• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Anyone here make the switch from desktop to laptop?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Yes, made the switch about a year ago, and while my laptop isn't the greatest out there, it plays most things I throw at it, so I'm quite happy with it. Recently got a tablet too, which is nice for when I don't feel like lugging my laptop around everywhere.
 
I made the switch from personal laptop to desktop and holy fuck my machine is beastly. All that's missing is that GPU. I definitely went overkill as 80% it's used for streaming/internet browsing (latest i5, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD).
 
I prefer laptops just because I don't want to be stuck to a desk all the time. So I got the highest end rMBP I could. So it's basically a desktop that I can take with me.

I got a separate desktop for other purposes but my main machine is a laptop.
 
Made the switch in December as I no longer had room for a desktop.

I did a lot of pc gaming on my desktop but I had to give that up. I have my 3ds/ps4/xbone to get me through on that front.

I now use my 2012 rMBP which runs like a champ for all my normal use. I can even do some light gaming on it. Nothing too graphically intense.
 
I'm exclusively laptop. I can't do the amount of typing I need to do on a tablet.

I might pick up an Alpha at some point, tho.
 
I only keep a desktop for demanding PC games and heavy computational activities. The laptop I'm using is in constant use and I've never thought that I needed someone beefier to do my every tasks. If you want to do some light gaming, purchase a gaming laptop, a monitor, and the other usual peripherals.

My last setup used to be having a desktop and a MS Surface tablet. It worked out extremely well, though I had to purchase a laptop for school reasons. So...you might not need to get a laptop? You could go for the Surface Pro 3 or wait for the next iteration?
 
I did, and I would never, ever go back to a desktop. Absolutely not. I've got a 15" laptop as my personal computer, and it's all I ever need (even for the design / layout / photo stuff I do for work).

However, I have next to no interest in playing games on my computer, so that's a factor that helps in my decision.
 
number47 said:
Wow. I'm shocked. How many people DONT have a desktop?
Click to expand...
Well, outside of a good video card there's not much you need a desktop for that a decent laptop can't do as well.

I switched to a Surface Pro a few years ago when the first version came out and I've done fine with it. I still have my desktop by I can't remember the last time I powered it up.
 
For a while I used both a desktop and a laptop. Then I upgraded the laptop to a solid all-around machine towards the end of college and had no need to keep the desktop.
 
I use a Chromebook to take notes in classes and to browse the internet at friends' / family's houses, and an iMac at home to do everything else (art programs and Steam games mostly)
 
Gaming desktop + multimedia laptop is the smartest combo.

You usually only want to go with a gaming laptop when your lifestyle demands it.
 
I have a desktop but I rarely use it nowadays. I simply just dock my MBP and hook it up to a monitor. If I feel the need to play videogames which is rare nowadays. I just stream via Steam.
 
I've got a laptop and I never ever use it. At work I've got a workstation class desktop, at home I've got a a high end gaming/graphics/DAW PC with a kickass 30" screen and tons of HD space. I'm hardly ever in a situation where I need a laptop. If I'm on the go and I want to read work documents and email, I could use my iPad. If I want entertainment I could go for the iPad or take a 3DS or ebook reader along for the ride.
 
I've got a ThinkPad that serves all my PC needs. I've got a monitor and speakers I hook up for when I need a bigger screen. It's capable of playing most games a little better than a PS3, and I really like it.

I kinda want a desktop to play my vast library of PC games with higher settings, but it's hard to justify spending the money just for that purpose when I've got a lot of consoles as well.
 
Angelus Errare said:
This can apply to desktop, laptop, netbook, or any electronic if you only have one of that type.
Click to expand...
Dylan-Confused-About-Sugar-Cookies-On-The-Chappelle-Show.gif
 
Not interested in Modern PC Games so no need for a desktop anymore.

I used to be a big laptop hater but they have come a lonngggggg way
 
I'll need a new computer soon but all I do is browse, watch non-HD videos and listen to Spotify. Also, I only use about 20GB of my hard drive not including the OS (Ubuntu). Already got a screen, add a Raspberry Pi 2 with Linux (it does those things not great but decent enough I've read) and I'm set for $50. Very low power consumption too. It's crazy but I want to try it!
 
Literally everyone I know uses a desktop as their main computer. I'm not into tablets so I couldn't be fucked with one of those.
 
I use my laptop often, but when I'm home it's all desktop. The feel of the keys, the mouse, size and multiple monitors, plus power for whatever I need.
 
I haven't owned a desktop since 2007, although I've used them at work on occasion. Right now I have two laptops – one mostly for gaming and development, and one mostly for browsing the Internet and watching movies in bed.
 
MrOogieBoogie said:
I'm one of two or three people who still has a desktop (that I personally know). Built it a few years ago for gaming mostly and it's served its purpose extremely well.

I'm now unsure whether or not I want to invest in a new desktop or just purchase a laptop. I frequent various coffee shops and I do envy the people who can just work a couple hours on their laptops. Working on my phone sucks, so I usually have to wait until I get home to get any real online-related work done.

