Put all my eggs into one cyber-basket?
April 13, 2011 1:20 PM Subscribe
ParadoxOfChoiceFilter: For the first time in a long time, I have the financial assets to get a good computer. I definitely need a new laptop soon, but have fond memories of the awesome graphical power of the desktop. In terms of graphical processing power, given that I need a laptop either way, does it make more sense for me to split between a laptop and a desktop than to spend it on one very expensive laptop? Either way, what are my mid-to-high end laptop/desktop options?
I currently have an MSI Wind netbook that's on its last leg that I've been jury-rigging for months. My intuition is that within a month or two my dear little netbook is going to either die or lose enough of its function so as to become untenable to use for much. After saving for quite some time, I finally have a substantial amount to spend on a new computer. Let's say I have $2,500 to spend, though that can go up a bit if I'm willing to use some credit. Let's also assume that I can acquire most if not all the necessary peripherals (e.g. monitor, keyboard) to run a desktop at little-to-no cost.
Either way, I need a laptop for the kind of lifestyle I lead. However, in this generation of my computing life, I'd really like to have some machine that can run some graphics-intensive programs or games. My impression, perhaps outdated, is that buying graphical power in a laptop is grotesquely inefficient compared to the same dollar value/processing value in a desktop. Thus, my mind has gravitated toward either buying a high-end laptop with a decent graphics card, or splitting my funds between a nice, portable laptop and a desktop with an even better processing/graphical profile than the hypothetical high-end laptop.
Does this make any economic sense whatsoever? That's where you come in, MetaFilter! (Somehow, I can run a statistical meta-analysis, but can't figure out optimal computer purchasing; figure that one out, too, will you.) It's hard for me to word precisely my main concern, but here's my best shot: given the $$$ I have to spend, these days am I gaining substantially in processing/graphical power by having a laptop and a desktop versus just buying a really nice laptop? If I spend say $600-700 dollars on a portable laptop, is the remaining money ($1800-1900) going to get me a desktop that runs notably better than a $2500 laptop? I don't really need to be able to do much on the laptop specifically other than have a few Excel spreadsheets open, maybe some statistical software, YouTube videos, maybe run HD video using a very efficient codec (which even my netbook currently does!), etc. I don't really picture myself playing Crysis 2 in a cafe, certainly... so, getting the graphical power in the laptop would only because of price efficiency given that I definitely need to purchase a new portable laptop of some kind.
What do y'all think? How would you go about doing this? What questions am I not thinking of? (Such as: what the hell is it like to lug around a $2500 laptop?! I'm a big guy, but, still.) What sorts of configurations/brands/models would you buy, given what route you think I should take? (It's vaguely—vaguely—possible I could get a tech-savvy friend of mine to build a computer with minimal labor costs; I am not building my own computer, as I would solder my hands together.)
(On the whole, I'm ambivalent as to Windows vs. Mac computers. I can use either, and can easily Bootcamp if I need to use a Windows program. I'm also pretty ambivalent about particular brands, though have been scared off by Dell in the past.)
Thanks for the technological life-planning, MeFi!
I currently have an MSI Wind netbook that's on its last leg that I've been jury-rigging for months. My intuition is that within a month or two my dear little netbook is going to either die or lose enough of its function so as to become untenable to use for much. After saving for quite some time, I finally have a substantial amount to spend on a new computer. Let's say I have $2,500 to spend, though that can go up a bit if I'm willing to use some credit. Let's also assume that I can acquire most if not all the necessary peripherals (e.g. monitor, keyboard) to run a desktop at little-to-no cost.
Either way, I need a laptop for the kind of lifestyle I lead. However, in this generation of my computing life, I'd really like to have some machine that can run some graphics-intensive programs or games. My impression, perhaps outdated, is that buying graphical power in a laptop is grotesquely inefficient compared to the same dollar value/processing value in a desktop. Thus, my mind has gravitated toward either buying a high-end laptop with a decent graphics card, or splitting my funds between a nice, portable laptop and a desktop with an even better processing/graphical profile than the hypothetical high-end laptop.
