However, there are some tasks, such as games and rendering, that I would like to be able to do, but would strain my laptop (for example, the GW2 beta made it run quite warm). Hence, as always, I'm considering the old standby of acquiring a desktop.
But this where the issue arises: I have the money to build a good desktop, but I'm having a difficult time justifying the purchase of a second computer. Although I do wish to do these heavier tasks, they aren't exactly my primaru computer usage (i.e. I don't usually game for 8+ hours a day or whatnot), and my latop is still good for most basic things, like word processing, spreadsheets, and internet usage. I'm not sure that I would split my tasks to the point where I would use both computers equally. That being said, I have never had two computers for myself, so I don't really know. I certainly don't want to buy a desktop and end up having one of the two sitting in a corner collecting dust.
Hence, I would like to know, how many of you own two machines? Why do you own two? Do you use both frequently? What would you do?
I own a PC and a laptop. I own the laptop for work purposes (it has a DB9 port that lets me interface with older systems). I use both every day.
If I was in the position of only owning a single machine but needing two, I'd get the second machine. I was in that position and the second has proven to be a life saver.
The best reason to buy a Computer is for longevity. It can be easily upgraded, maintained and lasts usually a lot longer than a laptop. Where as a laptop has a much shorter lifespan, you can hardly ever upgrade them, and if it busts you need to spend a lot of cash to get it fixed (unless you're a techy.)
I have both parts, a powerful desktop and a laptop that's even faster than that. The major benefit is that you can use your laptop all day while away from home, but there's not need to warm it up there as the desktop can do anything else you need.
Another major benefit is that a desktop's power output is far greater than a laptop (in terms of performance, not electricity) to allow easier maneuverability within applications. It is also great as a Media machine for watching movies, rendering or playing games.
I actually own two laptops. One for games and one for portable typing. It works great, really.
I'd suggest getting the second computer. [I would just have desktop/laptop but I moved.] It's really kind of great to be able to just go everywhere with a computer, and then have a second one with larger screen/more comforts when you want/need it.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
my mouth is full of winsome lies -
and eyes are full of death besides
but luckily the soul is wise -
it sees beyond my blindness and
forced failure makes a better guise,
so as i come again alive,
it feels like life's a decent plan
I have a desktop and a laptop (and a HTPC that doubles as a media server). The desktop is great when multitasking (I am usually watching video on one monitor, then have a browser and an application or two open on the other monitor). Desktops are also more upgradeable, easily customizable for desired usage, and can have much faster performance.
The laptop I use for mobility and casual use - i.e., to check email when watching TV.
Desktops tend to cost less than the equivalent laptop counterpart, but it's still an increase in cost. I feel it's worth it for me to have both.
I just reread the OP and noted the reference to school. While in school, money is generally scarce and the prudent use is often to reduce/minimize college debt.
One suggestion if you do own multiple machines, I've found it quite convenient to use an online storage service that replicates your documents across all machines. In addition to being able to edit/read files from either machine, you can retrieve these files anywhere online & get the assurance of online backup. I personally use Sugarsync, but there are other services available.
I have a laptop and a desktop. Initially, I was to use my laptop at school and/or work; but, I don't do that.
Nowadays, one computer surfs the Web and the one on which I squander too much of my life while the other is my workhorse-type computer, handling my word-processing, presentation-making, etc. needs.
Wow, I completely forgot I had posted this.
Anyway, I know that it's beneficial to have a second computer, but I'm having trouble rationalizing the need for two machines. For more context, I'm currently in an internship that'll end at the end of the year, and the company provides us with work computers. Hence, I have no need to bring my laptop, and I feel like if I buy a desktop, the laptop will just sit there collecting dust until I'm back in school in January. And, I dunno, the thought of a good $ 800 laptop sitting there doing nothing makes the purchase of a second computer hard to justify.
On the other hand, though, some of the stuff I was doing the other day had it running uncomfortably hot, even with a powered cooling pad (fan) below it, which is not good. =/
Your laptop's specs are pretty decent tbh. Just buy a cooling pad and/or external peripherals (mouse, keyboard etc) and you'll be set for the next year or two.
Then when you're ready to build a computer, you'll already have the peripherals!
I have a desktop and a tablet. I used to own a laptop, my first was won through a scholarship years ago. The second I purchased and ran WoW OK, but at that point I didn't have that much time for games.
When my second laptop died, I realised a tablet is better for my needs on the go (RPG books, internet browsing). If you want to play the most recent games well, you will need a desktop IMO.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Looking to start a clan for Zork fans, PM if interested.
Atrius' Posts1W
Instant
You win target thread. If you aren't Atrius, Atrius wins that thread instead. "Wait, can you actually win a thread?" - Atrius.
