11 replies to this topic

[peachy9]

Hey, I'm planning on getting a new computer but my uncle suggested that I should get a labtop instead.
Should I buy a new computer or a labtop? I personally don't want a labtop yet and I don't think it would
be that convenient for me. I like to use the computer better for graphic designing since the mouse will be
a lot easier to use.

I just need some suggestions (pros/cons) about the computer and a labtop.
It will also be greatly appreciated if you state which brand or type is the best.

thnx!!!

[kuraudo]

Laptop:

Small and compact, all major pieces like monitor and keyboard are with you.

expensive on the start, piece by piece
-less powerful, especially the necessary ram and graphics card for your graphics

Yes upgrading from 512 to 1 GB ram is a huge savings in pshop loading time and saving down time
or opening a large folder with pictures.

Upgrading is more difficult and what you buy is what you get, til you buy a new laptop

You can attach a mouse to your Laptop no problem, but if you are an artist you don't paint with a mouse, You use a Wacom tablet 6x8 intuos. Any serious artist uses a digital brush/pen. Its like a race driver without
a steering wheel.

PC

Big and bulky, but you can get an HTPC Mini PC (some cases are size of gamecube)
Much cheaper, so you can have
More power, any serious workstation is a full sized PC.

For regular atx pcs Is too big to carry around, unless you are a hardcore gaming lan geek with lanboy sized pc and a backkup to carry your monitor

Is upgradeable piece by piece

The minimum standards for a PC today
(Set by Apple and Microsoft) for to play 1080p hdtv and do video editing, graphics and gaming.
is
3 ghz
1 GB ram
128MB Video card (should be at least 500mhz ddr ram to be effective)
24 bit digital sound card
Printer (canon or HP with highest quality you can afford)
Scanner (same as printer recommend)
Nice mouse and Keyboard
Wacom Tablet 4x5 is ok but i like 6x8
19" monitor with 1600x1050 resolution or better.

Brands

Sony: Good but expensive
Dell: Is boring so uou need an upper model to have anything worth having
HP: Not bad, I haven't had issues yet, they make all workstations at the school.
Toshiba: Average performance and price
Alienware: Premium price, premium performance, not necessary by what you are asking.


I prefer handmade, as I can pick each piece myself and its MUCh better than all of the above.

Edited by kuraudo, 20 May 2006 - 11:03 AM.

[MariaMaaya]

I think you should buy a computer since you find that a labtop isn`t exactly what you want.

[Mardy Bum]

i love HP XD most of my past computers are HP lol

and yes my current one is an HP also XD

[peachy9]

wow thnx so much kuraudo! it helped a lot

I like HP too

[confucious468]

Personally, I'd chose laptop...besides the fact that it's convenient, and the fact that there are a lot of laptops nowadays that are almost as powerful as PCs, there is almost every type of external piece of hardware that can be hooked up to a laptop. Even if you needed more ports (USB, for instance), there's a device that hooks up to the laptop that can then hook up to more devices (ex. printers, scanners, whatever).

But, in part, I think it depends on what you want to do with your computer, or how often you'll need it/use it. Ex. If you plan to do some serious graphic works over a period of time, I'd go for the desktop, because they can definitely hold more stuff in general. But for things such as playing games, browsing net, or tasks that don't require A LOT of diskspace, then a laptop should be just fine.

[Ashkali أس]

Don't get a laptop, try and get someone to make your computer and tell them what you want on it. It's much cheaper and it has a more personal touch to your computer, and it's more cheaper than buying from a brand name ( like Dell and HP). You'll save heaps and you'll have a computer made to your liking.

[addkidd]

u can still attach a usb mouse to a laptop if u wish to use a mouse.

the only thing scary about laptops is overheating and crashing for no reaons. and also, if something stuffs up, its hard to get it repaired.

thing with computers is u can upgrade them, so instead of buyin a new laptop when ur old one needs upgrading or something breaks, for a copmuter u can just spend money on parts which need upgrading.

computers are inconvenient tho. and depending on your study, laptops can be very handy, just make the right choice, are u after a performance laptop (heavy, huge, very big screen etc) or r u after a handy computer for academic purposes (small, compact, light)

[boa_dangerous]

toshiba is the best for laptop...idk bout pc

[kidzrule]

personally...
i'd go for a desktop...

but depending on what you're going to use it for...
get whichever one you need...

laptops are incredibly slow...
even if you have one of those desktop replacements which have say:
-3.2ghz athlon 64bit processor
-2gb ddr400 ram (athlon doesn't support ddr2)
-256mb pice graphics card (let's say an ati x1400)
the basic specs...
they are still extremely slow for video editing and all that...
and they still suck for gaming...
(i've used one with those specs before...)

i've got a laptop and it's really slow...
it has:
-1.66ghz 64bit dual core processor
-1gb ddr2-633 ram
-512mb pcie graphics card ati x1400
-100gb 7200rpm hdd
-built in 1.3mp webcam (max reso: 4MP; very useless)
it even lags when i install games...
O.o

anyways...
laptops are by far less powerful than desktops and you can't change all the parts eaily like a desktop though they are more portable...
but it still needs a flat surface to rest on for air circulation which defeats the purpose of being portable...

so by all means, get a desktop...

desktops are much easier to upgrade and to fix (in terms of if you have hardware problems)...
and most importantly, FASTER & MORE POWERFUL...

if you're looking for a cheap/good computer...
get a bundle package com...
DIYs are supposedly cheaper but you'll usually end up getting the better parts and it'll cost more...
(i overshot my budget by about $500 when i bought my last computer 6 months ago...
good thing i managed to pursuade my uncle to pay the extra 500 for me...
^^)

anyways get a com with a min of:

-3.2ghz (preferably a 64bit athlon processor)
-1gb ddr400 ram
-256mb pcie graphics card (fx6600gt model and higher | no idea about ati cards)
-motherboard is up to you ^^
-500volts/watts power supply (or whatever the unit is, can't remember somehow, brain not functioning properly now haha)
-52x 32x 52x 16x 14x 16x dvd drive
-160gb 7200rpm hdd |sata/ide/etc|(don't know how much you need but i think 160gb should last about half a year before it becomes full)
-sound blaster sound card (don't really need this ^^)
-5.1 surround sound speakers (important when watching movies =p)

Edited by kidzrule, 21 May 2006 - 08:34 AM.

[AznFob]

If your going for graphics design deffinetely the desktop , and if you plan on gaming don't even think about getting a laptop

hmm I heard that centrino thing from intel helps or something , something to think about

Edited by AznFob, 21 May 2006 - 10:36 AM.

[confucious468]

Oh yeah, and if you want to go to places (like coffee shops, walking in hot spots with wireless internet around the city), then definitely laptop, ahha...I completely forgot to mention that. I'm sure you could find a lightweight, powerful machine to satisfy your fancy, or whatever you want to do. =)