good for u
I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
471–480 of 693 posts
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#472Earlier quoted context omitted.
Is that actually true anymore? I mean, hardware wise they are not much faster, but cooling is a different story.
My workstation has a 3990x in it. It may not be the fastest single threaded machine out there but there isn't a laptop available right now with 64 cores (128 with hyperthreading if that supports your workload). As a c++ developer, compilation speed is p0 to me and there isn't a laptop that comes even close.
[deleted]
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#473[deleted]
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#474Earlier quoted context omitted.
13. it's more environment friendly, as in you can keep using it for dozens of years just by replacing some parts now and then.
This is true of many laptops, too; most of my laptops are ancient thinkpads and dells with upgraded memory and disks.
Sadly not all laptops are thinkpad-quality :)
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#475> 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 was with the author on most things till this. This just feels like an annoying complaint. That said, sure making your own desktop is also an option.
Yep, on that, I made my own desktop workstation - but it certainly wasn't "cheap".
Latest gen AMD motherboard with strong power delivery, 32gb of blistering fast memory (3600/16), 12/24 core Ryzen CPU @ 4.4ghz all core (1.27vcore loaded; 1.3v idle), PCIE4 NVME storage - 1kw platinum PSU, 360mm AIO CPU cooling (one DYI was enough..), a great case with terrific airflow (Define 7 Dark TG, Corsair ML140 fans) - overall it's a bloody ripper of a (gaming#) workstation. 7731 CineBench 2.0 score.
Absolutely love working on it. I have four monitors - 4th above the middle one on my custom aluminum profile. MKB & mouse, studio lighting.
I run Win10, but all my work is through WSL2/Ubuntu/MS Terminal. I happen to really like this combo - and it's my computer, so my choice.
#) Everything's new this year - I renew every 5 years or so, and son gets my old. Am however using an old 1080TI and holding off on the GPU until well into 2021, due to current market craziness and to be able to see the size of AMD's rabbit. Oh and my Soundblaster ZXR stayed too; love the wired audio I'm getting from this!
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#476The author seems to care mostly about UEFI and secure boot, but there are other advantages to desktop (not to mention the likely partially permanent shift to remote work post-covid). Personally, I run a bit of a hybrid setup.
My new Dell XPS 13 came with Ubuntu pre-installed (which I replaced with Void Linux) and for the most part allows for a lot of tweaking. When I'm at home, I connect to my eGPU unit with one cable, allowing me to use my secondary monitor, a proper mouse, and external hard drives (although internal is already 1TB SSD). The eGPU unit is a Razer Core V2 with a GTX 1060, which is good enough for VR games, which play well on Linux these days surprisingly. Then a lot of my stuff is self-hosted in the cloud anyway, like a media server, backups, servers for development, even an IRC bouncer. I also run my own smart home software on a raspberry pi.
So while at the moment this might not be typical for an average consumer, the trend towards edge computing will really make the laptop into an "internet appliance" as the author says, and the browser an OS. Hell, with 5G, cloud gaming for VR may even be viable, and then we're back to the equivalent of terminals and mainframes.
The only real issue then is the ownership of these services — I don't agree with the author that everything will become a SaaS and no more open hardware will exist. It will always exist as long as there's a demand for it, you just have to accept that it'll be more expensive and less consumer-friendly. E.g. I have to accept that I can't hotplug my eGPU on Linux like you can on Windows, and I need to pay for my servers. Spotify and Netflix will always be cheaper than any legal means of acquiring media otherwise specifically because of their size.
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#477Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've gotten used to the convenience of a laptop, but I'm never happy with them. Now that I'm working remotely, the lappy just doesn't cut it. But I want to veg on the couch with my laptop once and a while. My solution is to use my older laptop as a thin client for my desktop.
I tried that (using Windows Remote Desktop) but the latency was just high enough to be annoying. What do you use?
Linux. SSH. Command line.
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#478Earlier quoted context omitted.
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…
I plug my full sized USB keyboard into my monitor, along with my yubikey and wireless mouse dongle -- one USB C cord connects it all to my laptop. edit: two monitors is still a pain, though.
If you are on Windows, some USB-C hub allow to have two external display (and not mirror ones, for three different display). Not compatible with OSX though.
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#479Earlier quoted context omitted.
Two words: Heat Sinks A well proven way to move heat out of a silicon package to prolong its ability to perform at its highest potential. And in a desktop, you've got room for 'em.
On an NVME? You don't need heatsinks of an NVME. You have much bigger issues in your case if you think heatsinks will help on an NVME.
Are you suggesting NVME heatsinks are a marketing gimmick? I beg to differ.
Re: I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers
#480If you really care tham much, don't bitch about the price, but pay for your privacy and convictions.
/linux laptop owner who paid up