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I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

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Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#61

Post by rabidrat »

WalterBright wrote: post #16

I prefer a desktop because: 1. I like big, big monitors. 2. I prefer a full size keyboard. 3. I prefer a separate mouse. 4. I prefer big freaking disk drives installed. 5. I put the desktop under my desk, and with a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, there is much less of a snarl on my desk. 6. The desktop has an optical drive I still use. 7. The desktop has lots of USB ports and they're all in use. 8. I can repla…

I love desktops, but I have to admit that it's pretty great having a built-in UPS. To get the equivalent for my desktop is an extra $200+ and a big honking box that apparently will only last for 30 minutes when the power goes out.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#62

Post by schwartzworld »

japhyr wrote: post #45

Does anyone have any recommendations if I want to keep using macOS, but I'm not tied to a MacBook? I realized I hadn't taken my main MacBook off the dock in 9 months. When I go out, I have an older one that I'm happy to use away from my desk. Since it's acting like a desktop now, I though maybe I'd replace it with a higher-spec mac desktop. But a high end mac mini isn't much different than a high-end MacBook. It seem…

I went to the apple website and they have new iMacs for <$2000

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#63

Post by WalterBright »

dmortin wrote: post #39
WalterBright wrote: post #16

I prefer a desktop because: 1. I like big, big monitors. 2. I prefer a full size keyboard. 3. I prefer a separate mouse. 4. I prefer big freaking disk drives installed. 5. I put the desktop under my desk, and with a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, there is much less of a snarl on my desk. 6. The desktop has an optical drive I still use. 7. The desktop has lots of USB ports and they're all in use. 8. I can repla…

> 1. I like big, big monitors. 2. I prefer a full size keyboard. 3. I prefer a separate mouse. You can have these with a laptop too. At home I use my laptop with an external screen, keyboard, mouse (the latter two are wireless), because it's much more comfortable.

It's hard to find a full size bluetooth keyboard. I think I went through every keyboard on Amazon and found only one. If you use a USB wireless keyboard, well, there goes one of the two USB slots on the laptop.

It's not just the monitor being big, I want lots and lots of pixels. I'm currently running 3840*2160, and have a second monitor attached set up in portrait mode (so I can display a manual page while I work on the other one).

Of course, I'd get an even bigger monitor with more pixels if they didn't cost so dang much :-) How big, you ask? A wall size retina display! I've wanted one for 40 years.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#64

Post by tshaddox »

WalterBright wrote: post #16

I prefer a desktop because: 1. I like big, big monitors. 2. I prefer a full size keyboard. 3. I prefer a separate mouse. 4. I prefer big freaking disk drives installed. 5. I put the desktop under my desk, and with a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, there is much less of a snarl on my desk. 6. The desktop has an optical drive I still use. 7. The desktop has lots of USB ports and they're all in use. 8. I can repla…

Now that you phrase it that way, I guess I prefer a desktop too, because I have most of those things, but split between my NAS in the closet and my laptop docked to my big monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#65

Post by seanalltogether »

emmanueloga_ wrote: post #58
WalterBright wrote: post #16

I prefer a desktop because: 1. I like big, big monitors. 2. I prefer a full size keyboard. 3. I prefer a separate mouse. 4. I prefer big freaking disk drives installed. 5. I put the desktop under my desk, and with a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, there is much less of a snarl on my desk. 6. The desktop has an optical drive I still use. 7. The desktop has lots of USB ports and they're all in use. 8. I can repla…

A little box like this could allow you to plug big big monitors to any laptop though [1] (been using it and works fine). I almost never open up the laptop and use it directly. ... You can put a big disk on a laptop, USB3 hub, etc etc I think main thing missing for me is a beefy GPU and maybe a bit more RAM. 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0838WTFD1

Yeah I just use a kvm switch. I keep my base work and life on a laptop that can go anywhere I go, and then hit a little switch and do all the heavy lifting work and gaming on the pc

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#66

Post by finnh »

japhyr wrote: post #45

Does anyone have any recommendations if I want to keep using macOS, but I'm not tied to a MacBook? I realized I hadn't taken my main MacBook off the dock in 9 months. When I go out, I have an older one that I'm happy to use away from my desk. Since it's acting like a desktop now, I though maybe I'd replace it with a higher-spec mac desktop. But a high end mac mini isn't much different than a high-end MacBook. It seem…

Do they still make iMacs? My main computer is a 2015 5K iMac, maxed out for that class, and it is way faster than all the much-newer MacBook Pros (that I also use, at other desks/when traveling/etc)

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#68

Post by gruez »

t-writescode wrote: post #59
gruez wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agree on most of the points, but... >6. The desktop has an optical drive I still use. for what? You're probably better off (in terms of both convenience and IO performance) to store it on a hdd/ssd as an iso and mount it.

But how do you store it as an iso without making the iso in the first place?

1. the high seas

2. Failing that, just archive your existing discs and ditch the drive for good. It's the year 2020, and most (all?) software are distributed digitally, so you shouldn't need to get out your drive in the future.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#69

Post by formerly_proven »

agloeregrets wrote: post #24
polskibus wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

12. High end desktop CPUs are noticeably faster than mobile counterparts (higher freq, more cache)

Is that actually true anymore? I mean, hardware wise they are not much faster, but cooling is a different story.

> I mean, hardware wise they are not much faster, but cooling is a different story.

The highest spec macbook comes with a 9980HK and starts at 2800 $. A 3900X has approximately twice the performance in multi-threaded workloads and you can easily build an entire quiet workstation with it for less than 1000 $. Half the performance, thrice the price. Great deal.

Yes, there are also "laptops" with a 3900X in them. But even those still have lower performance than a desktop with a 3900X because of thermals.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#70

Post by kristov »

ufmace wrote: post #18

What seems odd about this to me is his complaint that what he wants is out there, in the form of laptops built for linux and set up exactly like he wants, but they're "overpriced". Uh what? If you're gonna be that picky about your setup, then it's time to pony up and pay for it. This stuff is never gonna get more manufacturer attention unless people buy it. If you wanna pay the lowest price, you should expect to get…

I agree. Even if the attention of major manufacturers is not caught, at least you are supporting the small companies doing it right. Back in the "golden age" we wouldn't have dreamed it would be possible to run a profitable company building free software friendly laptops or phones. I feel the frustration of the OP but at least now there are ways to vote with your wallet.
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