Desktop computer or laptop

Computers have become a vital part of our lives and take up a permanent space in our every day. With the rise of the internet, almost every house has at least one computer, and it’s what we use to do work, buy things, find train tickets or watch our favourite series.

We’re unlikely to be telling you anything new here, but this increased importance over the years means that a vital question comes up every time we want to upgrade our computer: choosing between a laptop and a desktop. Bearing in mind that this conundrum is very common, we want to help you make a choice and clear up any doubts.

First thing’s first, what do you want to use it for?

It might seem obvious, but it’s the first thing you should ask yourself, because your choice will change drastically according to what you want to use it for. If you’re looking for something for the home that can get you onto the internet and will help you with the occasional task, a desktop is what you’re looking for. However, if you’re looking for a computer to carry around with you, you without doubt need to buy a laptop, which will give you much more portability.

If you’re decision will be based on portability, then a laptop is your answer. These laptops have also improved over time, their batteries are lasting longer and longer.

Power

In this regard, the more powerful and versatile computers are the desktops. We can’t deny that over recent years we’ve seen a drastic improvement in the performance and power of laptops, but they are still no match.

Although we often skip over this detail, it’s essential that you take ventilation into account as it’s one of the main factors that could affect the performance of your future computer. For desktops, it’s very straightforward as you can install an effective ventilation system which will make the most of your computer.

Pay careful attention to connectivity

Laptops win this contest as they usually have a better reach than office computers or desktops. As well as that, it might not be your first thought, but laptops come with a Bluetooth connection, which is another function that add to their favour. All of this means you can connect to the internet conveniently without needing to use cables, something which very few desktop computers can do.

Versatility

If we focus on versatility, then desktop computers win again, by all having similar parts inside. This gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to modifying, expanding or changing parts of your machine, and it can be done easily and conveniently too. That means that parts from your desktop can be used in another computer.

When it comes to laptops, they have a much more complex and specialised make up, with many individual components. And to make it more difficult, most manufacturers make their own parts that fit only their machines.

Think about lifespan

We’ve got to give this one to desktops as well, which are also much easier and cheaper to maintain. As we’ve said before, they are much better at coping with high temperatures and so wear and tear happens more slowly.

What about price?

As with many other purchases, the price is one of the most thought about aspects when it comes to buying one computer or another. Generally, desktops have always been quite a bit more affordable than laptops, and the price difference has been increasing in recent years.

If you compare the price of one to another, the desktop will always win, but you need remember that sooner or later you’re going to want to add accessories: keyboard, monitor, speakers, mouse etc. So the final price ends up being similar.

Taking all of this into account, it comes down to you deciding which points are most important to you, it’s your decision!