Why does it seem laptops are cheaper than desktops

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VlerrieBR

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I've taken it unto myself to build my parents a desktop or buy a laptop.

I built up a imaginary desktop and got all the prices from the same place here are the specs:
  • Biostar h81MH 1550 motherboard -> R739
  • Intel Celeron G1840 cpu -> R559
  • Some 2GB Ram -> R119
  • Corsair VS450 psu ->R639
  • Low end Lenovo montitor ->R1099
  • Wireless Network Card ->R219
  • Hard Drive 500GB ->R695
I have a mouse keyboard and case laying around.
Total Price: R4069


And found a laptop that seems to compare almost the same in performance:
Dell Inspiron 11 Intel Celeron 11.6"
  • Intel Celeron N3050
  • 2GB Ram
  • Hard Drive 500GB
Total Price: R3999

I was just wondering how it's possible for the laptop to be cheaper since it includes: Windows, keyboard, mouse and case which i'm not even gonna pay for the desktop as I have those parts already and am willing to settle for a linux distro?
 
VlerrieBR said:
I've taken it unto myself to build my parents a desktop or buy a laptop.

I built up a imaginary desktop and got all the prices from the same place here are the specs:
  • Biostar h81MH 1550 motherboard -> R739
  • Intel Celeron G1840 cpu -> R559
  • Some 2GB Ram -> R119
  • Corsair VS450 psu ->R639
  • Low end Lenovo montitor ->R1099
  • Wireless Network Card ->R219
  • Hard Drive 500GB ->R695
I have a mouse keyboard and case laying around.
Total Price: R4069


And found a laptop that seems to compare almost the same in performance:
Dell Inspiron 11 Intel Celeron 11.6"
  • Intel Celeron N3050
  • 2GB Ram
  • Hard Drive 500GB
Total Price: R3999

I was just wondering how it's possible for the laptop to be cheaper since it includes: Windows, keyboard, mouse and case which i'm not even gonna pay for the desktop as I have those parts already and am willing to settle for a linux distro?
Click to expand...

In the low spec range Laptops will be cheaper. But when it comes to high spec machines, like for like Laptops will out price desktops. They seem to even out around mid spec. But then peripherals are what pushes the Desktop over.
 
Youre spot on but if i were you i would get 2nd and

Have a look at the HP 800 desktops second hand. They work great and you can pick them up for about 2k with os installed. Install windows 10 64bit using the license sticker onboard. Works well. Even the older hp 8300 is decent.

For laptop the hp 8470p, 8570p, 2570p can be had for about 3k or so.

Then if you want to upgrade it get the transcend memory ( check compatibility for which transcend but about 700 bucks for 8gb module.

And then get a samsung evo drive. Those laptops has a latch to open the bottom and its as easy as pie to replace the hdd (remember to unplug power and hdd first)

Then install windows 10 64bit on there using the license sticker and well you just setup a monster on a very tight budget.

Its got tpm, webcam, wifi, sd card reader and can even have 3g in it. For a really lower price than the new celeron junk you can buy.
 
2gb of ram is a no go. Its like having a ferrari with a parachute behind it.

4gb or 8gb is best. And win 10 64bit. Download the usb flash setup version from microsoft
 
I just went for the 2Gb for the example of performance comparison. The 4Gb I had in mind anyway is R399. But yeah I agree with you there.
 
Then again if you go desktop future repairs and so on will be a lot cheaper in the long run. Thanks for the input
 
Corelli said:
2gb of ram is a no go. Its like having a ferrari with a parachute behind it.

4gb or 8gb is best. And win 10 64bit. Download the usb flash setup version from microsoft
Click to expand...

A Celeron is hardly a Ferrari. More like a 50cc scooter.
 
www.webdirect.co.za look at refurbished laptops, you'll get much higher specs at that price point, I presume your parents won't put a lot of stress on a computer, so even a refurbished machine should last them very well.
 
VlerrieBR said:
And found a laptop that seems to compare almost the same in performance:
Dell Inspiron 11 Intel Celeron 11.6"
  • Intel Celeron N3050
  • 2GB Ram
  • Hard Drive 500GB
Total Price: R3999
Click to expand...

Ram is most probably non upgradable and battery is non removable.
Laptops are changing; their hardware becoming more compact.
I added an SSD to one and this is what it looks like inside:
[video=youtube_share;tMUljsFgXLc]https://youtu.be/tMUljsFgXLc[/video]
 
@vlerrie regardless the route you go, use a SSD. Even an i7 is useless if it is mostly waiting on that 5400rpm drive.
 
VlerrieBR said:
I've taken it unto myself to build my parents a desktop or buy a laptop.

I built up a imaginary desktop and got all the prices from the same place here are the specs:
  • Biostar h81MH 1550 motherboard -> R739
  • Intel Celeron G1840 cpu -> R559
  • Some 2GB Ram -> R119
  • Corsair VS450 psu ->R639
  • Low end Lenovo montitor ->R1099
  • Wireless Network Card ->R219
  • Hard Drive 500GB ->R695
I have a mouse keyboard and case laying around.
Total Price: R4069


And found a laptop that seems to compare almost the same in performance:
Dell Inspiron 11 Intel Celeron 11.6"
  • Intel Celeron N3050
  • 2GB Ram
  • Hard Drive 500GB
Total Price: R3999

I was just wondering how it's possible for the laptop to be cheaper since it includes: Windows, keyboard, mouse and case which i'm not even gonna pay for the desktop as I have those parts already and am willing to settle for a linux distro?
Click to expand...

Desktop cpu 3 times faster.
Much bigger power supply
Much bigger screen.

A general rule:
*A laptop of equal performance is normally double the price of a desktop PC.
*You get what you pay for.

This laptop is more comparable:
https://www.rebeltech.co.za/13402-l...tel-broadwell-core-i3-5005u-dual-core-hy.html
 
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