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-   -   The Laptop Thread: Configs, deals & questions (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/67390-laptop-thread-configs-deals-questions-248.html)

World is slowly moving away from desktops to laptops and iPads, so think on those lines for long term use. The advantages are - no UPS, less desk space and most useful - potability. A wireless LAN (b,g,n will give you upto 100 mbps http://www.flipkart.com/computers/ne...FTF04godNQwAtA) is all you need to connect the laptops to a central server.

The software developers knows best, so if he says a server, then you need a server. You can configure one of the desk tops to act as a simple server. XP professional has all the software components to run as a simple server.

Thank you, so lap top it is.

Any idea how much it would cost to install a sever and what I need to watch out for.

That will be very useful if I am feeling thirsty. Anyway, what about the disadvantages of laptops over desktops.

- Desktops are more robust than laptops. And they last much longer.
- If you are programmer, you will always find it more convenient to program/debug on a desktop.
- Laptops are more easily stolen than desktops.
- Desktops are usually cheaper for a similar configuration.

If you are a user in office environment, then Laptops win, especially in a SOHO environment.

Regarding robustness, a good laptop is more robust compared to a normal desktop. Yes it is more expensive, but you save on UPS, power and desk space - a significant cost for corporates where hundreds of machines are used.

Server.
You either convert your existing desktop to a server, or buy a dedicated server from established players - IBM, HP, Dell. A basic server with software would set you back by 40-50K. But then these are server grade machines designed for 24x7 uptime with onsite warranty.

I find 25000Rs Desktops to be as robust as 50000Rs laptops. I have never had a laptop which has not given issues in the first or 2nd year itself. I have used laptops from Dell, Thinkpad, Gateway and some others also probably. My current Rs. 75000 Lenovo T430 has just had it's motherboard replaced under warranty in the 9th month of it's operation. I have had a Dell laptop keyboard replaced in the first month. I have had a Gateway keyboard keys breaking in 6 months and charger slot breaking in 9 months & motherboard conking off in the 14th month. I have had an earlier Thinkpad battery overheating and conking off in 1.5 years and the overheating also causing the motherboard to go bad.

OTOH, I have very rarely had desktops giving problems in the work environment - almost never in probably 15 years of using them (not the same desktop but different ones). And a good quality assembled desktop used at home which gave it's first problem after 3 years (had to replace the harddisk). The desktop lasted for 8+ years before I threw it out because it was too slow to run XP SP3. However, it didn't ever need a motherboard change. Just some minor repairs couple of times other than the one time hard disk change.

In my case, none of the assembled Desktops have ever given any trouble over the last 15 years. But then I usually get the high end Intel motherboards.

Same is the case with Laptops - we have five at home the oldest being an IBM R50 going strong for more than 8 years. My X61 is six years old and still going strong. The only problematic one was from HP which had a documented design flaw.

The reason corporates are changing to laptops is that not only it reduces desk real estate (an expensive commodity) but reduces power (hence AC) requirements and makes UPS obsolete.

Agreed that laptop of equal quality costs 50% more and that their upgrade options are limited, but over a 3-5 years horizon most users rarely need an upgrade and with 3 years warranty you get a peace of mind. The savings stated above more than make up the higher purchase price.

Where a desktop shines is
. Servers
. High end work stations
. Multimonitor environment

You must not be a rough user. I am a rough user - both with personal and work computers. But I think in a office settings, where the person doesn't own the machine, you will have 50% probability of a rough use.

I agree there is some amount of deskspace saved. But in case of a desktop, the unit itself can be kept under the desk. So the space on the desk is taken up only by the keyboard, mouse and monitor. So I am not sure how big a saving it is.
Add somewhere between 10-15K for the additional cost per laptop + 5000 per laptop for an extended warranty - I am not sure if the UPS+Electricity cost will really break even in 3 years.

My HP laptop gave up after many attempts to get it going. Now I'm thinking of replacing it with a MacBook Pro. Both my last two laptops started giving problems after approx 2 years of use.

From what I've seen, Lenovo / IBM laptops seem to be more robust than the others but their cost appear closer to MacBooks and this is influencing my decision.

The primary use will be web app development using Python/DJango, PHP, image editing. I also plan on getting a good DSLR and get into photography in a big way.

What are your suggestions Team BHPians ?.

The Branded Vs Assembled war is quite old now.

I had an assembled PC way back in 2001 and it gave me lots of trouble every now and then. But I am not saying that assembled PCs are not good. It's just that what components you have used in your custom PC. If one gets poor quality/local components then there will be problems for sure. May be that PC was assembled using poor quality parts (I was in sixth standard then - hardly any knowledge of hardware components - system was referred by a family friend).

Now I have a HP Pavilion PC at home for family use and it has been a good experience so far.

Get a dell vostro or lenovo thinkpad if consumer level laptops die out soon for you.

But it may be wise to consider what went wrong with your laptops and why? Modern logic boards and chips rarely go bad..unless- you clogged them with dust/lint and they overheated.

I don't recommend the Thinkpad. I have owned a couple of thinkpads (my current laptop is Rs. 75000 T430 Thinkpad) - it's motherboard has had to be replaced once already within the first year & I found Lenovo's customer service to be pathetic (I have written about it somewhere in the last few pages). I don't know how exactly the Vostro compares, but at least Dell's customer service is outstanding.

As an owner of a Dell XPS 15 (Sep 2011), I agree to the statement that their customer service is good. But could this be to due to the fact that their laptops are not as robust and they need to sell replacement parts.

I bought the XPS 15 (supposedly a premium laptop) with 1 yr warranty in Sep 2011 (they tried to sell me on 2-3 years warranty). Anyway, within 6 months the DVD writer had to replaced in warranty. Similar problem with DVD writer from Dec 2012 (now out of warranty). Plus for the last 3-4 months, battery also does not charge properly and gets drained quickly.

I don't see any of the laptop manufactures building robust laptops. Considering that my next business laptop would be the one with the best customer service and I will go for a 3 year warranty. As of now, that looks like a Dell laptop.

Aren't Dell Vostros the low end laptops ?. At least thats what it is considered in the US. Was thinking of Inspiron/XPS but the higher end ones are priced in Macbook territory.

The last two laptops that went down were bought and initially used in the US. First one started giving troubles when there itself. Problems with the two ranged from network cards, video cards, battery charging, display etc.

Currently I use an assembled PC.

My dear friend vostros are the dell equivalents of thinkpads. They are built for heavy duty corporate use.They come with 3 year warranty and 5 year guarantee of service and spares availability.