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Apple Archive

Laptop or Desktop: Which Is Right for You?

- 2002.11.22

The original Macintosh brought a new type of computer to the world, something in between a luggable and a desktop (the first "laptop" PC didn't ship until 1985). The Mac could be toted around, but it couldn't be run from a battery. This is where the Mac Portable, its clones, and the PowerBooks came in.

The first PowerBooks didn't offer quite as much as their desktop counterparts, but they allowed the user to bring their work with them. They did allow for some expansion with SCSI ports, PowerBook 100 Seriesjust like on desktop Macs, serial ports, and ADB ports (with the exception of the PowerBook 150). Later PowerBooks offered internal CD-ROM drives, PCMCIA (PC Card) slots, options for two batteries, larger screens, and color displays.

The major differences between laptops and desktops have remained consistent over the years. Laptops tend not to be able to accept as much RAM as an equivalent desktop. Laptops almost always have smaller hard drives - the PowerBook G4 currently has a 60 GB hard drive in the high-end version (thanks to all those who corrected my last article - 80 GB is the largest capacity hard drive offered that can fit into a PowerBook, not 100 GB). The high end G4 tower comes stock with a 120 GB hard drive and has room for several additional drives.

The question you really have to ask is whether or not you will need to upgrade your computer significantly in the future. Most users add some RAM but essentially keep the computer in its stock configuration for its lifetime. Power users usually add RAM, maybe a new hard drive, and perhaps replace the video card. Upgrading RAM in a PowerBook isn't hard, but PowerBooks can only hold so much compared to desktops. RAM for laptop computers also tends to cost more.

Hard drives are reasonably easily replaced, but the special 2.5" hard drives are expensive compared to the 3.5" drives found in desktops, and they generally have a lower capacity.

Replace the video card in a laptop? Forget it. I know of no laptop where this is possible (if you do, please let me know). Certainly there is no Mac laptop where you are able to swap out the video card. If Apple did include this capability, it would lose sales of new machines, as everyone would be upgrading their old ones.

If you don't mind being limited when it comes to these things, a laptop may be for you. If you need a faster video card, lots of RAM, a larger than 80 GB hard drive, a desktop is best.

iBook

PowerBook

Power Mac

Min/Max RAM
128/640 MB
256/1024 MB
256/2048 MB

Std hard drive
20-30 GB
40-60 GB
60-120 GB

HD RPM
4200 rpm
4200 rpm
7200 rpm

Max hard drive
80 GB
80 GB
300+ GB, up to 4 drives

Max HD RPM
5400 rpm
5400 rpm
15000 rpm

Video chipset
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500
ATI Mobility Radeon 9000
nVidia GeForce 4 or ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

VRAM
16/32 MB
32/64 MB
32/64 MB

Max resolution
1024 x 768
1280 x 852
1920x1200

2nd display?
no
yes
yes

Of course, your other option is to buy both a desktop and a laptop, if you can afford it. This allows you to have your main desktop system with more RAM, a bigger hard drive, and a better video card, as well as a basic laptop that meets your minimum requirements for use when you are out and about. If you think this is the best solution, you might try looking at refurbished machines. I noticed that Apple is currently offering a refurbished iBook for $799, and I'm sure you can find similar deals from other Apple dealers.

As for towers? Older G4s (some of which can have their processors upgraded) are all over eBay (but be careful - don't buy from anyone with a large amount of negative feedback, for example) and Mac dealer websites. A used 400 MHz G4 typically sells for under $800, so you may be able to buy both an older iBook and a desktop G4 for under $1,600. If you don't mind living without the most current models, this may be something to look into.

Both laptops and desktops have their advantages and disadvantages. The best way to work out which is best for you is to determine which capabilities you need and which ones you can live without.

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