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: 120

▶ 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

EMILI tests Elmer’s Manufacturing field equipment, sees ROI at harvest and beyond

EMILI’s Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert is fertile ground for agtech companies to test and validate technology in their mission to make agriculture more efficient, and producers’ jobs easier. Elmer’s Manufacturing has been working with EMILI over the past several seasons to validate three of these technologies and their components. The HaulMaster 2300 is a grain cart with a 2300-bushel capacity, designed to reduce combine idle time, minimize travel across fields as well as soil compaction, and maximize harvest windows. Elmer’s has been testing two systems on the grain cart at EMILI’s Innovation Farms – a TerraWave track system that allows for stability and traction of various terrain, and a moisture sensor. “We brought in a new moisture sensor, and needed to verify that it was accurate enough for producers to get value” said Rheal Boileau, product development manager with Elmer’s Manufacturing. The Super 7 harrow bar has a seven bar design and is used early in the spring for s

Two new AgriMarketing Program streams announced by Federal Agriculture Minister

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald has announced the launch of two new AgriMarketing Program streams: Market Diversification for National Industry Associations and Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. A total of $75 million will be invested in the AgriMarketing Program Market Diversification streams over five years to support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector—including fish and seafood—to better respond to current market instability by encouraging greater market diversification. Starting Feb. 13, eligible organizations can apply for funding under both new Market Diversification streams. Details, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, are available on the program website.

Leadership skills learned at Prairieland Youth Leadership Conference

The Prairieland Youth Leadership Conference was held over the weekend in Saskatoon. The event attracted nearly 40 4-H members from across the province. As the title suggests, the focus is on developing leadership skills. Before coming to Saskatoon, each participant was asked to interview someone who they viewed as a leader in their community. They also produced a video or wrote an article about that leader. "Business owners who are offering their services to their community members. We had politicians, mayors, coaches and everybody under the sun that these members looked at as role models and people that they can learn something from." said Kody Farrow, the Chair of the Prairieland Youth Leadership Committee. Evan Shout is the President and CEO at Hebert Group and is the co-host of the popular "The Truth About Ag Podcast." He worked with the participants on Saturday and was the guest speaker at the Banquet Sunday. He says the 4-H'ers are off to a great start when it comes to leaders

USDA Shakes Up Sugar Beet Allotments for 2026

The USDA’s newly released FY 2026 sugar beet marketing allotments deliver notable shifts for top beet-producing states. From significant boosts in Idaho, Michigan, and Wyoming to reductions in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota

Canadian Cattle Association rolls out traceability survey

The questionnaire asks 15 questions

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service