I have both.. 2 desktops and 2 laptops.. 1 laptop ( old IBM 600E ) runs 24/7 as a dialup internet server, as my main OS is Ubuntu and not entirely dialup friendly.. the other laptop I use around 10% of the time, and only really use it for traveling... unless you have a direct need for a laptop, a desktop is the way to go... consider, if it's always plugged in, your gonna kill the battery in a year or less.. that's $50-200 depending on battery size, and then the enviromental impact.. a laptop battery used properly, when cycled from charged to discharged with each use will last a long time