Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Would you buy a laptop or a desktop?

Spent the afternoon specing out computers on Dell's website. Replacing an old Gateway desktop. Undecided which way would be better. Looking at an Inspiron 560 desktop with 20" monitor with 6g ram or inspiron 1545 laptop with 4g ram. Everything else is very similar specs. We have dsl and Lynksys wireless router. Currently also have another Dell desktop and kids have a Dell laptop. The Gateway desktop has been our main computer and where the dsl is connected. WE are using an hp printer that is connected to the desktop but would like to connect it through the wireless to all the computers. Should I replace the desktop with another or would I be ok with a good laptop? Kinda on the fence here. TIA.

Views: 179

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Anstey on March 2, 2010 at 3:28pm
since either one would probably do the job for you, buy the one that would fit your workspace, and you would find easiest to see (the monitor) and to use (the keyboard) Most machines come with built in wireless capabilities these days, so its just plug and play. I like my laptop because of its portability, but when I am doing my books, I like the number pad on the desktop. Of course you can hook an ordinary keyboard up to a laptop, which I should do next time I'm number crunching. After awhile, I don't find the battery lasts very long, so dreams of number crunching under the shade of the big maple haven't really materialized.
Permalink Reply by littlelamb on March 3, 2010 at 6:52am
I'd go laptop, less space on the desk, portable and unless you want to hook up all the fancy things too it like a gaming computer or something, in my opinion a laptop these days are just as good as a bulky desktop.
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on March 3, 2010 at 3:10pm
Originally I would say depends on what the purpose is. In my situation I need a desktop since the laptop has a screen that is much smaller than my current 24" and it is cheaper to replace parts or upgrade a desktop internally. I like to have multiple windows open at one time so the big screen is handy.
On the other hand I now have a PDA. I will never buy a laptop now. For the price of a decent laptop I can get a killer desktop and a good PDA. I rarely use the desktop since my PDA goes everywhere with me (fits in my pocket). It also syncs with my desktop wirelessly so you still need the wireless network.
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on March 8, 2010 at 5:17pm
Hi Guys:

I decided to go the laptop route...pretty inexpensive and with the wireless internet...pretty convenient.

Thanks for the feedback.
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on March 13, 2010 at 5:15am
The laptop is becoming pretty inexpensive so that is likely a good choice for most people.
I think if you are using a computer to storage valuable data - accounting or production records - you may want to have a desk top...it is less likely to be lost, dropped etc. If you are good at backing up your important files to a disk then you may be ok with a laptop.
A laptop with wireless is a good way to go and should make it easier to do work with the computer...you are not tied down to the office desk.
One of my friends who farms alot of acres is looking at a laptop with a Cellular internet access so he will be connected in the pickup or tractor cab.

Joe

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

St. Lawrence Seaway Workers Ratify New Four-Year Agreement

Unionized workers at the St. Lawrence Seaway have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, providing labour stability along a critical Canadian grain and commodity export corridor. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation said in a release Wednesday the agreement covers employees represented by five Unifor locals. The previous collective agreement expired on March 31, 2026. “A four-year agreement provides greater stability and predictability for our customers, our employees and the industries that depend on the Seaway,” said SLSMC president and CEO Jim Athanasiou. The agreement is particularly significant for the grain sector following the disruption caused by an eight-day Unifor strike in October 2023. About 360 workers walked off the job Oct. 22, shutting down most Seaway lock operations and halting vessel traffic between the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the busy fall grain shipping season. The shutdown quickly backed up grain movement, especially in

Saskatchewan Yield Estimates Mixed Versus StatsCan as Harvest Reaches 41%

Saskatchewan’s 2026 yield estimates are mixed compared with Statistics Canada’s September projections, with some crops coming in noticeably higher and others below. Thursday’s Saskatchewan crop report put this year’s average durum yield in the province at 46 bu/acre, comfortably above StatsCan’s projection of 40.9, while soybeans were pegged at 33 bu compared with 27.4 for StatsCan. Saskatchewan also has flax at 26 bu/acre versus StatsCan’s 22.4, while lentils are estimated by the province at 1,469 lbs/acre, above StatsCan’s 1,361 lbs, and mustard at 1,024 pounds versus the federal agency’s 1,001. However, the provincial estimate for canola is lower at 39 bu/acre compared to StatsCan’s 41.9, while barley is estimated at 73 bu, below 75.8 for StatsCan. Dry peas are also slightly lower at 38 bu versus 39 for StatsCan. The province has the average Hard Red Spring wheat yield at 52 bu/acre, and other spring wheat at 56 bu, compared to StatsCan’s spring wheat yield of 52.1 bu. Oats ar

AAFC moving forward with research farm closures

Minister MacDonald responded to a committee report on the issue

Mondelez Invests in Canadian Farms to Support Growth

Mondelez Canada Inc. has invested in Area One Farms Fund V to provide family farms with growth capital, strengthening supply chains and supporting regenerative agriculture.

FCC Report Highlights Challenges for Food Manufacturers

Canadian food and beverage manufacturers achieved an $88.1-billion sales total in mid-2026, though price inflation masked flat production volumes amid growing trade uncertainties.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service