Laptops

Since I've been getting technical, I'm going to be technical again.

Since my last entry, I installed my new DVD drive, and it's great. It makes a fantastic sound when I put a CD in or when I boot up. It's very robotic. I also reread all of Yukina's Blog (link at bottom), and laughed out loud, espacially at the bit about the coaches.

I don't think I've mentioned it properly, but I have discovered possibly the greatest unsigned artist. Binärpilot is a Norweigian techno artist. He gives out all of his music for free online, and you should torrent it. The best place for music like that is, of course, the car. Sometimes it sounds better in the car than the dancefloor, but that's the nature of extreme techno. He's just put out a new album, but listen to 'Promo', it's all of his best stuff. Also, 'Defrag', which is very obscure, but stunning. Seeing as I'm not driving, I'm actually listening to The Cure right now.

Tomorrow Emma comes up, and we have a Funtime Korean IceCream Party, like we did before, but with Emma this time. And Natasha. I haven't seen Emma since we moved out and I blew up my car dropping her off.

Anyway, technicals: My sister is about to go to University. Apart from a Lost Season Three marathon, she also needs to get a computer. For writing essays and other essential University tasks. She wants a laptop, while my father and I believe that she should get a desktop. This has led me to analyse the differences in laptops and desktops, advantages and disadvantages.

Of course, laptops are more expensive. They should be. The technology has to be crammed into a much smaller, portable space, and be able to withstand movement, and use in a variety of environments. Desktops have space to spare (unless you're concerned about aesthetics and cannot be troubled by things like base stations or wires; in that case, get a Mac and never come back to this website). They have space for expansion, and airflow. They're upgradable, and most importantly, user servicable. The last time anyone tried to service their laptop, well, it was Emma's, and it cost a bundle for them to fix after that.

With the budget at which we're looking (under £500), you can get a low specification laptop, or an above average desktop. You could also get a second hand iMac, but... you know. And my sister doesn't need a high powered computer for MP3s and The Sims 2, but my worry is that any laptop for under £500 won't be made from quality components. It'll be using the cheapest RAM, the cheapest HDD, the cheapest motherboard, and will be cooled by an average fan. With someone who doesn't turn their computer off often, the use will get to it, and the latent heat will build up and damage the components. You can't fix laptops, you have to send them to be repaired. And motherboards aren't as tough as they used to be, and they cost a lot to replace, as everything plugs into them. A cheap laptop will probably break. I've been lucky, but most people I know haven't been lucky unless they spend a large amount, and don't throw them around during arguments.

A desktop is harder to move, but that's the limit of its disadvantages. Better value, more power, greater reliability. I don't know, I just think that desktops aren't given the credit they deserve these days. But I'm a traditionalist. I feel like latops are like monocoque chassis, they have advantages, but are less integral than a framework chassis, and don't last in the same way. My ideal car would have a framework chassis, and my ideal computer would be a desktop. Laptops should always be secondary.

That's how I feel on the subject.

Now I'm going to play GTA: Vice City Stories.