Got out of PC Building/fixit myself this past year or so. I so don't miss it.

[Amused]

That’s just another computer you have to put somewhere and maintain.

Two small PCs vs one big one is kind of a wash, imho.

You can get a 24TB 2.5” drive for $500. Most ITX cars have room for a couple of those plus whatever m.2 slots are on the motherboard.

True, I have a larger mid tower case with 2 10TB drives serving my Plex.

But if you wanted the aesthetic of mini ITX you could just hide the NAS in the closet was my point. :shrug;

 

[SteveGrabowski]

NAS?

Thought about making a PLEX server with my old Xeon E3-1231v3 but then figured I don't want it transcoding video every time I want to stream something and I don't want convert everything to one format since only software encoding of video looks good and I have to use the slow preset in Handbrake too (fast looks like butt every time I accidentally use it).

 

[igor_kavinski]

Thought about making a PLEX server with my old Xeon E3-1231v3 but then figured I don't want it transcoding video every time I want to stream something

I think if you use a cheap Intel ARC card like A380 in the PLEX server, you could do that in realtime and the quality should satisfy you.

 

[Amused]

Thought about making a PLEX server with my old Xeon E3-1231v3 but then figured I don't want it transcoding video every time I want to stream something and I don't want convert everything to one format since only software encoding of video looks good and I have to use the slow preset in Handbrake too (fast looks like butt every time I accidentally use it).

Thankfully I stream everything original from my Plex and don't have to transcode. I use an Nvidia Shield with GB ethernet as a streaming box in my living room so it handles all the audio formats and full size 4K/8K files.

 

[Shmee]

A NAS is basically just another computer. Even an off the shelf NAS is just like a mITX box but with lower specs and proprietary FF. I would recommend repurposing old hardware into a NAS using something like TrueNAS.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Just make sure you have something with hot swap bays so you can swap out drives, either when they fail or if you want to upgrade to bigger drives. If setup right from the start you can do all this with zero downtime. Once you have a NAS you'll start to rely on it more and more and downtime is not an option. Redundant PSU is a good idea as well, otherwise make sure the UPS setup has redundancy or at least ability to change batteries live.

 

[Charmonium]

Just out of curiosity, is there even a current use for non-laptop PCs any more?

I really can't think of anything. Maybe the occasional lab that needs to interface with a variety of machines. But even then, unless it's doing an ungodly amount of processing, something even a decade (or more) old is probably up to the task.

I have a new laptop and tower rig that are both over a year old and I'm not even thinking about any additional machines. I'm still using my i7-2600k and a somewhat younger HP lappie.

I mean, yes, that's nothing short of sad, especially considering the fact that I could be racking up the BIG points on WCG. But the mojo is not with me.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Just out of curiosity, is there even a current use for non-laptop PCs any more?

Yes. Gaming, productivity and those who love benchmarking as a hobby. You can't tweak a laptop to your heart's content to eek more performance out of it. Example: I started with 12700K + Z790 mobo + DDR5-5600 RAM kit that wouldn't go past DDR5-4600. Replaced that with DDR5-7600 kit that I'm able to push to 7000 MT/s (limited by mobo). And I can upgrade the GPU whenever I want and keep the system relevant for the next 3 years at least. Can't do all that stuff with a laptop.

 

[mikeymikec]

Just out of curiosity, is there even a current use for non-laptop PCs any more?

Aside from me having to pay more than double for a laptop that still doesn't meet the specs of the desktop I just built?

Comfortable screen viewing angle which is conducive to good back posture, full-size keyboard, a mouse that doesn't cause RSI, decent speakers, if I choose to upgrade screens I can, a decent number of USB ports, sufficient storage with room to grow, easy serviceability, lots of upgrade options...

I do have a laptop too but it only gets used occasionally when I need a mobile computer. Its advantage is that it's small (13" screen), and that's about it.

 

[BoomerD]

Yes. Gaming, productivity and those who love benchmarking as a hobby. You can't tweak a laptop to your heart's content to eek more performance out of it. Example: I started with 12700K + Z790 mobo + DDR5-5600 RAM kit that wouldn't go past DDR5-4600. Replaced that with DDR5-7600 kit that I'm able to push to 7000 MT/s (limited by mobo). And I can upgrade the GPU whenever I want and keep the system relevant for the next 3 years at least. Can't do all that stuff with a laptop.

I just hate trying to type on a laptop. I've used corded keyboards and bluetooth keyboards with my laptop...but that kind of eliminates the convenience of a laptop.

I think it's been at least two years...maybe 3 since I even had my laptop out of its case. (not that it's a very impressive unit...some POS HP thingie.)

I use my iPad 100x more than I ever have my laptop.

 

[Torn Mind]

Consumer laptops are generally a disaster waiting to happen. Every buy is a prayer that build quality doesn't give you one, immediate death, or problems out of a return window. The keyboards are such garbage they pale even in comparison to yesteryears garbage, i.e a Dell 810 keyboard sucks, but the new ones suck harder.
I buy a Dell G5. Dead pixel manifests days into ownership.

