What are the disadvantages of using a laptop as a desktop?
Are there any significant disadvantages?
What are the disadvantages of using a laptop as a desktop?
- Last Updated:
- May 17th, 2019 6:08 pm
Tags:
- SCORE
- starlamp [OP]
- Member
- Feb 13, 2019
- 312 posts
- 158 upvotes
39 replies
- georvu
- Deal Fanatic
- Feb 4, 2015
- 6414 posts
- 2815 upvotes
- Canada, Eh!!
You'll then have to carry the desktop around... to use as laptop!! 
JK
I've been using like that for years hooked up to a monitor. This was because have other laptops as well so designated one as desktop for banking, email only.
If looking to buy new computer... normally get more bang for your buck with desktop.
JKI've been using like that for years hooked up to a monitor. This was because have other laptops as well so designated one as desktop for banking, email only.
If looking to buy new computer... normally get more bang for your buck with desktop.
.......
July 13, 2017 to October 25, 2018: BOC raised rates 5 times and MCAP raised its prime rate next day each time.
2020: BOC dropped rates 3 times and MCAP waited and waited to drop its prime rate to include all 3 drops.
July 13, 2017 to October 25, 2018: BOC raised rates 5 times and MCAP raised its prime rate next day each time.
2020: BOC dropped rates 3 times and MCAP waited and waited to drop its prime rate to include all 3 drops.
- mrtin905
- Deal Addict
- Apr 13, 2005
- 1209 posts
- 1219 upvotes
- Markham, ON
Cost (more expensive to build a laptop as powerful as its desktop counterpart)
Space considerations (you can put a desktop under your desk) while laptop has to be on the desk, occupying space.
Space considerations (you can put a desktop under your desk) while laptop has to be on the desk, occupying space.
FIDO, Freedom Mobile, Koodo, Public Mobile, TELUS customer.
- MadCanadian
- Deal Addict
- Jan 10, 2017
- 1266 posts
- 594 upvotes
- GTA
Performance is the only time people would want to use a desktop over a laptop. Basic needs doesn't change requirements as the laptop can be docked to a desk with keyboard, mouse and monitor.
- elgros4
- Sr. Member
- Sep 13, 2011
- 968 posts
- 625 upvotes
- Québec
- vkizzle
- Deal Expert
- Aug 22, 2011
- 35227 posts
- 21211 upvotes
- Center of Universe
Laptops are for mobility.
Desktops would be ideal for gamers, as you have better cooling and obviously more space for those massive GPUs.
Desktops would be ideal for gamers, as you have better cooling and obviously more space for those massive GPUs.
- death_hawk
- Deal Expert
- Aug 22, 2006
- 27311 posts
- 12995 upvotes
-Limited ports
-Limited expandability
-Limited resources (RAM, CPU, disks)
-Ports may be in the wrong location taking up more desk room
-Docking stations cost additional money
-Slower than desktops (assuming same generation etc)
-Limited expandability
-Limited resources (RAM, CPU, disks)
-Ports may be in the wrong location taking up more desk room
-Docking stations cost additional money
-Slower than desktops (assuming same generation etc)
- starlamp [OP]
- Member
- Feb 13, 2019
- 312 posts
- 158 upvotes
Thanks everyone
It's just that I kitted out some desktop tiny's on the Lenovo site and they became quite expensive. And with the 30% off Thinkpad deal some of them seem quite cheap & I was thinking maybe I could just use one laptop for both needs [I'm a home user either way] - hence the thread.
Very helpful: thanks again folks.
It's just that I kitted out some desktop tiny's on the Lenovo site and they became quite expensive. And with the 30% off Thinkpad deal some of them seem quite cheap & I was thinking maybe I could just use one laptop for both needs [I'm a home user either way] - hence the thread.
Very helpful: thanks again folks.
- mr_raider
- Deal Expert
- Feb 29, 2008
- 25961 posts
- 3265 upvotes
- Montreal
Desk space. You can put the tower on the floor and run two full size displays, instead of a small laptop and display on the side.
- georvu
- Deal Fanatic
- Feb 4, 2015
- 6414 posts
- 2815 upvotes
- Canada, Eh!!
I only shut down laptop used as desktop like once a week or so... more if updates.
So able to put on top of a plastic storage container that is on floor... no loss in desk space.
Close lid at night... open in morning.
So able to put on top of a plastic storage container that is on floor... no loss in desk space.
Close lid at night... open in morning.
.......
July 13, 2017 to October 25, 2018: BOC raised rates 5 times and MCAP raised its prime rate next day each time.
2020: BOC dropped rates 3 times and MCAP waited and waited to drop its prime rate to include all 3 drops.
July 13, 2017 to October 25, 2018: BOC raised rates 5 times and MCAP raised its prime rate next day each time.
2020: BOC dropped rates 3 times and MCAP waited and waited to drop its prime rate to include all 3 drops.
