Replacing computer system help please

[Broadback]

I have, and always have, a desktop computer, I always believed  that they are better value for money than notebooks. It is mainly used for emails, surfing (quite low throughput) (SeaMonkey), Accounts (Quicken) storing and sorting photos. As regards peripherals I have built in: 2 hard drives, floppy (rarely if ever used), a read only and read/write DVD drives, decent sound system. Cannon colour printer (parallel port), Zip drive (serial port) and scanner: 2 external disks, camera and GPS on USB: plus the option to connect memory sticks and TV via USB.
I do not use it to play games and cannot see myself doing so.
At the moment all this sits in a high quality computer cabinet which matches other furniture in the dining room.
Which route do the team think I should go down when replacing this set up?
Any suggestions and further questions most welcomed.

[Rik]

Are you doing any processing work on the photos, BB?

[Broadback]

Not a lot Rik, just clipping, adjusting the colour balance and lightening when necessary and then only when the original results are worth keeping but need a little tweaking.

[Steve]

What is the PC vintage and processor?

[Broadback]

Originally purchased from Evesham  7 years go, the heat sink broke (how?) off the processor, so said cooked. Replaced the processor. this is all the information that, hopefully, you need:

OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporation
System Name   USER-LNIF1PTNMO
System Manufacturer   AWARD_
System Model   AWRDACPI
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 44 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~1799 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date   Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 30/08/2005
SMBIOS Version   2.2
Windows Directory   C:\WINDOWS
System Directory   C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device   \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale   United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer   Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name   USER-LNIF1PTNMO\user
Time Zone   GMT Standard Time
Total Physical Memory   768.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   297.18 MB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
Page File Space   2.83 GB
Page File   C:\pagefile.sys

If not ask, and I will try to supply requested info.

[Rik]

My own view is that a notebook would be fine for your needs, BB, with the qualification that a desktop machine with separate monitor is always going to be better for photographic work. If that aspect of your use is not significant, then a notebook will offer you a lot of convenience.

[Sebby]

[Steve]

I wouldn't disagree but laptops I find are great for what I call "pottering about" and very good at it. For proper work I want a proper keyboard and decent sized monitor and if I want to perform a task that's potentially resource intensive such as photowork,CD/DVD ripping,backup and even AV scan I don't want to wait all day for this to happen.

A desktop is to a certain extent upgradeable i.e memory,HDD, Graphic cards etc with a laptop this is often no easy feat. What ever you  get you will be amazed at the difference in performance. I believe you've probably got an AMD sempron 3400+? processor and today even a relatively basic laptop will give you a 64 bit dual core processor. I suppose therefore the ideal is to get a new laptop and desktop

[Broadback]

Thanks for the replies, actually I have discovered that it is an AMD Sempron Proc. 3100+.
There is no way I can talk the financial manager in allowing a capital purchase of both laptop and desk top! 
I am being carted off to London for a couple of days tomorrow, under duress I may add, hoping that will earn me brownie points with the financial management! So will be out of touch for a couple of days. Now if I had a notebook........

[Rik]

Or a netbook, BB.

[Lance]

These days i'd be suprised to find a laptop with a serial and parallel port. In fact, many recent desktop machines don't have them either. Might be something you need to consider as part of your capital purchase!

[Sebby]

I don't think even desktops have had them for quite a few years now!

[JB]

I just built a new system using an up to date Gigabyte motherboard and Intel E8400 processor. The motherboard has no serial or parallel (printer) sockets on the rear panel. However, it does have the multipin headers (COM A & LPT1) on the motherboard from where one could attach a third party socket on a back panel slot.

I guess when a commercial company builds a system up they don't bother with these sockets these days, even though the motherboard may have the headers.

[davej99]

I am sure BB could carry on using his existing system for some time. However, now is a good time to upgrade. Core2 9000 series processors are filtering down into laptops and Core i7's are widely available in desktops. The current climate is leading to good discounts, with 10% vouchers available on top, especially for on-line buyers. User configuration and some well specified offers can deliver affordable tailor made solutions. Prices on more mature Core2 duos are falling nicely leading to well specified laptops, probably 2-3 generation ahead of BB's system, for well under $400.

The difference in what you might call the Performance Per Pound factor between desk and lap has closed greatly in recent years and the laptop sector has has grown massively in proportion, bringing prices down. So whilst BB's reasons for favouring the desktop were once true, that is much less the case today. Moreover, if BB is not an accomplished and demanding gamer, he will not need the leading edge performance of clocked i7 machines. Nor need he take a mortgage to invest in a gamers laptop.

There are some lesser spec bargains around. The other day, I came across a Core2 9400 2.53 GHz laptop with Blu-ray, 17" HD, 2x250 raid 0 drives and 4year warranty for around £860 delivered. That was about a 28% discount.

Personally, I always used a desktop in the home and a laptop on the road. Then I junked the desktop for a lapbrick and have stayed that way, with replacements. The overriding benefit for me, also a non-gamer, was round the house/garden and holiday (photo) portability, and more desk space, not to mention being able to quickly lock away what is now a paper-free life-book. Wi-Fi and Homeplug ethernet makes wandering about so easy.

However, and finally this ramble gets to a point, there is now so much stuff on my laptop, and backup is such a pain, as is having to configure for media streaming, that finally I need to get a NAS and I wish I had not junked by old tower. So BB, why not treat yourself to laptop of budget and keep the desktop for a RAID 1 NAS or even a home server. Pennies for an ethernet card and and a few Homeplugs and you can still use much of your existing kit on a home network for very little.

[Rik]

That approach certainly offers many benefits, Dave.