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Transition to a Desktop after years of using a laptop

littlekiwi

littlekiwi

I charge by the hour for anything before noon
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Jan 21, 2012
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Anyone made the transition from a laptop back to a desktop computer? I'd been 100% convinced I'd be sticking to a laptop, thinking ease of space, not needing a proper workspace, being able to scrap while resting etc but $$$ wise it no longer appears to be the best option now. One of my best friends has offered to build me a PC from scratch which I'm super grateful for and I have been told it will be the best computer I've ever owned. Problem is I'm so welded into having used a laptop exclusively for over 15 years the thought of not having the option to be mobile if I want to be scares me.....please convince me it will be worth it for a better pc, my friend has tried to convince me and while I know its the right choice, I just have this I'm not sure feeling about the situation as its different to what I was expecting and/or planning for
 
How do you actually use your computer in day to day life? Are you using it around your house, while in bed, or while traveling? If so, how often? Do you like using it at a desk? I know there are a lot of laptop users out there who really use them like desktops. One thing I can tell you for sure you're going to love is the big monitor! I got one this summer to use with my laptop (instead of the laptop screen, not as a dual monitor setup) and I love it so much that I hate when I have to go back to relying on only my 17" laptop screen for a few hours! (I use my laptop at my desk 80% of the time, but the other 20% is too important for me to have a desktop. But my circumstances are different than yours--I take it to class and use it away from my desk when I need more quiet for work or homework than my family is willing to give me at my desk. I also take it when we make a trip to visit my parents and will be sitting around their house a lot, but I don't need a laptop just for that.)
 
I do use it in bed but that's purely because its an option at the moment. In the past 5 years my laptop has maybe gone out of the house on average of once a year so needing to be more mobile isn't a deal breaker, I think I'm just resisting change to be honest into technology I have no idea about (I've basically said this is what I need it to do, this is my max budget...go to it). In an ideal world I'd use it mostly like a desktop and now that the "fog" I've been living under is subsiding I can see myself being able to be at my desk more often and for longer
 
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I had a desktop and then used a laptop for a while. I almost exclusively used my laptop at my desk with the exception of a couple of traveling trips. Even then, I didn't use my laptop as much as I thought I was going to when traveling. So I made the decision to go back to a desktop and I haven't regretted it.

I already had my desk. I've just made sure that I have a good office chair to support my back.

I think you will find your new computer build is going to make such a difference with your programs that you won't miss the laptop.
 
gonewiththewind said:
I think you will find your new computer build is going to make such a difference with your programs that you won't miss the laptop.
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thats what my friend said to me initially. I just don't know long term that I'll have a dedicated desk space which is why I was "team laptop" essentially. I have space now but in the future when I move out of home its less clear that I will.
 
I've always preferred a desktop and only used the laptop for retreats and crops away from home. For awhile I did use it as a desktop with a large monitor attached so I had a 2nd screen until I got a new desktop. So I can't help with your question.

But I just had a similar discussion with my cousin the other day. She bought a new Mac laptop a year ago thinking she would hook it up to her older Mac desktop and use that as her monitor. She never got that done, hardly used the laptop and now the Mac desktop (all in one I believe) has completely quit working for her. And, when she tries to use the laptop she thinks the screen is too small. She admitted that she should have bought a desktop in the beginning but thought she was being frugal by getting the laptop. Now she has to find someone that can help her figure out how to get a setup she likes whether it is figuring out if she can use the old desktop monitor or buying a new monitor. Unfortunately, it is hard to find someone that knows Macs in this area.

I hope you really like the desktop and agree with Cheryl that it will make a difference when using your programs.
 
[QUOTE="HavaDrPepper, post: 1426441, member:
Now she has to find someone that can help her figure out how to get a setup she likes whether it is figuring out if she can use the old desktop monitor or buying a new monitor.
[/QUOTE]

I have a 25” HP monitor (several years old) that I use with my MacBook. I finally found that I get best screen quality using the thunderbolt (either a mini DVI or micro DVI) adapter to HDMI to the monitor. I can do HDMI out of MacBook but it sometimes seems fuzzy.
 
