Having a laptop and desktop

[nickf77]

I'm a little split about what to do for a new computer. I have a laptop that I use at a desk (with an additional monitor), but I'm thinking of replacing it soon. Here's the 2 scenarios I've come up with:

1. Buy a new laptop and trash the old one
2. Buy a desktop as my primary computer and use the laptop for vacations, traveling, using in different rooms, etc.

Scenario 1 would make it a lot easier to keep my files straight (I'd only have one computer), but it'd cost more to jack up a laptop to my preferred specs than a desktop.

I like scenario 2, because a similarly priced desktop would be much more powerful than a laptop, but I'm not sure how I'd like having 2 different computers.

I'm completely split between the 2 options. Both have pros and cons.

My question is this: does anyone have any experience with owning a laptop AND desktop? And how do you keep your files organized (do you sync the 2)?

 

[momoceio]

I have a PC and laptop...I built a NAS to keep my files in a central location. Can even do port forwarding and access my files no matter where I'm at. It's also more redundant that having all my files stored on the single HDD in my laptop or RAID 0 config in the desktop. You can buy a pre-built NAS for a couple hundred.

 

[nickf77]

I have a PC and laptop...I built a NAS to keep my files in a central location. Can even do port forwarding and access my files no matter where I'm at. It's also more redundant that having all my files stored on the single HDD in my laptop or RAID 0 config in the desktop. You can buy a pre-built NAS for a couple hundred.

Is the NAS just as fast as a normal HDD or will it slow down because it's over the network?

 

[SoulTerror]

#2. I had a laptop and desktop, sold my desktop due to motherboard failing, and I would like to get a desktop again. It would just be nice that when I get home, to not have to hook up my power cable, ethernet cable, usb hub, speakers, and external monitor.

 

[nickf77]

#2. I had a laptop and desktop, sold my desktop due to motherboard failing, and I would like to get a desktop again. It would just be nice that when I get home, to not have to hook up my power cable, ethernet cable, usb hub, speakers, and external monitor.

How would you go about sharing your files? Or would you just have to remember which computer you were working on something with?

 

[Weazol]

you network them to share files, I never throw away a computer. And for that reason I have a computer in every room of the house pretty much

 

[SoulTerror]

How would you go about sharing your files? Or would you just have to remember which computer you were working on something with?

Flash drive, or just share your files over the network.

 

[ProgRocker]

Setting up a NAS is fairly easy, it only requires a small amount of time and a free Ethernet connection. Alternatively you could share a drive or folder on one of your computers. Just join to the same workgroup, and you're all set.

 

[nickf77]

Setting up a NAS is fairly easy, it only requires a small amount of time and a free Ethernet connection. Alternatively you could share a drive or folder on one of your computers. Just join to the same workgroup, and you're all set.

Sounds do-able. I'm starting to like situation #2 a lot more, and I'm looking forward to finally having a decently powered machine that'll actually run my games on full detail (it'd be almost half the price to get a desktop).

 

[smacky]

you network them to share files, I never throw away a computer. And for that reason I have a computer in every room of the house pretty much

This.

I have friends that run Windows Server to get everything nice and neatly networked including printers, fax, etc.

It always breaks my heart to simply throw away a computer, which my parents seem to have no problem doing. We still have the Pentium 486 from USA Flex we got when in 1994 when I was 5. I didn't let them throw it out.

So save it. It'll have some use later on.

If you're getting a desktop, can I just suggest the new iMac with the Magic Trackpad?

 

[vbetts]

I just have my desktop. No use in a laptop really, I have my Moment for apps like facebook, and the internet on the go, and I have my Iphone for internet and gaming in wifi.

 

[Weazol]

This.

I have friends that run Windows Server to get everything nice and neatly networked including printers, fax, etc.

It always breaks my heart to simply throw away a computer, which my parents seem to have no problem doing. We still have the Pentium 486 from USA Flex we got when in 1994 when I was 5. I didn't let them throw it out.

So save it. It'll have some use later on.

If you're getting a desktop, can I just suggest the new iMac with the Magic Trackpad?

Yea buying a machine for the sole purpose of being a server is my next purchase

 

[smacky]

Yea buying a machine for the sole purpose of being a server is my next purchase

Why not buy a server by selling all your old machines? Servers are expensive, but if you're running like..ten machines as servers, wouldn't you use less power and have it more tidy by just buying a few servers?


Or are you talking about those ones from Dell that are relatively cheap but are kickass?

 

[momoceio]

Is the NAS just as fast as a normal HDD or will it slow down because it's over the network?

Well, I actually setup a SAN but for your purpose a NAS would be best. Speeds are fine over gig Ethernet...obviously if you are on WiFi then you'll be bottlenecked. I run VMs off of my SAN with no noticeable slow down.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

I have a PC and laptop...I built a NAS to keep my files in a central location. Can even do port forwarding and access my files no matter where I'm at. It's also more redundant that having all my files stored on the single HDD in my laptop or RAID 0 config in the desktop. You can buy a pre-built NAS for a couple hundred.

This^

I have a MacBook Pro, two Windows 7 laptops, and two Windows 7 desktops. Get yourself a NAS with two HD's set up in a Raid array.

 

[Weazol]

Why not buy a server by selling all your old machines? Servers are expensive, but if you're running like..ten machines as servers, wouldn't you use less power and have it more tidy by just buying a few servers?


Or are you talking about those ones from Dell that are relatively cheap but are kickass?

yea thats what im talking about.

all my computers are being used alot no reason to sell them. But if i have 1 server for them all to connect to rather than just sharing files from each one then i can easily find thngs i am looking for instead of searching through each computers shared files trying to find it.

 

[monsterenergy22]

What are the primary uses for the computer? Gaming, Internet, emails, etc? Also, are you a student?

 

[nickf77]

What are the primary uses for the computer? Gaming, Internet, emails, etc? Also, are you a student?

I'm a high school student, so it won't be coming to school with me.

As for its uses, not so much internet and email (I can get them on my Droid). A lot of mid-level gaming that's way to heavy on my integrated graphics card. I also do a lot of 3D modeling, and a better machine would make that so much less frustrating.

 

[Weazol]

I'm a high school student, so it won't be coming to school with me.

As for its uses, not so much internet and email (I can get them on my Droid). A lot of mid-level gaming that's way to heavy on my integrated graphics card. I also do a lot of 3D modeling, and a better machine would make that so much less frustrating.

get a desktop then. you can get performance for alot cheaper than a laptop

 

[origin_of_symmetry]

I have a desktop & a netbook which suit me in that the majority of my stuff (important files etc) are on the desktop and then the netbook I take on my travels with me (I spend 2 days a week round my boyfriends) and I can pick up emails on that, but anything else stays at home.

I find it works for me, and now I have my Desire I tend to use that for emails/Facebook on the go. I'm constantly connected to everything and it works for me.

 

[vmbgap]

I was just recently presented with this as well. I ended up going with a desktop. I was able to setup a NAS to access all my files over the network, an added bonus is now my media is on my network and accessible from my xbox, playstation and TV. If you or anyone else end up going with this "setup" I would recommend a Gb network. I started with a 100Mb network and it was ok but a 1000Mb network is far and away better (as long as your devices support it, of course)