Time for a new PC, desktop or laptop?

Add newsletters@cnet.online.com to your address book to ensure CNET newsletters reach your inbox.   Community Help       View online  |  Share on Facebook   |  Share on Twitter December 2, 2011     Lee Koo Community manager Profile Email Time for a new PC, desktop or laptop? Dear CNET members, Happy Friday! If any of you are stuck trying to make a decision between buying a desktop or buying a laptop for your main computer, then this week's discussion is for you. Our members came through in a big way, and offer up a bunch of buying advice, suggestions, and recommendations. Many explained the pros and cons of laptops versus desktops, and the limitations of both in detail. One idea to highlight: if you decide to go the laptop route, keep in mind that along with portability, also comes the chance you might drop it, spill your drink into it, lose it, or get it stolen. I have selected a few answers in the Q&A section to get you started. There are really no wrong answers here--only great advice--so give all our members' recommendations a read. Everyone who participated deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. I'm sure by the time you get through all the advice that making a sound buying decision will be a snap! Thanks everyone, and have a safe and happy weekend. Cheers! -Lee     Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com      TOPIC OF THE WEEK   Q: Time for a new PC, desktop or laptop? It is time to replace my 7-and-a-half year old desktop PC, which is running XP. It has been having some weird hardware issues recently, like crashing (blue screen of death) every time I close my CD tray. I just don't have the expertise to figure out what's wrong, nor do I think it worth the investment to have a professional look into it. My question is this: Is there any clear advantage to replacing it with a desktop instead of laptop? What are the advantages to having a laptop versus a desktop or vice versa? I'm a part-time college instructor (retired from my real job) and am not into gaming, so I don't require a lot of horsepower, but I do work with several applications open simultaneously. Thank you.    -- Submitted by: John H.   A: Featured member solutions   • "It's a Matter of Choice or Rather The Right Fit For You" -- Submitted by: ajtrek • "Desktop vs. Laptop" -- Submitted by: thomasterrible • "It depends on your needs/wishes " -- Submitted by: Dysalot • "There are pros and cons on both fronts..." -- Submitted by: Wolfie2k5 • "Laptop vs. Desktop " -- Submitted by: High Desert Charlie   Read all member contributions   Thanks to all who contributed!   PREVIOUS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS   • My friend got scammed; please help make her PC safe again • Help, my computer just won't shut down • Do you have the right weapons to deal with spam and phishing scams? • What's with all the activity on my PC, when I'm not doing anything? • E-book choices, oh my!   All previous Community newsletters     COMMUNITY BUZZ     • Should I have multiple Windows user accounts on my PC for privacy? • Is there a difference in flash drives? • If you bought a smartphone recently, which one and why? • Ultrabook/Ultraportable alternative • Google 'talking' to Amazon   More from the CNET forums     MAC NUGGET     • Can I delete Lion install Leopard in a new MacBook Pro? • Migration Assistant hangs • iBook G4: Battery running down when computer is off   More from the Mac OS forum     SECURITY ALERTS AND UPDATES     • Security news • Updates • Vulnerabilities and fixes   More from the security forum   NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION   Q: Buy a new digital camera or just go with a smartphone with camera? I've had my digital camera for more than 4 years and I'm ready to upgrade. It seems like cameras in smartphones are just as good now as what I have in my old point-and-shoot--probably better. I've seen great photos from my friends that were taken on their phones. The photos I take are family events and vacations. I don't do any high-end photography. Is it better to upgrade to a smartphone for pictures or buy a separate camera? Are smartphones going to make the point-and-shoot camera extinct? Your advice is appreciated.    -- Submitted by: Carol S. If you have an answer to this question, click here and click the "reply" to submit your advice, suggestions, opinions, or tips.    Have a tech-related question? Click here to e-mail us on one of these topics: · PC troubleshooting · PC upgrading · Digital music · Consumer electronics · Multimedia · Internet security · Digital cameras · Home audio & video Need help tech right away? Don't wait for us, post your questions in the CNET forums for all the tech help and how-tos.    Community Quick Poll On average, how often do you replace your home computer? Please click on button to vote  Less than a year (Why so frequently?)  1 to 2 years  3 to 4 years  5 to 6 years  7 to 8 years (Why so infrequently?)  9+ years (Does it still run?)  Only when it completely breaks down  I haven't yet; I continue to upgrade the components. Vote and discuss it here!     SIMPLE QUESTION, SIMPLE ANSWER     • What is a good black and white laser printer for a home office? • Can anything go wrong with my hard drive? • Windows AutoPlay prompt gone • Photos on Picasa publicly being displayed   HELP YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS     • How should I begin my career in IT? • How to fix burn in on LCD TV? • How do I change the name of my iPhone in my computer? • Connect one DVD player to multiple LCDs   MORE FROM THE CNET FORUMS     Windows 7     Desktops     Home audio & video     Windows XP     Laptops     Spyware, viruses, & security     Digital cameras     Tablets     View all forums

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