Does it Still Make Sense to Buy a Desktop PC?

melteye said:
Settling for medicre performance is so [H]ard.
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I've noticed people here are getting less and less [H]ard!

People talking about their notebooks are enough and they don't own desktops anymore...why are you here??? That's as {S}oft as you can get.
 
To most people a laptop does make most sense, after all they are usually as fast as your bog standard pre-built best buy tower, take up less space and are portable, however for the enthusiasts (read: most people around [H]ere) then buying bespoke desktops or self building is still the #1 way to go.
 
pelo said:
Actually, MS's figures show that desktops are more prone to hardware failure than are laptops.
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If this: http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/144888/eurosys84-nightingale.pdf is the paper you are referring to, the paper isn't about hardware dying, it is just about errors that lead to crashes (IE: CPU calculation errors, memory bit errors, and disk errors). They also only looked at the first 30 days of system on time and not long term. This paper speaks nothing on if laptops or desktops are more likely to have hardware die.
 
pelo said:
But you can't claim laptops are somehow more failure prone. The MS figures are derived from countless machines over a long period of time and your personal opinion on the matter isn't going to change that. I was surprised at the figures myself, but if you think about it you'd realize it makes a bit of sense. Laptops are put together and fired up, tested and then an OS is installed along with all the other applications. When you build a PC you don't get that sort of attention to detail unless you do it yourself -- prime95, Linpack, etc, and any errors get logged. You go through RMAs/replacements until you find one that's suitable. The only tangible failure rate where laptops would be higher than desktops would be due to being dropped but if you treat it as a stationary device like a desktop (meaning matching them evenly) then that too goes away.

You don't get as many parts to pick and choose from with laptops but it's slowly getting there. With thunderbolt you might even have a dedicated GPU box, meaning you can come home, plug in your laptop through thunderbolt to your external GPU and start gaming :)
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That its one thing I hope to see in the future with laptops, just to keep gaming on them alive.
 
Yes, desktops are great in that they're always there. Just sit down and turn the thing on. No need to set it up, plug in your monitor/mouse/keyboard/external hdd's/power. It's already done. Laptop stays in the bag for when I go out again.

Sure I could replace the tower with a laptop that runs like a monster, but it's easier and better space-wise to have the tower on the floor rather than find a spot on the desk for a laptop that then occupies that desk space that I could be using for other stuff. Compared to a desktop (tower), and a 24" + monitor, laptops are a pita that eat up desk space. Let's say for example that I exchange out my monitor for a laptop, I then loose all of that desk space in front of my screen due to the damn laptop base being in the way with a redundant keyboard/tracking device just wasting my desk space.
 
siliconnerd said:
If this: http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/144888/eurosys84-nightingale.pdf is the paper you are referring to, the paper isn't about hardware dying, it is just about errors that lead to crashes (IE: CPU calculation errors, memory bit errors, and disk errors). They also only looked at the first 30 days of system on time and not long term. This paper speaks nothing on if laptops or desktops are more likely to have hardware die.
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I'd consider the HDD, CPU, memory and motherboard to be hardware and thus they count as hardware failures. I'm not sure what you consider hardware if it's not those parts.

Trimlock, check this out and this thread too. It seems the biggest obstacle is the chipset being slimmed down in PCIE lanes, but they're going to get bigger (and they have) as the GPUs increase in computational power. It seems like it would be a pretty cool idea, actually. Build yourself a little eGPU box with its own PSU :)

I think people see laptops as the laptops of old, where they don't have the horsepower of the desktop and weigh 30lbs. In reality, though, a $500 laptop offers more than enough processing power for 90% of the population. That's how far software has fallen behind the hardware curve.
 
pelo said:
I'd consider the HDD, CPU, memory and motherboard to be hardware and thus they count as hardware failures. I'm not sure what you consider hardware if it's not those parts.
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There is a difference between a failure that requires you to restart an application or restart your computer and a failure that requires you to buy new hardware. The paper only is talking about the first type, and only in the first 30 days of CPU time. This has little bearing on how long the computer would last before some piece of hardware dies requiring the part/system to be replaced.
 
450 said:
After getting the rMBP, I don't see a point in getting a desktop. It's the best computer I've owned.

I can run 3 external monitors at 1920x1200 or 2 at 2560x1600 and another at 1920x1200. I can use the same machine to be mobile and use it for presentations and working with others away from my desk. For my needs, I don't see a reason to go back to a desktop.
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So, uh, how is high-end gaming @ 2560x1600 or running 3d modelling, audio authoring, serious programming & software development, etc., working out for you? (and yes, I do all of those on my desktops).
 
How many 3TB drives can you fit in a laptop?

