Laptop/Desktop Conversation

[Starscream]

(05-12-2012, 02:33 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote: "Able to do the same things" is not the same as "able to do the same things as efficiently". Like I said earlier, you can write an essay on a smartphone, just not as easily/fast as you can on a laptop.

Please don't compare a phone to a computer, it's ridiculous.

(05-12-2012, 02:33 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote: And you keep ignoring them. These statements about how crude and old desktops are are completely meaningless until you start addressing my arguments. Take my last post for example:

Why would I want a laptop server?
1. A server never needs to be moved and needs to be powerful. Why blow huge amounts of money on portability that I don't need?
2. And if I want to build a high end server why constrain myself to lower end cpus? I can't exactly put an 8 core sandy bridge-EP cpu in a laptop.
3. Why constrain myself to less memory and memory without ECC when both of those things are so important for high end servers?
4. Why constrain myself to using smaller 2.5" HDD with lower storage capacities and no ability to have many HDD?
5. When desktops are easy to upgrade?
6. When desktops are easy to fix (oops my laptop mobo broke, guess I'll have to buy a new one)?
Considering I've now had two friends whose laptops mobo broke this one really hits home for me.

Why would I want a laptop HTPC?
1. An htpc never needs to be moved. Why blow huge amounts of money on portability that I don't need? I'll just plug it into my receiver and never touch it again except to turn it on.
2. Why restrict the choices of hardware available to me? What if I want a high end audio card for my hi-fi stereo setup?
3. When laptops use smaller 2.5" HDD with lower storage capacities?
4. When desktops are easy to upgrade?
5. When desktops are easy to fix (oops my laptop mobo broke, guess I'll have to buy a new one)?

Why would I want a laptop workstation?
1. When multi-monitor setup with several large high resolution monitors are far faster and far more efficient for most types of work?
2. When desktops have a wide selection of high, med, and low end quadro fxcards and laptops don't?
3. When laptops use smaller 2.5" HDD with lower storage capacities?
4. When desktops have so much more usb ports?
5. When I'll just end up buying an external monitor, external speakers, external mouse, and external ergonomic keyboard and end up using it like a desktop anyways?
6. When high end desktops are so much cheaper?
7. When desktops are easy to upgrade?
8. When desktops are easy to fix (oops my laptop mobo broke, guess I'll have to buy a new one)?


Why would I want a high end gaming laptop?
1. When gaming desktops are so much cheaper?
2. When gaming desktops have access to large high resolution monitors and multi-monitor setups?
3. When gaming desktops are easy to upgrade and mod?
4. When gaming desktops are easy to fix (oops my laptop mobo broke, guess I'll have to buy a new one)?
5. When a don't game in public and can't stand trying to play games on anything but a desk with a good KB + mouse? Why do I need mobility when I never want to play games anywhere else?
6. When gaming desktops give me access to 1.3 kw+ power supplies and multiple high end gpus in parallel?
7. When gaming desktops give me access to a wide variety of high end audio cards and other expansion cards?
8. When laptops use smaller 2.5" HDD with lower storage capacities?
9. When desktops have so much more usb ports?
10. When I'll just end up buying an external monitor, external speakers, external mouse, and external ergonomic keyboard and end up using it like a desktop anyways?

You wouldn't want a laptop for a server or HTPC (but you could use one, which is the point. It's possible). Even so, you still wouldn't use your gaming desktop as a server or HTPC. You're going to need more machines. We're talking about normal everyday uses here. Gaming, web, music and movies. That was the original argument, that a high-end laptop can directly replace a desktop under those circumstances. And it can.

(05-12-2012, 02:33 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote: It is stupid to spend significantly more money on a computer with less useful features, more restrictions, and mobility when you don't need the mobility. If you need a mobile system get a laptop, if you need any of the above get a desktop instead. Laptops should mainly be used for browsing the web, basic work, and travel work. If you do feel fine with gaming in public or several areas of the house and you want the mobility then by all means buy a gaming laptop. Or if you travel a lot. But for myself, I see no reason for me to spend a lot more money to get a system with several inferior traits and then end up never moving the thing.

That's your opinion. For me and the things I need to do with a PC, a laptop is a portable and direct replacement for a desktop. I like to be on my PC and do whatever it is I'm doing, then have the possibility to grab the computer and go quickly. If I need to relocate to another room, use the PC in the car, in an office or a friends house, I can. I'll gladly pay the extra to not have my "home base" (PC) not anchored down.

(05-12-2012, 05:49 PM)zurginator Wrote: No, I don't think an easily upgradable laptop is going to exist.

Sorry to see you don't think so. Upgrading and making improvements is inevitable.

(05-12-2012, 05:49 PM)zurginator Wrote: Your analogy is broken anyways: Cars are smaller, faster, more powerful, can carry more, and can run longer without stopping. Laptops cannot store more, have limited run time, and are not more powerful. Even the highest end system you have linked will be outperformed by a cheaper desktop, let alone a high-end server.

It's broken if you interpret it like that. If you interpret it how it was meant to be, it's not.

"Old man (no one is an old man here, just their way of thinking is similar), closed minded, living in the past and one who is afraid of change. One who says that new ideas and new things aren't possible because of the way he's always done them in the past. One who is not able to see new possibilities, or doesn't want to see them. One who clings to old ideas because it's all he knows."

(05-12-2012, 05:49 PM)zurginator Wrote: If you're so big on "smaller and able to do the same things" get an Intel phone.... it can run everything a laptop can in a much smaller form factor. You can still hook it up to monitors/keyboards/mice too.

Read my first response please.

That will be my last word, nothing left to say here that wasn't already. In the end, there will be no winner of the argument or right or wrong answer. All of this comes down to opinion, personal preference and your needs. There is one fact though, the future will always bring new things, and the old way of doing things will eventually not be done anymore.