Do laptops feel slower than similar spec desktops?

Prophet · 18 Apr 2011 at 11:51

I'm not sure if this is just in the heads or an actual fact. Several people I know who use laptops a lot believe they're slower than the same spec desktop.

Now I'm thinking of moving over to an i5 or there abouts laptop from an i5 desktop.

Are they slower or are these people talking bobbins?

edscdk · 18 Apr 2011 at 11:57

not slower for the same spec, but it will be slower when compared to a desktop system the same price

IE you get less for your money on a laptop..

though most laptops have slow CPU's and 5400 rpm drives so in general laptops are slower than desktops...

Nymins · 18 Apr 2011 at 12:48

The hard drives are the main let down when comparing like for like CPU's etc. Big difference in general performance from a laptop 5400rpm drive to a full sized standard 7200rpm.

CPU's, even the i5's and i7's are usually clocked a lot lower in laptops as well, obviously due to the size.

neoboy · 18 Apr 2011 at 12:57

Same goes for graphics card chips, they would carry the names of desktop counterparts but not have their performance as they are designed differently.

binaryknight · 18 Apr 2011 at 13:31

as has been said already a lot of the percieved speed is due to the hard drive any desktop ive used has felt faster than any laptop ive ever used due to this even though some of the laptops were faster on paper.

petecarter · 18 Apr 2011 at 14:10

...and this is why I'm going back to desktops with my next purchase after a few laptops. I also feel that over time laptops get slower and slower at a faster rate than desktops.

JimboJet · 18 Apr 2011 at 16:01

The real problem is one of heat. The tech exists to squeeze all the components required into a tiny space, but that comes at the price of less space to dissipate the heat produced. Ultimately, what you find is the clocks or pipelines etc tend to be cut down on laptops vs desktop components to reduce both power usage (to give reasonable battery life) and heat output. Even so, watt for watt you could argue that laptops are far more efficient than desktops.