TS: Laptops vs. Desktops

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They're more expensive and harder to repair/upgrade as has been said but I LOVE laptops. I have a good warranty and very computer-savvy friends who act as consultants in case of problems. That helps.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Thursday, 9 October 2003 20:51 (twenty years ago) link

I've been using laptops for like 7 years now and it has nothing really to do with a need to cart my computer all over the place. In fact I hardly ever take it off the desk. But I like knowing that I can if I want to, and I having space on my desk for other things. Packing a desktop and 17" CRT with me every time I moved house for the first two years of school was some buuulll shhiiiit, esp. when compared to roll up power cord, fold and go.

― TOMBOT, Thursday, 9 October 2003 20:56 (twenty years ago) link

I like my lap-top. I don't take it anywhere. But, it's nice to be able to close the lid and not have all my space taken up by a big old desk top computer.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 10 October 2003 16:24 (twenty years ago) link

I have a desktop because it's price/performance is cheaper and it's easier to upgrade - I've been cycling parts in and out of my computer for about 10 years (even the case!). One of the main things is that the fastest hardware comes to desktops first, and I used to be obsessed by performance (mainly game framerates). As for the space issue, no matter whether I have a laptop or desktop, I still have to have a gigantic 21" monitor on my desk, so the desktop which sits under my desk is hardly noticeable at all.

Also, I'm still old-fashioned in that I still like to be apart from my "computer" and not be tempted to bring it with me to every place/event etc. If I need portable data, then I'll burn it onto a disc and use another machine somewhere. Also, my palm pilot experience was a disaster. I ended up just putting drink recipes, jokes and the kama sutra on it!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 10 October 2003 16:43 (twenty years ago) link

I vote laptop all the way. I can drive a second monitor (along with a separate keyboard/mouse) with mine PowerBook and have an amazing amount of screen space.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Friday, 10 October 2003 16:55 (twenty years ago) link

I am the only person on ILX who doesn't feel the need to cart computers with me everywhere I go, I fear. Though if I DID I'd still vote desktop because that would be some impressive manly shit, hauling that bastard all over.

I've always been a hardcore desktop guy myself. Unfortunately, though, I want to travel absolutely as light as possible when I move overseas, and a desktop is not what I need to lug around town - I'll probably have too much stuff anyway. I've flirted with the idea of sending over my PC desktop later, but I still think it'd be too much hassle in the long run. So imma gettin a PowerBook. Whoopee! It's never going to leave my desk, but whatever. I only use a few basic programs and a few high-end video and audio programs.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Friday, 10 October 2003 16:57 (twenty years ago) link

I can see how having the kama sutra on a PDA would be a disaster: "Fuck! My stylus won't work!"

― Bryan (Bryan), Friday, 10 October 2003 16:59 (twenty years ago) link

GS - what audio programs are you going to use with the Powerbook? I'm trying, without luck, to figure out what to use to replace CoolEdit on our old PC since we have the Powerbook now. Logic Audio looks the best but is f'in expensive and probably more than I need.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 10 October 2003 18:08 (twenty years ago) link

Ooh...I do more video than audio work. And most of my audio work is subsidiary to video - so I'm talking Peak Express and Soundtrack for me (both of which come with FCP). I guess your best options would be Bias (the full package is about comparable in price to Logic, but you can also buy parts of it) or Logic. I'm not quite as up on the audio audio work. Sorry to have given that impression.

Also, not quite related but definitely cool as hell (and I shall get this as soon as I can afford it) - Max/MSP with Jitter. Jitter rocks my video world.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Friday, 10 October 2003 18:40 (twenty years ago) link

ah, but where's the revolutionary esprit? NATO55 FOREVER

― j. pantsman (jpantsman), Friday, 10 October 2003 22:10 (twenty years ago) link

nick and sarah you should consider ableton live. i suppose it's not quite the same thing as protools, sonar, cubase etc. (i don't know cool edit) but it is way more fun and easier to use. version 3 just came out today (i think) which i'm kind of excited about. in fact i should head over there right now

― ron (ron), Friday, 10 October 2003 23:39 (twenty years ago) link

I'm trying, without luck, to figure out what to use to replace CoolEdit on our old PC since we have the Powerbook now. Logic Audio looks the best but is f'in expensive and probably more than I need.

If it's stereo wave editing/mastering you want to do then Bias Peak. I'm not sure if Bias Peak does multi-track like Cool Edit Pro (BTW Syntrillium has been taken over by Adobe and CEP will henceforth be known as Adobe Audition).

― David (David), Friday, 10 October 2003 23:50 (twenty years ago) link

I never do anything but write and make mix CDs on my guy at home, plus my studio apartment is tiny -- my "desk" is a pretty old TV tray. Even if I had a bigger place though, the aesthetic superiority of the laptop is just... how can you argue? If my lovely laptop told me to strip naked there'd be socks hanging from the fan before the words were completely out of its speaker.

― Ann Sterzinger (Ann Sterzinger), Saturday, 11 October 2003 00:32 (twenty years ago) link

oh if you are assembling /editing songs, not recording them, then live wouldn't be good for you i guess. but it is a great prog.

― ron (ron), Saturday, 11 October 2003 09:25 (twenty years ago) link

seventeen years pass...

I cant decide whether this question has been settled since either way ir whether its no longer even the same question

― Ole Blueyes Solskjaer (darraghmac), Tuesday, 12 January 2021 03:17 (three years ago) link

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