Does this make any economic sense whatsoever? That's where you come in, MetaFilter! (Somehow, I can run a statistical meta-analysis, but can't figure out optimal computer purchasing; figure that one out, too, will you.) It's hard for me to word precisely my main concern, but here's my best shot: given the $$$ I have to spend, these days am I gaining substantially in processing/graphical power by having a laptop and a desktop versus just buying a really nice laptop? If I spend say $600-700 dollars on a portable laptop, is the remaining money ($1800-1900) going to get me a desktop that runs notably better than a $2500 laptop? I don't really need to be able to do much on the laptop specifically other than have a few Excel spreadsheets open, maybe some statistical software, YouTube videos, maybe run HD video using a very efficient codec (which even my netbook currently does!), etc. I don't really picture myself playing Crysis 2 in a cafe, certainly... so, getting the graphical power in the laptop would only because of price efficiency given that I definitely need to purchase a new portable laptop of some kind.
What do y'all think? How would you go about doing this? What questions am I not thinking of? (Such as: what the hell is it like to lug around a $2500 laptop?! I'm a big guy, but, still.) What sorts of configurations/brands/models would you buy, given what route you think I should take? (It's vaguely—vaguely—possible I could get a tech-savvy friend of mine to build a computer with minimal labor costs; I am not building my own computer, as I would solder my hands together.)
(On the whole, I'm ambivalent as to Windows vs. Mac computers. I can use either, and can easily Bootcamp if I need to use a Windows program. I'm also pretty ambivalent about particular brands, though have been scared off by Dell in the past.)
Thanks for the technological life-planning, MeFi!
What utsutsu said. Get both.
Desktops are cheap, even gaming ones, if you're not all about bleeding-edge and more fps' blah blah.
Laptops (that aren't gaming machines) are decently priced these days, especially if you don't need to do much with it. Plus, the less power you need, the lighter it should be. Which is nice in terms of portability. The amount of work you do on your laptop should dictate size in some way.
posted by jlunar at 1:37 PM on April 13, 2011
Desktops are cheap, even gaming ones, if you're not all about bleeding-edge and more fps' blah blah.
Laptops (that aren't gaming machines) are decently priced these days, especially if you don't need to do much with it. Plus, the less power you need, the lighter it should be. Which is nice in terms of portability. The amount of work you do on your laptop should dictate size in some way.
posted by jlunar at 1:37 PM on April 13, 2011
Oh and an example high level hand waivy desktop build (I just upgraded my own...) with approximate costs
intel i5 2500k sandybridge cpu $225
motherboard $150
8 gb ram <> psu and case - $100 - $200
windows - $100 (if you wanna game, you'll need this either way)
dvd drive - $20, $100 if you want blu ray
hard drive <> Sweet gaming video card - $400
Taking the max options, we're sitting at $1375ish and that's a complete system already. There are online stores that will build a custom pc for very little (I've seen $50! at reputable stores)
posted by utsutsu at 1:38 PM on April 13, 2011
intel i5 2500k sandybridge cpu $225
motherboard $150
8 gb ram <> psu and case - $100 - $200
windows - $100 (if you wanna game, you'll need this either way)
dvd drive - $20, $100 if you want blu ray
hard drive <> Sweet gaming video card - $400
Taking the max options, we're sitting at $1375ish and that's a complete system already. There are online stores that will build a custom pc for very little (I've seen $50! at reputable stores)
posted by utsutsu at 1:38 PM on April 13, 2011
Oops, it should look like this... I should have known not to use <
intel i5 2500k sandybridge cpu $225
motherboard $150
8 gb ram less than$100
psu and case - $100 - $200
windows - $100 (if you wanna game, you'll need this either way)
dvd drive - $20, $100 if you want blu ray
hard drive less than $100, lots of freedom here... if there's room in the budget you could also add in a SSD for the OS drive
Sweet gaming video card - $400
posted by utsutsu at 1:40 PM on April 13, 2011
intel i5 2500k sandybridge cpu $225
motherboard $150
8 gb ram less than$100
psu and case - $100 - $200
windows - $100 (if you wanna game, you'll need this either way)
dvd drive - $20, $100 if you want blu ray
hard drive less than $100, lots of freedom here... if there's room in the budget you could also add in a SSD for the OS drive
Sweet gaming video card - $400
posted by utsutsu at 1:40 PM on April 13, 2011
Best answer: Gaming laptops are going to be: expensive, hot, heavy, and possibly loud.
