PC vs Lap Top

[Moontanman]

I am trying to decide if I should get a lap top or a desk top PC. I can get a used lap top from the pawn shop for about $280, it has windows 7.

 

I plan to write down the specs of the computers I am thinking of getting so I can get more precise advice but I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of the two.

 

I recently read that PC's are going the way of the dinosaur and lap tops are in decline as well in favor of things like tablets.

 

If I get the lap top it will probably not have a physical connecting to my ISP like my PC does but will operate more like my net flix box on a wireless signal. what are the disadvantages and advantages of the two types of hook ups?

 

All i do with a computer is use it as a word processor, surf the net, watch you tube and various forums. I have given some thought to making videos about various things but it is not a priority.

 

Gaming is not my thing but my computer can't play them to begin with due to it's slow cpu speed and limited ram, with a computer that could play them I might like to try out gaming.

 

Can anyone share their thoughts/experiences on this?

[StringJunky]

All you need for your purposes is a 2GHz CPU and 4 GB RAM. The idea of video editing is RAM intensive, AND a good separate (not integrated) video-card is desirable so more the better, but 4GB (and integrated video) is plenty for everything else. Your internet speed is determined by your ISP and how many people are using the same resources. 99% of the time 2GB of RAM will be sufficient but more does allow you to have more apps open at the same time without lagging.

 

Don't worry about future trends....the desktop tower modders aren't going away soon.

 

Laptops. Pros: Mobility and small footprint Cons: Loads

 

Desktops. Pros Loads Cons: Not mobile and have a larger footprint.

 

I am an exclusive laptop user and there are no overwhelming advantages apart from mobility. Batteries only last a year or so and are expensive, as are the components relatively and access is tight. If you get one make sure you can access the fan from a hatch in the bottom for cleaning or else this is a technician's job if you have to take the laptop apart to get to it...not fun. The fan WILL need cleaning at some point.

 

Just to note: A decent video-editing machine is £1000+ so don't expect a budget machine to be nippy in this department but it will be sound for Youtube and everything else.

 

My opinion: Go desktop as you can deal with hardware problems and upgrades easier. A wireless adapter is not expensive if you want to do that for a desktop if it can't do it already.

 

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=1&gs_ri=hp&cp=12&gs_id=1a&xhr=t&q=wireless+adapter&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.d2k&bpcl=40096503&biw=1363&bih=623&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14454394448619283361&sa=X&ei=nb7kUInyO9Ga0QWq7ICgCg&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQ8wIwAA

Edited January 2, 2013 by StringJunky

[iNow]

Even laptops are already outdated, so that makes PCs especially so. All trends are with tablets now, coupled to cloud storage and computing.

 

As StringJunky suggests, though... Regardless of the trends, just get what suits your personal needs and usage.

[zapatos]

I have a laptop that I keep on my desk, hardwired to the printer, the router, and a mouse. The reason I bought a laptop is that occassionally I have the need to take it with me, which I cannot do with a desktop. It is a fairly low-end Dell and I never intend to upgrade the hardware (no need), so ease of physical upgrade was not an issue for me.

 

Wireless seems a bit slower to me than ethernet, and wireless means you have another device to deal with, but overall wireless works well and does not require much extra effort.

 

I also use a Kindle Fire, but if I had to choose between owning one or the other, I'd go with a laptop over a tablet with no hesitation.

 

My situation is not much different from yours and I chose a laptop over a desktop.

[CarbonCopy]

From what you have written, your primary use of a computer is to browse the web. In that case the best think to get is a tablet.

You should also just buy a normal not so expensive laptop for your word processing and video editing or if you already have a decent computer that should do.

 

Or you could wait and buy a Surface Pro tablet. Comes with Intel i5 processor and Full Windows 8. That means you can do what a normal pc can do on the tablet. But, the price is going to a tad bit high ( come one it's a microsoft product, what do you expect ).

 

I would recommend a normal tablet for you, if you spend most of your time on the net.

[zapatos]

From what you have written, your primary use of a computer is to browse the web. In that case the best think to get is a tablet.

You should also just buy a normal not so expensive laptop for your word processing and video editing or if you already have a decent computer that should do.

 

Or you could wait and buy a Surface Pro tablet. Comes with Intel i5 processor and Full Windows 8. That means you can do what a normal pc can do on the tablet. But, the price is going to a tad bit high ( come one it's a microsoft product, what do you expect ).

 

I would recommend a normal tablet for you, if you spend most of your time on the net.

How do you like typing on the tablet? If browsing is all you do it may be fine, but if you are frequently posting on forums typing is important. My Kindle Fire is small so maybe it is not representative, but typing on it is similar to typing on my iPhone. Nice for short messages but I wouldn't want to do on it the type of work associated with posting.

[Moontanman]

My monetary outlay will probably have to be less than $500, most probably less than 300 so it looks like the pawn shop for me...

 

I am concerned with privacy when it comes to a wireless router vs ethernet type connection, I'm some what of a luddite and don't really like wireless phones either... I'm not a privacy nut but I do not like the idea of anyone listening in on my data stream for general principles.... using a computer pretty much negates any real privacy, i realize that but is a wireless router any more vulnerable than a physical connection?

[zapatos]

I guess anything travelling through the air is more accessible than anything travelling by wire, but wireless is not very risky as long as you set it up properly. Here is something to look at:

 

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm

 

If you have encryption turned on at home, not many people are going to be able to cause you harm. If you connect your wireless device (e.g. laptop or iPhone) at the local Starbucks via their public hotspot, even I could listen in.

[StringJunky]

My monetary outlay will probably have to be less than $500, most probably less than 300 so it looks like the pawn shop for me...

 

I am concerned with privacy when it comes to a wireless router vs ethernet type connection, I'm some what of a luddite and don't really like wireless phones either... I'm not a privacy nut but I do not like the idea of anyone listening in on my data stream for general principles.... using a computer pretty much negates any real privacy, i realize that but is a wireless router any more vulnerable than a physical connection?

 

It's as strong as your password.

.