For much of the century there’s been an ongoing debate about whether it was a smart decision to buy a desktop or laptop computer. There have been passionate advocates on both sides of the debate.
The Case For Desktops
For those who opt for desktops, they love the stability, and strength that these computers offer. Desktop Or Laptop have the space to include all of the latest Hardware and an ample amount a cooling no matter how robust the system.
Desktops also have a reputation for lasting longer. They are highly upgradeable. Computer repairs on a desktop is much simpler than a laptop. The parts are readily accessible for a computer technician and swapping out those parts is extremely easy. So if you need computer support, a desktop is a better choice than a laptop.
Desktop Downsides
Of course the downside of a desktop is that it is a large, stationary, and if there’s a need for repair, it can be cumbersome to transport to the computer repair shop. However whether it is a hard drive repair or the repair of some other vital component, the desktop will be less expensive and parts will be more readily available than with the laptop.
The Case for Laptops
Laptop computers have become more powerful, better made, and lighter. Laptops have a great edge over desktop computers because they are portable. This level of portability fits into the average workers lifestyle and maybe an indispensable feature when purchasing a computer.
Laptop Downsides
No matter how powerful the laptop, there will always be compromises when you purchase one. For instance the higher the clock speed of a computer’s Central processing unit, the more heat it will generate.
What do you need laptop screen repair, laptop keyboard repair or some other laptop fix, the cost might make you want to reconsider your decision and buying one. There’s also the potential for parts taking a long time. Many repair shops will have to send out for parts for your laptop causing you headaches and potentially lost work.
When considering the purchase of a new computer, many people wonder: should I buy a desktop or a laptop? I buy over a hundred computers a year for my clients and they often ask me the same question. In this article, I will share with you the same advice that I give to my clients.
Cost considerations
Laptops are generally more expensive than desktop computers. A similarly equipped laptop will cost at least 25% more up front, but the lifespan of an average laptop is generally shorter than that of an average desktop. Admit it: Laptops are fragile, and the inevitable bumps and bruises eventually take their toll. Ultimately, laptop portability comes at a high price.
Some people create a “home space” for their laptops, including accessories and peripherals such as an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanner, and/or printer. If you can afford it, this setting gives you the best of both worlds.
Speed
Laptops, in general, are slower than desktop computers. Many factors go into the speed of a computer, and obviously some laptops are faster than some desktops. However, in general:
Laptops are designed to run on battery power. Its components begin to die after short periods of inactivity and it takes time for them to come back to life.
All high-end laptop hard drives spin at 5400 RPM, while entry-level desktop hard drives spin at 7200 RPM. More RPMS means more speed, but it also requires more power.
Laptop processors consume much less power…so they can’t perform as many operations in the same amount of time as a desktop processor.
Do you need portability?
If you don’t need portability, get a desktop. I have clients who have paid a lot of money for a separate laptop, docking station, keyboard, mouse, and monitor…just to have them on their desk. Maybe portability means to you that you like to sit on the couch at night and surf the web, that’s fine. (I do it myself!) But if your computer won’t budge, save money and buy a faster computer: buy a desktop.
Ergonomics
Due to the very nature of laptops, they generally don’t offer as good ergonomics as desktop computers. If you spend a lot of time at your computer and are considering buying a laptop, you may need to create an ergonomically good space to work. There are plenty of resources on the web to help you do this, just Google Ergonomics.
Flight
Another consideration is the possibility of theft. Laptops are high on the list of petty thieves, and you need to carefully protect them when you’re on the go. There are stolen recovery systems like Lojack available to help you get your computer back in the event of a theft, for a fee.
Now, you have so many different options in desktops and laptops that sometimes it’s really a difficult decision. Laptop prices have also come down in recent years from what they used to be. You can now buy a laptop cheaper than some desktop models. The storage space of the hard drive is larger and, in fact, as high as that of desktop computers. The picture rivals the monitors you can buy with a desktop computer. Also, the weight is much less, sometimes as little as three pounds. So really, the past reasons for not having a laptop are gone.
Desktop computers have also come a long way over the years, you have a choice of CRT and LCD monitors, with one giving you a sharper image while the other gives you more color. Hard drive storage is sometimes huge, again depending on how much you want to spend. They now have CD-burning drives in every computer sold, and some have DVD-burning drives as well. You can get a very decent computer for around $400 to $500 now and have a fast machine with good storage capacity.
Of course, you also have flash drives and external hard drives where you can store your information, and many of them are not very expensive. Therefore, storage is not as important as before.
Conclusions
In the end, your decision about whether you choose a desktop or laptop should be made based on your needs and lifestyle. If you are able to do the vast majority of your work in one location and you need a powerful and stable computer, a desktop still might be your best option. However if you are constantly on the go, and need to be able to set your computer up anywhere and get to work, a laptop is by far the right way to go.
Another issue was that the picture on a desktop monitor was very good, not always sharp, but much better than what you’d get on an older laptop. Also, a few years ago laptops weighed more than today. Making them easier to transport, but still bulky.