And there is a no-brainer difference in the horsepower available in a desktop with a 1000watt power supply and two powerful video cards and a quad-core that absolutely smokes the quads they put in laptops (which are slower due to reduced thermal capacity and power requirements on battery).

Even for non-power users, the price difference between a Optiplex desktop and a E6420 laptop + docking station (because who wants to have to plug in a keyboard, mouse, and two monitor cables if they are on the go) + cable lock is an absolute no-brainer.

With citrix remote connectivity software, our users can also get to their desktops from home or at a clients site from any computer, so why carry a laptop around which might end up stolen out of their car and compromise our secure data?

So to pretend that desktops are irrelevant is non-sense. Desktops make companies money by saving them money, are practical, and offer superior performance at the limit of current technology, and superior performance per dollar at any level.
 
BTW, another consideration is hardware durability.

The Precision and Optiplex laptops had extremely low hardware failure rates, with issues generally limited to rare failures of harddrives first and powersupplies second with most other components virtually never failing.

Our laptops, perhaps specifically because they are moved around, dropped, banged, spilled coke on, etc along with the fact that the components are all more tightly packed with clogged tiny heatsinks from dust etc being more of a problem, but it caused a lot more downtime with component failures that dwarfed the desktops.

Even with overnight parts+service contract, time is money and the IT call, the loaner machine, the data transfer during that time so they aren't sitting all day, etc costs money.
 
Crap, lack of edit (why the hell?), I meant "The Precision and Optiplex desktops had extremely low hardware failure rates".
 
These figures don't include the homemade computers. Just OEM made models, which they are trying to phase out because a laptop is more expensive and are a dead end product. Meaning it makes better buisness sense.

The steam hardware survey is dominated by desktop cards. Nvidia/AMD sell piles of desktop cards...

450 said:
After getting the rMBP, I don't see a point in getting a desktop. It's the best computer I've owned.
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You must have had a ton of crap computers before. :p
 
DeathPrincess said:
These figures don't include the homemade computers. Just OEM made models, which they are trying to phase out because a laptop is more expensive and are a dead end product. Meaning it makes better buisness sense.
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Good point, my desktop has a case + powersupply that is now on its third processor upgrade, second motherboard, third video card, and has had other additions like eSata card, more and bigger harddrives (including SSDs), and a BluRay optical drive when they finally got cheap enough.

And the old hardware created a "trickle down" upgrade effect on the desktops of my family's machine. Yesterday's gaming GPU, is still plenty powerful for their needs and my old 1TB drives when I replaced them with 3TB units can still add to their capacity after all and keeps them current at essentially no cost.

So that means not only did I not buy a new desktop, but they don't have to upgrade theirs anytime soon either. :D
 
No and yes. PCs are still great gaming machines and work machines but mainstream is moving towards tablets/mobile devices due to easy of use.

Personally I'd build my PC instead of buying one in the future.
 
pelo said:
I'd consider the HDD, CPU, memory and motherboard to be hardware and thus they count as hardware failures. I'm not sure what you consider hardware if it's not those parts.

Trimlock, check this out and this thread too. It seems the biggest obstacle is the chipset being slimmed down in PCIE lanes, but they're going to get bigger (and they have) as the GPUs increase in computational power. It seems like it would be a pretty cool idea, actually. Build yourself a little eGPU box with its own PSU :)

I think people see laptops as the laptops of old, where they don't have the horsepower of the desktop and weigh 30lbs. In reality, though, a $500 laptop offers more than enough processing power for 90% of the population. That's how far software has fallen behind the hardware curve.
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i may be in love with this post, thanks!
 
Here it is in simple terms: This article is pointed at Joe User, the average computer user.

In most cases, the cheapest and weakest laptop, in processing power and graphics, meet the requirements of Joe User. Look at it from Joe User's perspective. Then, look at the pricing between a cheap laptop and a cheap desktop. You will see little difference.

Because of this, Joe User buys the laptop, because he/she/it does not have to wire anything together (ease of set up) and it has the bonus value of moving where they do. So, they can take it to the couch, from the desk, and back. Perhaps even take it with them on actual trips away from home.

Now, for me, the desktop is better. Why? I game. Why? I know how to build my own, and do so for great bang for the buck. Why? I like to personalize things. I am not Joe User, and most all of us frequenting this site are not Joe User.

For business, even if there is as little as 10% travel, I would get a laptop. This way I would have the files and working computer with me.
 
