Desktop vs Laptop = Value proposition

[tazzi80]

Laptop is really meant for portability and if you have a lack of space at home. Even on paper the specs are the same rarely does it perform or feel similar due to the smaller architecture. And the parts are rarely reusable or easily swappable. If the laptop keyboard or screen has any issue then the only thing you can do is to bring it back to the service centre and change it. Also desktop lasting only 2 years is abit weird. It should really last the same as laptop or even longer due to the easily swappable components.

 

[dryteletubby]

For me I go with a reasonably powered desktop and a cheap/ thin and light laptop. If I want the performance of my desktop on my laptop, I use RDP(windows) or VNC (linux) to remote in to my desktop from my laptop. The only downside is it requires an internet connection and is not entirely usable for latency sensitive task like FPS games.

 

[Ark Law]

ONLY go for laptop if you wan portability. Thats all.

#desktopmasterrace

Depends on the context

In home = good portability
Outside home = rubbish portability

 

[-Synchronicity-]

The only reason laptops were even a thing was for portability. Anything else, desktop.

Not enough space? Get a smaller monitor and ten-keyless keyboard + mouse. No need for speakers/media.

Seriously if you need a device for document processing/meetings with clients, a tablet makes more sense. Real need for laptops now are for those who needs more power then tablets. Even then, there are devices like surface pro which are hybrid laptops/desktops which makes more sense for business.

Gaming laptop are usually bad since they will be heavy and why would you want to carry a huge heavy laptop around? Might as well get a desktop for more fps at the fraction of the price.

 

[HolyInnocents]

Defensive? I made my choice and at peace with it. I am merely speaking of experiences. I love assembling and troubleshooting PCs but eventually it has to end. The only way I may decide to get back to it is if the value proposition is significantly higher in desktop. Hence this thread to get more perspective. I hope you are able to discern intent with your own personal feelings.

It's okay if you deny it but I think we all can observe from it. But nonetheless I noticed that you've been more receptive of other people's opinion after what I said, and kudos to that.

I think that there is a general consensus when it comes to the debate between desktops and laptop - the latter's ONLY advantage is portability. Where it comes to price, specs, flexibility, durability, upgradability etc., desktops are always superior (in fact I own both a desktop and a laptop).

And I do agree with -Synchronicity- that most gaming laptops are not worth buying because of their weight, which defeats the very purpose of a laptop (i.e. portability).

 

[d3adc3II]

Except for portability , laptop lose everything to desktop. I never consider laptop for gaming.

 

[Untamed]

Other than portability, there is also the factor of table space. haha. Currently I have no space for a table solely for a desktop (monitor + keyboard), hence I have been holding back buying a pc. The only deskarea I have at the moment is too small for me to put a 27" monitor and keyboard, and be able to enjoy the 27". My eyes will be too near. So I am currently using my 3 year old 15" laptop on the dining table. Which makes my gf complain about it all the time. Then I tell her about my need for a table. then the argument starts. haiiih...

also depends on the hours you need to work from home. If you have to work from home, i think it is probably worth investing in a bigger table.

 

[CrispyPeddler]

Depends on the context

In home = good portability
Outside home = rubbish portability

Outside home = annoying starbucks seats hogger

 

[Ark Law]

Seriously if you need a device for document processing/meetings with clients, a tablet makes more sense. Real need for laptops now are for those who needs more power then tablets. Even then, there are devices like surface pro which are hybrid laptops/desktops which makes more sense for business.

