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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

#91

Post by formerly_proven »

WalterBright wrote: post #63
dmortin wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

Are there even any decent BT keyboards at all off the shelf?

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#92

Post by nmlnn »

curiousllama wrote: post #53

> I know that new "open" laptops are still available, but most of them--the System76's, the Purisms, etc.--are overpriced in my opinion This quote suggest to me the author is an integral part of the problem. Companies are ALWAYS trying to increase their profitability. If they can lock down the computer, they can drop the price while _increasing_ CLTV. That’s why System76 is more expensive. They’re NOT overpriced. The…

This line bugged me also - the definition of wanting your cake and eating it too. How would such products ever get to the volumes required for prices to come down if even people who "care" aren't prepared to buy them.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#93

Post by jacobsenscott »

avalys wrote: post #21

I have been reading this same article for the past thirty years. Yet, I can still install and run whatever operating system and software I want on my laptop _and_ desktop, and I don't see any sign that that freedom will go away anytime soon. It is true that the billion-dollar media companies have decided a subscription model is more lucrative than a one-time-purchase model for the mass-market content they produce (mo…

You cannot install whatever operating system you want on your tablet, phone, or, soon, any mac desktop/laptop at all. The enthusiast/gamer market isn't enough to keep the intel/adm desktop market going. Soon the only place you'll be able to run a free operating system is on a rented vm in the cloud.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#95

Post by elorant »

For me the most important factor against using a laptop is cooling. With a desktop you can go to the extremes and install water cooling. With a laptop you're always compromising on performance because if the load gets high the processor starts throttling and thus its performance is severely reduced. As a side effect there's also the issue with noise. A laptop fan is way more noisy than a desktop one because there's so much more space inside the box.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#96

Post by FpUser »

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…

Right away I will say that I do use desktops and in general would prefer because of the absolute power. However my laptops are gaming grade and most of the time I use one of those as a desktop. And this is how it goes again your list:

1) I have 2 "big big" 4K monitors hooked up to my laptop so no problems here. The laptop's monitor is not used as the lid is closed.

2/3) I use external keyboard and mouse. No problems here

4) I have 2TB worth of SSD in laptop and I also have huge external drives array.

5) Said laptop is sitting on my shelf, I do not even see it. On my desk are 2 huge monitors on arms with VESA mounts and wireless keyboard/mouse. Said laptop is also running NOMACHINE so I can also access my few worktations and servers without lifting my butt.

6) I have external optical drive but frankly I do not recall single time in a last 3 years when I had to actually activate it.

7) I have 2 external 10 port USB 3.0 hubs hooked up to 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 port of said laptop. Again no problem in this department.

8) Yep. Desktop is much better in this department.

9) Not my desktops ;) They're server/workstation type.

10) This is how I build my "desktops". No argument here.

11) I do not know what to say about it.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#97

Post by mxschumacher »

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'm generally quite price-sensitive and frugal and I want to describe why I think you are right in calling out the author on their "overpriced" comment:

Two aspects are important to keep in mind for a decision of this kind:

This machine is going to be your primary professional tool for the next several years - do you really care about a few hundred dollars extra? Especially if you have niche-requirements (read: non mass-market) like strong Linux desktop support and deep concern for privacy / security?

Sure - you could do the research and build yourself and pay less for the parts - but if you consider your time at market rates, are you really making a financially smart decision by not paying a small premium on the price of constituent parts?

Of course, I am aware of the excitement that can be associated with creating a custom build - if you are into that sort of thing: enjoy it as a hobby project, not because it is a better deal.

Humans seem to have a hard time taking costs into account that are not easily quantified.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#98

Post by hsbauauvhabzb »

LMYahooTFY wrote: post #27
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…

>11. I want an all-metal case because a machine caught fire once. I would love elaboration on what happened.

I had, from what I can tell, the 3.3v power Button wire met and catch fire, no idea how and it sounds very unlikely but the computer worked once the fire was put out - I just had to start it with a screw driver.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#100

Post by MaxBarraclough »

WalterBright wrote: post #86
tshaddox wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I keep thinking of banishing the desktop to the closet to keep the fan noise down.

I used to use a similar setup. Just need to invest in extension cables, and it can work nicely.

Probably less of a concern, but it also moves the heat output.

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