Laptop vs Desktop

[Technochick]

First of all the reason I am not posting this question in another forum is because Netware guys work alot more closely with the hardware than microsoft users.

Q: My company recently downsized and there are some equipment on hand. among them are a few laptops. a few heads got together and was wondering what's the difference between the laptops and the desktops (besides the obvious).
Performance wise, can a laptop be used the same way as you would use a desktop workstation that is usually on 24/7 ?

other than the ugrade flexability of the desktops, will laptops be harder to work with?

will it burn out faster?

what is the life span?

has anyone ever used it as a netware server? if so tell me about the performance.

thanks.

 

[TheLad]

I once setup a Toshiba laptop as a stand-alone NetWare 4.11 server for the simple reason that we were performing a migration from site to site and needed a resource server at each.

Apart from being a complete pig to configure network-wise (using a 10/100 PCMCIA 3COM network card), it did everything we needed of it. I wouldm't recommend it for a long term solution as I presume the hard disks are not meant to be thrashed like a normal server.

The only concern I have ever had with laptops is security. If a user is daft enough to save files to it, then is daft enough to leave it on the parcel shelf of their car and have it nicked by a spotty 13 year old oppertunist, then they need shooting. Users have to be informed about the risks of having a laptop, even leaving it unattended on their desk. I use a Kensington Lock for my laptop, very good. -----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
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[Technochick]

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.