Can a Vaio Z (or any laptop) REALLY be a desktop replacement?

OK, so here are my thoughts:

I need a computer. From what I've seen, I love the Vaio Z. However, I would like to use it to replace both my current laptop, as well as my ancient desktop.

What I'm wondering is, can a laptop truly be a desktop replacement?

First, to make the problem simpler, I do not game on my computer. None. Ever.

So, with that said (thus limiting the GPU relevance), at least on paper the Z I have ordered will be more powerful (CPU/Memory/Chipset, not hardrive) than both my current home and work computer (and I do tons of simulations at work as I am a research student in computer architecture).

Now, in a perfect world, what I would like to do is hook the Z up to my beautiful HP w2408h (24 inch /w hdmi input) monitor, use a permanent bluetooth mouse/keyboard, and leave the Z hooked up to power and turned on 24 hours a day as a true replacement desktop (I say on 24 hours a day allowing me to remotely connect from work, as well as to run real simulations on it). Then, on the few days a month I have to travel - take the Z with me and have at my disposal everything I need including all my work without having to do any form of syncing, etc.


Is this really feasible? Looking at all of the specs, I can't find anything that should keep it from running my week long simulations, even faster than my work/desktop machine (other than, again, the hard drive - but once everything has been brought into memory disk-access should be fairly low). Yet, a little voice in my head keeps telling saying, "This is a laptop dummy, you won't be able to run those..."

Moreover is it acceptable to keep a laptop under that much stress for such long periods of time. Again, on paper the reports I've seen don't suggest that internal temperatures will be much higher, if higher at all, than desktop machines I've used. However surely the designers weren't really designing for people to be so harsh on the machine.

Is there anything else that I'm losing by using this approach, or anything I have not thought of?


So, my question again is - can a laptop + bluetooth peripherals + power cable + hdmi connection to a nice monitor = a true desktop replacement?

 

Sure, why not? I used a laptop as my primary machine for a couple years. No big deal. As long as there's no problem with heat, it'll be ok. Get a cooling pad or something if you're going to run long simulations. However, I was going to do the same thing as you - get a laptop more powerful than my desktop and use it more often - but realized I'd still need to use my desktop, so I ended up upgrading that first, then buying a Z a few months later as a supplement. Quad core 3.0 ghz 8GB RAM goodness at home, 2.4 ghz dual core on the go ..

 

Once I got my notebook, I sold my PC. I have had no problems with using my notebook as a main PC. The notebook also came with a dock, so I could hook it up to a 24" incher and USB keyboard and have it act like a desktop replacement. Then, when I needed to do some work on the train, or at university, I would just eject the notebook from the dock, and it becomes a mobile PC. So yes, my notebook does both - Being a desktop replacement and a mobile PC. Your Z should be better than mine in all facets when it comes to speed and capacity. You should consider getting a dock for your Z.

 

Absolutly yes, and you won't regret it! I'm also a research student (mech eng and just finished my PhD), and I've had the SZ with a powerful configuration and a docking station. I can easily run everything except games. I run MATLAB simulations, finite element analysis simulations, etc, and it performs brilliantly.

The setup you describe is basically what I've had for the last year:



The other benefit is that in the afternoon, you can grab your laptop and have everything with you at home. Also, you can undock it to go to meetings or show results to your supervisor etc.

 

By the way, I'm typing this on my SZ while at a conference. Considering that a laptop is a must for a research student due to presentations etc, then you have two choices: buy two crappy computers (desk + laptop) and have all the trouble of syncing files and remote connection; or, buy one good powerful ultraportable.

 

and then when your one good powerful ultraportable gets trashed or stolen or lost, then you have no crappy desktop to back you up. QQ

 

Personally I like to use both - desktops are *so* much more bang for your buck... you could get a cheap base unit and remote into it from your laptop if you needed to setup a new simulation or whatever when out and about.

I think if you used a laptop for intensive tasks and left if on 24/7, it might fill up with dust pretty quickly?

If you do opt for the single machine solution, definitely get a dock as others have recommended... it's far easier to grab your laptop at the end of the day that way. Quickly pays for itself just for the convenience IMHO.

 

Thats why you have got to be proactive when it comes to looking after your notebook when it is out and about. I never, ever leave it out of my sight. I see alot of students at my univeristy library just leave their notebook on the table, and walk away to grab a book. A thief doesnt require 10 seconds, all they require is an opportunity.

Another thing you should do regularly is BACKUP!

 

A laptop running 24hours will deteriote much faster than a desktop running 24hours..

And yes like others have suggested get a cooling pad + dock.. it is definately feasable and much more advantageous than having 2 and worrying about syncing.. get an external portable HD just in case to backup weekly/monthly based on the importance of your data..

 

absolut. Add a docking station to it, and you'd have a combi-system, portable and fixed. And keep it well ventilated, since even a desktop does need extra cooling help (some even runs with the cover off ;-))

cheers ...

 

I realize I'm a little late joining this thread, but here's my 2 cents anyway. I'm a university instructor and have been using my Vaio SZ as my office desktop, classroom notebook, and home gaming desktop for the past 2 1/2 years under heavy use. I use a Vaio docking station in the office and a Targus cooling pad under that. I've got to say that I've totally worn out my SZ. The fan is in bad shape (probably from chalk dust) and the nVidia graphics card occasionally overheats and gives me a blue screen. Other problems include CD drive and memory card reader failing to read their respective media occasionally. Now, with that said, I still love having the ability to have a computer powerful enough for all my office applications, video editing, and gaming, while so portable that I don't mind lugging it around in my backpack with all of my other teaching materials and books. If you don't mind a shortened lifespan for your notebook of about 2-3 years, then go for it. I actually have a Vaio Z on the way, supposed to arrive Friday. I plan on using it in the same manner as my SZ, except that I plan on being a little more careful with the chalk dust!

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on the way...
Vaio Z CTO (in Japan): Core 2 Duo P9600 (2.8 GHz), 4 GB DDR2, 200 GB 7200 RPM HDD, 256 MB nVidia 9300M GS GPU, 13.1" 1600x900, FreshStart (Crapware Free)