17 Inch Laptop -- Desktop Replacements?A 17 inch laptop computer, as well as a larger one, is sometimes marketed as a "desktop replacement." To some extent there is truth in this marketing. I can go out and spend about the same $1500 dollars I spent 7 years ago on the desktop I'm working on now, and get a 17 inch or larger notebook computer that will do everything it can, faster. For about $1600, I can get almost as good a 17 inch laptop. It doesn't have a separate mouse or keyboard. The desktop has a faster processor and a faster video card. The laptop has a web-cam. The computers are as close as I could get them. The laptop weighed just under 8 pounds before I started putting the non-base components in. I'd be surprised if I added less than two pounds. This notebook computer is said to be a multimedia powerhouse and good for gaming. Core gamers would find the desktop I priced unacceptable. I can't see video well on a 15 inch laptop if I'm looking over someone's shoulder, much less sitting to the side to share the view-- haven't tried a 17 inch or larger but I don't think it would be real good for sharing your multimedia experience either. If you are looking to replace an older desktop, your $1600 gets you a better notebook computer than the desktop you would have gotten for that money 7 years ago. Right now though, if you buy a 17 inch laptop instead of a desktop, you pay much more for a worse computer. The $850 desktop is better than the $1500 laptop. If you buy a desktop at $1500, the choices you’re making are: how much overkill do you want, and where is it best to have it. You might see laptops at lower prices, but those machines are generally inferior. A $800 17 inch notebook is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. The barrel is a lot better these days though. This notebook will do almost everything most people do. Don't think, "Oh, but I can take it around with me." Six pound laptops are back breakers by the second airport. I can't imagine carrying a 10 pound desktop replacement around all day. return from 17 Inch Laptop to best laptop computers |