Laptop to replace desktop?

[NoMoreWineForMeThen]

I'd like to replace our prehistoric PC and am wondering if there would be any dissadvantages in going for a laptop instead of a desktop? Would a laptop have enough memory/storage space? What things would I be unable to do using a laptop?

In the main we'll use it for the Internet, iTunes, photography (with thousands of photos to store), minimal amount of word processing and spreadsheets type work. We don't play games or anything like that but would like to play CDs and DVD's and copy/record onto CD/DVD.

Friendly chap in the Apple shop suggested that the 13" MacBook Pro would be fine for our needs. Am I correct in thinking the CD/DVD drive would need to purchased separately for this laptop? What memory size is adequate for the average home?

I'm seduced by the MacBook looks but imagine there are also Widows laptops with similar spec that would be less expensive. Indeed, should I be considering an iMac instead?

Sorry, so many questions and I have so little technical knowledge!

I'd be grateful for any advice, tips or suggestions.

Thanks.

I guess the first question to ask is if you have a dedicated space to use your computer? We have a study where we have all our computers. My OH has a laptop but it stays there 99.99% of the time. Frankly a desktop would be better for her.

If you do have a space for a desktop and don't need the portability then I would say that a desktop is always going to be better. It's cheaper for starters for the same spec, you don't have to worry about the battery dying and the ergonomics are much better since you will have a proper keyboard, mouse and a larger monitor.

Apple macbooks look great as always but they are eye wateringly expensive. That said I have an iMac and I totally love it. My only regret is not splurging for the 27"

If you have lots of photos and are into photography then you will find the iMac's monitor absolutely amazing. The clarity and sharpness will make photos just stand out. Especially compared to a laptop's screen.

But if you do need to be able to move around the house (and beyond) then a laptop makes perfect sense.

What I'd probably do in your situation is get an imac. But then I am biased! :)

The sole reason for going laptop is that you need to be able to sit anywhere and use it. If you want the flexibility to move around the house then a laptop is ideal for that.

The downsides are:
You get less for your money than with a desktop;
A laptop is slower than a desktop with the same specification;
As a rule you'll get less storage space;
Laptops don't last as long as desktops (typical failure rate over 3 years being 25%)
Laptops can be dropped, knocked off the edge of sofas, etc.

You'll need to make sure that your broadband router is capable of covering the areas of the house where you'll want to sit with your laptop.

If you currently have a printer, you will still need to plug the laptop in to it to use it unless it's a wireless printer.

Macs are lovely if you have lots of money. An equivalent Windows PC will be around 50%-70% of the price of the Mac. As a result, I sit on the opposite end of the spectrum to NiceGuy2, and I say that unless there's a really good reason for you to buy a Mac (and I don't count 'but it's so pretty' as a good reason) a PC will do the job. But at the end of the day, it's your money.

Our PC is currently upstairs in the 'office' (read: general dumping ground with a desk amongst the chaos) and to be honest that's part of the reason I started looking at a laptop as we just don't tend to want to sit upstairs working on the PC alone - in fact with 3 little ones it's rarely possible!

The chap in the Apple shop did seem to favour the iMac for me initially too. Hmmm. I did consider setting up an iMac downstairs but think it would be too tempting for little fingers and would likely get damaged.

I've just been doing a little digging around online and looks like dissadvantges of a laptop are inability to upgrade memory, cost when things go wrong and likelihood of things going wrong. Would you agree?

Yes, I agree the MacBooks are very expensive. I definitely don't want to make a mistake if spending this much money as its something we would have to save for.

NoMoreWineForMeThen

I've just been doing a little digging around online and looks like dissadvantges of a laptop are inability to upgrade memory, cost when things go wrong and likelihood of things going wrong. Would you agree?

That seems fair.

Yes, I agree the MacBooks are very expensive. I definitely don't want to make a mistake if spending this much money as its something we would have to save for.

With three children, I'd suggest you're better off setting fire to your money than spending £800 on a Mac. It'll get vegemite on it or knocked off the table or something.

Thanks for your replies.

I guess part of my issue is the vast array of Windows laptops on the market and trying to work out which have a similar spec to a MacBook in order to compare pricing.

You won't get an identical comparator. What you need is something which is fast enough for your day-to-day use, which is reliable and rugged, and which has plenty of storage for your music and pictures.

Go to your local computer store and have a play with some of them. Look for something with an Intel Core processor in. Look for something with 500GB of disk space or more, and 4GB RAM or more. Don't buy the crappy bundled antivirus or the crappy bundled warranty. The most reliable makes on the market at the moment are Toshiba and Asus.