Do you use a desktop computer?
- Thread starter Shel_B
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Only when I need more CPU and graphics card power (like gaming, photo editing, etc)
Using a desktop right now.
I used to build my own, but now I just have a nasty as* laptop that I can hook to a monitor and keyboard if need be. My opinion is that with a powerhouse laptop I can move it anywhere easily to use in any configuration. For comparison, my unit has more capabilities than 98% of all other computers including desktops. Very expensive, but worth it to me.
A desktop is ok if you want a stationary unit that, depending on components, can be upgraded piecemeal. At some point your going to have to upgrade the motherboard / chipset. A nice case can be reused almost indefinitely.
A desktop is ok if you want a stationary unit that, depending on components, can be upgraded piecemeal. At some point your going to have to upgrade the motherboard / chipset. A nice case can be reused almost indefinitely.
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Desktop. I don't know how people surf, email, chat and shop on something with a small touchscreen. Give me a big screen, keyboard and mouse any day.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2026
No I don’t use a desktop. We have two at home but I don’t use them I use my laptop but primarily my phone. I haven’t cared for desktops ever since they started going to that all in one stuff. Ours don’t have that thankfully. I hate typing on computer keyboards is mainly why I don’t use them plus I can’t lay down with a desktop like I can with a laptop or phone so I would have no place to use a desktop either as my bedroom set takes up most of my room.
I have to be mobile for work (switches, etc) so I use a laptop but it's connected to a docking station with monitors / etc.
I use a laptop on the couch for most stuff at home, but I do have a desktop set up in the office for general computing stuff - bill pay, banking, taxes. I could get a way with a tablet for couch surfing youtube , but the laptop was pretty cheap used. So that's the way I went.
And we share a gaming computer at home. Watercooled I9 10900 / RTX3080 , pretty nice gaming computer. Can handle everything I do.
I use a laptop on the couch for most stuff at home, but I do have a desktop set up in the office for general computing stuff - bill pay, banking, taxes. I could get a way with a tablet for couch surfing youtube , but the laptop was pretty cheap used. So that's the way I went.
And we share a gaming computer at home. Watercooled I9 10900 / RTX3080 , pretty nice gaming computer. Can handle everything I do.
Always have had a desktop/tower. Use it for gaming and music storage.
I use both. Find that I can typically keep my desktops going longer with it being easier and much more flexible to swap components in and out. Current desktop is pushing 10 years old but runs Windows 10 like a champ (it was not a bottom end computer when it was bought, which helps).
With the laptop, I have to have a dual monitor setup with real keyboard and mouse for doing desk work... I only really use the portability when I am out in the field.
Another example: Work rotates desktops out every 5 years. Laptops are done every four...
With the laptop, I have to have a dual monitor setup with real keyboard and mouse for doing desk work... I only really use the portability when I am out in the field.
Another example: Work rotates desktops out every 5 years. Laptops are done every four...
We have two, both gaming computers I built. One for me and one for my partner. We play GTA together sometimes. I also use my desktop for transcoding files from my Plex server from h264 to h265 to save on disk space.
Use a desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone. Prefer desktop.
I have a desktop for work: dual-booting Win11 w/ Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, etc. and an Ubuntu system for development. No way am I doing that on a laptop or "device".
There is a laptop (Ubuntu) in the living room for casual surfing, banking, general life administration and watching stuff through the TV or listening through the sound system.
For more trivial use/ communications I and the rest of my family have the usual assortment of phones and a Chromebook or two for the kids to do schoolwork.
There is a laptop (Ubuntu) in the living room for casual surfing, banking, general life administration and watching stuff through the TV or listening through the sound system.
For more trivial use/ communications I and the rest of my family have the usual assortment of phones and a Chromebook or two for the kids to do schoolwork.
You don't have a docking station that has USB keyboard and mouse connected to it?
or just a USB keyboard and USB mouse connected to the laptop?
Yes, primarily at home for gaming, image editing etc.
Docking stations have definitely become standard fare over the last 5-6 years at least. Every single employee/contractor of the company I work for gets a laptop and docking station (if they have an assigned desk) as well as keyboard/mouse. Honestly it doesn't make sense to me that many companies/govt agencies still use desktops given the massively increased flexibility of laptops, even for things like bringing it to a meeting for a presentation...
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Desktop 90% of the time.
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