How To Choose Between A Laptop And A Desktop

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Owning at least one computer is becoming more and more important these days. Many businesses offer their employees the option of working from home, and many schools and universities require work to be done at least in part on a computer. Additionally, there are plenty of games and other forms of entertainment that a computer is perfect for.

In case you haven't been down to the computer store lately, then you might not be aware that there have been more and more technological advances recently, and deciding which kind of computer to buy can be a confusing choice. If you'd like to buy a computer, but haven't quite decided if you want a laptop or a desktop, then this article is for you. After reading this, you'll have a much easier decision.

The main advantages of getting a desktop is that you can get a much more powerful machine. You aren't limited to space, nor do you require a battery. Hard drives are generally larger, and there are more slots for memory, so you can upgrade a desktop machine quite a bit. Also with desktops, you can get a much larger screen, since you don't have to worry about stuffing it into your purse or briefcase.

One of the biggest drawbacks to a desktop is that it sits right there on your desk, and nowhere else. It's pretty tough to take it with you, as you have all kinds of cords and cables connecting everything together. If you ever need to do some work away from home, at a hotel for example, then you won't be able to use your desktop.

The main benefit of having a laptop, of course, is that you can take it anywhere. Most places these days have some kind of wireless Internet, either free or paid, that you can use to connect with. And if you can't find a place to plug your machine in, then the battery should last several hours, depending on what you are using your computer for.

Some drawbacks to having a laptop is limitations on size, both on the keyboard, mouse and screen. Some of the biggest laptops have screen of seventeen inches, and this might not be large enough if you need to have several windows open at once. Also, upgrading your laptop by adding memory or an additional hard drive might be a little difficult, and require professional assistance.

So depending on where and when you'll need to use your computer, you can choose which one is appropriate. If you only imagine yourself doing work at home, then a desktop is the best choice. If you need to do work in several different locations, then a laptop is the way to go. Of course, if you can afford it, getting both is always an option.