If you’ve followed this blog, you may have read some of my thoughts on desktop computers, specifically highlighting their performance benefits, cost benefits, while also point to their (obvious) lack of mobility. While someone with a serious vested interest in a high performance computer will have no frills about searching for the best desktop deals, many users out there aren’t afraid of spending a little extra on a laptop that can effectively replace a desktop, if only for the benefit and convinience of mobility.
For now, I’m going to remove budget conscious consumers from the equation and focus soley on laptops that are capable of adequately replicating a desktop in terms of performance.
Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch
If you want desktop performance from your notebook, get ready to pay a little for the added performance. Part of the appeal of a desktop is the size of the monitor you can use and a larger keyboard. Both are more than adequate on this
Apple’s have long been favoured among creative types, and the MacBook Pro line has little problem running Adobe Creative Suite, or memory intensive video eiting software. Featuring switchable graphics, you can crank the performance at home, and tone it down to extend your battery life when you’re on the road.
Alienware M17x
Alienware has created a brand around gaming specific machines, both in the world of desktops and laptops. It’s no secret that most gamers still favour laptops, but Alienware has made high performance gaming laptops a reality. Again, I picked the 17inch screen, and correspondingly largerly keyboard as this is supposed to be a desktop.
Inside the Alienware, it boasts a powerful ATI Mobility HD 5870, a 500GB hard drive, as well as 4GB of RAM. It comes stock with the Intel i5 520m Processor, but the company allows you to upgrade to the i7 720QM, which for a heavy gamer may be more ideal.
Similar to the MacBook, the Alienware allows you to run on switchable graphics outputs, so you can have the machine running on all cylinders when connected to a power source, while tuning it down to conserve your battery on the go.
