I have retired and I want to replace my home desktop PC, but can't decide if a laptop, docking station and wireless router would be better. I would like to be able to download films/programmes to watch on TV, with my wife. What sort of spec I should be looking for? Mike Bertenshaw
A desktop PC provides more computer power, a better screen and usually a better keyboard than a laptop, and still costs a lot less. If you are a heavy user, ergonomics factors also mean a desktop should be better for your health.
The arguments for buying a notebook are generally based on convenience and not having to devote space to it: you can use a notebook anywhere in the house, and stow it away when it is not in use. It could also make it easier to watch movies with your wife, as you won't have to burn them to disc. Only you can decide which approach suits you best.
However, if your desktop PC is in your living room, a Vista Home Premium system can double as a reasonable entertainment system. It includes the multimedia features that used to be in Windows Media Centre PCs, and can be operated using a remote control. If fitted with a TV tuner, it can also record and replay TV programmes.
When it comes to specification, any current machine will do what you need. However, you should make sure you get at least 1GB of memory: at today's prices, 2GB makes economic sense. If running Windows Vista, you will get better performance if the system has a graphics card with 128MB or preferably 256MB of dedicated memory, and does not share memory with the processor. Unfortunately, this eliminates the cheaper desktop PCs and a large proportion of notebooks. Unless you are running fast-action games or doing heavyweight graphics, you may not care. Either way, I'd still aim for a notebook that scores more than 3.0 on the Windows Experience Index, or a desktop that scores 4.0 or more (http://www.shareyourscore.com).
