Desktop... Best Way To Go?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 10-24-2010, 08:03 PM

So I've been checking out computers lately and have found that the quality of laptops is really junky for what I want to spend. I've been to about 4 different stores and every computer clerk has said that laptops in my budget range will not last more than about 2 years or so since they are very cheaply made in China. Spending $500cdn on a laptop just to have it break in a couple years just seems like a waste of money (and for the environment).

Currently I am considering just getting a desktop. I have been told that the quality level is not much better, if at all. BUT if something breaks in a tower you can likely just replace that one piece (fan, harddrive etc) and save money in the long-run.

Are my assumptions correct?

jp58 · #2 10-24-2010, 08:07 PM

Do you need to be able to take the computer with you (laptop)?

::::BASSIST:::: · #3 10-24-2010, 08:11 PM

Nope, but I do find laptops easier to use. Sitting combfortably on the couch etc rather than being stuck on a office chair.

Valerus · #4 10-24-2010, 08:29 PM

Desktops are a lot easier to replace parts and they are generally less costly than a laptop with similar specs.

try http://newegg.com you'll get great prices for beastly machines. the only thing is, it'll probably be some random brand. they are good though. none of them will say "Apple" or "Dell" on the side but you'll save a buttload

fdeck · #5 10-24-2010, 09:20 PM

We've got two Dell laptops at my house, that have both lasted well over five years with absolutely no hardware problems. My work laptop is a Dell, and has lasted quite a while too.

The exception is the power adapters. Two of those have broken.

While it's probably true that a desktop has a somewhat lower cost of ownership, your salesman is BS'ing you about laptops lasting only two years. The stores must have a higher profit margin on desktops, as well as more upsale potential peddling add-ons.

I like the comfort factor of a laptop too. And if I need space on my work table for some big project, I can just set the laptop aside.

jp58 · #6 10-24-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

We've got two Dell laptops at my house, that have both lasted well over five years with absolutely no hardware problems. My work laptop is a Dell, and has lasted quite a while too.

The exception is the power adapters. Two of those have broken.

While it's probably true that a desktop has a somewhat lower cost of ownership, your salesman is BS'ing you about laptops lasting only two years. The stores must have a higher profit margin on desktops, as well as more upsale potential peddling add-ons.

I like the comfort factor of a laptop too. And if I need space on my work table for some big project, I can just set the laptop aside.

The salesman isn't all the way "full of crap." Laptops tend to have a high failure rate in the short term. Batteries go bad, people abuse them, etc. Profit margins are extremely high on "branded" items anyway you look at it. You pay for a name as much as quality.

With that being said, If you don't "need" to be able to take it anywhere, you are better off with a desktop. They are typically way more powerful than a similarly priced laptop, and usually offer more features outside of portability.

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 10-24-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

We've got two Dell laptops at my house, that have both lasted well over five years with absolutely no hardware problems. My work laptop is a Dell, and has lasted quite a while too.

The exception is the power adapters. Two of those have broken.

While it's probably true that a desktop has a somewhat lower cost of ownership, your salesman is BS'ing you about laptops lasting only two years. The stores must have a higher profit margin on desktops, as well as more upsale potential peddling add-ons.

I like the comfort factor of a laptop too. And if I need space on my work table for some big project, I can just set the laptop aside.

Well, I bought a brand new Dell from the factory a couple years ago and it lasted me a little over 2 years before the fan was toast. For the cost of fixing the thing you may as well upgrade to what's new and current. My wife also had a Dell and it died fairly quickly too. There was a Gateway laptop in one of the stores I visited and though it had only been there a couple weeks, two of the keys of the keyboard were missing. Unless you are spending $1000 on a laptop alot of them are made extremely cheaply. Back when they were well made they include top quality parts and they lasted alot longer. Now they are made with crappy components... at least according to the computer clerks I asked. Four different guys from four different stores all said you cannot expect a budget priced laptop to last more than a couple years. I've also read that all the major computer companies have alot of the same parts made in the same factory, but just the asthetics are different.

I'm currently using a T30 IBM ThinkPad (that I bought used) and even though its about 7 years old, it still works, though the fan has started making weird noises the last couple of months.

