What is a desktop replacement?
Sep 29 '04
The Bottom Line Big screens and heavy machines make for sore necks and shoulders, even when you don't carry it with you.
Most reviewers, including both amateurs like myself and my epinions colleagues, and the pros at the big computer magazines typically define a "Desktop Replacement" notebook as the large, kitchen-sink variety that inclludes everything but the, well you get the point. Desktop replacements are big, bulky, heavy and in some recent cases don't even run on batteries (portable desktop).
What I would like to do in this essay, however, is to show that almost ANY laptop can be a desktop replacement, and suggest that for many users, a smaller model will actually make a BETTER DESKTOP replacement than the larger ones do.
What it really comes down to is the choice of internal vs. external monitor. If you intent to use the laptop on desk, the larger models are simply more comfortable on account of their larger LCD displays. Sony, Toshiba, Apple, Dell and others are offering 17" laptop displays that easily match the LCD flatpanel monitors on most desktop computers, and come very close to those desktop computers in speed and features as well.
I'll compare Apples to Apples, though this logic extends to any brand of computer, Mac or PC, Windows or Linux; its simply a matter of performance, convenience and ergonomics, and what is the best compromise between comfort and portablility. I'll tell you why I think a small laptop with a small screen makes for the best desktop replacement.
Are you nuts? A small screen for a desktop replacement? Okay, here goes. Sticking to Apples, look at the largest and smallest of their PowerBook range (or the ultraportable and desktop replacement models from any other company) and you will see that the larger model is appreciably faster and considerably more expensive. The small 12" PowerBook runs at 1.33GHz (yeah yeah, PCs have higher clock speeds) and costs $1600, while the larger 17" model runs at 1.5GHz and costs $2800.
More than speed or even price though, the larger model is exactly 50% heavier than the small one. Yes, while on your desk the weight doesn't matter, but once you start carrying it around, you will be very thankful for the 4.6lb weight of the smaller laptop, not to mention the more compact dimensions that translates to smaller bags, themselves lighter than the big 17" cases.
Aren't I forgetting something though? What about comfort, these are desktop replacements after-all. Well, remember the price difference, for $1200 you can buy a VERY nice external LCD monitor, wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, and still have half or more of that $1200 price difference left over depending on how large you like your external LCD monitors. Connected to a flatpanel monitor and an external keyboard and mouse, the only difference that the laptop display's size makes is how many Word or PhotoShop toolbars you can display on it (most higher end laptops, Mac and PC, support monitor spanning) and how much of your desk space is covered by your computer. I can tell you based on 13 years laptop computing experience that ANY full-size monitor and keyboard will be more comfortable and more ergonomic than any laptop monitor and keyboard, the reason is that with the display on the same case as the keyboard, you are forced to position the monitor far lower than optimum height. Neck and shoulders pay the price if you spend long hours at work.
Your neck and shoulders will thank you at your desk, but you will also find laptop computing bliss the first time you carry your under 5lb laptop across airport terminals. Imagine the delight of actually using your computer on the tray table while you fly, instead of jammed against your chest. Finally, small computers are just that, small. You may jsut find, as I did, that a very small laptop can completely replace your PDA.
Food for thought. Just think, sometimes less really is more.
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Epinions.com ID:
lawman67
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 in Computer Hardware |
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Member: Andrew F
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 201
Trusted by: 64 members
About Me:
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl but she doesn't have a lot to say.
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