The Computer Buzz

September 27th, 2007

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

Laptops Coming of Age for Power Users

Using a laptop PC (AKA notebook) has always been somewhat of a compromise. Desktop PCs are faster, have bigger keyboards and more options. Now the "desk top" replacement laptop PCs, have breached a major barrier with the new ASUS C90S model desktop replacement leading the way.

ASUS, Compal and Quanta are the actual manufacturers of the laptop PCs sold under the major brand names like Dell Compaq and HP.

Generally speaking, laptop PCs use a "mobile" version of an Intel or AMD CPU. When you buy a laptop PC with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, you are actually buying a "T" CPU, a low voltage, slower version of the high performance CPU that you would find in a desk top PC.

Laptops use a low voltage cousin of the higher performance CPUs because the slower CPUs require less power, create less heat and run longer on a fully charged battery. These are important considerations for many laptop users.

Until now, gamers and other power users were forced to use desktop PCs with standard voltage, high performance CPUs. LAN party gamers and others who need power and portability can opt for "lunch box" style PCs with carry handles but still have the problem transporting a monitor.

Now ASUS has brought high performance laptop PCs into the mainstream with a customizable platform using full voltage Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme CPUs, nVidea 8600 250Mb to 512 Mb graphics cards and all the other high end bells and whistles. Depending on the configuration, these laptops sell from $1500 to $2000.

The configuration options affecting price are CPU (Intel E4300 through E6600), DDR II 800 RAM (1 to 3Gb), Hard drive size (80 to 200Gb), Operating System (XP home / Pro, Vista Basic / Premium / Business / Ultimate) and the graphics card (nVidea 8600 256Mb / 512Mb.)

The new high performance PCs will interest power users like gamers, graphics artists, designers, animators, those doing music and video editing and anyone else who needs a portable high end PC.

Professionals or students who need high performance and the ability to move seamlessly between locations will love the new, powerful desktop replacement PCs. Those who rely on extended battery life will still prefer the ultra-portables and lower power PCs with "mobile CPUs. To date ASUS has released only the new full power desktop replacement PC in a 15.4-inch screen configuration. The 17-inch version is scheduled for release in December.

When deciding whether a laptop (desktop replacement) or a desktop PC is better for your applications and situation it is important to remember that there are some downsides to laptop ownership. They cost about a third more than a comparable desktop, they are more expensive to maintain and much easier to break, misplace or have stolen.

Even with those liabilities, laptops surpassed desktops in total unit sales last year and the gap continues to widen.