I guess if you have around $1000cdn to spend you can get a decent laptop that will last more than a couple of years. But the beauty of the desktop is that you can just replace what broke in the CPU tower. Worse case scenario you have to replace the tower, but you can of course still keep the monitor and keyboard etc and thus save replacement costs.

Anyway, I think that makes sense.

GregC · #8 10-24-2010, 11:06 PM

I bought a Toshiba laptop about three years ago; I paid $800 for it (probably $500 for the same specs now, if that) and it runs fine. I typically use mine as a desktop, so it hasn't made a lot of trips and has been subject to less wear and tear.

MJ5150 · #9 10-24-2010, 11:31 PM

Computers are turning into a disposable item, like how cell phones are these days. Grab yourself a laptop now, and just accept the fact you may be replacing it in a couple years. As for me, I've been using my same Toshiba Satellite since 2004. I replaced the battery once.

A few months ago I picked a nicely spec'ed out Gateway desktop at Best Buy for $450. Works great and is very fast. 4GB or RAM, and an Intel quad core processor with 640GB HDD. We also have some Macs in the house, but I could have bought six Gateways for the price of one of our iMacs.

-Mike

Jon_West · #10 10-24-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Well, I bought a brand new Dell from the factory a couple years ago and it lasted me a little over 2 years before the fan was toast. For the cost of fixing the thing you may as well upgrade to what's new and current. My wife also had a Dell and it died fairly quickly too. There was a Gateway laptop in one of the stores I visited and though it had only been there a couple weeks, two of the keys of the keyboard were missing. Unless you are spending $1000 on a laptop alot of them are made extremely cheaply. Back when they were well made they include top quality parts and they lasted alot longer. Now they are made with crappy components... at least according to the computer clerks I asked. Four different guys from four different stores all said you cannot expect a budget priced laptop to last more than a couple years. I've also read that all the major computer companies have alot of the same parts made in the same factory, but just the asthetics are different.

I'm currently using a T30 IBM ThinkPad (that I bought used) and even though its about 7 years old, it still works, though the fan has started making weird noises the last couple of months.

I guess if you have around $1000cdn to spend you can get a decent laptop that will last more than a couple of years. But the beauty of the desktop is that you can just replace what broke in the CPU tower. Worse case scenario you have to replace the tower, but you can of course still keep the monitor and keyboard etc and thus save replacement costs.

Anyway, I think that makes sense.

Even then, I don't think (unless a wrecking ball entered your house on target for your computer) would you need to replace the entire tower. The worst thing, I think, that could happen, did happen to me when my computer crashed due to a failure of the motherboard. I got a new motherboard for 75 bucks and threw in a video card while I was at it.

In my opinion, if you're just going to use it around the house, a desktop is a much better idea than a laptop, for the price to quality difference alone.

hrodbert696 · #11 10-25-2010, 04:31 AM

If you don't NEED a laptop, get the desktop. I've been through a series of laptops that tend to die on average every 2-3 years. It's often just some "little" thing that goes wrong, the main culprit is the power coupling where the AC adapter plugs in; that socket is part of the motherboard and tends to crack off eventually with repeated plugging and unplugging. Then replacing the motherboard runs $250 or more on a computer that was only $400 or $500 in the first place. I only keep getting laptops because I use it to show visuals in class (moving from classroom to classroom) and because the research side of my work means going from home to office to library.

But we have a desktop upstairs that's six or seven years old, runs kind of slow now but basically still works fine. So get the desktop -- and a comfortable office chair.

By the way, the guy who told you about laptops breaking down almost certainly doesn't have a higher profit margin on desktops -- I had a kid in our campus repair shop (who would have no incentive to sell me anything) tell me the same thing. Laptops break down way more than desktops do.

(written from my laptop).

gdthomas · #12 10-25-2010, 09:32 AM

Typically laptops will see a higher level of abuse than a desktop, so that is why you see more laptop failures. You could always go with a desktop and a netbook that way you have everything covered.

Cosmo420 · #13 10-25-2010, 09:36 AM

Just remember...

A laptop is a lot easier to use while taking a dump.

I'm on my laptop now.