 

[Brainonska511]

Just out of curiosity, is there even a current use for non-laptop PCs any more?

I really can't think of anything. Maybe the occasional lab that needs to interface with a variety of machines. But even then, unless it's doing an ungodly amount of processing, something even a decade (or more) old is probably up to the task.

I have a new laptop and tower rig that are both over a year old and I'm not even thinking about any additional machines. I'm still using my i7-2600k and a somewhat younger HP lappie.

I mean, yes, that's nothing short of sad, especially considering the fact that I could be racking up the BIG points on WCG. But the mojo is not with me.

Port availability, gaming, having the monitor you want to use, having enough internal space for storage, productivity type work, wanting to be able to swap common parts instead of planned obsolescence, using common drivers instead of whatever the manufacturer wants to support for so long...

I have a laptop for work, and though I can do my job on the go with it, I much prefer using it like a desktop at home, hooked to my two monitors, my nice mouse and keyboard, and a comfy office chair.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Consumer laptops are generally a disaster waiting to happen. Every buy is a prayer that build quality doesn't give you one, immediate death, or problems out of a return window. The keyboards are such garbage they pale even in comparison to yesteryears garbage, i.e a Dell 810 keyboard sucks, but the new ones suck harder.
I buy a Dell G5. Dead pixel manifests days into ownership.

I was lucky enough to get an HP Omen Laptop with Core i7-10750H/Geforce 3070 and 300Hz vibrant display from a member here for like $800. Keyboard is top notch. Only thing that sucks is the older CPU and that fans run pretty loud. But overall, it's the closest I'll ever get to owning a laptop with great specs (Well, until I become a millionaire. Then I'll need a room to store my laptops coz no one laptop is perfect!).

I've never been tempted by a Dell G5 laptop when viewing their listings online. Mediocre display turns me off instantly. And the G5s are too thick.

 

[zinfamous]

August 26: Larry exits PC building and repair

August 30: Anandtech shuts down.

coincidence?

 

[Amused]

August 26: Larry exits PC building and repair

August 30: Anandtech shuts down.

coincidence?

Correlation = causation. Everybody knows this.

 

[mikeymikec]

August 26: Larry exits PC building and repair

August 30: Anandtech shuts down.

coincidence?

<shrugs>

 

[WilliamM2]

Just out of curiosity, is there even a current use for non-laptop PCs any more?

I've never had a use for a laptop at home. I don't want to take my computer anywhere.
Can't even come close to my current config in a laptop.

 

[igor_kavinski]

August 26: Larry exits PC building and repair

26 = 2+6 = 8 <<< Clearly, Larry should've sought AT community's approval before making the decision. Now we could possibly all suffer!

Breach of community protocols!

 

[igor_kavinski]

Can't even come close to my current config in a laptop.

Watched two movies this past Sunday with my i3-1125G4 laptop connected via HDMI to my OLED monitor. The thought of powering up my desktop i7-12700K PC just to watch movies seemed wasteful. Mother Earth will probably be kinder to me, just a little bit, when I go under.

 

[IronWing]

August 26: Larry exits PC building and repair

August 30: Anandtech shuts down.

coincidence?

VirtualLarry is an anagram of Future Publishing.





Remember that v = u in old latin.

 

[WilliamM2]

Watched two movies this past Sunday with my i3-1125G4 laptop connected via HDMI to my OLED monitor. The thought of powering up my desktop i7-12700K PC just to watch movies seemed wasteful. Mother Earth will probably be kinder to me, just a little bit, when I go under.

Your OLED monitor probably draws as much as my entire system. When watching TV/movies it's about 150 watts. My monitors are only about 20 watts each, probably much less with brightness set to 4. Another advantage of desktops, I have a tv tuner card.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Your OLED monitor probably draws as much as my entire system. When watching TV/movies it's about 150 watts.

Hmm..you are right: https://www.samsung.com/ae/monitors...-27-inch-360hz-oled-qhd-ls27dg602smxue/#specs

But that's max power consumption and probably depends on the scene. It is SO worth it though. Picture looks ALIVE!

 

[WilliamM2]

Hmm..you are right: https://www.samsung.com/ae/monitors...-27-inch-360hz-oled-qhd-ls27dg602smxue/#specs

But that's max power consumption and probably depends on the scene. It is SO worth it though. Picture looks ALIVE!

27" ? Both my monitors are 32", score another point for desktops. 27 watts max, typical 19 watts.

And if I really want better quality, I use use the big screen and home theater in the living room.

 

[igor_kavinski]

27" ?

Needed it to be small for space reasons. Don't have a desk. It's on the floor next to my mattress on the floor because I can't sleep on a typical bed (my spinal disc ruptured while sitting on a bed so never again). Have a 55 inch and 65 inch TV but both unused for over a year now. Too lazy to hook them up.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Researching and planning is equally as fun as the actual building for me. I'm very DIY natured, so unless something changes drastically, I can't imagine buying pre-built.