Notebook PC as Main Computer?

[Mad Scientist]

Does anyone out there use a notebook/laptop as thier main computer? I'm working with very limited space, and eliminating my computer desk with the pc tower and huge monitor would free up a lot of much nedded space. And now with laptops becoming more and more capable, I'm thinking it would be nice to have a decent desktop-replacement notebook to work off of.

Any suggestions? I don't want anything fancy, really - my main focus is reliability. I won't be using this computer for the internet, and I don't play games on the PC. It'll just be for photo editing and maybe some video editing, word processing, and other basic stuff. I'm hoping to keep it as cheap as possible, as well.

Any suggestions or experiences with using a laptop as your main PC?

 

[Thorsteenster]

Lots of people use laptops only. Just look around at some of the major companies, get a Intel ore 2 Duo for processing power and upgraded video and atleast a gig of RAM.

 

[Scattman]

One drop or someone swiping your laptop and you could lose a lot of info. I personally think it is better to have your important stuff on a desktop at home.

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

If you are going to do heavy editing, stick with a desktop unless you are gonna drop some big coin. I tried that on my laptop and just got frustrated with it. The processor, front side bus, and ram are generally not enough for much editing.

 

[Thorsteenster]

Yeah, for a laptop your looking at dropping a grand minimum for some thing entry level for what you want. You can get small form factor cases and flat panels to minimize space loss on the desktop.

 

[crawls2thewalls]

the best possible desktop/laptop whatever for photo and video is a MAC..

MAC's are a bit pricey but if its audio/video your into, they are the industry standard for sure.. no comparison..

look into the macbooks.. intel dual cores and unbelievable graphics..

 

[TunaMaxx]

One drop or someone swiping your laptop and you could lose a lot of info. I personally think it is better to have your important stuff on a desktop at home.

One dead drive or someone stealing your desktop leaves you in the same position! Don't let the form factor of your computer overrule a good backup plan! ;-)

At work, we just this week made the decision to provide the sales staff with laptops when their current desktops come up for replacement.

If you spend a couple of extra bucks to get a 17" version (since it's prolly gonna be sitting on your desk anyway) you can get a full keyboard with number pad and everything! The HP dv9420 that is sitting right beside me is destined to be an out of town salesman's only computer.

 

[Scattman]

One dead drive or someone stealing your desktop leaves you in the same position! Don't let the form factor of your computer overrule a good backup plan! ;-)

At work, we just this week made the decision to provide the sales staff with laptops when their current desktops come up for replacement.

If you spend a couple of extra bucks to get a 17" version (since it's prolly gonna be sitting on your desk anyway) you can get a full keyboard with number pad and everything! The HP dv9420 that is sitting right beside me is destined to be an out of town salesman's only computer.

Don't worry, I have plenty of backups. Running sata 3.0 drives mirrored with external backups.

I see it all the time...... They left the laptop on top of the car and drove off (one in the shop now), dropped it and broke the screen (one in the shop now)or grenaded the drive, they lay it on the bed with it running and it overheats and burns up (one in the shop now), you name it.

Well of course if it is an out of town salesman then a laptop is the choice :roll:but he asked about a different scenario. He asked about just replacing his desktop. There are just a lot more opportunities for something bad to happen.

 

[Robb]

I'm working with very limited space, and eliminating my computer desk with the pc tower and huge monitor would free up a lot of much nedded space.

My entire PC workspace desk is a 14"x14" "table" stuck on the end of my sofa.

You can make desktops small when you need to, and at the end of the day, purchase twice the machine for the same money when compared to laptop (and upgradeable at an easy price).

 

[BUBBA069]

I use a 17" Dell Inspiron 9400 with 2gb ram and a core duo 1.86Ghz CPU for just about everything anymore. Had it for about 3 months, cost ~$1200. Runs Inventor/AutoCAD just fine, I only fire up the main rig for playing games and such. I like do to the fact I can take it where ever.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Yeah, I guess for the time being I'm sticking with what I've got. I just need to build my own desk, and make it a little more compact. I've got to fit a big Dell tower, huge monitor (I'm thinking of getting a flat-panel, though), scanner, printer, speakers, a spot for the mouse, and a bunch of disks in as little space as possible.

 

[dieselfuel]

ive got a dell inspiron 1521 as my main computer. ive gotta say, i doubt ill ever own another desktop.

 

[TunaMaxx]

\Well of course if it is an out of town salesman then a laptop is the choice :roll:but he asked about a different scenario. He asked about just replacing his desktop. There are just a lot more opportunities for something bad to happen.

That machine is just for one guy. The entire rest if the sales staff (whether they work in the office or on the road) will be getting laptops as their main / only computer as soon as their current systems hit "useful life" limits.

 

[Shaun]

Don't get anything intel... its crap! AMD is the only way.

 

[Scattman]

That machine is just for one guy. The entire rest if the sales staff (whether they work in the office or on the road) will be getting laptops as their main / only computer as soon as their current systems hit "useful life" limits.

Again, totally different scenario. :roll:

 

[BUBBA069]

Don't get anything intel... its crap! AMD is the only way.

And thats why Intel is spanking any AMD chip out right now, until AMD releases their vaporware phenom chips AMD will be on the short bus.

Yes I have used both, fan boy of neither, just what ever is faster "thumbsup"

 

[binaryterror]

Yup AMD has fallen way off the boat, sure cheaper, but at this point you get what you pay for. Buying ATi didn't help them either. AMD is good for the $...for budget minded.

Nvidia always "had' the best AMD chipsets...with AMD buying ATI don't be shocked if Nvidia stops helping AMD with solid chipsets.

 

[Thorsteenster]

I didn't know AMD was ever on the boat. We have various older AMD powered machines here at work and they all blow nuts. Who cares what they release in the future, Intel will have something better.

 

[binaryterror]

Not sure how long youve been into IT or PC's but I have to tell you the Pentium 3's were way weaker than the AMD equivalents back then, even in the office or general use specifications. especially since the OC'd so well too. I had the Duron 800 (low model) woohoo up to 1236 before the 1.2Ghz Intel or Thunderbirds were even out.

Believe me I'm a Intel fan, but I know for awhile the little Intel astronaut was slower.

 

[Thorsteenster]

yeah I kinda missed the advent of the Pentiums, when I first got into PC's it was pre-Pentium 486 DX2's I think? Been awhile. Then when I came back in it was P4's. I agree though, I have played with a few P3's and they were so so.