Desktops vs Laptops

When buying your next computer, you'll be faced with a lot of things to consider...How much RAM you'll need, how fast your processor will need to be and importantly, whether you should buy a desktop or a laptop!

When choosing between buying a desktop or a laptop, your decision should be based on how you will use your computer. If you plan on doing most of your work from home or you like to play a lot of games, a desktop will probably suit you well. On the other hand, if you travel often and use your computer sparingly, a laptop may prove to be a better choice.

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Obviously, laptops are known for their portability. They're small, versatile, and go anywhere you can. (Though you should know, when they aren't plugged in and running off their battery, you can usually only continue working for about two hours). Now, that's fine for short periods of time but if you plan on cranking out a paper for work or school, you will probably have to find a power outlet before long. Another boon to laptops are their wireless Internet connectivity. With the current and growing abundance of wiFi connections being offered in public places, (like most McDonalds, Starbucks, and libraries), it's easier than ever to get online for free with your laptop.

Sheer, Unadulterated, Computing Power!

So if you're now thinking that a laptop sounds great, and wondering why anyone would get a desktop, here's why...Power and price. If you are looking to do heavy gaming or lots of multimedia work, you will probably want to buy a desktop. Both of these tasks require a lot of processing power, lots of memory, and good video cards which are hard to find in laptops. But perhaps the best feature of desktops is their upgradeability. Even if you don't build your desktop from scratch and buy it from a retailer, you can still add parts later to keep your system on the cutting edge.

So now that you know the differences between laptops and desktops, how do you pick which is right for you? Well, while the decision between buying a desktop or a laptop usually comes down to price, power and how you'll use your computer, there are some absolutes which can make your decision much easier.

Absolute # 1: Mobility. If you absolutely need your computer to move with you, you need a laptop.

Absolute # 2: Bang for the Buck. If you need a ton of power and you don't want to spend more than $1000, you need a desktop.

And what if you don't fall into either of those categories? Maybe you should think about how long you'll need computer to last. One of the great things about desktops is how easily they are upgraded. This feature can not be understated. Along with the ability to keep your computer rolling with the demands of the latest programs and applications, your computer's life will also be prolonged! (Or would you rather keep buying a new computer every other year?) It should be pointed out that while laptops CAN be upgraded, it's usually a more difficult and expensive process than their desktop counterparts. Furthermore, there's only so much you can cram into a laptop. With a desktop's roomy case, you have a lot more area to work with.

And there you have it. If you travel a lot and like a computer handy, a laptop is the way to go. If you need a lot of power and want a computer that can grow with technology and your needs, a desktop is probably more your style. Then again, you could always have them both...

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