17 Computer Notebook or Desktop Replacement?A 17 computer notebook can pack the power to replace your desktop. Top end desktop computers are still faster than laptops, but the difference is shrinking. There is still a bit of a price premium for the portable computer, but that is shrinking also. A 17 computer notebook or laptop,is usually called a gaming laptop or a desktop replacement, if it has a decent processor and decent discrete video card installed. A true gaming laptop is more "top end" than a 17 inch laptop, or desktop replacement, needs to be. Intel (processors), AMD (processors and discrete graphics), and Nvidia (discrete graphics) all seem to have bought into the theory that the desktop computer is destined to become a niche product in the consumer (home) market with most non-business sales becoming laptops. All three seem to be concentrating on introducing products for the laptop market. The desktop products seem to be aimed at the enthusiast and business levels. There isn't the assortment in the mid-range market for desktop computers that there used to be, so a comparison is difficult. The top end laptops don't have much directly comparable to them in the desktop models now. We can do a comparison at the lower end of the market though. I would probably want at least an Intel core i3 processor with a discrete graphics card if I was buying a laptop as a desktop replacement. We can find a bottom end 17 inch laptop that meets these requirements and try to match it up with a desktop. The HP desktop I found closest to this had an Intel Pentium G620 processor, an AMD Radeon HD 6450 graphics card, and a 750 GB 7200 rpm hard drive. These are all faster than the equivalent part in the laptop. The graphics card is interesting in that the laptop card has more dedicated memory than the desktop but is still probably faster. The desktop does not have a webcam or microphone. It will cost from $20 up to add those. The desk top comes in at $683.97 (+$20). I have tried to make these computers as similar as possible. The 17" laptop computer notebook isn't the sort of thing you can carry around comfortably, its relatively heavy and bulky. The computers we are talking about are not near the top of the line. When we look at the top end at the same site, We can top out with a 17 inch laptop at about $2200. We can get a desktop with a 21 inch monitor and with everything bigger or faster than the laptop except the bluray player and wireless card for about $1650. Your can buy a replacement for your desktop, a 17" computer. Notebook or laptop computers this size aren't really portable though. return from 17 computer notebook to best laptops
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