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ThePCSupersite.com Featured Article
Should I Buy a Laptop Or a Desktop Computer?
By Brian
Leanza
Introduction
Choosing what kind of computer to buy can be an
difficult task. This article aims to help to decide
between laptop or desktop. We take a few main aspects
into consideration to come to a decision: Mobility,
Storage, Graphics and Gaming, Upgrading, Price.
Let us look at these aspects in more detail:
Mobility
No doubt: a laptop computer is far more portable than a
desktop computer. Depending on where you plan to use
your computer this aspect almost rules out every other
aspect. That is, if you want to take your computer with
you (to school, to work) or even if you only want to
change your workspace at home every now and then (it IS
nice to sit on the balcony outside or in the lawn with
your computer), a laptop is an absolute no-brainer.
If, on the other hand, you are absolutely happy with
your computer sitting at the same spot all the time you
definitely should consider buying a desktop computer.
Storage
Apart from Graphics Cards laptops and desktops don't
differ all that much in terms of hardware used any more
these days. One thing in which they still differ,
however, is the amount of space available on the
computer's hard disk. It is not unusual for desktop
computers having 1 Terabyte (100 gigabytes) hard disks
these days. This means a LOT of room for music, images
and videos.
If you are into video editing, shoot a lot of photos and
collect a lot of music, a laptop might lead you into a
dead-end pretty soon.
Mind, however, you can always expand your storage by
adding external hard disks. This comes with a downside
though: if you want to carry all of your music, video
and photo collection with you, you are going to have to
carry the external hard drive(s) as well.
Graphics and Gaming
A good graphics card matters only if you are into gaming
and / or 3d animation. For gaming it also matters more
the newer the game you want to play is. Newest
generation computer games need almost ridiculously
powerful hardware.
Graphic cards is one area where desktops definitely beat
laptops any day. So, if you are serious about gaming or
3d animation you should definitely consider buying a
desktop computer. Also, upgrading your graphics card
will be pretty easy with a desktop computer, while most
laptops make it simply impossible.
Upgrading
Upgrading your hardware can help you coping with
hardware requirements of new software (games in
particular). With a desktop hardware upgrading is (most
of the time) a very simple thing to do. Laptops on the
other hand very often prevent hardware upgrades.
So, if you want to stay at the technological forefront,
want to make sure you can run all the latest software
(games) without having to buy a complete new system, a
desktop computer is definitely the way to go.
Price
Laptop computers are generally more expensive than
desktop computers. That is, for the same hardware used
(CPU, hard disk, RAM, Graphics Card) you will pay more
if you buy a Laptop. However, always take into
consideration that a laptop already brings a few
peripherals: keyboard, mouse (trackpad), and most
importantly a monitor. Keep this in mind and take this
into account when comparing prices.
Summary
Mobility should really be the deciding factor here. If
you want to be mobile, like to take the computer with
you on travels or move your workplace every now and
then, definitely go for a laptop.
If mobility is not that important you should ask
yourself how important gaming and 3d animation is to
you. If those are of big concern go for a desktop
computer.
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