And even though I don't have time to game as much anymore, i'd still love to play video games. It doesn't even have to be on-the-go, but if I can hook my laptop up to my monitor and game using a wired keyboard/mouse, that'd work just as well as a big desktop.

I don't know, how'd the switch go for you guys? What brands do I look at? I would need a laptop that's at least as powerful or more powerful than my i3-2100/6850 desktop.
Click to expand...

I feel like the desktop + ultrabook is the way to go if you want to game on PC and have a laptop. I myself purchased an Asus Zenbook earlier this year and it's a great work PC for me (+ light gaming such as hearthstone). But then I'm kinda itching right now to rebuild my desktop despite the fact that I don't have much time to game these days.
 
I bought a Sony Vaio Fit 13 A last year and haven't looked back at my desktop once. It is a dust collector.

That said, I don't care about PC gaming in the slightest. If I did, I'd most certainly stick to a desktop. For everything else though, a laptop is simply better.
 
I got a Surface Pro 3 instead of upgrading my desktop and getting a Cintiq.
Mostly do all my illustration work and writing on it. Its not the best drawing solution but it was easily a great deal less money then my alternative.

I mostly play old pc games or my 3DS so as far as that is concerned its great.
 
Both. Self-built gaming PC + laptop. Best of both worlds.

If no gaming, then get a laptop but buy a monitor and plug it in.
 
Been a desktop guy my entire life. Got myself a Surface Pro 3, moved most all of my content to OneDrive, no longer need a desktop. Been doing so now for a few months and it is amazing. Gaming wise, I've got a PS4 so PC gaming to me is not a checkbox I need to tick anymore.
 
Powerful desktop + decent laptop I use for light tasks, everything is synced so I can work on some things on the laptop, but I need the desktop for the heavy lifting.
 
I have both, but both are in dire need of an upgrade or flat out replacement. My desktop is about five years old while my laptop is around four years old at this point.
 
Went laptop in college. Going back to a desktop afterwards was pretty much the greatest hardware move ever. If you really need to work on the move, get a tablet. I don't know what kind of work you need done on the move, but I would say that tablets are just as good as laptops for most 'online productivity' stuff, and it's really the exact same thing if you get a cheap Windows 8 tablet and a portable/roll up keyboard. Chromebooks are good options too.
 
Have been a desktop person my entire life and can't see myself ever getting rid of it. I mean, who knows what will happen in a few years time, but nothing beats a gaming desktop.
 
Both, laptop is for schoolwork, travel, and screwing around. Desktop is for video editing, photos and games. I tried tablets for a little bit, but they are just too limited in hardware and software. ultra portable notebooks are the way to go insane battery life, portability, and all the comforts of home of a traditional desktop OS.
 
At work, laptop
At home, desktop and laptop
On the move, laptop and iPad
On the toilet, iPad
In the bed, laptop and iPad
 
Once I was finished with college, I really didn't need a laptop. When my old one died, I replaced it with a desktop I built and couldn't see myself ever going back. Anything that my work demands me to do while traveling can easily be done on a tablet.

The only selling point in my situation for a laptop over a desktop is porn, which an iPad does not do as well as a computer.
 
Come to think of it, I don't know a single person that still uses a personal desktop.
Of course, some use it at work, but non of them own one themselves.
I find my MBP to be more than powerful enough for the type of videos I make, no need for a desktop yet. It also means I can edit anywhere, other cities, other countries, hotel rooms etc.
 
Helped a friend make the exact opposite switch after his most recent laptop died. With a couple of extra parts I had laying around, we built him a really nice low-end Intel-based system with a lot of room to grow. He's super happy.
 
I've actually been doing a lot of laptop research lately and thinking about buying one.

I have a desktop gaming PC at home that I built myself, but I like to have something to carry around with me for everything else I use a computer for that isn't related to gaming.

I'm thinking about getting a Chromebook since they're cheap, light weight and integrate with my Android phone. I only use laptops for writing, web surfing and viewing videos anyway so I won't need a super powerful laptop.

Right now I'm using a spare MacBook Air (2010) that my IT department had laying around, but I have to give this back if I ever leave the company, so I'm careful what I put on it and what I do with it. I like the MacBook a lot (dat trackpad...) but they're outrageously priced and I would never spend the money for one. I would rather use that cash to upgrade my gaming rig.

Although, with Windows 10 coming up, it could be nice to utilize that to communicate and share applications with my gaming desktop, but I would have to spend a pretty penny on one of those too since cheaper Windows laptops are garbage.

Not sure what I want to do, but I may end up going the Chromebook route. I'm just not too familiar with them and I'm afraid it'll be useless and slow soon after I purchase it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Does anyone here browse reddit occasionally
2
87
959
Unknown Soldier replied
Anyone here ride choppers? I'm considering getting one.
2
76
1K
sCHOCOLATE replied
Anyone here have eye floaters?
2
78
2K
dorkimoe replied
My little nephew thinks the Christmas gift from me is from his grandma. Is it petty of me to want to make sure this is cleared up?
43
702
reinking replied
What is your current computer/laptop?
2
55
612
computergeek replied
Top Bottom