No desk top computer?

[Mark Halegua]

On Friday 12 February 2010 06:09:49 pm Neil Winchurst wrote:
> Alvin wrote:
> > I sell computers to business users. Mostly servers and it's not my main
> > business, so we're not talking about great numbers here.
> >
> > My personal experience and opinion:
> > - Your battery will die quickly
> > - Your battery *will die* quickly
> > - A battery is expensive. Desktop users don't have to pay that
> > - Your notebook will die a lot quicker than your desktop
> > - It's hard to find a notebook of decent quality. In fact, my main
> > supplier stopped selling notebooks for exactly that reason, despite a
> > rising demand.
> >
> > It's great if you need a /portable computer/. In my house, I rarely need
> > that. I have one, but it's packed and ready for it's 5th repair now.
> > (I'm trying to get it repaired for 2 weeks now.)
> >
> > My colleague had more luck in finding a notebook of decent quality and
> > uses it at home and abroad. For home use only, notebooks aren't worth
> > the trouble.
> 
> Thanks for your answer. I understand what you are saying but ....
> 
> I am suggesting replacing my desktop computer with a laptop **used in
> effect as a desktop**. In other words, it would mostly be used only in
> the house and almost always plugged into the mains. Battery life would
> almost be irrelevant.
> 
> The main reason being that it would not take up so  much space in the
> spare bedroom as my desktop does now. I could get rid of the desk etc
> which take up so much room. And, if necessary, (eg when a guest is using
> the bedromm) it could be used in another room. Hence the hints and
> comments from her indoors.
> 
> Neil
> 

I'm an IT consultant.  I have several systems, some I built myself (desktops 
and servers) and some store bought because it's been cheaper to buy prebuilt 
systems than buy the parts and make my own.

My server is still kinda old, but works.  I'll replace it next year.

Otherwise, I'm currently using 3 systems, a desktop I got in October, a laptop 
I bought over 3 years ago (a black Friday acquisition), and a netbook I got 
this last black Friday.  These last 3 systems are all Acers and they all have 
Linux I installed on them (the server is also running Linux).  The Acers still 
have the original Windows they came with, but I boot into those so 
infrequently, it doesn't matter.

The laptop is an Aspire 5102 currently running LInux Mint 7 with KDE.  
Everything is found (webcam, USB, camera card, video, wifi, ethernet, etc.) and 
hasn't given me problems  I love it.  I upgraded to 2GB RAM, and it has a 
120GB HD with an AMD dual core 64 bit CPU.  It has a DVD+- burner and it burns 
well with K3B.

The desktop has 4GB RAM a 640GB HD, and all kinds of goodies.  Linux Mint 7 
also with KDE, 4.2.

The netbook has 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HD, wifi, ethernet, USB, camera card, etc and 
Kubuntu 9.10 with KDE 4.3.  It has an Intel Atom dual core 32 bit CPU.

They all work and they all work well.

The only advice about using a laptop at home is take out the battery so it 
doesn't lose it's usefullness by being constantly charged and not used.  Just 
remember that fact if you want to move it while it's on.  Just put the battery 
in before you move it.

One of the things I do with my laptop and netbook are use them on battery 
until the battery low monitor goes on and then plug them in to power.  When 
they're fully charged, I remove the power.  The batteries get fully excersized 
and don't lose they're capacity to act without power attached.

By the way, I've never contacted Acer tech support for any of the systems, not 
even the laptop in over 3 years of ownership.  I think highly of the company 
as a result.  They make great systems at a great price (I prefer AMD chips, 
and they sell those).  After 2.5 years with the laptop I did have to buy a new 
battery, but got it from a 3rd party manufacturer.

The desktop is one of those small form factor systems.