6jase5 · #14 10-25-2010, 10:17 AM

Replacing a fan on a desktop pc cost about $10, don't really see that as a means to take it out to pasture. If it was a built in fan from the power supply, maybe $75.

If you live in an area that has a small pc shop, sometimes the one offs are great machines and they will give you better warranties (assuming the shop doesn't close!) I've had mine for 6 years and it has been flawless. It was $450 for them to build. A lot of a pc's speed life has to do with what you load and don't load on it. Hardware is just hardware, but a little diy makes it cheap.

I have both, dell laptop and boutique desktop.

Pilgrim · #15 10-25-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

So I've been checking out computers lately and have found that the quality of laptops is really junky for what I want to spend. I've been to about 4 different stores and every computer clerk has said that laptops in my budget range will not last more than about 2 years or so since they are very cheaply made in China.

Y'know what that really means? It means they're trying to upsell you into a more expensive machine. It has nothing to do with how the laptops are built.

To me, desktops are easier and cheaper to work on, are easier to upgrade or modify, have room for cards and more connections. Also, you can use large monitors and multiple monitors if needed. (I know, you can do the same with a laptop....but you either need to dock it or change the connections every time you connect it - at which point it's no longer a laptop because it's fastened to non-portable monitors.)

Unless you NEED portability all the time, get the desktop. If you need occasional portability, get a good desktop and then pick up a Netbook for $250 or so. You'll be much happier lugging a 3-pound netbook than a 7-pound laptop.

OH - and if you get a laptop, do go to Square Trade online and buy a warranty. I've had a laptop with a cracked motherboard repaired (motherboard replacement) by them with no questions asked, all it cost was postage one way.

L-A · #16 10-25-2010, 11:35 AM

It's not that they're only good for two or three years. Laptops aren't usually made with the latest technologies unless you buy a pricey one, and even then, it has to overheat to reach its top performance.

Desktop computers are much cheaper for the manufacturers to make, hence their better components. You also skip on the expensive battery and get to choose what size and quality of monitor you want.

tplyons · #17 10-25-2010, 01:30 PM

In the past five years, I've only owned laptops. I don't need the computing power of a desktop for anything I do, and the portability is an added bonus. A desktop will simply provide more power for the money, and yes, parts are cheaper (but in all honesty, I've only had two computer parts ever fry... a power supply in a desktop that was under warranty, and a battery in a laptop that wouldn't hold more than 15 minutes worth of a charge after two years -- but battery technology has changed so much in the past few years)

IMO, there's no reason not to get a laptop, unless you're looking for a family PC to be shared by multiple users.

Kipaste · #18 10-25-2010, 02:19 PM

I personally hate the "disposable laptop" mentality (worked at computer repairs for a while, besides I'm a damn ecomentalist) but still I agree that if you wan't one, you should get one. It's true that you can get better bang for the buck, choose quality components and change parts easily and cheaply with desktops, but if you just use the computer as a typewriter with internet access, the laptop simply makes more sense. These laptops come with OEM OS anyway so you don't have to future proof yourself for future OS possibilities.. The salesman who said it will be junk in two years is full of ****. If you're after high performance, it's junk already and if not, the processor and memory sticks aren't going to deteriorate over the years. Just scan the reviews for a computer that runs as cool as possible and has somewhat decent processor and enough RAM and be prepared to change the battery in a year or two. Oh yeah, and a good, no BS service deal doesn't hurt either.

tk421 · #19 10-25-2010, 02:24 PM

the shocking thing i see in this thread:
no one has suggested to learn to build your own.

you can put together a serious quad core (provided you pick the right parts) for very little these days. it's not really all that hard to do, even for people who cringe at the thought of opening a case. there is enough intarweb out there to tell you everything you need to know. serious questions, PM me.

Gil Irwin · #20 10-26-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I've been to about 4 different stores and every computer clerk has said that laptops in my budget range will not last more than about 2 years or so since they are very cheaply made in China.

Most laptops are made in Taiwan. Before I bought anything I'd do a bit of research:

http://www.notebookreview.com/

Also I'd have a look into net specials:

http://www.techbargains.com/?r=1

I've had one desktop and two laptops built for me and have been very pleased with their products:

http://www.pcsforeveryone.com/

Good luck.