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Ian BellFlag for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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Desktop Versus Laptop for heavy spreadsheet usage

I'm considering buying a new high spec computer and torn between a desktop and a laptop.
I work with very large datasets consisting of a million rows in an Excel worksheet.
My must have requirements are shown below.
i9 CPU, Minimum 32GB Ram and a 1TB SSD hard drive and the capacity to output to 4 monitors.
The desktop I am looking at is very large and weighs a ton compared to a 17.3 inch laptop.
I do not need any super graphics as all my work is spreadsheet related.
I do like the portability of a laptop as it is much easier to move around especially when relocating.
It will not be used for anything other than working with spreadsheets.
Either device would be custom built by a well known professional company.
My question is:  Are there any downsides using a laptop for the heavy workload I would require it
to perform coupled with my minimum requirements both mentioned above ?
overheating springs to mind.
Many thanks
Ian
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nobus
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my choice is very simple - if you do not need the pc to be movable (=laptop) - ialways suggest a desktop, it is also 25% or more cheaper than a compareable laptop, and has more upgrade options (ram)
i9 CPU, Minimum 32GB Ram and a 1TB SSD hard drive and the capacity to output to 4 monitors. Very unlikely to find a laptop that can handle those specifications. I'm assuming price is not a factor.  The desktop will be a lot cheaper and not come with a laptop cpu
you can also build a desktop from ASUS https://www.asus.com/us/Tower-PCs/
put in a video card as needed
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The computer company does advertise they do configure laptops with an i9 CPU and can output to 4 monitors.
and 32GB RAM. Price is also one third cheaper than the desktop with a similar configuration.
If we can accept that is the case what downsides can you see ?
Nobus, I already have several desktops including a T7500 Dell workstation with 2 CPU's and 24GB RAM
However it is 10 years old. I'm trying to be more minimalistic hence my switch to a laptop with an ultra fast
CPU.
For me it would be a desktop hands-down.

For whatever given dollar amount you want to spend, you'll get more in a desktop, so why consider a lesser option with a laptop?

If you move home / office even once a year, it's not that big a deal.


Alan.
The configured desktop is priced up at around £3,350 (USD 4,400)
Whilst a similar config in a laptop would cost around £2,200 (USD 3,000)
Includes software. Supplied by a highly reputable PC manufacturer in the UK.
My question remains are there any downsides I should consider like malfunctioning due to overheating
as desktops require ultra quiet fans. As I do not need to add further hardware then if
my requirements can be met in a laptop it would be ideal.
I travel back and forth from the UK to Australia and Asia twice a year and it would be handy if I could do my work while I am away.
Although not imperative that I do so.
Alan, It depends where you move to of course. If it is within the same country then no problem.
My workstation is battered and bruised due to several moves I've made around the world in the past
7 years. In addition I do not need more than I have mentioned. No further storage or memory/graphic cards etc.
Fair enough, if you are traveling around the world then that is a completely different situation, and a laptop, whilst less powerful, would make much more sense.
So far, from the responses I have had there is no mention of downsides to using a laptop
for heavy Excel usage and taking into consideration I do not need expandability going forward.
This is most encouraging. :)
if the desktop is the same spec - it should be cheaper than the laptop
so compare specs well
Yes I agree. there seems to be a lot more hardware in the desktop.
Price aside I'm curious to know if the laptop can perform efficiently
with an i9 and all the other requirements I need in a computer.
Hi RacePro,

A laptop *can* perform, but you will get better performance out of a desktop for the same money.

The only reason to go for a laptop is ease of transport, and from what you said above, if you are regularly travelling around the world, then it sounds like a desktop would make no sense at all.

If you are only relocating short distances infrequently (say, within a city), then a desktop will give you a better outcome in use.


Alan.
Alan, that is what I thought. I already have 4 desktops and two laptops and want to have a clearout.
If the laptop does function properly and doesn't overheat causing it to malfunction or any other
reason to malfunction then I would go for the laptop especially for ease of transport as you say,
and for some reason cheaper which does puzzle me.
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Alan
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The company build their own computers so not a known brand that would be of any help.
My main laptop happens to be a Lenovo Think Pad fitted with an i7 CPU which is good for most applications
but not suitable for the heavy workload that my old workstation has been trying to handle.
I'm not sure what the forum rules are for posting links of companies otherwise I could pass
you a link.
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I agree with Fred about a custom built laptop - personally I would never go there, whereas I would have no concerns about a custom built desktop.

You can post links - at least I have never known it to be an issue.  If you have anything other than a normal customer / supplier relationship with them, then I would suggest disclosing such, but you can still post a link.

Custom builders will normally provide you with a list of components, so you could post that too and see what others have to say.


Alan.
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I would highly recommend that you buy a desktop as they are much more easily upgradable and you need 4 monitors.  Either way you might be able to connect it to a smart TV so you could have a lot more screen space to work with.
While its true laptop CPUs are less powerful than desktop CPUs, they are also less costly, which could account for the price being lower on the laptop.  

See:  https://www.cpubenchmark.net/laptop.html

You might want to hold off for a few months, since manufacturers are just starting to introduce core i9 laptops.
A very big thank you for all your help. I had already planned to purchase the desktop but as I am uncertain about my future domain I have decided to go minimalistic hence my sudden brainwave of going for a laptop.
Also the idea of taking my work with me on my travels appealed to me.
It all makes sense of course that a big desktop will be more powerful and durable than a slim built laptop
and as I use it night and day with some nights it is running overnight building models, then it really is a no brainer to plonk for a desktop. My Dell 7500 Workstation was purchased in 2009 and still going strong after a decade of heavy use. I'm sure a laptop given the same workload would have burned out during that period
I would have upgraded the CPU and add an SSD drive but as it is old technology it can't be upgraded.
The idea of taking my work with me on my overseas travels is more of a fantasy as it happens.
You all have been marvellous in confirming that a desktop will out perform a laptop given the configuration
and I thank you  most sincerely.
Ian