Well you know what I mean a laptop or a desk computer. I want to get a new computer which way do I go?

Karen 

You get more for your money with a desktop. But it just depends if mobility is high on your wish list and/or money :) Also, what you use the computer for.

Daisy

I've got a laptop at work and a desktop at home.  I much prefer the desktop, even though the laptop is all singing, all dancing high spec thingy!  Plus, IT bloke at work says the trouble with laptops is that if they break down they are harder and more expensive to fix.  If I were getting a new one for home, I would definitely get another desktop, especially now you get those lovely flat, thin screens with them :) 

Lesley

Desk top thats the word I was looking for; thanks both :) Anyhow I think you may be right mobilty is not high on my wish list at all.

Karen

Have to agree with Lesley.  Laptop is extremely expensive to get fixed.  Desktop is also easier/cheaper to upgrade in a few years time is desired.  I bought a VERY expensive top of the range laptop, it lasted 14 months light use :(  I now have a super dooper desktop (Evesham).  Check out website of PC Advisor magazine, they have a good consumer forum ;)

Jax :)

I find my desktop much better than the laptop I have at work! 'Computer literate' son also says laptops are u/s for playing games! although I suppose you could add a joystick or even a mouse.
You would definately get more for your money with a desktop and you could always add wirefree keyboard and optical mouse etc.plus maybe go for a flatscreen,although they are still a bit on the pricey side.
I think you need to research the pros and cons depending on what you want from it,i.e. portability,memory,dvd,cd writer,ram,etc etc I haven't a clue about specs. really,but my son generally builds my computers anyhow and assures me I couldn't buy an 'internet ready' all singing one from a retailer for the same price! he makes it look simple,but I guess it depends on how technical you are? I have gadgets I probably will never learn to use i.e. the 3D glasses that came with my graphics etc. and I have so much memory I will probably never fill it up.
One thing I found was good though is that he ?split the hard-drive and it allows me to back up data onto the 2nd or 3rd partition so if I get a virus I can format one part and not lose all my stuff.
I am still trying to learn about computers,but don't think I have enough real interest in them or their capabilities,to want to do more than I already do. :D
Why not make a list of what you need,then match that to what the desktop v laptop,have to offer?
One thing for sure,whatever you buy it will be outdated in less than 6months!
Jacqueline. :)

I love my laptop its so much tider then a hefty desktop takeing all that space up. I think its just as good value for money as you can take it where you want use it when you like , where as if you have your desktop you cant cart it to work can you ;) not only that you get to surf in comfort without back and bum ache from sitting at your desk get even more relaxed take it to bed hehe :D

Desk top every time, welve just had to get an new one as ours was 5 years old and not coping well with the heavy gaphics use & updated software.
Great thing was that we could outlay far more on a top grade tower unit and not have to buy the thjings we didn't need as part of the package, talking monitor, printer, scanner etc which seem to come bundled in hith some these days.
We went to Novatech in Portsmouth, told them what we wanted and what we would use it for and they built it to our spec, had it priced by a friend and they reckon we could only have saved £100 if we had done it ourselves.
We were very fortunate as the day after we got it my old one decided to die on me just as I had finishing transferring everything off it.
I'd quite like a laptop as a back up and to take with me when I am away to download pictures etc

Ingrid

Get an i mac! best looking desktop computer you can get!

Jacqueline wrote:
<<One thing I found was good though is that he ?split the hard-drive and it allows me to back up data onto the 2nd or 3rd partition so if I get a virus I can format one part and not lose all my stuff.>>

Depends upon the virus as you may have to reformat the whole drive.  You would probably be better fitting a second hard drive if this is the way you wish to back up.

Jacqueline wrote:
<<One thing I found was good though is that he ?split the hard-drive and it allows me to back up data onto the 2nd or 3rd partition so if I get a virus I can format one part and not lose all my stuff.>>

Depends upon the virus as you may have to reformat the whole drive.  You would probably be better fitting a second hard drive if this is the way you wish to back up :)

Hi Kerioak,
Maybe that's what he did? I have'nt a clue,that's why I put ?split the hard-drive :D I expect you are right and I probably have two/three hard drives,I know my son would do the best thing to stop me 'killing' the computer and losing all my stuff :D

I'll have to ask him to explain more simply to me when he is next home,I am a bit confused where computer hardware is concerned :D he just told me to back it all up onto D from C whenever I have anything I consider really important to save and not to download onto the D anything off the web?
Also all hubby's games are installed on D by my son? so I bet you are correct! I have more hardware than I thought LOL  I even have a ?compact disk E and F and removable disks G and H.
I know G & H are my camera card readers,(I have two different types) and compact disks are cdwriter/reader and dvd.At least that's how I use them all.

This is why I could never buy a ready made package! I wouldn't know what to look for :D I just expect it all to work and do the things I want it to and would probably be any salespersons dream buyer, " yes madam you need this and this and this!" :D

Jacqueline :)

Desktop every time.  Unless you have a docking station and a monitor, I find laptops give me a headache.

Definitly a desktop - how do you tinker with the laptops and add more hard-drives, change modems, memory etc - at least there is scope to work in a bigger one :)

I find the laptop hurts my eyes too after long periods :rolleyes: