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Whats the point of getting a desktop?
- Thread starter ThisIsMyName
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bigger, typically faster hard drive. larger display, and not everybody needs or wants the portability of a laptop.
For those of us who don't want a computer following them around the house/office a desktop is a good way to limit computer activities to a single location.
When you work from home, need more than 4 Gb of ram and don't really want to be squinting at a small screen, I'm afraid a desktop is the only answer .. 
Exactly
When I got my iMac, a MacBook Pro with the same specs would have been over $1,000 more, and still would have had a graphics card with less memory.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my MBP, but I'd rather have a desktop. Unfortunately I need the portability, although there's not much that's portable about a 17" notebook. I find it amusing that so many people want a laptop v. a desktop, when they don't actually need to move the thing around on a daily/weekly basis. But then again, most people are dumb and want one because it's 'cute' or 'cool' and are willing to pay an exorbitant premium for, in all respects, an inferior machine...
Just my 2p
Just my 2p
I purchased my G5 in April of 2004, and I purchased my Powerbook in Fall of 2005. My Powerbook has shown the greatest slow down between the two of them, and is probably the closest to being replaced. I don't plan on replacing my G5 until well after 10.6 comes out, but I will probably purchase a new laptop within the next year or so.
So we're looking at possibly 6 years on the G5, and about 3-4 for the Powerbook.
So we're looking at possibly 6 years on the G5, and about 3-4 for the Powerbook.
In my case, I will have a laptop and a desktop. The laptop is portable for when I am on the go. However, the desktop will be more powerful, and more expandable.
I like being able to sit at a desk and use my iMac. It's also much easier to type on a desktop keyboard (yes I know you can get one for a laptop too) and look at a larger display. The MacBook Pro tops out at 17", and the iMac is 24". I know most people prefer looking at a larger screen. It guess it comes down to personal taste.
Speed,
desktop cpus are way faster (quad core vs dual core low power)
HDDs 2.5" Vs 3.5", no laptop drive can spin at 10K RPM yet there are tons of desktop drives that can
HDD redundancy, you cannot have raid 0/1/5/10/50 on a 15" laptop 17" will only do 0 or 1
multiple burners, most laptops cannot have multiple burners
HTPC, using a desktop comptuer as an HTPC is alot better than a laptops since most laptops do not have Optical out, HDMI/DVI,
gaming, ppl want a full sized KB, a FAST video card and a good mouse
the video cards in laptops are way slower than desktops since they are designed for mobility and low power consumption rather than raw processing power.
upgradability, you can only upgrade a laptop so much before its maxed out, with a desktop you can change any component easily, although you can change most components in laptops
reliability, desktop components should be more reliable since they dont move and get bumped around. also cooling is alot better, HDDs are more reliable if they are kept at 20C rather than 40C
desktop cpus are way faster (quad core vs dual core low power)
HDDs 2.5" Vs 3.5", no laptop drive can spin at 10K RPM yet there are tons of desktop drives that can
HDD redundancy, you cannot have raid 0/1/5/10/50 on a 15" laptop 17" will only do 0 or 1
multiple burners, most laptops cannot have multiple burners
HTPC, using a desktop comptuer as an HTPC is alot better than a laptops since most laptops do not have Optical out, HDMI/DVI,
gaming, ppl want a full sized KB, a FAST video card and a good mouse
the video cards in laptops are way slower than desktops since they are designed for mobility and low power consumption rather than raw processing power.
upgradability, you can only upgrade a laptop so much before its maxed out, with a desktop you can change any component easily, although you can change most components in laptops
reliability, desktop components should be more reliable since they dont move and get bumped around. also cooling is alot better, HDDs are more reliable if they are kept at 20C rather than 40C
True, I never thought of this. I've had a couple of laptop hard drives die out on me before. Chalked it up to bad luck, not heat. Good call.
I always find notebook performance underwhelming next to comparable desktops.
For instance, my 2.0GHz Core Duo 1GB MacBook was blown out of the water by my 2.0GHz Core Duo 1GB iMac, the only difference really being a graphics card. I think it's down to laptop parts being chosen for their portability, heat management and energy efficiency and rather than their power. Desktops don't really have the same sorts of worries so can run using more taxing components.
There's definitely still a place out there for a good desktop.
For instance, my 2.0GHz Core Duo 1GB MacBook was blown out of the water by my 2.0GHz Core Duo 1GB iMac, the only difference really being a graphics card. I think it's down to laptop parts being chosen for their portability, heat management and energy efficiency and rather than their power. Desktops don't really have the same sorts of worries so can run using more taxing components.
There's definitely still a place out there for a good desktop.
Another reason some might overlook...
