Does it Still Make Sense to Buy a Desktop PC?

I do not like off-the-shelf desktop PC's because they're almost always overpriced, built with corners cut, and loaded with crapware. It's never made sense to me to buy one.

That's why I build. I know it's done right, and I know exactly what's going into it.
 
I have a desktop because I'm an enthusiast. I don't really need its power, I mostly use my wife's laptop, and once I get a tablet I expect I will use that for most stuff (i.e., web browsing and gaming). However the annoying struggle of trying to cram things into a small case and managing cables still gives me a sense of satisfaction, as does the idea of upgrading. I just stuck an SSD and another old drive into my case, and have a total of 6 SATA devices (4 disks, DVD-R, BD-R), had a terrible time trying to fit everything in (I really need a better case), but was satisfied that I got it to work. Laptops just don't offer a chance for such masochistic tinkering.
 
Until the time when cheap, reliable and powerful enough external video "cards" are available to any notebook/laptop, desktop PCs will still very much be relevant to any (non casual) gamer.
 
Phoenix333 said:
I do not like off-the-shelf desktop PC's because they're almost always overpriced, built with corners cut, and loaded with crapware. It's never made sense to me to buy one.

That's why I build. I know it's done right, and I know exactly what's going into it.
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That's precisely what we [H] folk do, however; we hardly represent the general public in terms of purchasing a personal computers. I just hope the market for individual PC components that we like to buy doesn't wither.
 
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I've often thought of taking my Lian_Li PC-75 system into Starbucks and asking where the outlet was just so I could see the looks on the faces of the tablet/laptop users there.
 
ICOM said:
That's precisely what we [H] folk do, however; we hardly represent the general public in terms of purchasing a personal computers. I just hope the market for individual PC components that we like to buy doesn't wither.
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I've been building my own PC as well as PC's for friends who want one when they see mine since my 1st build. (AMD K6-2- 300) that was half the cost of my P-166 and twice as fast. After that I never bought a system off the shelf again.
 
By the way, I see benefits in a laptop even at a home setting. It can work for an hour or two even when the electricity is down and it can be easily moved around to a more convenient location.
 
I'm in the process of rebuilding my desktop right now. You can't get triple 22" displays in a laptop (I'm a PC gamer). Laptops and other mobile devices have their place.
For someone like me a laptop won't replace the desktop. Can laptops compete with desktops in the area of CPU performance, amount of memory, and especially GPU performance?
 
I think there may be a hidden issue with at least some laptops which is going to serve as a rude awakening. That issue is thermal management vs. "Looking like something cool" (read: APPLE). At least in the case of Dell and some anecdotes from MBP owners (of various generations), you try to do what your computer was designed to do and all of the sudden: fields of molasses! And a scorch mark on your desk. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but search for "XPS 16 throttling" or "Latitude E6500 throttling." Or "MacBook Pro overheating."

Laptops do not inherently suffer from these problems but if OEMs keep trying to add more power and make laptops thinner, it's going to hit a wall faster than Moore's Law.

I will freely admit I am biased (typing this on an XPS 1640 which only behaves thanks to ThrottleStop). That said, any "powerhouse" laptop maker needs to stop cheating (DELL) by using throttling and under-sized A/C adapters to keep a "power" laptop running if, gasp, a power user tries to do something like game or run CAD...
 
Also if you are using power intensive applications won't you need to keep the laptop plugged in to keep the battery from dying (using for an extended period of time)?
If you need to keep the laptop plugged in, it's a desktop.
 
Can I buy a portable PC for $1000 that will play the latest games at the same resolution and FPS as a desktop I can build for $1000? I doubt it.
 
Sovereign said:
I think there may be a hidden issue with at least some laptops which is going to serve as a rude awakening. That issue is thermal management vs. "Looking like something cool" (read: APPLE). At least in the case of Dell and some anecdotes from MBP owners (of various generations), you try to do what your computer was designed to do and all of the sudden: fields of molasses! And a scorch mark on your desk. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but search for "XPS 16 throttling" or "Latitude E6500 throttling." Or "MacBook Pro overheating."

Laptops do not inherently suffer from these problems but if OEMs keep trying to add more power and make laptops thinner, it's going to hit a wall faster than Moore's Law.

