier and can even still be on the desktop....
Josh Smith wrote:
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself
oh sorry.... :-O
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Josh Smith wrote:
Desktop vs Laptop
Desktop is interesting but uncomfortable, has to be the right moment Laptop is much easier and can even still be on the desktop....
Josh Smith wrote:
I'm going to finally buy a new machine for myself
oh sorry.... :-O
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
oh sorry....
;P
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle -
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
oh sorry....
;P
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotlesorry... three days in the desert making movies from computer animations, and computers are not what is on my mind. :)
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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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. - AristotleWell, last month I faced the same dillema, and after two days of serious reflection, I chose /*definitly*/ an AMD x64 4200+ w 1Gb RAM and a 120 Gb SATA HDD, w an nvidia 256 Mb PCIe 19" inch LCD monitor ... :-> for performance, evolutionarity and :laugh: multipurposism :laugh:. I chose power rather than have the sweet freedom to write my "leisure time" code away from the desk in my apartment which is, I know, quite pleasant, but a note-book /*the real hard paper one*/ does it :), taking notes remains a good habit of mine :) I saved money :), gained performance (a laptop would never be as powerful as a NearToServerDesktop) and had spare time to read Stephen King!!! Good luck...
:: YOU make history ::
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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.
I, on the other hand, enjoy laptops more. The thing is this. I'm not that much of a hardcore gamer... i have the games that i like and if my laptop can handle them, fine. But first and foremost, my laptop must have power. I use it to develop on (mainly). Yes the screen is small (mine is...15 inch) and its quite frustrating. So i got my a second screen, (17 inch) and that seems to do the trick. Running dual screen is veeeeerrry nice... wont ever go back. Summary. Go for laptop (development and gaming). Yes you can't upgrade it as much but its A LOT easier to live with... for ex. I'm going to a lan. I take my laptop, mouse, headphones and i'm off. Also quick to setup once i'm at location. Get a nice beefy laptop (saw a few insane ones @ alienware that i wanna get) and an additional screen and you're set. Deon (SheepYNesS) (sheep don't have signatures)