- joeyjoejoe
- Deal Guru
-
- May 9, 2006
- 11959 posts
- 2463 upvotes
Just don't be fooled by Intel's naming conventions like an "i7" in a laptop and think it's the same as an i7 in a desktop PC.starlamp wrote: ↑ Thanks everyone
It's just that I kitted out some desktop tiny's on the Lenovo site and they became quite expensive. And with the 30% off Thinkpad deal some of them seem quite cheap & I was thinking maybe I could just use one laptop for both needs [I'm a home user either way] - hence the thread.
Very helpful: thanks again folks.
- CNeufeld
- Deal Guru
-
- Mar 23, 2008
- 11878 posts
- 8134 upvotes
- Edmonton
Unlike a lot of things where bigger is better, when it comes to technology, you often pay a premium for small. As in, when configuring a laptop or “tiny” computer.starlamp wrote: ↑ Thanks everyone
It's just that I kitted out some desktop tiny's on the Lenovo site and they became quite expensive. And with the 30% off Thinkpad deal some of them seem quite cheap & I was thinking maybe I could just use one laptop for both needs [I'm a home user either way] - hence the thread.
Very helpful: thanks again folks.
C
- Quickman
- Sr. Member
- Jan 8, 2015
- 800 posts
- 509 upvotes
If you're using constant high load CPU tasks eventually the thermal paste/compound will dry up and see higher and higher temperatures in a laptop?
- badOne
- Deal Fanatic
-
- Mar 31, 2017
- 6729 posts
- 2947 upvotes
Upgrading is difficult or impossible for laptops. many laptops have soldered ram slots so upgrading ram wont be possible. Upgrading video card most laptops will not allow either. upgrading cpu likely not.
On the plus side is the portability of the laptop, and way less energy use.
On the plus side is the portability of the laptop, and way less energy use.
- death_hawk
- Deal Expert
- Aug 22, 2006
- 27311 posts
- 12995 upvotes
Did I feel this when I built my NUC.
For the price I paid, I could have built a machine that was damn near twice as powerful.
But I can literally shove my NUC in a side pocket of my suitcase.
Also to show how weird generations are, my NUC (NUC8i7HVK) even with a mobileish chipset is more powerful than the desktop I'm currently using to write this post.
It was at least decent like 5 years ago with an i5 3570k and a R9 280.
My damn NUC is the size of my R9 280....
- Gee
- Deal Expert
- Aug 2, 2004
- 33299 posts
- 6992 upvotes
- East Gwillimbury
I personally have complete abandoned notebooks. I only use desktops. For mobility, it is an iPad Pro which cost more than most desktops
- rabbit
- Deal Guru
-
- Jun 27, 2004
- 12932 posts
- 2223 upvotes
- Vancouver.bc.ca
For those talking about saving desk space, keep in mind that you can get a dock/port_replicator and stow the notebook away the same as you would the desktop.
- mbg
- Deal Guru
-
- Apr 4, 2001
- 11646 posts
- 506 upvotes
It really depends on what you want to do with your computer.
For some workloads (i.e. general purpose computing, web browsing, tablet-type games, light image editing, etc) there is no practical difference.
If you have heavy computing workloads, then you can get capable notebooks but they will be big and heavy. Desktop will always offer more for less money for such workloads.
Ergonomics are one big difference. It is easy to use notebooks in a way that will lead to pain in your shoulders, wrists, neck and/or back. You can mitigate this by docking your notebook to a desk-based keyboard, mouse, and monitor but that removes some of the advantages of a notebook and increases the cost.
Personally, I would not want to work for long periods of time on a notebook without a desk-based keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
As above, it all depends on what you want to do. It is pointless to get a powerful desktop PC if all you will be doing is Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and watching movies for an hour or two a day.
For some workloads (i.e. general purpose computing, web browsing, tablet-type games, light image editing, etc) there is no practical difference.
If you have heavy computing workloads, then you can get capable notebooks but they will be big and heavy. Desktop will always offer more for less money for such workloads.
Ergonomics are one big difference. It is easy to use notebooks in a way that will lead to pain in your shoulders, wrists, neck and/or back. You can mitigate this by docking your notebook to a desk-based keyboard, mouse, and monitor but that removes some of the advantages of a notebook and increases the cost.
Personally, I would not want to work for long periods of time on a notebook without a desk-based keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
As above, it all depends on what you want to do. It is pointless to get a powerful desktop PC if all you will be doing is Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and watching movies for an hour or two a day.
- zantetsu
- Newbie
- Mar 13, 2019
- 21 posts
- 9 upvotes
I travel for work and went with a laptop. I recommend going very high end or not at all, you cant really upgrade them after the fact and you dont to have performance issues on day 1. Look at reviews and make sure it has decent cooling. I have had very good luck with sager or clevo laptops. I bought mine from the states but would probably go for a Canadian distributor today. Be ready to open and clean the dust from the fans and exhausts every few months.
- starlamp [OP]
- Member
- Feb 13, 2019
- 312 posts
- 158 upvotes
This is the best - you guys rock. Thanks forumers