<p>I'm wondering if I should stick with my current desktop or getting a new, smaller one.</p>
<p>The current one I'm using is is pretty big, and the monitor is a traditional CRT monitor. I want to get a small desktop like that Shuttle one my sister has. It seems really cool. I also want to switch to an LCD monitor.</p>
<p>Will this switch make things more convenient in terms of space? Or should I just switch to a notebook completely?</p>
<p>ehh i'd grab a flat screen monitor and stick with the desktop. I have a laptop - and after about 2 years with it - i think i'd much rather have a desktop. My room gets pretty messy with the laptop - because i never keep it on my desk...usually i sit in bed or on my couch and use it. Now my desk just became a drop for all my crap - which i don't think would happen if i had to sit there to use it every time.</p>
<p>A flat panel doesn't necessarily help in terms of space.. it kind of depends on the layouts of the desks you'll be using. I have a flat panel but the all the extra space goes unused (except for a random battery and pencil lying back there). Still, they're really nice to have and I think they've been getting cheaper over the last couple of years so I would go with it anyway.</p>
<p>I have a normal sized desktop... it really isn't a bother and it shouldn't cram up up leg space under your desk unless you have other stuff there too. The size of your desktop shouldn't matter, unless you're actually going to put it on your desk.</p>
<p>Since I do homework just about everywhere besides my room, I can't imagine having a desktop.</p>
<p>I never use my laptop anywhere but my desk at school...I take it home for xmas and that's it. I don't know anyone that would take a laptop to classes, so I would save money ans stick with a desktop. Flat screen monitors take less space, lighter to move, and are easier on the eyes as well.</p>
<p>I always figured that taking notes on a laptop would be much easier for a student than taking notes on looseleaf.</p>
<p>I'm not in college yet but when I get there I'm thinking of going as far as can to stop using looseleaf binders. I'm better at typing and would get more notes down as result. The only classes I would have to worry about are the math-related classes as putting down formulas would be a bit troublesome but other than that I would say typing notes up would seem like the more logical and easier thing to do. Once you're done, print out, and put in it a binder. That's what I'm thinking of doing anyways.</p>
<p>I am much better at typing at the same time, but it is very hard to break habits that have persisted so far for so many years of schooling. A desktop can be more powerful for less so I'd go with that. I'm currently using my loaded up desktop. (>60 pounds)</p>
<p>Just some thoughts on laptops...
-Quicker to take [text-based] notes
-More difficult for some notes (such as math equations or examples in music and art classes)
-Less bright and quieter (itself as well as the keyboard, etc.)--so you can work in your room very late w/o keeping your roommate up
-Able to do homework anyway
-Able to use wireless internet access
-More expensive than desktops</p>
<p>I'd go for the laptop in most cases, but it really depends on the individual. I know a lot of people who've bought desktops only to buy laptops later their freshmen or sophomore year!</p>
<p>I'll always take a desktop over a laptop, mainly because I prefer how the case is bigger, giving me room to expand if necessary for anything. Laptops though, it is difficult to keep up to speed with the rest of technology. My current desktop that I have, and will be bringing with me to my dorm this fall is my custom built PC and a 19" LCD/TV monitor. My PC case, compared to most brand-name computers is a monster in height, but it should be fine. </p>
<p>I only would buy myself a laptop again if they were easily upgradeable like desktops.</p>
<p>If you don't game and you can tolerate LCD's there is no reason to get a desktop. If you want a fullsize KB / mouse buy those and connect them to your laptop. Desktop + CRT is ideal for gamers and users of CAD software and other advanced/high demand applications....if you just browse the web, check email, do schoolwork, etc. you might as well get a laptop you can carry around easily. IMO LCD's for desktop's are a foolish buy unless you have sensitive eyes or are for some reason concerned about power. The difference in price offsets any loss in "deskspace" imo.</p>
<p>LCD's suck.</p>
<p>CRT for life</p>
<p>The offset in space is HUGE going from a 19" crt to an equal size lcd. And if you buy wisely, color reproduction is just as good, you'll get no ghosting (sub 14ms refresh) and so on.</p>
<p>It just takes some looking.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>LCDs are awesome.</p>
<p>Desktop w/ 2 LCDs for apartment, Laptop for screwing around in class.</p>
<p>LCDs aren't terribly good for gamers, that's true. Bad refresh and response.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Able to use wireless internet access
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Desktops can use wireless too. My whole apartment is wireless (desktop and two laptops.)</p>
<p>I currently use a Shuttle-style desktop, and I'd actually be hesitant to recommend it. Because they're small, installing anything but a 300w power source is pretty much impossible. Furthermore, keeping hot components cool (I have a Prescott P4, and it's a little fireball) is tough.</p>
<p>Go with a midsized tower. Easier to fix problems, more options for power sources, and small enough to be moved/not have a huge footprint.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The offset in space is HUGE going from a 19" crt to an equal size lcd. And if you buy wisely, color reproduction is just as good, you'll get no ghosting (sub 14ms refresh) and so on.</p>
<p>It just takes some looking.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There is still ghosting on the so called "ghost free" LCD's - just substantially less so. They are much much more tolerable for gaming and DVD use but you can't quite get CRT level performance in that arena. Color reproduction may be just as good on some high end (read: $$$) LCD's when compared to low and mid range CRT's - but without true black and some other issues they can't yet compare to high end CRT's. Again for most applications LCD's are adequate and even preferred if you have eye strain issues - but for 3D or any kind of fast video imo (good) CRT's are far superior even today. If you do decide to go the LCD route look for deals on dell branded widescreen displays - apparently they are pretty good.</p>
<p>The dell branded lcd's use samsung panels...so go for dell, samsung, or hyundai monitors [or any others that have a sam. panel]. To be completely honest, I couldn't detect a drop in quality when going from my dual 19"crt (3200x1200) setup to my single 19" lcd setup. Ok, maybe in the res drop since I lost a monitor...but I really don't have the space for 2 at college.</p>
<p>Yes, for professional use, CRT's are a better buy, but to be honest, unless you live in driving distance of the school, you're not going to want to ship a 60 pound crt.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824179014%5B/url%5D">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824179014</a> - what I have. Excellent monitor. Except for the terrible built in speakers. When you have close to 800 reviews and the majority say "no ghosting"...well ;)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>that does look like an impressive LCD </p>
<p>The price is certainly right. I only mentioned the Dell ones specifically because Dell coupons are easy to find online.</p>
<p>Yeah...I almost bought a Dell one but the coupon ran out before my lazy ass got around to ordering.</p>
<p>reading this makes me laugh, of how much you guys actually know about computers, same goes for any computer thread.</p>
<p>Right now I have set up two laptops and a desktop. The desktop is actually narrower than the laptops, and has a smaller monitor. Everything is built right into it. It's deep (about a foot), but overall it's pretty small.</p>
<p>I too hate bulk. I would never buy a monitor over 17", especially a CRT. I'd get a 17" LCD if I knew I needed one that big, but a 12" is plenty big enough for me. Both of my laptops are 12" screens, my desktop is a 10" built in Trinitron.</p>
<p>FYI: This desktop is a Macintosh Color Classic (Google it if you don't know what it looks like)</p>