I will freely admit I am biased (typing this on an XPS 1640 which only behaves thanks to ThrottleStop). That said, any "powerhouse" laptop maker needs to stop cheating (DELL) by using throttling and under-sized A/C adapters to keep a "power" laptop running if, gasp, a power user tries to do something like game or run CAD...
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I recently bought a Dell XPS 15 (L521x) and trust me, they have not learned their lesson yet. It throttles terribly under load. Basically if you have GPU running your CPU runs at 1.2Ghz, super.
 
Meh, my wife hasn't had a desktop at home in years. She got tired of having to go back to the office just to check email, browse the web, etc. I got her a laptop and she hasn't looked back. Started with a Dell D610, then D630, and now she has a HP Elitebook 6930p. She uses it for the above things, plus Facebook (yuck) and light Photoshop duties to clean up pictures she takes. The laptop stays plugged in probably about 80% of the time, but we have a power cord for it in the game room as well as downstairs by the couch so she can use it either place without worrying about the battery running out.

My daughter (6 years) has an old Dell 745 USFF system that she uses for a few kids games and to get on NickJr's web site and a few others. Not exactly system intensive but I just don't trust her to take care of a laptop quite yet or I would replace it also.

I used to have a desktop for light gaming, but found I hadn't touched it in over 6 months so I started downsizing/virtualizing everything in my office. Ran without a desktop for over a year, just using my work laptop. About 6 months ago I grabbed a Dell 755 desktop we were getting rid of work (nothing wrong, just replacing with a newer model), brought it home and set it up simply to watch movies/tv while I'm working at home 2 days a week. It doesn't do anything besides that.

Besides that, I spend most of my online time using my Touchpad because of the portability factor.

So, yeah, to the general public I don't see a reason for a desktop. Laptops and tablets can handle the majority of common user's needs as a web browser/media consumption/email device. Desktops have really been "demoted" to only the gamer and "power user" markets in my opinion.
 
Quix said:
I recently bought a Dell XPS 15 (L521x) and trust me, they have not learned their lesson yet. It throttles terribly under load. Basically if you have GPU running your CPU runs at 1.2Ghz, super.
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Anandtech supposedly got theirs to behave except for one shutdown. I suggested it might be insufficient power (Dell likes to ship these machines with 90w A/C adapters). The review writer said he didn't think so but he'd look into it.

Use ThrottleStop if you don't already and make sure you have the latest BIOS version. The NotebookReview forums have a big thread dedicated to the whole L521x throttling thing.
 
I have laptops and android phone, although I occasionally do stuff on laptop at home. But tablets and phones are in general annoying to use and browse website on them. Desktop is still the most convenient and comfortable way of computing. It's greatly faster and more responsive even in basic things.
 
I didn't read all these posts, however for me I need a desktop and a laptop. They do different things for me.

1. Desktops are cheaper

2. Desktops are more upgradable

3. Desktops are stationary. While this seems like a con, and can be a con, it can also be a plus. If you have a home server feeding your HDTV and home theater, do you really want to keep connecting your laptop? and if you are doing that, keeping it in one place, do you really need it to be a laptop?

4. Desktops run cooler and quieter

5. Desktops are more robust and powerful, last longer and stay relevant longer.

6. Desktops are not all in ones. If the screen breaks, you don't need a whole new computer. Same for keyboards or any other part for that matter.

7. Desktops allow you to pick better internal parts, plus better keyboards, screens, ETC

8. Desktops are better for gaming and GPUs

9. Desktops will not throttle for heat constraints, you can in fact overclock quite nicely

10. Desktops can be water cooled

So personally, keep your power machine the desktop, and get a lower end laptop with a good screen to browse on the couch. Perfect combination.
 
goodcooper said:
most people still running c2ds that ask me if they should upgrade... i tell them no... c2d w/ 2 or 4GB ram is fine for 95% of people...
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The thing is, they can upgrade... the same desktop PC.
I got a used high-end C2D for cheap to replace my low-end C2D, changed GPUs twice, changed so many hard drives, upgraded to a 80+ Gold PSU… Next upgrade is SSDs for boot drives. Yet you can consider I did not buy a new PC.