@littlekiwi Jennifer can you use your current laptop at your desk space to try out how you like that option? I’m happiest with my laptop at my kitchen table, but I’ve been using it in my office at my desk for the last few months connected to big monitor. I’ve considered moving to desktop Mac when I have to replace my MacBook, but it seems to still be holding out well.
 
elseepe said:
[QUOTE="HavaDrPepper, post: 1426441, member:
Now she has to find someone that can help her figure out how to get a setup she likes whether it is figuring out if she can use the old desktop monitor or buying a new monitor.
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I have a 25” HP monitor (several years old) that I use with my MacBook. I finally found that I get best screen quality using the thunderbolt (either a mini DVI or micro DVI) adapter to HDMI to the monitor. I can do HDMI out of MacBook but it sometimes seems fuzzy.[/QUOTE]

She's hoping to use the monitor she already has but is trying to figure out everything else. Let's just say she is becoming more tech challenged as she gets older so even figuring out the connection is foreign to her. She used to be good at figuring things out but with technology advances, she has fallen behind. She always wants the latest and greatest but then doesn't know how to fix it if it stops working (happened with her security system... SMH).
 
I sit in my comfy chaise chair with my electric blankie and the dog to scrap. So always a laptop for me. I do look at the big monitors and would probably love one -- but it would require something to put it on -- and sitting in a hard chair.

BTW - if you are doing a laptop on your lap - get a lap desk with a cushion. It will support the machine and give it proper airflow to cool. Sitting on your lap (and heated blanket) doesn't cool the machine...
 
BevG said:
and sitting in a hard chair.
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You can get very comfy desk chairs these days. I keep seeing one advertised that has heat and massaging built into it. Not sure I want to know the price of it though! LOL

I keep a LB chair cushion on my chair. I now need to sit straight up and my chair doesn't allow for it to be where it needs to be. Never used to be a problem but as I've gotten older I have back pain when I don't sit straight. So the cushion goes behind my back to give me the angle I need. It is time for a new chair but I just haven't gotten out to look.

I also need to have my monitors at eye height and have neck pain if I look down which is what happens when I use a laptop. So that's another reason why a laptop doesn't work as well for me. And, yes, something to let the air flow under a laptop is essential. Several of my scrapping friends and I got a laptop riser that had a fan in it. It connected to the laptop by USB to run the fan and it was adjustable to how much of an angle you wanted. Very handy at retreats.
 
The thing is... having a computer built is likely considerably cheaper than buying one built to your preferred specs. This is a factor to consider. You then need a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse and mousepad. You will likely need some cords. Those saying a good desk chair are right, that's incredibly important. Mine was nearly 300 dollars for good support and comfort. With all that said, that computer will likely last you longer though and if you need to upgrade it, it's not that hard to have your friend do this as specs and requirements change over the years.

You can't custom build a laptop. You can buy a PC laptop and upgrade certain aspects of it with someone who knows how but it won't be the same.

If I were you, and if cost is a factor, I'd start there. Weigh the cost options and include the costs of all the extras you will need for a desktop.

Then factor in your usage options. I personally have to have a laptop. I move around the house some and like that freedom. But with covid, I am at my desk more and I am more likely to leave it in there and force myself to disconnect some.
 
I guess I would ask myself how many times I really do take my computer somewhere to scrap. If it's just that you like to sit on the couch with your computer, I'd switch. I am on a desktop, and I don't like scrapping on a laptop at ALL. I despise the track pad and small screen. I currently have a 27" iMac and I can have my Photoshop file open at 66.7% AND Bridge open next to it and see them at the same time. Adding a mouse or larger screen just defeats the purpose of true mobility.

I guess you'd say I'm firmly in the desktop camp!! LOL
 
I didn't use a laptop for very long. I think it was only from around 2008 to 2011. For the couple of decades before that, and ever since I got an iMac in 2011, I've been using desktops. I like being able to sit up. I use one of the chairs from our dining table so it's sturdy, but it has an upholstered seat so it's also comfy. I have a nice huge desk, so I can put my feet up when I watch videos. It has a keyboard tray so I can configure everything perfectly for how I want to sit. Having a dedicated space means I always know where my stuff is and I don't have to bother much with wires and plugging things in.

Best of all for photography and scrapbooking is the bigger, better screen. I don't think any laptop screen is as good as a desktop screen.

There is a compromise. While I was using that laptop in the late 2000's -- which I loved because I could take it away from the house with me on my Mom's Night Off -- I had a monitor on a desk. I would attach the laptop to the monitor and have a second, bigger screen.
 
