Why would you buy desktop replacement laptops?
I’ve been using a fast desktop at home, a Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU overclocked at 3.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM and a 22 inch Full HD monitor (a DIY system) and a fast business laptop from HP at work with a Core 2 Due P8600 at 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM and a 14.1 inch 1440 x 900 pixels display.
I like them both but I can’t stop and think that sometimes I like the way my desktop feels, even if I can’t move it with me or use it from my bed, it consumes more power plus it has a worse keyboard than a notebook.
There are a lot of advantages of using a laptop. Sales figures seem to confirm this, but there are a lot of things that would make me choose my desktop over a laptop if I had to make this choice. Fortunately I don’t but that doesn’t means some people don’t have to.
This is a 20 pounds 20 inch desktop replacement
There is of course a compromise that can be made and that is to buy a desktop replacement, a device somewhere in between a laptop and a desktop. In this post I’ll try and make a list of reasons someone would be better of choosing a desktop replacement laptop over a regular laptop.
Why would you choose a desktop replacement laptop?
Before judging the people walking around with a 10 pounds brick you should consider the reasons they got to make this choice, and I’m not including here motives like “the company gave me no choice, what’s what I got the first day I showed up for work”. So, let’s see the list:
- you need to move and thus can’t rely on a desktop
- you need a lot of horsepower for let’s say CAM/CAD, Photoshop, audio/video conversion
- a high resolution screen is a must for you
- you need a powerful discrete graphics card (I’m not thinking games, but hat will do too)
- you don’t care about battery life too much
- carrying around 10-12 pounds of gear doesn’t bother you
Now I would like to hear your take on this matter. Are you for or against desktop replacement laptops? Leave a comment below about how you feel.
PS. My current favorite desktop replacement is the ASUS G51J with a Core i7 CPU. It’s pretty cheap at 1500 $.
I wanted to buy a netbook for surfing and basic word processing while my Dell XPS laptop was back at dell for repair. Given the issues I had with my Dell I wanted to go with a non-dell brand. After much research I elected to buy the Samsung because of the screeen and battery life – and I’m glad I did.
The screen is bright and clear and looked sharper than the HP mini netbook and Asus Eee PC Netbook that were on display at Best Buy. Additionally the whole unit is about the size of the screen – not like the Asus where the screen is framed in by a good 1 1/2″ of plastic on all sides.
It was super easy to upgrade the memory to 2G – I removed the cover, poped out the old, replaced with the new $26 memory and replaced cover. Total upgrade time was less than 5 min.
The keyboard is also suprisingly comfortable and easy to type on. Size and feel are booth really good.
The battery life is really good. I have had at least 6 hours of charge with basic use (bluetooth turned off).
The design is thoughtful and simplified – just what you need nothing more. (more like the HP than the Asus which was kind of clunky).
Finally I’d like to do a shout out to JR’s Music and Computer via Amazon. I ordered on a Thursday by noon, selected regular shipping and had my unit the next day – WOW.
Cons – this unit doesn’t have the Microsoft Works that some of the other netbooks include I had to add it which did add to the price – but I think it was worth it.
I hope my findings help others. This is a great unit and I was glad I bought from JRs.