It’s near impossible to be a functioning, professional adult these days without owning a computer. Computers and other similar technology have become essential to our daily workings, controlling the way we communicate, work, and transfer information.
If you’re looking into getting a new computer for yourself, you may be split on the decision between a desktop computer vs laptop. You certainly wouldn’t be the first to be caught in this deli menu.
Laptops have been the more popular choice for over a decade, but there are still pros and cons to both types of computing. How do you make up your mind?
Read on, and we’ll walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The Key Differences Between a Desktop Computer vs Laptop
What’s all the fuss about in choosing between these two types of computers anyway? If you’re going to decide between a laptop and a desktop you’re going to want to know the distinctions that draw the two apart.
The major differences may be obvious to you. Laptops obviously are more engineered to be beneficial to on-the-go work. You can take a laptop with you anywhere you go. They are so light and transferrable now; you could slip into something as simple as a tote bag and be on your way.
They don’t require much in ways of external accessories, giving you the maximum amount of convenience and ease. You can take it to the coffee shop, pull it out on a plane, and even work from the road if you need to.
Desktops, on the other hand, value power over convenience. You can do a lot more on a desktop, and the computing system can handle much more expansive and complicated programming. They provide the user with a more solid and permanent set up at home, which means there is a lot of room to customize and improve things.
This is a general distinction, of course. These days, most computing technology has advanced to the point that these lines are often blurred. There are large and complex laptops out there, just as there are small and inconspicuous desktop computers.
However, in making your decision, relying on this generalization will still help you to make your final decision.
Advantages of Laptop Computing
There is a reason laptops have been outselling desktop PCs for over ten years. They provide many advantages that make sense to the modern consumer.
Ease of Transport
As we mentioned previously, one of the main advantages of having a laptop is that they are very easy to carry with you wherever you want to go. It’s no trouble to take a laptop from place to place as they are light, small, and can be easily tucked into a bag.
Portability is one of the laptop’s greatest strengths. In a world where we seem to be moving faster than ever, this is a big advantage to many. Especially as the younger generation values travel more than ever before, this kind of portability can be key.
Most laptops run off a battery, which means they don’t need a source of power to operate when you’re on the go. They just need to be charged overnight. Laptops tend to use less power than desktops overall.
User Friendly
Laptops also tend to be more user friendly than most desktop computers. In most situations, a laptop can be taken out of the box and used almost instantly. Companies like Apple go out of their way to make laptops easy to use.
Laptops are often not used for a complex of tasks, so their operating systems are set up in a way that is easier for a novice user to manage.
In most situations, a laptop will be able to do everything the average consumer needs. Most computer users aren’t looking to run complex programs, so the system a laptop provides makes sense to use.
If a person needed to get working on a system right away, a laptop certainly would be easier to get started on.
Advantages of Desktop Computing
Why might someone choose a desktop computer over a laptop? Though less common, there are many reasons why someone might choose to base their computing off this kind of system instead.
Higher Quality System
In most cases, a desktop computer will run more expansive software than what a laptop can provide. The system installed with a desktop will be able to handle much more complicated activity than a laptop would be able to.
A desktop usually has a larger processor than available in laptops released at the same time. There are many activities that one might need this higher computing power to do.
For example, someone who edits large video files and works with complicated and complex programs might need this computing power for things to function properly.
An avid gamer might also need this computing power for their game to work properly.
Better Display and Sound
A laptop can also only provide so much in terms of display and experience. A desktop, given its static position, can provide a much better user environment. Desktops typically have much larger screens, which provide a better working and viewing experience.
Most desktop users also attach external speakers to their computer, which allows for a much better sound system. If you are watching videos, listening to music, or working on audio-based work, this can be important.
Desktop computers allow for many accessories, so one would be able to add as large of a visual or audio system as they desired.
Cost of Purchase
All computers vary in price, of course. However, all things being equal, desktop computers tend to be much more affordable than laptops. This can push people who are on the fence towards getting a desktop system over a laptop.
It is possible to get a decent desktop system for a few hundred dollars, while most laptops tend to be a thousand dollars or more. This doesn’t take into account black friday laptops or special deals that may be available on the market.
However, depending on how complex of a system you look into, the price of a desktop computer could eclipse that of a laptop. It all depends on the system itself.
Ease of Repair
Desktops are easier to open up and get inside of. If there is something wrong with your desktop computer, it is generally easier to get fixed than a similar problem with a laptop.
Laptop designs frequently make it near-impossible for users to get inside and take a look at the machinery. Special tools may be required.
The ease of repairing a desktop computer means that users can attempt some DIY methods of repair. Sometimes, fixing an issue is as simple as purchasing a new piece online and switching it out with the faulty piece.
This ease can help save time and money for the individual suffering a problem. Most laptop users have to pay and wait to have their laptop sent off to a repair shop.
Desktop computers are also less likely to be damaged or lost due to their stationary position in the home. The portability of laptops leaves them open to a greater amount of risk.
They can easily be dropped, hit, or scuffed while out in the real world. They can also be left out and stolen, given their small size and light weight.
Deciding Between Desktops and Laptops
With these advantages in mind, which sort of computer might be best? As you can probably determine, it all depends on your needs.
A person that does not do any sort of complicated work on their computer could probably be very happy with a laptop. The portability would allow them to do their simpler work wherever they needed.
However, a person who is looking to get a computer to use as their serious workstation might want to consider a desktop. The higher computing power of a desktop would make it easier for this individual to get the work done.
Having a stationary and established workplace would also allow them to add accessories and create a perfect environment for this kind of work.
Picking the Best Computer For You
It can be difficult to choose between a desktop computer vs laptop. There are many advantages to each kind of computing, as we’ve outlined above. On one hand, you have portability and convenience; on the other, you have durability and a higher threshold of power.
At the end of the day, you’ll need to make a decision based on your own needs and goals.
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