Your laptop's specs are pretty decent tbh. Just buy a cooling pad and/or external peripherals (mouse, keyboard etc) and you'll be set for the next year or two.!
your machine if it is running the games and just getting warm is well within its parameters, Ive see i5's at 80c still functioning well.
See, that's the thing. Since I made this post over a month ago, I tried running another Guild Wars 2 Beta Event, and even with a cooling pad with a fan, my computer was still just as warm. And this isn't just "warm"; Diablo 3 runs warm, but I can still comfortably pick it up. With higher end games, it's hot to the touch. In fact, at one point, despite the keyboard and palm rest being very insulated, heat started to bleed through the joints and speakers. I'm afraid that prolonged strain is going to hamper the computer, and it's a significant limitation since these things are occurring under low graphics settings.
Also, Qwerty, do you find that you use each of your machines enough to warrant owning all of them? And as far as running I5's at 80 degrees (Celsius or Farenheit?), how long were they under this kind of heat? Did they suffer at all in regards to performance or parts wear?
I'd also always purchase a desktop computer first, for dozens of reasons. And then consider whether I need a laptop or not. Doing it the other way round sounds odd for me, since a desktop one is just superior in so many ways. Especially if you play games too.
And the computing power of the laptop is mostly irrelevant to me. The screen size alone is a reason for me to not give up my desktop. Heck, I upgraded it again recently, and love it. Not to mention the surround sound it offers. Makes me wonder how you can actually have a good experience when gaming on a laptop.
When my second laptop died, I realised a tablet is better for my needs on the go (RPG books, internet browsing). If you want to play the most recent games well, you will need a desktop IMO.
This is what I was thinking. As far as standard home usage, a desktop is just simply better unless you compute around the house (which I don't). Better speakers, larger screen, more comfortable keyboards, etc. I get that you can add these to laptops, but then it sort of defeats the purpose of the laptop. The upgrade-ability is also a major plus. In hinsight, maybe a tablet might've been better. I mean, my laptop has been very good to me, but other than running CAD programs with large files, which I don't really do very often at school, and large excel files, a tablet would fit my needs just as easily as a laptop, but without the added weight.
Recently I've been entertaining the thought of selling this laptop for as much as I can get (it's less than a year old, and I receipt for warranty purposes) and using the funds to buy a desktop. Then later, if needed, I could purchase a less expensive computer for schooling. I know that this isn't cash efficient though, so I don't know what to do. I also feel bad about selling it since it is still a capable computer.
80C is a fairly common load temperature while gaming. And laptops don't so much graciously 'wear out' as 'suddenly die.'
If you aren't getting the performance you want from the laptop, then go ahead and purchase the desktop (or gaming laptop) - if you can afford it. Just don't get too carried away; one can spend many thousands on upgrades to a gaming machine with diminishing returns.
I actually run four PCs (but working on computers is my vocation) so I might not be the best to advise on this. I can tell you that my decidedly non-techie wife uses 2 machines, though - an iMac for working on work related designs and a Macbook for travel work and iTunes.
I've always had 2 machines for as long as i've owned a laptop. Some tasks just aren't suited for laptops, so I think it's okay to build a gaming rig for that. I'd do it.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Decks in the hopper... Standard - R/G Aggro RG Standard - Book Burning UR Modern - U/W Tempo UW Legacy - Master of Affinity XX Vintage - Burnination RR
Find me on Modo under Tigerbreak
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Intel® Core™ i5 2410M Processor
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
Intel® HM65 Express Chipset
6GB DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM,
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M with 1GBDDR3 VRAM
750GB 5400rpm HDD
But this where the issue arises: I have the money to build a good desktop, but I'm having a difficult time justifying the purchase of a second computer. Although I do wish to do these heavier tasks, they aren't exactly my primaru computer usage (i.e. I don't usually game for 8+ hours a day or whatnot), and my latop is still good for most basic things, like word processing, spreadsheets, and internet usage. I'm not sure that I would split my tasks to the point where I would use both computers equally. That being said, I have never had two computers for myself, so I don't really know. I certainly don't want to buy a desktop and end up having one of the two sitting in a corner collecting dust.
Hence, I would like to know, how many of you own two machines? Why do you own two? Do you use both frequently? What would you do?
If I was in the position of only owning a single machine but needing two, I'd get the second machine. I was in that position and the second has proven to be a life saver.
I have both parts, a powerful desktop and a laptop that's even faster than that. The major benefit is that you can use your laptop all day while away from home, but there's not need to warm it up there as the desktop can do anything else you need.
Another major benefit is that a desktop's power output is far greater than a laptop (in terms of performance, not electricity) to allow easier maneuverability within applications. It is also great as a Media machine for watching movies, rendering or playing games.
