which is better: laptop or computer

[ge7atme]

If I have about $800 to spend, would it be better to just get a Lenovo y500 for about 800 or to build a $600 computer and buy $200 worth of a monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, os, and a WiFi adapter. I feel like the laptop is pretty much all in one. Especially because some monitors by themselves cost $200. Any feedback would be appreciated

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Depends on your needs. If you need something portable and somewhat game friendly then the laptop is the way to go. But if you want something that could last for a long time and has much more power then you're better off with building a custom PC.

 

[kapitalistas]

it depends what applications its gonna be used for(business run office,reading......).

 

[NatalieTech]

In general desktops are much better, especially if you build you own. If you build a desktop you can get something 2-3 times better specs wise and half the price. But it all depends on what youre using it for. If you need something portable then of course you're going to need a laptop. Yes, desktops require you to buy more parts but it the end its worth it if we're talking about price (if you dont want the top of the line speakers, keyboard, monitor, etc.)

I spent $500 building my own computer and created something awesome, granted I was able to get a few parts free. In total it is about a $800 value. I love my desktop but now i am looking for a laptop for on the go. I would start out with whichever you need most (something more powerful for home, or less powerful for on the go).

 

[Mindstab Thrull]

The major point to a laptop is portability. The major point to a desktop or tower is upgradability.

A laptop you can carry with you easily to wherever you want to go and do whatever you want, such as being able to play games on the bus (though FPS games might be a bit more difficult when the bus is moving..). As a general rule though, your available upgrades are: memory, hard drive, optical drive. The system is also generally a little more expensive for the same quality as a desktop due to needing to miniaturize, account for power consumption, and heating concerns.

A desktop has a lot more flexibility in terms of design. You can pull out the video card and put a new one in. You can add additional hard drives. You can replace the processor and the cooling system. You can change up the chassis. But it comes at its own cost: portability. Even if you have a mini-ITX system or something similar, there's then the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and such, which means you'll likely need a bag for your peripherals and then carry the machine itself separate.

The big question is, which is more important to you -- the portability factor of a laptop, or the 'modularity' of a tower? Either way you can find something reasonable for your budget.