Should I Buy a Desktop or Beef Up My Laptop?

Question

I have an old Compaq Presario bought in (2001), 1.5mhz, 384mb, 60GB. It's served me well considering all the software, graphic and music files I have on it. Recently its been giving me warning signs that it's going to die on me any day. I have everything on this desktop from AutoCad to Photoshop. I also have a laptop, a Sony Vaio VGN-A190 desktop replacement that I purchased in 2004 and rarely use. I was thinking about purchasing a large external drive (500GB at least) for the laptop instead of a buying a new desktop. Or should I just purchase a new desktop? Anybody have any advice?

I'm a graphic/web designer. The programs I run take a lot of the CPU's power. I don't travel alot with the laptop. It's a 17inch desktop replacement, it's crazy heavy.

Answer 1

Honestly you will probally end up spending more to repair your laptop then you would spend on the desk top. I would compare. Go to Best Buy(they can quote you for free), and find out how much it would be to fix the old one. (even though just an estimate). Then figure it out from there. Also take in to consideration what you use the comp for. Do you use it more away from home than you do at home?

Answer 2

The main question is what are you planning to do? By the looks of your Compaq Presario, it doesnt really sound that bad. In fact, I think it can last, 1.5Ghz is quite fast. What makes you think it is going to die out? I still have a Dell XPS 266mhz and 191 RAM and 6GB still living fine.

If you are planning to work on the go a lot, there is no point in buying a new desktop, in fact, the Sony VGN models are excellent, Best Buy carries a lot with high satisfaction. If your laptop hard drive is 40GB or about, you would not need to purchase an extra hard drive, especially one of 500GB (that would cost 1/8th of the price of a new laptop at least).

In the mean time, if you really want to buy a new desktop (I dont suggest adding an extra drive to laptop), I would say wait until you really have to. This is because both Intel and Microsoft are releasing new products November to December this year (a new Intel chip and Windows Vista). As for right now, back up your data and try to avoid buying a new computer until you really have to.

Answer 3

That large a external hard drive for your laptop will cost probably close to what a good desktop would cost! You can do so much more with a desktop, but they are not portable, you decide the trade off.

Answer 4

if money is not an issue, i would get more transportable laptop that has a powerful cpu, lots of memory and just hook it up to a large flat screen monitor to see your graphic stuff. then you get the best of both worlds - you can travel with the laptop as needed but get the advantages of a desktop unit all in one box.

Answer 5

i will go for the laptop if i were you, they're easier to go around town, you can take 'em wherever you wanna go. I mean even if you travel, it'll help a lot. But if you're gonna stay home, i think a desktop it's better, they aren't that fragile than laptops. But desktops computers are better for speed because they are more stable than laptops.

Answer 6

new desktop men and just copy all your files take 2 or 3 sandwiches and 2 or 3 cokes and the time to copy all

Answer 7

Get a beefed up desktop, fo sho.

Answer 8

if you do a lot of design, you should get a desktop. more power and you can get a larger screen.

Answer 9

laptops are naturally faster because the distance of the components are closer together inside it so i think you should beef up your notebook