And on sense of buying a desktop PC: it's cheaper, faster, more silent, more efficient, more durable, more ergonomic than laptops.
I just can't stand typing on a hot vibrating keyboard, not being able to have the screen right where I want it, etc.
 
pankkake said:
The thing is, they can upgrade... the same desktop PC.
I got a used high-end C2D for cheap to replace my low-end C2D, changed GPUs twice, changed so many hard drives, upgraded to a 80+ Gold PSU… Next upgrade is SSDs for boot drives. Yet you can consider I did not buy a new PC.

And on sense of buying a desktop PC: it's cheaper, faster, more silent, more efficient, more durable, more ergonomic than laptops.
I just can't stand typing on a hot vibrating keyboard, not being able to have the screen right where I want it, etc.
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Yes, more ergonomic. Forgot that one.
 
Neo Zuko said:
Yes, more ergonomic. Forgot that one.
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I don't understand the more ergonomic argument. I have a docking station in my office I use for work. When I work from home, I dock my laptop and I have a full size keyboard and wireless mouse attached, as well as 2 21 inch monitors. Just as ergonomic as a full size tower. When I'm done for the day, I disconnect from the VPN, undock the laptop, and then go sit in my recliner and use the laptop while watching TV.
 
farscapesg1 said:
I don't understand the more ergonomic argument. I have a docking station in my office I use for work. When I work from home, I dock my laptop and I have a full size keyboard and wireless mouse attached, as well as 2 21 inch monitors. Just as ergonomic as a full size tower. When I'm done for the day, I disconnect from the VPN, undock the laptop, and then go sit in my recliner and use the laptop while watching TV.
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Because every Joe Blow and casual user has such a setup at home? Yeah, don't think so.
 
If all you do is surf the internet, look at facebook and watch an occasional TV show; a laptop or tablet no doubt is your device. This is the average BestBuy customer these days.

Plus they're portable. They can be used to make presentations.

I prefer my desktop. I run nvidia Surround, have 7.1 sound from an A/V receiver, and like to play games and watch movies, plus I have a bunch of HDD for storage.
These are things no laptop can provide, but I am far from an average user.

Also factor in the upgrade potential of the desktop.

Desktops will not go away, it's just their user base is shrinking somewhat.:D
 
What's your point?

Every Joe Blow doesn't have a gaming system at home. Every Joe Blow doesn't have a HTPC/Media server at home. Joe Blow usually buys an "off the shelf system" and never upgrades the CPU/GPU/memory/etc.

The average home user accesses their computer for things like Internet access, checking email, Facebook, etc. Not exactly cases that require long periods of time sitting in front of the system where ergonomic issues would really come into play.

If you're buying a desktop, you could buy a 21+ inch monitor and attach it to your laptop (along with a keyboard and mouse) without a docking station anyways, so yeah, Joe Blow could have a smiliar setup without any issues.

So, since we are talking about Joe Blow anyways, this whole thread is pointless since no one on here uses a computer in a similar manner as the common person.

I would consider my inlaws, my dad, and my siblings all to be "common users" when it comes to computers. My inlaws use laptops, my dad uses a laptop, and 3 of my 4 siblings use laptops. Only one of my brothers is a "gamer" and has a desktop system for that purpose. For them, the portability and size factors outway any slight benefit they would get from faster hardware/upgrade options/etc.
 
We need desktops for gaming and heavy applications like video editing where more than 1 or 2 hard drives are required. Sure small form factor desktops may replace traditional desktops for most users. Laptops are more expensive, less powerful, and break more easily. Not to mention l;aptops are harder to upgrade and fix.
 
Desktops will always be around. We'll always have tasks that need more computing power and desktops will always have more computing power, at least for the foreseeable future. My work just always goes with desktops because computation time is critical and as computers get more powerful, what we ask of them becomes more demanding and so even though the laptops of today are more powerful than our desktops of several years ago, we'd never consider upgrading them to laptops and will always go with the more powerful desktop option.

Also you'll always have people like me who have little to no need for "computing on the go" beyond what my smartphone offers and so would rather spend the same money on a high quality desktop rather than a piece of shit tablet/laptop.
 
I don't think you know what moore's law is.

