Desktop vs Laptop

[Michael]

Given the same budget, is a desktop always the better choice over a laptop?

My computer is 4-year-old now, and my friend has a dying 10-year-old computer.
If I sell (maybe give) her mine, I am not sure whether I should get another desktop or a laptop instead.
I'm traveling from time to time, though not so often (10%-20% of my computer usage time), but having a laptop would be a little bit more convenient to me.
I am a graphic artist so I deal with a lot of heavy graphic with Photoshop and CorelDraw, so I'm doubt whether a laptop could handle that.

Thanks for advice.

 

[Calum]

It depends on your budget I guess, but I personally would always get a desktop.
They're much more upgradeable for a start, and almost always better value.
For intensive Photoshop etc, a desktop will offer much better value for money.

[ChrisXPPro]

If you clone your app's on a laptop and have to travel then it sure helps to maintain work continuity - then transfering work to desktop via USB flash later perhaps.

As Calum mentions - desktop way more versatile re upgrading and IMO even servicing.  Altho a laptop can feed a ''real'' monitor the desktop will not only give you option for good size monitor but - probably give way more resolution choices - apart from wide screen laptops 1024x768 is about as high as you'll go often.  I run twin screens on 1680x1050 - and hate having to use laptop!

Desktop for me as primary everytime - laptop - just a backup for odd times if away.

[soybean]

I suspect that you could come close to buying a desktop that would suitable for your needs and a low-end laptop or notebook for what a high performance laptop would cost.  This notebook looks like an excellent buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16834115482

[Calum]

That's a good point soybean, combining the best of both.
I'd go a step further and suggest the Asus eeePC as a cheap notebook for on the move.
As far as I know they're the cheapest laptops available, and very portable too.

[soybean]

I saw that Asus eeePC at newegg for the same price as the Acer notebook I mentioned: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220370

That does look like a great choice for travel.  It's small, light weight, and has exceptionally long battery life. 

[Calum]

Ah, the upgraded version.
I didn't actually know they'd brought out a new line-up until I researched it a few minutes ago, last I heard was the 700 series.
The newer ones are more expensive.  Still, might be a good deal if that's what you need.
Guess I'm just out of touch.

[Michael]

Hi all, thanks for all the info.

The Asus eeePC only provides 1 year warranty, isn't that a little bit too risky?
Most of the laptop users I know started to face hardware problem with their laptop (regardless of brand) within 1-2 years.

[CBMatt]

A lot of it depends on how you use/treat your computer.  I've been using computers for nearly 20 years now and I have never had any use for a warranty.  Just read the reviews and see what people are saying.  Pay special attention to those who have used the product the longest.

[Michael]

CBMatt, I always treat my computer like my wife   
But sometimes you just can't say anything about luck.
There had been a few times that my harddisk and modem dead as soon as the warranty expired 

[qinghao]

laptop,please.

It comes up less problem than Desktops,because it's well integrated,

even though you'll get lower performance with same money

[Michael]

It comes up less problem than Desktops,because it's well integrated,

even though you'll get lower performance with same money

I'm not sure how reliable is your laptop, but I'm sure if you are so unlucky, once you have any problem with a laptop, you always end up spending more money than on a desktop.

[qinghao]

it's unlucky

[qinghao]

in personally,I prefer Desktop
because I think I can manager all problems of it.
based on this the Desktop is a good choice.

[Calum]

laptop,please.

It comes up less problem than Desktops,because it's well integrated,

If you can provide a reliable source for that statement, I'll eat my glass mousepad.
I've seen less issues with every desktop in my house than with the laptop I used to use.
I would in fact say that highly integrated systems would have more problems than a system with less integrated components, and a less integrated system is easier to repair and upgrade too.