Absolutely. A friend has a hefty Asus that's fine as a luggable "portable desktop", but barely functional as an on-the-go portable. So I'd stay away from that sector and go with a light, power-efficient laptop (MacBook Air, if you're inclined towards Apple; something similar in form factor, perhaps with a SSD, if not) and spend the change on a desktop.
ArsTechnica's system-building guides just got updated last month; you can get a lot of desktop for $1500, including a hunk of RAM, a good GPU and a big LCD. Remembering the time when my first PC needed a Soundblaster 16, the amount of stuff you now get onboard a $160 motherboard is staggering.
posted by holgate at 1:55 PM on April 13, 2011 [3 favorites]
Absolutely. A friend has a hefty Asus that's fine as a luggable "portable desktop", but barely functional as an on-the-go portable. So I'd stay away from that sector and go with a light, power-efficient laptop (MacBook Air, if you're inclined towards Apple; something similar in form factor, perhaps with a SSD, if not) and spend the change on a desktop.
ArsTechnica's system-building guides just got updated last month; you can get a lot of desktop for $1500, including a hunk of RAM, a good GPU and a big LCD. Remembering the time when my first PC needed a Soundblaster 16, the amount of stuff you now get onboard a $160 motherboard is staggering.
posted by holgate at 1:55 PM on April 13, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'd give thought to a desktop and a tablet. When I last did this for work purposes, I decided to get a MacBook Pro 15" to strike some balance between size/weight/performance. I used that machine in my office until I eventually bought an iMac, and used the laptop when I was working outside the office, etc. Since the iPad came out last year, I've used it exactly twice. Once at a cafe, and once when traveling. That's it. If this will work for you, you can save quite a bit of money and put it into the performance desktop if you're into gaming.
posted by Hylas at 2:00 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by Hylas at 2:00 PM on April 13, 2011
+1 to ars system guides, they are great! And, their "hot rod" box looks quite a bit like what I had in mind with my outline... in fact it has the exact same motherboard and cpu I just bought :)
posted by utsutsu at 2:06 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by utsutsu at 2:06 PM on April 13, 2011
I would spend $1500 on an extremely good desktop and buy an iPad 2 rather than a laptop.
posted by Go Banana at 2:55 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by Go Banana at 2:55 PM on April 13, 2011
Best answer: Given the latest CEA report, I would be hard pressed to suggest the puchase of a desktop even for most hardcore gamer. Unless you are doing a specific MMORPG, most every game option is available via console. Likewise, most MMORPGs do not run bleeding edge graphics so as not to alienate a portion of the consumer market. I would strongly push in the realm of a solid docking station that accepts a screaming video card, a huge-ass monitor, a killer sound system, and nearly maxxed out optional RAM on the laptop. Desktops are a dying breed and realistically you are buying a system you wont be upgrading (just replacing) whether you buy a laptop or a desktop.
As far as the tablet is concerned, I think they are a little early technology-wise to be the death of the laptop. In a few years, as the docking stations gear themselves more towards this market, tablets will be the standard, but for now they are still in the shiny proof of concept phase. Don't get me wrong, they've put a nail in the coffin of laptops, but definitely not the last one.
Desktops, on the otherhand, now account for just over 15% of pc/laptop sales on a unit basis, and are an even smaller segment if you include tablets. Even from a penetration standpoint, desktops are shrinking in market share.
