Laptop or desktop confusion

[Rob.Richards]

Excuse the lengthy opening bit!

I had got myself convinced I should buy myself a desktop to replace my very old laptop. Everyone has been saying get it custom built it will be great. Anyhow for what I want I am looking at £600 which seems pricey and then I have just realised I will no longer be able to do image at peoples homes!

The thing for me is color management, I want better control over my images. Can I do this with a £400 laptop and calibrator or do I need the power of a desktop and decent monitor.

My main use will be photo editing, using MS Office pro plus, surfing the net and presentations!

Some advice would be great please!

 

[Graham00]

Desktop for me, posture sat at a desk with your hands lower than the screen with a proper mouse. I personally feel easiest working like this for everything, netbooks & laptops are good for on the go/storage/printing etc.

 

[Mikesphotaes]

Get your new laptop and a monitor, job done!

 

[arad85]

If you need portability, laptop it is, but you'll get a better and faster processor with a desktop.

Laptop + Dell IPS monitor can be done for less than £600 and give you the best of both worlds. Only you can decide whether you value portability over speed.

 

[menthel]

I ended up with a desktop and an iPad but then I had spent a long time before then owning laptops I never used. The iPad is in constant use!

 

[arad85]

The iPad is in constant use!

+1 on tablets... but I have an Advent Vega running Android and I'm loving it for casual surfing and finding information whilst in front of the TV... Also good for controlling the media centre too

 

[Rob.Richards]

thats weird because I was thinking about an IPAD or similar for presentations. I think I will still go with desktop and look into tablets later in the year! Thanks for the input.

PS another mention for the Dell IPS monitor - these seem to be the best budget monitor having looked into them so cheers for that too!