I've had nothing but laptops for the last 6 years, which has been great for school, but it's a real pain when you have multiple USB devices that you're constantly having to attach and detach every time you take the laptop anywhere. There's been way too many times where I came up with a little melody that I wanted to record in Logic Express, but just didn't feel like pulling out my iMic, plugging the amp and speakers into it, plugging in my USB midi controller, and plugging in my external display (since Logic is a pain on my 14" iBook monitor). And then I have to turn around and unplug it all to go to class (use the iBook for note taking)
Call me lazy if you want, but I'm looking forward to an iMac just to be able to have everything plugged in and ready to go whenever I am. I'll gladly relegate the iBook to a glorified notepad for class and use the iMac for everything else.
I've had nothing but laptops for the last 6 years, which has been great for school, but it's a real pain when you have multiple USB devices that you're constantly having to attach and detach every time you take the laptop anywhere. There's been way too many times where I came up with a little melody that I wanted to record in Logic Express, but just didn't feel like pulling out my iMic, plugging the amp and speakers into it, plugging in my USB midi controller, and plugging in my external display (since Logic is a pain on my 14" iBook monitor). And then I have to turn around and unplug it all to go to class (use the iBook for note taking)
Call me lazy if you want, but I'm looking forward to an iMac just to be able to have everything plugged in and ready to go whenever I am. I'll gladly relegate the iBook to a glorified notepad for class and use the iMac for everything else.
I love this topic, as I am debating the same thing in my head... My iMac G5 is getting kinda sluggish & will either get a 15" MBP or a 20" iMac... now the hard drive capacity/speed, and screen size are issues i've thought of, but what I DIDN'T think of was first of all the iMacs & MBP's use the same processor, no? Or is it slower/lower power than the iMac... I always assumed the iMac was laptop parts (more or less) in a desktop form... Also the graphics card issue... are they slower/lower powered than the iMacs as well? If anyone can clear those 2 points up, that would be great!
for my needs a notebooks power is easily enough. and i like to take it with me to my GF's place, work, travel. about half the time i use it as a desktop with an external monitor/keyboard/HDD.
That's where i really miss a docking station. ideally i would want a desktop and a notebook, but that's too expensive. so i'm stuck with the notebook (and an emac for surfing and email).
so even if notebooks are powerful enough people would still buy a desktop in addition to a notebook.
That's where i really miss a docking station. ideally i would want a desktop and a notebook, but that's too expensive. so i'm stuck with the notebook (and an emac for surfing and email).
so even if notebooks are powerful enough people would still buy a desktop in addition to a notebook.
Kids
I would never have gotten another desktop, for mysef, but I got an imac for the family room so the kids can use it with a bit of supervision. A kid does not need to have the "privacy" of a laptop.
I would never have gotten another desktop, for mysef, but I got an imac for the family room so the kids can use it with a bit of supervision. A kid does not need to have the "privacy" of a laptop.
Portables are too delicate and even more so as they continually get faster and smaller. They can become uncomfortable after a long period of use because you have to look down on a screen and the keyboards are smaller and heat etc.
Desktops give you expandability, faster HDDs, comfortable keyboards and mice, bigger better looking screens etc
I used to be a laptop person (still am somewhat) but i found they gave me headaches for the most part. I had to worry about battery, heat/ventilation and screens were not as good as desktops etc which is why i bought an iMac after selling my MBP and have been very happy with it. Its comfortable to use and its blazing fast.
In an ideal world both should coexists. One for use when you get home and doing all the heavy lifting and the other for on the go computing.
Desktops give you expandability, faster HDDs, comfortable keyboards and mice, bigger better looking screens etc
I used to be a laptop person (still am somewhat) but i found they gave me headaches for the most part. I had to worry about battery, heat/ventilation and screens were not as good as desktops etc which is why i bought an iMac after selling my MBP and have been very happy with it. Its comfortable to use and its blazing fast.
In an ideal world both should coexists. One for use when you get home and doing all the heavy lifting and the other for on the go computing.
Mac Pro user here:
I enjoy having a workstation, and I don't mean just the class of computer. I mean the entire arrangement of my computer setup.
I like the ability to run more than 2 monitors.
I prefer a hard line internet connection.
I prefer SATA drives to external FW.
I've got an iPod Touch for mobile internet.
I guess that about does it.
I actually prefer trackpads though, I've got an Addesso which is alright. I'd love a cool new usb multitouch trackpad from Apple but don't think that's too likely.
I enjoy having a workstation, and I don't mean just the class of computer. I mean the entire arrangement of my computer setup.
I like the ability to run more than 2 monitors.
I prefer a hard line internet connection.
I prefer SATA drives to external FW.
I've got an iPod Touch for mobile internet.
I guess that about does it.
I actually prefer trackpads though, I've got an Addesso which is alright. I'd love a cool new usb multitouch trackpad from Apple but don't think that's too likely.