Laptops - Why?

Why is it that broadcasters starting to steer away from the computers in a desk, especially when they go to lap tops?

Compare the main ITV News set to BBC News 24, both have desks of a similar shape, yet ITV News have their computers in the desk and News 24 have the laptops.

Is there any design point to them, or is it just to allow them to surf the internet during reports?
Plus they also clutter up the desks.

Unless the idea of them is for use during interviews and having them as an autocue like Des & Mel.

And I'm not excepting because News 24's desk lights up as so does/did ITV News'

Laptops (and computers) are used on the desks of news studios so that the presenter can update the script throughout the news.

They can also view messages on screen from others and also view the latest breaking news so if necessary deviate away from the script and ad-lib for a bit.

I would also be inclined to believe that the reason is partly for health and safety (i.e. preventing getting RSI from too much neck craning over the desk to see the monitor!)

Can't they... 'view messages on screen from others and also view the latest breaking news' on the computers built into the desks, and if not can't they simply have a normal computer built into the desk? With wireless keyboards and net connections it would still create a clutter free desk.

Its more of the broadcasters' decision whether to use laptop or built-in computers, they may think it looks better with laptop or something? Plus, the laptops on my local news are sponsored so...

Repetitive Strain Injury?!
The reason laptops are usually chosen is because an editor thinks they looks 'modern' and 'hi-tech'. They are used for News 24 because the desk is just transparent glass with lighing inside it. So, putting a computer inside the desk would be very difficult and possibly a fire hazard.
For practical purposes, putting computers into a desk is a better option because faster desktops can be used, and more importantly, because a larger screen can go into the desk.

If I was given the choice of using a laptop, or some frigged up system with a monitor buried under some glass, I know what I'd choose.

And I can't see why they clutter up a desk!!? What rubbish.

Personally I like to see the desk cluttered, it shows that the presenters are working journalists rather than just reading whatever's fed them on autocues.

I like it when some presenters have thick books with them which I presume they keep notes in, can write questions for guests etc. Some presenters even carefully lay out scripts or whatever across the desk. Clutter = fast paced news. Clear = nothings happening.

Computers in a desk creating a fire hazard? What complete b*llocks!

Up until a couple of years ago, news desks were designed to have computers built into them. Even in the BBC News studio now, there may well be a laptop on the top, but there is still a printer, workstation, miles of cables, mic terminals etc etc. underneath, so the fire hazard excuse is crap!

I think he meant the fact that the desk is lit up like a Christmas tree contributes to the fire hazrd if you stick a computer in there as well.

I totally agree with you here... I have Alistair Yates with Newspapers all over the desk during the overnight broadcast.. Maybe when hes not reading the news he read the papers to see if there are any stories related to the stories and going to be reading out... then he might get ideas of what questions to ask interviewees.. I think a cluttered up desk is good as it does show newsreaders are actually doing something rather than scripts on paper and on auto cue..... I have once seen Martinne Dennis with a big thick diary with a high lighter in her hand and moments later she was conducting in interview and she kept refering to it for questions... anyway thats my word.

I'm pleased that someone understood my point.
To remind you, I did not say that generally putting computers in a desk is a fire hazard. I said the current News 24 desk must be quite hot (as it presumably contains either a large number of lights or a smaller number of high wattage lights) so putting a computer and monitor inside the desk would be a fire hazard because lights also emit thermal radiation! Also, placing a monitor inside the current News 24 desk would be an unwise idea because light (from the lights in the desk) would make reading the text on the monitor quite difficult.
I don't mind criticism, but I become really irritated when my comments are misinterpreted and then criticised.

and in relation to the desk on News 24 and computers, i think it would
1), be a type of fire hazard as the desk seems to be mostly plastic, but much stronger!
2) the desk is transparent at the bottom, so it looks more modern then a desk covered over, so having a computer in the current news desk wouldnt be a good idea, visually as a big block of black in there, no way! while on BBC world, it is ok, cos they have the front solid not transparent and so they can put all under there.