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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

#541

Post by vermaden »

Not to even mention these shitty island type keyboards in all laptops.

From all features of pre 2012-NOW laptops the REAL KEYBOARD is what I miss the most.

I really hoped that Lenovo will make something more from its 25th Anniversary Edition ThinkPad (some name id T25) but from what I know only 5000 pieces were made and finito. Or ar least that Lenovo will PERMANENTLY provice a classic/retro ThinkPad with every new generation with REAL KEYBOARD.

That is why I still use 2011 ThinkPad W520 and ThinkPad X220 - to have REAL USABLE KEYBOARD with REAL PGUP/PGDN HOME/END INS/DEL keys block in the top right space.

Future looks very dark since years in the laptop space.

The more I look into laptop computing (and often computing in general) the more only single word stands out.

D I S S A P O I N T E D

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#542

Post by Spearchucker »

sydd wrote: post #468
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…

Also because of 8 (I can replace/alter parts of the machine without buying a new one.) desktops are much more environmentally friendly. My laptops usually last 3-5 years (and with this I'm using them more than my peers) whereas I have a desktop thats been chugging along for 10+ years. It had a few upgrades (SSD, RAM) and currently it functions as an internet browsing machine for my grandpa.

My PC is 17 ears old. Although I think only the case and two drives are left of the original build. It recently got upgraded again with an Intel Core i9 and 64Gb RAM. Upgrade I'm most torn apart over is the ortholinear ErgoDox EZ keboard, because after acing the layout, using anything else really throws me.

Also just gave away the remaining one of two 24" NEC flat panels I bought 17years ago. It still works.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#543

Post by WalterBright »

balfirevic wrote: post #210
WalterBright wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not any one thing is a dealbreaker. It's the combination. Once the laptop is festooned with hubs, external drives, cables everywhere, might as well just buy a desktop.

I think it just comes down to how important you find the convenience of using the same machine when you're at your desk and when you're not. I used an external monitor, keyboard and mouse when at the desk, even when I only owned a laptop. But I also use the laptop a lot on the couch, not just for traveling - so I wondered if I would find it annoying to have a separate desktop machine. So far it's been well worth it.…

I cannot type unless I'm sitting in a chair at my desk. Trying to type on the sofa or in bed means my hands are at all the wrong angles and touch typing completely fails me. (I wrote this not looking at the keyboard at all.)

The couch is fine for reading a tablet.

For me the trick when moving back and forth between the office and home was to have an external drive with everything on it and carry it back and forth. A better approach is probably remote desktop or remote login.

I travel with a cheap laptop loaded with only what I anticipate needing on the trip. It eases my mind to not worry too much about having it stolen, lost, or smashed.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#544

Post by dmortin »

elisaado wrote: post #116
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.

That just sounds like a desktop with extra steps.

A desktop which you can take with you if needed.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#545

Post by reader_mode »

kzrdude wrote: post #522
reader_mode wrote: post #514

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked on a laptop for the past decade but I use a dedicated keyboard, mouse almost exclusively and a large 34'' monitor (2x24 previously). Advantages of using a laptop : - portability - I work as a consultant and I need to work on premises occasionally - if I had to switch between desktop/laptop it would be too cumbersome - standalone when you need it - when I travel or am on vacation I usually need to do a few…

- When you're out of steam you can sit on the sofa and write emails.

15 inch MBP is too bulky and too hot for this - this is why I'd like to get a smaller ARM based device and go client/server.

Ideally Apple would push out a 2in1 with touch but they are set on pushing iOS for touch - which is just too limited for all intents and purposes. I would gladly buy a premium Lenovo 2in1 or some Ryzen 5xxx series ultra portable windows laptop (they are much better on thermals from what I've seen) but I still need a OSX client from time to time unfortunately. There's just no flexibility with Apple ecosystem - you either fit into their intended use cases or you're stuck with suboptimal tradeoffs.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#546

Post by johanbcn »

djhworld wrote: post #82

I really wish the technology was there for a thin client laptop that can hook up to a more powerful desktop machine, GUI and all, sharing hardware etc. I've tried VNC and other remote desktop solutions but the but the performance has always been abysmal, it's a niche idea and obviously comes with the network requirement, but I think it would give the best of both worlds when you need the portability of a laptop aroun…

We are getting there, actually, because of improvements on this area for videogame streaming/remote playing.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#547

Post by 3np »

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…

I have another issue than price; they're not up to date.

I'm yet to find a decent laptop in this range that's max 14.5"@min 1440p (I don't even need 4k!) and support for 24GB RAM.

Librem 14 is not even launched yet and only has a 1080p option.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#548

Post by jnxx »

Silhouette wrote: post #211
jnxx wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> when the power goes out. Oh, are you from the US?

Not sure what this means. FWIW, I'm in the UK, and short brown-outs are not uncommon if, for example, the national grid is adapting to a failure somewhere during severe weather. For a while when there was a recurring equipment failure a year or two back, my whole area had several full power cuts, even lasting for multiple hours once or twice, until they finally figured out the root cause and fixed it. The UPSes we ha…

> Not sure what this means. FWIW, I'm in the UK, and short brown-outs are not uncommon if, for example, the national grid is adapting to a failure somewhere during severe weather.

I am from Germany. The latest wide-scale power failure I can think of was 2007. I remember another shorter one in Bremen which must have been around ten years ago. They happen really rarely here, in spite of all that FUD that wind and solar energy makes the power supply unreliable.

Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers

#549

Post by [deleted] »

varenc wrote: post #470
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…

If you try the HTTPS version of that article's URL, you get a cert failure because the presented certificate's domain is "cheapskatesguide.org". The author sounds pretty dedicated to a frugal life style!

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