Core 2's are actually very antequated at this point, they would benefit from upgrading and getting a SSD. Quite a few applications (such as office suites) take advantage of more than two cores. Furthermore the architecture efficiencies of newer processors is where the big gains are.

goodcooper said:
it also helps that there hasn't been huge developments in speed and features on PCs in the last few years...

most people still running c2ds that ask me if they should upgrade... i tell them no... c2d w/ 2 or 4GB ram is fine for 95% of people...
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farscapesg1 said:
I don't understand the more ergonomic argument. I have a docking station in my office I use for work. When I work from home, I dock my laptop and I have a full size keyboard and wireless mouse attached, as well as 2 21 inch monitors. Just as ergonomic as a full size tower. When I'm done for the day, I disconnect from the VPN, undock the laptop, and then go sit in my recliner and use the laptop while watching TV.
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Most laptops can't output to 2 monitors, especially if you want to avoid VGA.
Most laptops have 3 USB ports, which gets crowded fast.

And for the price of that laptop + 2 docks, you could have two desktops and avoid carrying and unplugging everything.

I have a laptop, but only use it when it makes sense — portability.
 
I get really, really, really, really upset when people make purchases that suit their needs with the money they earn. They should come to me and I should decide whether or not the need a desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, car, house, chickens, turkey sammich, or beach towel without bothering to consider their circumstances, budget, or desires.
 
In a couple of years, when laptops can play, with silky frame rates, most games at 1080p, the Desktop will no longer make sense.

I figure my last Desktop build will be in 2013. :(

(Hubs already can address limited USB ports on laptops. Also expect laptops to soon support several monitors.)
 
I hate laptops!! I'm using one now but it has it's own keyboard, mouse, and 27in monitor so it's ok. It's also a core i7 ASUS G53 so that helps too :p

The main reason I will keep a desktop is for the POWER that can be packed into one. 5Ghz proc, quad sli, I mean, come on... you can't do that with a tablet or laptop. At least not yet :p As nano tech grows into it's own, even a tablet will be considered way to huge, old, and slow against the teeny tine computers we'll be using then :D
 
Portability is the only benefit of notebook and tablet computers. It is a huge benefit, however. Give your teen a notebook and it is far easier to take it away for misbehavior. The iPad is great for accessing the internet everywhere. All well and good, but it has already been stated, monitors, input devices and sound systems are far better in the scope of a desktop. When the "Next Big Thing" comes to the computer, hopefully it will take advantage of the incredible power of the day's best desktops.
 
nutzo said:
As for me, I'll stick to building my own desktops. It's cheaper and I can reuse parts when I upgrade. My 5 year old Power supplies and LCD's still work fine. Besides, Laptops don't have room for 4 harddisks :)
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You, and the rest of us, are becoming an incredibly niche market.
Not everyone wants to save and reuse components in their systems.

Individuals and average users don't want to have to think about all of that when upgrading, they just want a new system to do everything they want.


Yes, buy a desktop, they don't make laptops (at least cheap ones) with 22" LCD's.

Buy a laptop if you really don't have room for a desktop & display.
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Laptops can have a docking station, and are every bit as capable as desktops at stock speeds for everyday usage, with a small exception in gaming.
Individuals buy laptops because they can use them on a desktop with a larger monitor(s) and can also take it with them, not being limited by the functionality of a desktop.

At my job, all of the desktops are currently being replaced by laptops with docking stations.
This isn't 2005 where the portable-class HDDs and single-core processors absolutely suck compared to their desktop counter-parts.

Laptops have 7200RPM HDDs or SSDs and the multi-core processors are more than fast enough for anything any average user throws at it.
The mass-market for computers does not involve "gaming", so the GPU isn't of a high importance in the overall market segment.
 
Do people on these forums really think gaming is the only use for a high end desktop? Have these forums really sunk that low?
 
Master_of_Sparks said:
Do people on these forums really think gaming is the only use for a high end desktop? Have these forums really sunk that low?
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it's not all about gaming, but the fact everyone uses their desktop for gaming compare to few who use them for certain programs that require them. i mean you might be using yours for one program and others might be using for other programs that require lot of resources, but both of you use it for gaming also so it's easier to explain.
 
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