Laptop vs Desktop

[Proph]

I was a die hard desktop guy for many years but laptops really have caught up and now outside of the desktop in my office i use my laptops ( i have a personal laptop and 2 work laptops). As has already been said the graphic cards in laptops make it possible for me to play games on good settings, their HDD sizes are pretty good, and honestly i find that working in the living room with the tv on is pretty cool. When i play games i use the HDMI input on my laptop to connect to the tv and then i have a 52in monitor :-)

but as far as work you can get a pretty beefy HP laptops for employees that aren't to bad on the price. the only problem with laptops is do you have to worry about them being lost or "walking off" so security is a major concern with them. in business i have found you really need a combination. those people who are mid/senior level and up should use laptops, everything below them on the org charts are cheapo desktops.

[chrispalko]

I would say laptops are better for portability (obviously), but ultimately, I feel desktops rule in terms of productivity.

I have an external monitor hooked up to my laptop now for more screen real estate and it helps tremendously, but I could definitely use more.

Also, as software becomes more demanding, expandability becomes an issue as well. My laptop ran CS3 fine, and runs CS4 ok with the settings turned down and aero "off" (yeah, I'm on vista..no, I don't want a mac.). So, my issue lies there. Consider that if you may find yourself needing multiple monitors and will be running industry standard, CPU/Video/RAM intensive programs now or in the future.

[Chick]

Laptop can be easly portable so thats more preferable

[ghusa]

I prefer my laptop generally. I don't use it for photo/video editing though. For that I use my desktop. I think it really boils down to which do you prefer, speed or flexibility. I don't do a lot of stuff that needs huge processing power, but I do like to be able to do my work wherever I want.

[Gene]

I like both. Either one can come in very handy. Right now I only have an older desktop, but I would like to buy a new desktop as well as laptop.

[mandyjane]

It all comes down to portability - in this weather you need to be able to enable your wireless connection, grab your laptop and rush out into the garden to work in the sun while it lasts!
Mandy
HP

[jonathanfigaro]

I would invest in a laptop at first because of the versatility.
Then Invest in a desktop!

[The Stealthy One]

Hello

When starting any new business, keeping the costs under control is important, so you need to make the right choice when it comes to choosing your technology. Choosing a laptop instead of a desktop computer will drastically reduce your energy costs! Did you know that a laptop uses up to 90% less energy than a desktop computer?

Considering recent rises and forecast rises in energy costs, is there really any other choice for new business?

Thanks
Clare

Clare,

I know I'm a bit late to this thread. I would like to inject an alternative opinion:

Personally, I use both a desktop and a laptop. All my data is kept online now, so no matter where I'm at it can always be accessed. The desktop facilitates a level of usability that a laptop or notebook cannot match. I do a large amount of Web coding and design work and need a mouse as I move quickly in large bits of coding, adding pieces here and there. I also have a large screen which enables me to view much larger areas than my laptop. At the same time, I like the portability of a laptop for travel, lunches, etc.

In terms of energy consumption, you have a valid point. However, we can't control how the energy we use is generated. The world is shifting to more natural forms of power generation (such as wind and tidal) which will effectively render the energy consumption argument null and void. Besides, functionality matters most to a business, and from a cost standpoint, the higher energy consumption of a desktop over a laptop is still economically feasible, even for a startup. The $$$ difference is negligible.

That's my 2 cents.

[MH-Andy]

Laptop & Desktop... Both using the same cloned disk that way when im away I have all the programs I will ever need.

[rpermana]

depends on your business. Let say, if your business is about gaming, graphic, photoshoot... then i suggest using desktop. They got a better specs & cheaper than laptop. I think desktop has a bigger screen than laptop.

Laptop is very easy to carry, so your employees or someone may steal it very easily, especially when your office is big... hard to monitor

My suggestion, use desktop in office & carry a Blackberry out.

[andrewlm]

I love both of them. But now I am using laptop.

[belablasko]

I agree, i do like Laptops

[julie01]

I have been using desktop since years but never used laptop. I personally feel laptops are very delicate, one cannot handle it roughly as we usually do with desktops. No doubt, we can carry it as and when we need but still I like to go with desktop computes.

_____________
Bill management

[ookie1]

I like both, but I <3 my desktop!

[customtshirts]

I like both but my first priority is laptop.