It's a point I'd disagree about. If I need to do lots of doc processing on the go, those tablet hybrids aren't ideal due to their ergonomics. Can't carry them by the keyboard, can't use them on my lap in bus/MRT. So ultralight 13.3/14" ;aptops like the MBP/X1 Carbon are more ideal imo. No faffing about with the kickstand or magnetic keyboard

 

[Mach3.2]

 

[produde1999]

i own desktop, laptop, and tablet.

all got their place and time

it is not the price that should matter.

most of my usage is on desktop and tablet however

I find if one really wants to be productive they should use everything except laptop.

desktop u know for all the powerful work

tablet when do long reading, its perfect, just perfect.

laptop is when u hope that place you're bringing to had the space to put your desktop

 

[-Synchronicity-]

It's a point I'd disagree about. If I need to do lots of doc processing on the go, those tablet hybrids aren't ideal due to their ergonomics. Can't carry them by the keyboard, can't use them on my lap in bus/MRT. So ultralight 13.3/14" ;aptops like the MBP/X1 Carbon are more ideal imo. No faffing about with the kickstand or magnetic keyboard

Ok fine maybe not document processing but definitely meetings especially for notes, minutes etc

 

[lapzee]

I use my Prime 15 as a primary computer AKA workhorse and gaming station all in one.

And i gotta say, till now I can't convince myself to get a desktop. There is no need. The 7700 HQ and 1060 inside my laptop has never failed my computing needs(I do software development) and i dont need more fps on the heaviest games in my 1060.

That plus the fact that my laptop is so portable that i easily bring to other offices for work/ bring over to bro's place to game with my bros make it so damn convenient.

Granted, no upgradability la. But then thats for how long? My 1060 i estimate can be future proof for say, another 2 years. More than enough for me.

Most other gaming laptop also got TB3 so even bttr. Upgrade? Buy External GPU for less than 900 bucks. Simple. Why buy new laptop or switch to desktop?

I can argue a v strong case for gaming laptops so my guess is desktops is for purists. Nowadays with the 6 core mobile CPUs the stronger CPU performance goes out the window for most users liao. Even if you're an intensive CPU-user that's work la. Work where got use your own personal desktop one? Argument last time used to be that gaming laptops no matter the specs cannot keep up with desktop. Nowadays that argument flies out the window mostly liao.


TLDR: A good specs gaming laptop(i7 6 core CPU + 1060 + TB3) can easily keep up with desktop counterparts, PLUS futureproof PLUS can carry ANYWHERE easily. You try lugging ard a CPU+monitor+keyboard+mouse.

 

[CrispyPeddler]

I use my Prime 15 as a primary computer AKA workhorse and gaming station all in one.

And i gotta say, till now I can't convince myself to get a desktop. There is no need. The 7700 HQ and 1060 inside my laptop has never failed my computing needs(I do software development) and i dont need more fps on the heaviest games in my 1060.

That plus the fact that my laptop is so portable that i easily bring to other offices for work/ bring over to bro's place to game with my bros make it so damn convenient.

Granted, no upgradability la. But then thats for how long? My 1060 i estimate can be future proof for say, another 2 years. More than enough for me.

Most other gaming laptop also got TB3 so even bttr. Upgrade? Buy External GPU for less than 900 bucks. Simple. Why buy new laptop or switch to desktop?

I can argue a v strong case for gaming laptops so my guess is desktops is for purists. Nowadays with the 6 core mobile CPUs the stronger CPU performance goes out the window for most users liao. Even if you're an intensive CPU-user that's work la. Work where got use your own personal desktop one? Argument last time used to be that gaming laptops no matter the specs cannot keep up with desktop. Nowadays that argument flies out the window mostly liao.


TLDR: A good specs gaming laptop(i7 6 core CPU + 1060 + TB3) can easily keep up with desktop counterparts, PLUS futureproof PLUS can carry ANYWHERE easily. You try lugging ard a CPU+monitor+keyboard+mouse.

Ehh...whats ur screen size?

 

[-Synchronicity-]

External gpu? Thunderbolt 3? Lol ok. A 1080ti takes around 30% loss aka 1070 level when using an egpu.

 

[tazzi80]

The only thing is portability. If a laptop can be equivalent to a desktop at equal cost, then there won't be any desktop left, cause you can just buy a laptop and dock it to big screen and external keyboards. Things are there for a reason no point trying to force yourself to believe that a laptop can perform as well as a desktop at equal cost. Its just all based on users requirements. Not everyone likes to play game on a 15 inch.