So, in summary: X-Box 360, monitor, docking station with an interchangeable videocard, nice peripherals, solid laptop with nearly maxxed out ram, huge monitor/tv, killer soundsystem, and a cheap tablet if you want something portable and business savy. With $2500, I could have that and a MMORPG account pretty easily.
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:30 PM on April 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
As far as the tablet is concerned, I think they are a little early technology-wise to be the death of the laptop. In a few years, as the docking stations gear themselves more towards this market, tablets will be the standard, but for now they are still in the shiny proof of concept phase. Don't get me wrong, they've put a nail in the coffin of laptops, but definitely not the last one.
Desktops, on the otherhand, now account for just over 15% of pc/laptop sales on a unit basis, and are an even smaller segment if you include tablets. Even from a penetration standpoint, desktops are shrinking in market share.
So, in summary: X-Box 360, monitor, docking station with an interchangeable videocard, nice peripherals, solid laptop with nearly maxxed out ram, huge monitor/tv, killer soundsystem, and a cheap tablet if you want something portable and business savy. With $2500, I could have that and a MMORPG account pretty easily.
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:30 PM on April 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Spend $900 on a refurb 13" MacBook pro and, $900 on a home built windows gaming rig (shop newegg) and save the rest or get an iPad.
posted by Brian Puccio at 4:27 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by Brian Puccio at 4:27 PM on April 13, 2011
Last summer I bit the bullet and shelled out for a Vaio Z. This cost me roughly $1800 and included an i5, 4 gigs of RAM, a 256gb SSD, and a GeForce 330M. This is a mid-to-low range video card, and I don't play a lot of super-new games, but it runs Oblivion, STALKER, and similar games from that generation just fine. (It doesn't like very grassy areas, but whatever.) It's highly portable, the battery life is decent, it's neither hot nor noisy, and the display has a native resolution of 1600x900, which is more than many desktop monitors. If you're going to go the single-laptop route, this is what I'd recommend.
posted by nasreddin at 4:28 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by nasreddin at 4:28 PM on April 13, 2011
If you're looking for votes, I say good desktop and mediocre laptop. Laptops break, get stolen, whatever. Put your travel files in the cloud, get a mediocre laptop (or yeah, a tablet!) and crank up the desktop to 11. And instead of getting your peripherals for free, splurge on a couple awesome monitors, too. And some great speakers. Totally worth the money.
posted by clone boulevard at 6:02 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by clone boulevard at 6:02 PM on April 13, 2011
My philosophy is have an awesome desktop and commodity laptop.
I tried to split the difference and go with a MacBook Pro as my main machine a few years ago. It didn't completely work out, but the MBP is definitely a capable machine and is now my overkill laptop.
If you can put a PC together you can do something amazing for $2000 and have $500 for a perfectly serviceable laptop.
posted by tremspeed at 6:46 PM on April 13, 2011
I tried to split the difference and go with a MacBook Pro as my main machine a few years ago. It didn't completely work out, but the MBP is definitely a capable machine and is now my overkill laptop.
If you can put a PC together you can do something amazing for $2000 and have $500 for a perfectly serviceable laptop.
posted by tremspeed at 6:46 PM on April 13, 2011
If you do choose the two-computer route, put some thought into how you're going to transfer files and share data between them. When I had two computers, the information I needed was always on the computer I wasn't using. Eventually I just gave up and stopped using one of them.
