Desktop w/ remote monitor vs. Laptop?
 

So I think it'll be time over the next few months to replace my laptop (TBH I can't remember when I bought it...at least 3-4 years ago).

It's a 17 inch, desktop-replacement HP Pavilion dv7.

My thoughts.

-I knew traveling with a desktop-replacement was a pain due to its size/weight when I bought it, but I'm starting to dislike the pain a bit.

-I typically use my laptop on my coffee table (although occasionally on my desk across the room).

So as my thinking evolves, this is what I'm thinking are my options

1) Replace this with a new 17 inch desktop-replacement laptop

2) Replace this with a desktop with a nice-sized screen that is either (a) all-in-one, or (b) in two pieces where I could put the tower either over by my desk, or behind my sofa, and have a nice big (touchscreen?) on my coffee table, and purchase a separate "ultrabook-esque (not necessarily an ultrabook) laptop for when I have to travel with a laptop.

My questions are regarding option 2 really.
-How are those all-in-one's on the Windows side where the whole thing is in one piece (screen and internals). How are they reliability-wise?
-Are there technological solutions for streaming the video-signal to a detached monitor? So I could put the tower over by my desk and not have ugly cables around the room, but just have it shoot the signal over to the monitor which is over on my coffee table? Or does it have to be physically plugged-in still (in which case I could hide the tower behind my sofa, or also on its side on the bottom shelf of the coffee table).

I suppose I could google around for the answer, but I figure if anybody out there has done it one of us guys here has.

They still sell desktops?

LOL

I sure hope so.

If there's ever a point where laptops (or worse) are all that's left, my computing days are likely over. And since I spend between 12-18 hours a day in front of one, that'd be a major problem.

What's the specific benefit of a desktop, Jon?

I'm curious, what I'm missing. I just replaced my desktop with a laptop...I still have my monitor, mouse and keyboard...just no tower.

You still get more bang for your buck with a desktop. If you are a gamer (and I'm not talking text-based) you'd have to spend at least 2,000 dollars on a laptop that'd match a desktop you could build for 1,000 dollars.

Also.. cooling and the ability to upgrade parts.

And the ability to setup a home network that's externally accessible.

I guess there's not a great solution for wireless with the monitor? Y'all are disappointing me!!

So my options are basically to run a long HDMI cable from over by my desk around the periphery of the room and under my sofa to come up right next to my coffee table, or to get a desktop that i can lay horizontally on the shelf of my coffee table, and then feed the cable up through one of the side-slats.

I can build it myself, with exactly the specification I want, and I can easily upgrade almost every component without needing to buy a new machine.

I can't imagine using a laptop as my everyday home computer.

I've never had a desktop* last less than 5 years.
I've never seen a laptop work (without significant issues) for more than 2.

And if I'm just chaining the laptop to the same area - by hooking it to a monitor, mouse and keyboard - well, exactly what's the point of the laptop?

(* other than one particular p.o.s. that was basically a lemon)

Being able to take it with you.

I am interested in the desktop/laptop question, all the same.

Which, in turn, removes it from the aforementioned monitor/keyboard/mouse.

For me...at home I have all the conveniences of the monitor, keyboard, etc. But when we go, say on vacation, I just grab it and go.

Current laptop ( a cheap Lenovo) is rocking at 2.5 years and while it may soon need a battery, otherwise its been perfect.

True, too. But I suppose the idea would be to have access to the better monitor and keyboard and a standalone mouse for as long as you're in the place that you primarily use the computer, while maintaining the ability to take the computer places.

I'm with Jon, if I had to switch over to a laptop my computing days would probably be over.

But that "ability to take the computer places" has little to no value to me* since I find touch pads virtually unusable (and external mice impractical at best in many/most mobile situations), and the typical laptop keyboard not much better.

*Full disclosure: I have occasionally used one laptop or another on the road. Short-term posting and/or emergency work stuff while on vacation, etc. But those are scarce instances