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littlekiwi said:
thats what my friend said to me initially. I just don't know long term that I'll have a dedicated desk space which is why I was "team laptop" essentially. I have space now but in the future when I move out of home its less clear that I will.
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I don't think this is as big an issue as it appears.
Currently, in our home we changed the dining room to the office and have our desktops there. But, previously:
In one 1 apartment we had the computer in the living room.
In another, it was on one end of the kitchen table. Not the best idea, depending on your household, but it was just 2 adults, so it was okay. In one apartment it was in our bedroom. In one apartment, we were able to put the computer in the second bedroom. In our Vegas house, we put it in the extra bedroom. Then, moved it to the living room. Then gave up on the living room idea, and made it an office instead. The computer didn't take up much more room than a laptop. In fact, in a few of these places, we had a laptop too. And it sat on the kitchen table, or it was in the corner of the bedroom. Or on a desk.

What I have found is that a desktop doesn't take up that much more space depending on some factors. Like, sure, right now, mine takes up a ton of space because I have 3 monitors. :giggle But, my kid has a little student desk that will hold his desktop and a single monitor. It's in the office but it's small enough to go in the bedroom, the living room, or even the kitchen.
 
To your original question: I faced the same idea back in 2015 or so. My brother offered to build me a computer, or I could buy a laptop. I talked it over with him. Even if I spent the exact same amount of money, the desktop would give me much better specs. I worried about the portability factor, but honestly, the battery on the laptop had started to die, so it was almost always stationary and plugged in anyway. Sure, it was still portable, but I didn't take it many places.

I don't miss the laptop. We have an old one that will still run a Photoshop Elements if I coax it, but it's currently just the child's computer for his games. In the years since I bought the desktop, I have upgraded the memory once, and upgraded the SDD from 118GB to 1TB. When we built it, solid states were still newer and expensive. Now, it was super cheap to grab a 1TB, and I can still use the 118GB one. Along with the regular 4Tb harddrive in the computer.

To Kat's comment, your friend might find that a mouse and keyboard come with one of the pieces. Sometimes they do, I know mine did. Sure, I've upgraded my mouse and keyboard since then.

For me, one of the best parts of the desktop is walking away. I can't sit up all night scrapping or tagging one more folder or whatever. I have to walk away. Even when it had to be plugged in all the time, I could still plug the laptop in near the bed and play on it way too late. Now, I have to play on my phone instead! :rofl

It's different, but I was shocked at how fast my desktop is compared to my laptop. And the ease of being able to update parts make it less likely for me to go back to a laptop. Also, I love having a card reader for my camera card and a DVD drive and that's really hard to find on new computers anymore.
 
bestcee said:
It's different, but I was shocked at how fast my desktop is compared to my laptop. And the ease of being able to update parts make it less likely for me to go back to a laptop. Also, I love having a card reader for my camera card and a DVD drive and that's really hard to find on new computers anymore.
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I'm hoping the guy I know can upgrade the RAM in my computer. I just am not confident enough to tackle that! When I had my problems back in October and I was so close to purchasing a new desktop, the DVD drive was a must for me. When I told him that, he said, nope, just get an external DVD drive. A card reader isn't a must for me since I already have an external card reader.

I have always lived in this house since I've had a computer. My computers have always been in this room although when I got my first one, it was also my bedroom (full size double bed) and had a TV in the room as well. Not a whole lot of room to move around! We eventually made it into a "sitting room" for me and I moved into the spare bedroom to sleep. The room is now just an office but can easily become a bedroom again. Just move this furniture out and move bedroom furniture in.
 
HavaDrPepper said:
I'm hoping the guy I know can upgrade the RAM in my computer. I just am not confident enough to tackle that!
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If your computer specs can handle it, upgrading RAM is super easy! It's almost plug and play easy. So, he should be able to handle it.
 
bestcee said:
If your computer specs can handle it, upgrading RAM is super easy! It's almost plug and play easy. So, he should be able to handle it.
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I know he can handle it, just need him to find the time to do it! He's pretty busy as the IT manager where I used to work so I just have to be patient since he doesn't charge me for his time. I sent him the specs so he knows what I've got already. Since it is a Dell, I'm guessing it won't be a problem to update. Just need to figure how much I can add. I've had a few little things crop up lately that I think could be because of the RAM I have since they mainly happen when I'm using PSP that needs at a minimum 4GB RAM to run and 8GB if I'm using the AI functions.
 
I mainly scrapbook on a desktop but I take a laptop when I go on girls' scrapbook weekends and I HATE it -- it feels so constricting with the small screen and fact that you can't adjust the screen height. I did buy a laptop a few years ago so that I could be more mobile but it died and I haven't really missed it. Plus, desktops are usually faster, upgrade-able and have more storage space. All of which is to say that I think you will like working on a desktop -- the question is whether being tied to a desk will bother you.
 
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