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Aren't all laptops PCs?
Oh, rereading, I see you're talking about netbooks specifically, which, yeah, are kind of not really PCs.
I prefer PCs for most things, no real preference for desktop or laptop as long as I can use a mouse; I usually do desktop because they're cheaper to build and usually quieter.
Netbooks are fine for classwork, browsing, and webdesign in most cases.
PC is a funny word. You can ask Mac or PC (From the era when PC was short for IBM (compatible) PC (vs Apple's PC offerings). But apparently laptop vs PC is also a distinction for some people.
Nowadays I think of a PC as a computer that isn't a dedicated headless server. Or maybe one that isn't a work station for your professional work?
Anyway, is really a term from a bygone age.
Desktop 1000%. They are just more ergonomic in every way. A laptop without a mouse is basically torture. For lots of typing a laptop without a full size external keyboard isn't pleasant. For viewing anything laptops screens are too small and generally poor quality, so you need an external screen, or better, 2 or more. So now you have a docking station with all your peripherals plugged in to, being powered by a machine that if it were a desktop would be at least twice as powerful and have much longer life through upgradability.
For the odd task that requires portability then laptops obviously have uses. But I'd rather have a cheap laptop just for that job rather than pretend an expensive laptop is a good desktop replacement.
I prefer working at a desk with a full sized keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Often these days I end up using a laptop for this though. Mostly because being stuck in the "computer room" at all times isn't fun.
Laptop by far, itβs not even close. Thereβs practically no advantage to a PC Iβd be missing at all. I can quickly grab it and bring what Iβm meddling with anywhere I go quickly, and the battery makes it so I can jump between my desk, couch, or down the street. If I need to run an external peripheral for some strange port, I have a Thunderbolt external PCIe enclosure at my desk.
That said, I wouldnβt consider a Chromebook a practical replacement. Not because itβs a laptop, but because a lot of what I fiddle with is just easier on a normal OS.
Both. Both is good
Though depending on your situation a laptop will do both, think the thing you're missing is that you can plug a laptop into a monitor mouse and keyboard the same way you do a PC and it will be functionally identical, except you have the option to unplug it and take it with you if you need to
Personally I have a gaming PC at home and a laptop for work, and a USB c hub that lets me plug said laptop in and use it as a desktop if needed. Perfect setup imo
This is exactly what I do too, plus a tablet for quick notes or reading when I'm studying or somewhere a laptop might feel a bit excessive (basically anywhere that I need to be waiting for something).
I've got a pine64 tablet on the way that I'm quite excited for. Going to run gnome mobile and waydroid so I can switch between android and Linux at will and use it as a laptop if need be
In a support role, I definitely prefer dealing with laptops. At home, I prefer having a desktop.
Laptop, because I can work from anywhere and it doesn't take up much space
Under normal circumstances I prefer desktop since, at least mine, has plenty of USB plugs when compared to the crummy laptop I currently have. I also have never really been a huge fan of laptop keyboards or trackpads over a standard USB mouse and keyboard.
The only thing my laptop currently has/does that better my computer is the ability to more easily carry it around and that it has a detachable touch screen monitor thing. Otherwise, I'd say my desktop is superior in just about every other way.
I feel like you are approaching this wrong. You buy a laptop so you can be mobile. This is good if you travel or even just in an office where you might have to switch rooms (e.g. a meeting room). If you don't need to be mobile, then you don't need a laptop.
Some applications will restrict you to using a PC, gaming for example, or anything that needs a big GPU. In this case you don't have a choice.
If you get a laptop, please, buy some peripherals. Get a docking station, a proper screen, a good keyboard and mouse. Pay attention to ergonomics. Dont give yourself RSI or back pain.
Right now a PC but I may need a laptop in the next 2 years
I've worked on both, and as long as I can plug the laptop in a nice monitor, with keyboard and mouse I don't care that much. Laptops great for mobility, and the keyboard and trackpad, well you get used to it, and doesn't bother you that much. For myself, its wfh and then going to the office, isn't a big deal, all stuff is on the laptop and things are synced if I need to do disaster recovery. It depends on the situation, would you benefit from it. if not, desktop's fine
I have a Mac mini at work because I don't need versatility there. I sit at my desk, I do work.
At home though, I'm all about laptops. Currently on my 4th MacBook since 2007. I can use it on my lap, like I currently am, or I can hook it up to a monitor to do the same stuff, but big. Either way, it's the same OS (pretty much) so I get the same stuff done on both.
I can't use a laptop for work (graphics intensive, need a powerhouse) but I would if I could. I love being able to use it literally anywhere I goβat my desk, in bed, on the toilet, on vacation, on the bus, at a cafe, etcβand...
I installed a headless Debian OS, added a keyboard-focused window manager and I don't have to futz with the trackpad nor find a place to put an attached mouse. It also is a much slower drain on the battery. Best of all worlds.
I use it for web-browsing, word-processing/spreadsheets, checking email, making memes, coding, managing my home network, controlling my headless SBC, and modding. Also occasionally for cyber CTFs or remoting into my desktop at least to do so.
Completely depends if you need to carry it around.
For best of both worlds: Docked laptop with full monitor and maybe keyboard. You can find monitors everywhere for cheap.
"the keyboard and touchpad make me angry"
I think you need to try this out with an open mind. Plenty of people use laptops as their only computer, only with trackpad. Plenty others just toss a Bluetooth mouse in their bag and use that.
I get using a PC, but a laptop does have its advantages.
My setup is two laptops (home and work) but 90% of the time they are just used connected via usb-c to my desk in the front room.
Pull out one wire and swap between work and home setup.
I require both. Laptop is a real laptop and not a Chromebook.
If I had to choose only one, it would be a desktop. The experience of using a machine with a good keyboard/mouse and large monitors can't be beat, plus it's much cheaper for the same quality of hardware. The main downside is that it's not portable. Whether I'm working or gaming, I'm confined to that one desk. I can't work on the couch, in the park, in the waiting room at the doctor's office, or anywhere else I might find myself that day.
The ideal setup is to have both. A desktop for when I can be at my desk, and a cheap laptop that I can use to remote into said desktop. That way, you get the convenience of a laptop with the power of a desktop at a much more reasonable price.
A monitor and keyboard/mouse that you can attach to your laptop gives you the best of both worlds.
But a desktop/workstation that you can leave on and double as a server for some things is nice to have.
If you only use your computer for the most basic of operations (browsing the Internet, watching Netflix, writing documents, etc.), Chromebooks are fine. However, I'm assuming this discussion is about laptops versus desktops.
Basically, all you need to care about between laptops and desktops is the balance between portability, power, and affordability. If you travel a lot, get a laptop. If you need the processing power for video editing or gaming, get a desktop. If you need to edit videos while traveling, get a gaming laptop. If you don't need any of those, get a second-hand Dell desktop.
If you need to use a laptop but hate the keyboard and trackpad, nothing is stopping you from chucking a separate mechanical keyboard and a mouse into your backpack. A lot of people in tech actually just do that.
Laptop - it does everything a computer needs to do in one compact, easy to handle package. Even the cheapest of laptops is faster and more powerful than what the vast majority of people need these days, and since virtually everything is web based, I don't even own a computer. I use my phone/tablet for everything. Work supplies the laptop.