With cloud services and Dropbox nowadays, this problem may be solved, but it's something that you should consider.
posted by meowzilla at 7:45 PM on April 13, 2011
With cloud services and Dropbox nowadays, this problem may be solved, but it's something that you should consider.
posted by meowzilla at 7:45 PM on April 13, 2011
If you do go the desktop route, take a look at this guide to components.
posted by clorox at 7:50 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by clorox at 7:50 PM on April 13, 2011
Response by poster: @Nanukthedog: If you're still reading this... I honestly hadn't ever heard of a laptop dock with an external video card + assorted techno-doohickies (and was only cursorily aware of laptop docks existing to begin with), which is the first time I've felt distinctly behind the curve on tech in a long long while! That's an interesting idea to consider. Do you have any links to general websites or specific sources for me to research? My very preliminary Google attempts keep pointing me to the same set of articles about the debut of the external graphics card by Asus in 2007.
posted by Keter at 8:51 PM on April 13, 2011
posted by Keter at 8:51 PM on April 13, 2011
Do you want to make an emotional decision or a rational one?
Once you get above a certain number of variables, you'll get trapped in the tyranny of choice. There is no perfect alternative.
(I used to buy a lot of oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. You think YOU have a problem! Add a zero or two to your budget. None of these were ever perfectly rational, and there was a lot of emotion involved. Also, none of the decisions were disasters or did I regret them in any fashion. One works around limitations, and the choice is less important than the satisfaction and comfort of the decision, once it is behind you.)
I think that's one reason Apple has been successful: limited choices. Damned good choices, but not 1000 different configurations. If you can't find something there, good luck finding it at Dell or Acer.
Whatever bleeding edge supercomputer you are going to buy today will be obsolete or suboptimal, at any rate, very soon. There is no 'perfect', IMO. There a many, many boxes you will be thrilled to own.
If you have time to go with that budget, you may want to read "How We Decide", which I just finished. Relevant to your predicament.
posted by FauxScot at 11:23 PM on April 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Once you get above a certain number of variables, you'll get trapped in the tyranny of choice. There is no perfect alternative.
(I used to buy a lot of oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. You think YOU have a problem! Add a zero or two to your budget. None of these were ever perfectly rational, and there was a lot of emotion involved. Also, none of the decisions were disasters or did I regret them in any fashion. One works around limitations, and the choice is less important than the satisfaction and comfort of the decision, once it is behind you.)
I think that's one reason Apple has been successful: limited choices. Damned good choices, but not 1000 different configurations. If you can't find something there, good luck finding it at Dell or Acer.
Whatever bleeding edge supercomputer you are going to buy today will be obsolete or suboptimal, at any rate, very soon. There is no 'perfect', IMO. There a many, many boxes you will be thrilled to own.
If you have time to go with that budget, you may want to read "How We Decide", which I just finished. Relevant to your predicament.
posted by FauxScot at 11:23 PM on April 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: While yes the ASUS XG Station disappeared there is the alternative from VI.
Playing games native to the laptop won't be (as) pretty, but using it with an external monitor is probably what your goal would be anyway.
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:25 AM on April 14, 2011
Playing games native to the laptop won't be (as) pretty, but using it with an external monitor is probably what your goal would be anyway.
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:25 AM on April 14, 2011
utsutsu's machine would be a very nice gaming machine (and you could do a good video card for less, about $250, without much degridation in quality). The only thing he left out, to be completist, is a decent 24" monitor (~$200), decents speakers/headphones (~$100) and a keyboard and mouse ($100, tops, if you don't have them kicking around). So for $1500, you would have a state of the art gaming desktop. That leaves you with a $1000 or more for a good laptop -- one that is light, quiet, has good battery life and doesn't broil your crotch. the Macbook Air comes to mind if you don't mind dualing OS's.
posted by rtimmel at 12:25 PM on April 14, 2011
posted by rtimmel at 12:25 PM on April 14, 2011
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$2500 is a very nice budget. You can custom build a GREAT gaming desktop for FAR less. With no periphereals, you'd be hard pressed to spend $1500, you could even build a very decent machine for $1000ish.
Gaming laptops are going to be: expensive, hot, heavy, and possibly loud.
Personally, I would build a decent desktop for the 1500, and spend the rest on a sweet portable laptop (13 inch ish) Or a nice tablet. You could get a top of the line ipad2 or one of the really nice new android tablets.
posted by utsutsu at 1:28 PM on April 13, 2011 [2 favorites]