Desktops vs. Lappies

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Can anyone give me a good explanation of why even seemingly underpowered desktops can usually seem to beat a laptop with what looks to me like it has the same or even better components? Does it have to do with the laptops lack of PSU, less efficient mobo's or what? For example the emac will easily outdo an ibook running a tad faster (like 1.3GHz or something compaired to the emac's 1.25GHz), same v-card, both use the same proc architecture, etc. I'm guessing it's either ram or hard drive hear but can you confirm that? Usually laptops have like a 5400rpm drive (sometimes even 4200 on the crappy ones) and desktops are almost always 7200rpm but I don't think it should make that much of a difference for things like photoshop. Thanks.
 
Manufacturers are always pressed hard when designing low weight, small and yet at the same time powerful notebooks. Yes one of the reasons that they're slower is because they have usually lower RPM HDs, believe me the difference between 5400/4900 and 7200 or over is very considerable.

Another thing with laptops is that they have to be made with lower power consumption. Imagine a prescott in a notebook. Maybe 10 minutes battery life ;). Usually with notebooks which are light they have to make compromise between performance and longevity. Maybe mobile CPUs don't fully utilise their cycles since efficiency technologies lower clockspeed.

I would also imagine that they're not as powerful because of lack of space. MAybe that means they have to use smaller components/less power.
 
Yeah that makes sence, I was just basing this off of the specs and benchmarks I've seen, apparently they don't tell you every little detail about the laptops then. I realize that mobile cpu's and "go" video cards will take up less juice but pump out less performace at the same time. The dell xps lappy doesn't really make many comprimizes but it has like what?, 1hr battery life. Waste of money right there when you can get a better desktop for half that price.
 
Some people want to take their power with them, like me. :D My Dell 9300 has a 7200RPM HD, a 256MB 6800 Go, 17" widescreen, and 256MBx2 PC4200. It performs as close as you can get to a desktop. Yeah, I was tempted by a more powerful desktop for the price, but it's easy just to grab the notebook, a mouse, and power adapter and leave. Can't do that with a desktop. It plays games quite a bit better than my desktop w/ a 128MB 5900XT OC'd. It cost me about $1250 USD.
 
Wow! Nice dude, I suppose when you must have a kick butt machine with you that you can tote around than that would be one of the best options. The price looks excellent too (concidering the specs). How's the battery life without using the power adapter of course?
 
temperature is also another consideration.

linking to the prescott - my old one was arond 60 if not hotter, imagine that on your lap, probably set fire to your trousers.

limited cooling is an issue to keep it cool and quiet, so they have to sacrifice power to keep temps down
 
Yeah, pretty much it's a different playing field when it comes to laptops, as previously mentioned. Now, the desktop rule might change a little when it comes to SFF's from Shuttle and the like, or blade servers, but these aren't standard desktops.
 
It has a 1.6GHz Pentium M, which runs a lot cooler than P4 mobiles. I think it is about equivalent to a 2.8-3.0Ghz P4. Browsing the web the CPU is at 39C, GPU @ 45C, fans on low. I have not tested the battery, but I think I can get well over an hour.

I had it configured at a little over $2000USD, and used one of Dell's regular $750 off $1999 or more notebooks. :D

I'm still tempted to build this:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 120GB
MSI K8N Neo Platinum
1GB RAM
AMD Athlon 64 3400+
UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1"
Geforce 6800GT 256MB
X-Connect / 500-Watt

:)
 
I wouldn't the main thing is portability, as long as it does what i want with good eprformance, doesn't have to be excellent. Main reaosn is that i can go on it whie in the kitchen, then move to the dining room, then while having a no. 2 on the toilet i can take it with me. As well as outside.
 
A 20lb. lappy would sort of defeat the purpose but I know what you're getting at, though then again if it beat a desktop in performance that would be one expensive 'book.
 
Oh, sorry, we were'nt refering to yours when we made the 20lb statement, that was just a general point regarding highend laptops. That's a really nice looking one you've got there though, talk about slick. Specs are very nice of course, dual layer burner, not to shabby. Shame the default hard drive config is only 40gigs though.
 
Yes, the others are heavier (seems like 12 pounds or maybe a little more.) One downside is the amount of HD space/price, unlike desktops. All the others besides the 60GB are 4200 or 5400 RPM. :( I think 80 and 100GB 7200RPM HDs just recently started shipping.
 
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