Desktop replacements are laptops that are geared towards competitive performance when compared to a desktop system. They are designed to have as much computing power as desktop systems, but in a portable format. Over the past couple of years, manufacturers have even begun to use desktop processors into these laptops to give them the same computing power as desktop systems. They also tend to have high-end mobile graphics processors and larger LCD screens when compared to other laptops. But what are things to consider when considering a desktop replacement?
Power vs. Power
The biggest problem with portable computing is power consumption. A laptop is only functional without an outlet for as long as it can store enough energy to power the components. Desktop replacement systems tend to use more powerful processors and larger displays that use more energy. This can severely limit the amount of battery life. In fact, there are some desktop replacement systems that qualify more as portable desktops because they have almost no battery life when not plugged into an outlet.
The selection of processors on laptops is what will determine how fast the computer system is as well as how long it will last when running on the batteries. The two primary CPUs used in desktop replacements are the Pentium M and the desktop versions of the Pentium 4. The Pentium M was redesigned from scratch to provide a high performance CPU that uses various power saving techniques. On the other hand, the desktop Pentium 4's give the same raw processing power as desktop computer systems. Of course, a desktop Pentium processor would not last long running at full speed on the batteries. To combat this most manufacturers design the systems to scale the processor speed to the amount of CPU power needed.
Graphics Processors
One of the key areas that laptops tend to fail in comparison to desktop systems is their graphics. In order to save on costs and reduce power consumption, many manufacturers tend to put in graphics processors that generally only perform the necessary 2D graphics and the minimum necessary 3D functions. Both nVidia and ATI have started to develop chips that allow laptops to finally get the 3D features necessary for tasks such as gaming. Many of the desktop replacement systems use these new chips to allow them to function as an equal to a desktop, but they still won't compare in the raw numbers generated by desktop graphics processors. The most common graphics processors used in the laptops are the ATI Mobility Radeon and nVidia GeForce Go chips. Each has several versions with various technologies that allow for differing levels of 3D performance.
Displays
One of the most distinguishing features of the desktop replacements is their sheer size. These systems are not small, and the major reason for that is the LCD panel. Most desktop replacement systems use 15-inch or larger LCD panels. Some of the systems are now even shipping with 17-inch LCD panels. These systems seem to barely qualify as being portable as they definitely will not fit into most laptop bags on the market.
Along with the size of these screens, they also tend to have a higher native resolution. Most laptops are design with screens that feature either the XGA (1024x768) or SXGA (1280x1024) resolutions. Desktop replacements tend to use higher resolutions such as SXGA+ (1400x1050) and even UXGA (1600x1200). While these screens have the tendency to produce much more crisp displays due to their detail, they also have the tendency to make the text in standard applications become unbearably small to some users. Always try to check out the display on the system to ensure that the fonts are functional for you to read.
The Workout
If you are planning on carrying your desktop replacement laptop with you everywhere, be prepared. Most desktop replacement laptops have weights of 7 pounds and some can even be as high as 13 pounds! Add in any peripherals, software, extra batteries and books you might be carrying with the system and it can easily exceed 20 pounds of weight pretty quickly. This is one of the primary reasons that business travelers have a tendency to prefer either the thin and light or ultraportable systems, but they are sacrificing computing power for portability.
Conclusions
Desktop replacements have really started to match the performance of their desktop counterparts. The computing power available to these systems is remarkable, but that speed only is available when they are plugged into an AC outlet and being used similar to a desktop system. They are excellent alternatives to individuals who are looking for a complete computer system and still require some portability and would prefer not to go the route of a small form factor system and monitor to carry around.
