Portable Desktop?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Justin
  • Start date Start date
J

Justin

I work in a department where all the other people are married with kids.
So naturally I volunteered for a position that lets me travel all over
the world - for a few months at a time. Nothing is finalized but I
think my first stop is Seoul, Korea.

having said that I have two laptops, but I like to use a desktop. I
need a decent screen since I do alot of spreadsheets.

So, my question is, is it possible to build a $600 small form factor PC
that can be transported? I would generally UPS or FedEx the PC ahead of
me when I move.
If this is possible what components would you use?
 
In message <[email protected]> Justin
I work in a department where all the other people are married with kids.
So naturally I volunteered for a position that lets me travel all over
the world - for a few months at a time. Nothing is finalized but I
think my first stop is Seoul, Korea.

having said that I have two laptops, but I like to use a desktop. I
need a decent screen since I do alot of spreadsheets.

So, my question is, is it possible to build a $600 small form factor PC
that can be transported? I would generally UPS or FedEx the PC ahead of
me when I move.
Click to expand...

Yes it's possible.
If this is possible what components would you use?
Click to expand...

I'd start with a decent laptop, and bring your own decent screen,
keyboard and mouse or whatever else you need.

Building your own SFF system is rarely worth the hassle and expense, if
you're insisting on looking for a SFF "desktop" then look at an OEM's
prebuilt offerings, they have the ability to customize in a way that you
do not. Dell makes some nice small quiet units.
 
DevilsPGD said:
In message <[email protected]> Justin


Yes it's possible.


I'd start with a decent laptop, and bring your own decent screen,
keyboard and mouse or whatever else you need.

Building your own SFF system is rarely worth the hassle and expense, if
you're insisting on looking for a SFF "desktop" then look at an OEM's
prebuilt offerings, they have the ability to customize in a way that you
do not. Dell makes some nice small quiet units.
Click to expand...


Thanks.

I think.
 
I work in a department where all the other people are married with kids.
So naturally I volunteered for a position that lets me travel all over
the world - for a few months at a time. Nothing is finalized but I
think my first stop is Seoul, Korea.

having said that I have two laptops, but I like to use a desktop. I
need a decent screen since I do alot of spreadsheets.

So, my question is, is it possible to build a $600 small form factor PC
that can be transported? I would generally UPS or FedEx the PC ahead of
me when I move.
If this is possible what components would you use?
Click to expand...

Why not just use a large monitor, external mouse, and external keyboard
with your laptop?
 
Building your own SFF system is rarely worth the hassle and expense

Do not agree and would never buy a dell or gateway, etc. ever again for many
reasons.

--g
 
Justin said:
I work in a department where all the other people are married with
kids. So naturally I volunteered for a position that lets me travel
all over the world - for a few months at a time. Nothing is
finalized but I think my first stop is Seoul, Korea.

having said that I have two laptops, but I like to use a desktop. I
need a decent screen since I do alot of spreadsheets.

So, my question is, is it possible to build a $600 small form factor
PC that can be transported? I would generally UPS or FedEx the PC
ahead of me when I move.
If this is possible what components would you use?
Click to expand...

A 17 inch laptop will allow a lot of real estate and Dell is supposed to be
releasing a 19 inch one. I'd go with that for a while for two reasons.
1. Transporting a small form factore with a larger monitor will be a pain
and you will not be able to work in flight.
2. Pico projectors (http://tinyurl.com/7v7uqb) are starting to hit the
market and those will allow ...
and
3. Forget what I said about two reasons and ignore #2. While picoprojectors
are great they don't have the resolution for large spreadsheets.
 
david said:
Why not just use a large monitor, external mouse, and external keyboard
with your laptop?
Click to expand...

Because I will need to run the machine overnight for large file transfers.
 
Mike said:
A 17 inch laptop will allow a lot of real estate and Dell is supposed to be
releasing a 19 inch one. I'd go with that for a while for two reasons.
1. Transporting a small form factore with a larger monitor will be a pain
and you will not be able to work in flight.
Click to expand...

I sleep on planes - I can't work. I will have a laptop with me as well.
 
In message <[email protected]> Justin
Because I will need to run the machine overnight for large file transfers.
Click to expand...

Not to be redundant, but why not just use a large monitor, external
mouse, and external keyboard with your laptop?

(in other words, you can do that with a laptop)
 
Justin said:
Because I will need to run the machine overnight for large file
transfers.
Click to expand...

Which can be done with a laptop.
The answer to your question is yes you can buy or build a small form factor
and have been able to for more than 20 years.
It seems you have asked a rhetorical question.
 
DevilsPGD said:
In message <[email protected]> Justin


Not to be redundant, but why not just use a large monitor, external
mouse, and external keyboard with your laptop?

(in other words, you can do that with a laptop)
Click to expand...

I understand I can do that technically; but I would rather put a desktop
PC through that kind of abuse.
There are a few other reasons and I have gone over this a few times in
my head and I strongly believe a SFF form factor is what I need.

What about shipping a PC?

Should I remove the heatsink from the CPU? I know companies like Dell
ship their PCs all the time but they usually use lightweight cheap
heatsinks; reason number 387 I always build my own.
 
geoff said:
Do not agree and would never buy a dell or gateway, etc. ever again for many
reasons.

--g
Click to expand...


I agree - I will never buy Dell. I HATE bloatware. I don't need a
photo album application. I don't need preinstalled HP shit telling me
when I need to order more ink.
 
Which can be done with a laptop.
The answer to your question is yes you can buy or build a small form factor
and have been able to for more than 20 years.
It seems you have asked a rhetorical question.
Click to expand...

Instead of rhetorical try bombastic question.
 
In message <[email protected]> Justin
I agree - I will never buy Dell. I HATE bloatware. I don't need a
photo album application. I don't need preinstalled HP shit telling me
when I need to order more ink.
Click to expand...

Install a fresh copy of the OS yourself then if you're capable, or if
not, try the "Dell decrapifier" software out there.
 
DevilsPGD said:
In message <[email protected]> Justin


Install a fresh copy of the OS yourself then if you're capable, or if
not, try the "Dell decrapifier" software out there.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm capable. I've only been in the IT field for 12 years.
Of course where can I get a fresh copy of the OS? The manufacturer only
gives those bullshit images and factory restore.
I had to do just that with Vista and a laptop. I got a fresh plain jane
copy off Demonoid.
The Decrapifier is basically crap. I used it once and had stability
issues afterwards.
 
In message <[email protected]> Justin
Yes, I'm capable. I've only been in the IT field for 12 years.
Of course where can I get a fresh copy of the OS?
Click to expand...

Most IT professionals in my circle would use their MSDN, Technet, Action
Pack, volume licensing, etc account and grab a copy of the media.

For those without that option, pay Dell an extra couple bucks or make a
big stink and they'll send OS media.
The manufacturer only
gives those bullshit images and factory restore.
Click to expand...

By default, yes.
I had to do just that with Vista and a laptop. I got a fresh plain jane
copy off Demonoid.
Click to expand...

That's another option. As long as you check the hash against a known
good one and are sure about what you're getting, it's perfectly legal to
download too since you're already licensed to have the content.
The Decrapifier is basically crap. I used it once and had stability
issues afterwards.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to that personally, I've never touched it, but I've not
heard many complaints about it from the less techie types in my circles,
and reviews of the current iteration (PC Decrapifier) are almost
universally positive.
 
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