Can I use a laptop with desktop peripherals?

[JustKeepSlimming]

Please help decide what to buy! I need a new computer. My current desktop PC is slowing down and needs to be replaced; I have a laptop but it's really old (like, 10 years) and a lot of the stuff on it isn't supported any more. I've been told that ideal spec for an upcoming project is an i7 processor and 16Gb RAM.

My question is whether I should get a desktop or laptop.

I only ever work from home, so it doesn't need to be terribly portable, but sometimes it would be handy to have a laptop to use downstairs (eg the kids have the very odd bit of homework where they would use it). But, if I get a laptop, then that's what I'd be using every day for work, and I find laptop keyboards too uncomfortable for full time use.

So, is it possible to buy a laptop and then connect up a regular keyboard, mouse and screen? So it would feel like a desktop that way, but I could use it as a laptop when needed?

Yes

Yes, this is completely normal.

Yep! That's what most people's wfh setup is - second (or third) screen, external mouse and keyboard. Easy!

Yup, that's what I do for my main machine :) hdmi cable for the screen, usb hub so you have enough ports for everything and you can have mouse, keyboard etc. My laptop sits open to one side so I can use it as a second screen (it's 17 inch) too.

Yes. Most homeworkers(including me) have exactly that set up. You may need some sort of hub to plug everything into though as not all laptops seem to have many USB ports or somewhere to plug a second screen into.

Yes, you will make you life easier if you get a USB dock that connects all the peripherals and just gives you one thing to plug i to the laptop,

They aren't expensive but it's not necessary if you don't mind plugging everything in separately.

Yes, if you have an older monitor you might need to get a convertor to work with a newer laptop as they're pretty much all HDMI now but they're readily available.

You can also get docking stations, so you plug evertything into the dockting station, and then just have 1 lead from that into the laptop instead of having seperat eleads to connect/disconnect each time.

Yep that's what I have

Thanks everyone, this sounds great! I remember looking into it years ago and it was really awkward to set it all up, but sounds like it's got much easier now!

Yes....just check the laptop has enough USB ports for keyboard, mouse and whatever else you need.

If you are using an older monitor with a brand new laptop you might find that the output on the laptop doesn't match the input on the monitor, but you can easily buy cable adapters to deal with that. If in doubt, take a photo of the monitor inputs with you when you buy the laptop, and the retailer can assist.

Brilliant, thank you!

You can also get hub monitors that ahve all the usb ports etc built in. If you have. Anodern laptop and monitor you can actually get down to one usb c cable connecting the laptop to the monitor and then wireless keyboard into monitor and wireless mouse into laptop. Monitor charges the laptop.

@SmartHome is on the right lines....

If you're going for an i7 laptop, make sure it has a thunderbolt port that supports displays and charging, and find a monitor that has a thunderbolt / USB c / charging support and has a hub.

Should be a single cable between the monitor that will charge the laptop and carry the display signal. All your peripherals plug into the monitor.

It just takes a bit of homework to ensure you get the right monitor and laptop.

Rtings review article(Monitors)

Techradar.com thunderbolt laptops

After a desktop PC died I used an i3 laptop for 3 months with the monitor , keyboard and mouse I was using with the desktop. My son said the laptop (a Lenovo T450s) was 'feeble' but he says that about anything that isn't the latest thing that costs 2 grand. The only thing I needed to change on the laptop was the setting in the Windows 10 power options that made it go to sleep when you shut the lid, because I didn't want two screens glaring at me. I just changed the setting to from 'Sleep' to 'Do Nothing' when plugged into the mains. My son had said 'you can't do that' when I asked him. So I taught him something for a change. When I want to start it up I just open the lid, press the power button, and shut the lid again.