As long as microcenter keeps the amd mobo/cpu combos... No... building a recording PC soon because my old laptop is way too sluggish :p
 
i think it depends, unless there is an "accurate" overall statistic on how everyone on the planet uses their devices. for the average IT enthusiast, Its still nice to have a desktop pc, for most of my friends, they prefer their notebooks or tablets
 
pelo said:
I'd consider the HDD, CPU, memory and motherboard to be hardware and thus they count as hardware failures. I'm not sure what you consider hardware if it's not those parts.
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I work at a company that is an authorized service provider to many large OEMs, and I have to say that my experience doesn't match up to this study either. Here is the failure priority that I see from least failures to most failures:

Custom Home Built / Professional Built Desktops > Factory Built Desktops > Business Line Laptops / Macbooks > Consumer Line Laptops

Consumer Line laptops almost always fail within their one year warranty. Sometimes they do multiple times. This is common sense, the further up the chain you go the more money you spend and the better built the components are. Consumer laptops use the cheapest quality components at the cheapest price Foxconn can make them. Decent laptops start at $600 and go up into the thousands, and usually include a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer.
 
I have a Desktop and a Tablet. suits me just fine.
I was never a fan of laptops, but they do have their purpose.
 
While yes laptops are getting faster, and for most people they make alot of sense. Esp if your very mobile.

For me, like other [H['s readers. Laptops are still seriously lacking in speed, they lack desktop real estate, lack full size keyboards, lack usb ports, lack storage space, and overall lack durability.

Granted you can get a speedy laptop with alot of these features as a desktop replacement part, but they are heavy, and cost thousands of dollars. While a faster desktop could be built for less than 1000$ Which will last longer, offer more upgrade options, and well offer a much better experience.

I own a laptop, its a bottom of the mill laptop (Amd a4-3300m@3ghz) its good for when i am at class, friends houses, and on trips. Otherwise I will stick the rest of my computing on the desktop. My father just bought a new 3rd gen ivy bridge laptop (3610) with a 630m gpu it is pretty snappy for a laptop, However my desktop still blows it out of the water, comparing night and day still.
 
ebduncan said:
For me, like other [H['s readers. Laptops are still seriously lacking in speed, they lack desktop real estate, lack full size keyboards, lack usb ports, lack storage space, and overall lack durability.
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^ This. When I turn one of my laptops I am usually using it for a light duty task. When on the road and I want to game or edit video, I use my gaming laptop. But that only happens on occasion since I prefer a full desktop for the heavy lifting.

When I turn on my desktop, the lights in the neighborhood flicker. :D
 
Ducman69 said:
Crap, lack of edit (why the hell?), I meant "The Precision and Optiplex desktops had extremely low hardware failure rates".
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I still have number of old Optiplex desktops in use (2.4 & 2.8 Ghz P4's) at the office, around 8 year old & still reliable. Only problem has been with the old Maxtor drives, so I just replace them with other drives from my junk pile.

The users mainly just use email, word, etc. so they are still fast enough.
 
450 said:
After getting the rMBP, I don't see a point in getting a desktop. It's the best computer I've owned.

I can run 3 external monitors at 1920x1200 or 2 at 2560x1600 and another at 1920x1200. I can use the same machine to be mobile and use it for presentations and working with others away from my desk. For my needs, I don't see a reason to go back to a desktop.
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You just bought a $2500 disposable computer.
 
pelo said:
I think people see laptops as the laptops of old, where they don't have the horsepower of the desktop and weigh 30lbs. In reality, though, a $500 laptop offers more than enough processing power for 90% of the population. That's how far software has fallen behind the hardware curve.
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Except a Laptop will usually end up costing you more in the long run.

If the display goes out on a desktop, just buy a new display. On a Laptop you either pay big $ to get it fixed or you replace the laptop.
Same with the keyboard. Spill a drink on your laptop keyboard & you'll likely need to buy a new laptop. Spill a drink on you desktop keyboard, and you just need to buy a inexpensive keyboard.
 
Cobra said:
I work at a company that is an authorized service provider to many large OEMs, and I have to say that my experience doesn't match up to this study either. Here is the failure priority that I see from least failures to most failures:

Custom Home Built / Professional Built Desktops > Factory Built Desktops > Business Line Laptops / Macbooks > Consumer Line Laptops

Consumer Line laptops almost always fail within their one year warranty. Sometimes they do multiple times. This is common sense, the further up the chain you go the more money you spend and the better built the components are. Consumer laptops use the cheapest quality components at the cheapest price Foxconn can make them. Decent laptops start at $600 and go up into the thousands, and usually include a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer.
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I'd agree with this, and include Business & consumer desktops too.

We have alot of old Dell desktops (going on 8 year old), and I have yet to have an Optiplex die on me (except for the Maxtor drives some of them used). I also have some of the small business/consumer line (Dimensions) and have had a significant number of them die. Usually one of the fans die & then the system board or power supply over heats & dies.
The difference is bad enough that I'm in the process of pulling the last of the Dimensions and replacing them with the extra old Optiplex systems I have.
 
