Desktop vs. Laptop
Is it your only computer that you take with you when you leave your house? If not or if the computer does not move desktop. Plus they have more power. In the Mac world my sons new iMac 27” is amazing compared to my older MBP but I use a docking station and have a good 27” monitor. His iMac is new with 32 gigs ram. My MBP is 16 gigs ram. Both computers have SSD drives. His Monitor resolution is nicer then the output from my MacBook Pro Even though my monitor handles the full resolution the MacBook Pro sends out.
skingfong wrote:
Since there was a discussion with Mac vs PC, I like to have a discussion with Desktop vs. Laptop. I'm definitely from the desktop camp. The only advantage a laptop has for me is it's portability. I'm more comfortable with a desktop where everything is permanently hooked up. My workstation consists of a 24" monitor, a Mackie mixer, Mackie studio monitors, printer and desk. Everything I need is right there. I also rather use a mouse than a laptop tracking pad. Actually, I prefer keyboard commands over the mouse when possible. You also get more bang for your buck with a desktop. I can't see myself using laptops only. I work with audio, stills and a some video. I prefer bigger picture and way better audio.
That's not to say I don't use a laptop. I use one when I'm on the road or for backup in case the desktop goes down. Desktop is certainly my preference.
Since there was a discussion with Mac vs PC, I lik... (
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Me, too! Just as I prefer a DSLR to a compact camera, I prefer a desktop to a laptop. When I use a laptop, I use a mouse (Logitech M510), rather than the pad.
jerryc41 wrote:
Me, too! Just as I prefer a DSLR to a compact camera, I prefer a desktop to a laptop. When I use a laptop, I use a mouse (Logitech M510), rather than the pad.
I am happy to hear someone else is touch pad/screen challenged.
Kensington Expert Mouse trackball is the only way to go!!!
Whatever works for you. There’s no ‘best’ solution.
Peterff
Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
Cdouthitt wrote:
Kensington Expert Mouse trackball is the only way to go!!!
You mean like everything else you opine?
I do my editing on a laptop BUT I use an external monitor (from a defunct desktop). When I travel I like having the laptop with me and will edit only a photo or two each day to share online. I wait to do the bulk of the editing when I get home and can do it on my big screen (which does have better resolution).
TriX wrote:
The huge advantage of a desktop (unless it’s a Mac) is the ability to upgrade various components as the technology and your needs change. Laptops have very limited upgradability (as do Macs).
True. However, the vast majority of computer users never bother upgrading their computer's hardware... they simply buy a brand new computer every few years.
Travel a lot and just got a Dell XPS 13. So far I like it very much. It has proved to have an unexpected benefit. When I would try to sit at my desktop and focus on work, my wife would interrupt every 10-15 minutes with some small question. It would then take me 5 minutes to refocus. Now I sit in the bed and work while she reads or watches TV next to me. I guess she just missed me when I was at the desktop.
Jack 13088 wrote:
I am happy to hear someone else is touch pad/screen challenged.
I have both a desktop for my main system and a Dell XPS 13 for when I am traveling. Since my hands are partially paralyzed, I do not use the laptop's touch pad. I have a wireless Kensington trackball, large size, that I use if I find the touch screen inadequate.
I use my Dell desktop for nothing but photo editing and storage. It's connected to my laptop via my home network, and I use my laptop for web, Office Apps, and some minor photo editing. I just changed the HDD in the Dell laptop to the same sized Samsung SSD (1TB), after the HDD "burped" twice in two weeks.
I take the laptop with me when I travel, and use it to download files from my cameras.
bkyser
Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
I shoot weddings and portraits. With weddings, culling is a time consuming project, so I do my culling with a laptop, so I can do it at the dining room table, in my recliner, in my car during lunch, at a restaurant, etc. Any actual editing other than general lightroom stuff, is done on my desktop. Now, with LRCC (old LRMobile) It's even easier. I put each wedding in a catalog, and upload the wedding to the cloud, the sync it back to LRCC classic.
Even with a better 17' laptop, with a good screen, the viewing angles still effect the colors and brightness. A calibrated monitor at a consistent angle in a dim room with neutral color walls will give me consistent results.
So, short answer.... both
A larger screen helps to edit.
NormanTheGr8 wrote:
I just plug in a larger screen to my laptop when I want a bigger screen
htbrown
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
I use a desktop for PP, so I guess I'm in the OP's camp, but...
The company I work for issues everyone laptops. I'm not doing graphics work, so it's apples and oranges, but I do need a lot of peripherals. The answer? A docking station.
When I need portability, I grab the laptop and go. Otherwise, I plunk the laptop onto the docking station, and have everything I need. Best of both worlds, if you're not worried about the bucks involved.
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