Creatures [28]
4x Extractor Demon
4x Rotting Rats
4x Dregscape Zombie
3x Fatestitcher
4x Viscera Dragger
4x Hedron Crab
2x Kederekt Leviathan
3x Corpse Connoisseur
4x Spell Pierce
2x Consume Spirit
2x Tome Scour
3x Grim Discovery
Lands [23]
4x Terramorphic Expanse
3x Crypt of Agadeem
2x Grixis Panorama
2x Swamp
12x Island
Check out my SELLING LIST of great pricing!
I'd suggest getting the second computer. [I would just have desktop/laptop but I moved.] It's really kind of great to be able to just go everywhere with a computer, and then have a second one with larger screen/more comforts when you want/need it.
and eyes are full of death besides
but luckily the soul is wise -
it sees beyond my blindness and
forced failure makes a better guise,
so as i come again alive,
it feels like life's a decent plan
The laptop I use for mobility and casual use - i.e., to check email when watching TV.
Desktops tend to cost less than the equivalent laptop counterpart, but it's still an increase in cost. I feel it's worth it for me to have both.
I just reread the OP and noted the reference to school. While in school, money is generally scarce and the prudent use is often to reduce/minimize college debt.
One suggestion if you do own multiple machines, I've found it quite convenient to use an online storage service that replicates your documents across all machines. In addition to being able to edit/read files from either machine, you can retrieve these files anywhere online & get the assurance of online backup. I personally use Sugarsync, but there are other services available.
1 laptop and a desktop, soon to be joined by another desktop.
The laptop is a 486, on win95 (originally Dos5.0 and win 3.11) and netscape navigator.
...I can't seem to throw away stuff.
"Sometimes, the situation is outracing a threat, sometimes it's ignoring it, and sometimes it involves sideboarding in 4x Hope//Pray." --Doug Linn
Nowadays, one computer surfs the Web and the one on which I squander too much of my life while the other is my workhorse-type computer, handling my word-processing, presentation-making, etc. needs.
— jean-baptiste alphonse karr, les guêpes (1849)
wiki subforum @ mtgs forums * mtgs wiki * site rules
Anyway, I know that it's beneficial to have a second computer, but I'm having trouble rationalizing the need for two machines. For more context, I'm currently in an internship that'll end at the end of the year, and the company provides us with work computers. Hence, I have no need to bring my laptop, and I feel like if I buy a desktop, the laptop will just sit there collecting dust until I'm back in school in January. And, I dunno, the thought of a good $ 800 laptop sitting there doing nothing makes the purchase of a second computer hard to justify.
On the other hand, though, some of the stuff I was doing the other day had it running uncomfortably hot, even with a powered cooling pad (fan) below it, which is not good. =/
Then when you're ready to build a computer, you'll already have the peripherals!
When my second laptop died, I realised a tablet is better for my needs on the go (RPG books, internet browsing). If you want to play the most recent games well, you will need a desktop IMO.
Atrius' Posts 1W
Instant
You win target thread. If you aren't Atrius, Atrius wins that thread instead.
"Wait, can you actually win a thread?" - Atrius.
Also, Qwerty, do you find that you use each of your machines enough to warrant owning all of them? And as far as running I5's at 80 degrees (Celsius or Farenheit?), how long were they under this kind of heat? Did they suffer at all in regards to performance or parts wear?
This is what I was thinking. As far as standard home usage, a desktop is just simply better unless you compute around the house (which I don't). Better speakers, larger screen, more comfortable keyboards, etc. I get that you can add these to laptops, but then it sort of defeats the purpose of the laptop. The upgrade-ability is also a major plus. In hinsight, maybe a tablet might've been better. I mean, my laptop has been very good to me, but other than running CAD programs with large files, which I don't really do very often at school, and large excel files, a tablet would fit my needs just as easily as a laptop, but without the added weight.
Recently I've been entertaining the thought of selling this laptop for as much as I can get (it's less than a year old, and I receipt for warranty purposes) and using the funds to buy a desktop. Then later, if needed, I could purchase a less expensive computer for schooling. I know that this isn't cash efficient though, so I don't know what to do. I also feel bad about selling it since it is still a capable computer.
If you aren't getting the performance you want from the laptop, then go ahead and purchase the desktop (or gaming laptop) - if you can afford it. Just don't get too carried away; one can spend many thousands on upgrades to a gaming machine with diminishing returns.
I've always had 2 machines for as long as i've owned a laptop. Some tasks just aren't suited for laptops, so I think it's okay to build a gaming rig for that. I'd do it.
Standard - R/G Aggro RG
Standard - Book Burning UR
Modern - U/W Tempo UW
Legacy - Master of Affinity XX
Vintage - Burnination RR
Find me on Modo under Tigerbreak