If your average user moves towards tablets and phones then Desktop users can go back to being the elitists we know we have always been. This is not a bad thing as most people with computers do not know what they are doing anyway. Let them buy their consumer media devices and let us wallow in our sexiness once again ;-)
 
Yes for me. I can't stand any display smaller than 24". A decent 2.1 speaker is a must too. Of course, I play video games and watch movies on my desktop. For any user who only uses a computer for social networking sites and Facebook games, a desktop is not necessary.
 
I don't understand why any of you are saying a laptop can take the place of a desktop for gaming. Plain and simple, it can't. The fastest laptop GPU on the AMD side is equivalent to an underclocked 7870. The fastest laptop GPU on the nVidia side is an underclocked 670. Not only is the GPU performance about 30% less on laptops compared to the fastest desktop GPUs, I've never seen a laptop with more than two GPUs. Desktops on the other hand can go up to four.

If you're willing to sacrifice on the gaming experience and have a lesser experience that's one thing, but laptops and other mobile parts cannot replace a desktop for gaming.
 
I have a desktop, laptop, tablet, phone...etc...all have their uses and I am waiting on the surface pro.
I don't care what anyone thinks, a portable device will never be capable of replacing a desktop of mine.
 
I wish more businesses would embrace this idea. I can do everything I can do at work from home, better even because my box is higher spec with more screen real estate.

Showbiz said:
If you were to walk into my business you would find very few desktops. about 95% of our users have Laptop with a docking station at their desk. We also have a very liberal environment were as long as they can be gotten a hold of, we don't much care where they are. Home, office, coffee shop, grocery store, makes no difference as long as the work gets done.
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450 said:
After getting the rMBP, I don't see a point in getting a desktop. It's the best computer I've owned.

I can run 3 external monitors at 1920x1200 or 2 at 2560x1600 and another at 1920x1200. I can use the same machine to be mobile and use it for presentations and working with others away from my desk. For my needs, I don't see a reason to go back to a desktop.
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hum that good, i've one earlier version of MBP (late 2011) and honestly i hardly use it other than at school, it has to be on desktop when i get home.
 
All I have to say is I just had a laptop go TU on me. The video card died. In the trash it went (after scavenging what parts I could off it). If it were a desktop I could have popped a cheap video card in it and continued on. So it's being replaced by a desktop machine for less money than it would take to replace the laptop. If I really needed the mobility then I would be forced to get another one, but fortunately I don't need that right now.

Yeah there's a purpose for laptops and other devices but just expect the fact that when it dies you're gonna have to suck it up and buy a new one (for more money) instead of replacing just the piece that's broke. That, and you'll never have the same power you can get from a desktop, at least and not cook itself in a couple years.
 
I work on a lot of machines at a shop and a majority of the computers that come in are laptops. The desktops that come in are old. At least 4+ years old usually. Most of everyone looks to laptops as the "upgrade" from an older desktop. A lot of people just surf the internet on youtube and all that. Most people don't use all the power a desktop has to offer. I still prefer the desktop though as you got the option for upgrades and power. Most people still have 512mb-2GB of ram. Most computers run on XP still and Vista. We are at a point where software is not pushing hardware that much.
 
Sryy for beeing so blunt but how the hell can i even use a tablet without a pc?U can't even get to "desktop" on an ipad witout a pc.... Tablets are just toys,it's beyond me how people compare them to laptops and pc's....u use a tablet for angry birds and light surfing,when u are on vacations or on the road,i dont see anyone using a tablet for real surfing. Its basicaly the era of big screens,makes me laugh when i hear people watch movies on tablets ,with in built speakers no doubt :))) why would anyone want to stare at a small screen is beyond me. Laptops are a different matter,i personaly can't stand how slow they are,people who say laptops are fast have never had a fast pc,but it goes into personal preferance,and everybody gets whats best for them.
 
I think the impression for this comes from the fact that companies like HP and Dell are selling fewer of their crappy desktops. And if I hadn't built all my own PCs since about 1997. I might be more interested in buying something like a tablet. As it stands I'll pass.

With my two systems; one has two 28" (1920x1200) displays, and the other is connected to a 42" HDTV. So why would I want to use a device that has a tiny screen? And I spend enough time on my computers that when I don't need to use them its nice to just 'disconnect'.
 
Lol. It's like an entire troll-bait article. Considering the high end GPU draws as much power and puts out as much heat as a laptop, to say nothing of the SLI nature, there's going to be a place for desktops as long as there's people who can drop the coin for the best gaming experience. Also, because the part reusability (and ability to get 1080p screens that sit right in front of your keyboard) is so much better in a desktop there's certainly a strong budget/value/DIY segment that will prefer the desktop over a laptop.

Not to mention I own a thinkpad and still find the laptop keyboards just feel funky.
 
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