So you’ve found yourself in the market for a new system but you’re unsure whether to buy a laptop or desktop? Thankfully we here at SmartHotBuys have all the info you need to make an informed decision. Let’s get a break down of the differences that matter between laptops and computers.
Laptops
Laptops are a great invention. They offer unrivaled portability, fantastic versatility and a great compact space-saving design. Laptops are able to be carried virtually anywhere. They are particularly handy for college students and business people. However, even the most novice computer user can take advantage of its ability to play movies, music, games, write documents, answer email and surf the web anywhere they’d like. Nowadays these machines are nearly comparable to the bulky personal desktop. However, there are some disadvantages.
Unlike its predecessor, laptops are easily stolen. Many are now smaller than a notebook and easy to hide in backpacks, under jackets and even in purses. There are locks that prevent others from stealing your property but if a thief really wants what you have, he or she will find a way to take it. It also doesn’t totally stop them from destroying it in the even that they can’t find a way to take it. This actually brings up another disadvantage to laptops: damage.
Laptops are notorious for being difficult to repair at a reasonable cost. This is because every day people aren’t able to repair them the way they could a desktop computer. Unlike a PC, laptops have screens that are part of the package. You can’t just go out and buy a new monitor to hook up to the rest of it. Many of the parts are also irreplaceable once burnt out. This means that in most cases you must go to a specialist in computer repair which can cost a lot of money. Most of these people charge upwards of $50/hour. When you take into consideration the amount of time to diagnose the problem, locate the proper parts and then the actual repair, you could be looking at several hundred dollars easily. Considering that many desktop systems these days cost as little as $400-$500, it seems almost worth it to just buy a new system.
Laptops also tend to generate a lot of heat. They lack the powerful cooling systems of a desktop system and therefore cannot cool themselves off as efficiently. This results in the system overheating and many components inside burning out.
If you are a person who is very easy on computers and doesn’t use it 24/7, laptops are a great way to go. I have one that I use on a primary basis but more often then not it’s for watching movies and surfing the web. Beyond that I don’t play a lot of games on it, I don’t store a lot of information on it (external hard drives are must-have these days!), it stays mostly at home and I’m very gentle with it. If that sounds like you I would definitely consider a laptop. I don’t know what I would do without mine!
Desktops
Desktop computers are very powerful machines typically capable of holding a vast amount of information, being easily customizable, upgradeable, reliable and easily repaired. Basically it makes up for everything a laptop isn’t.
The biggest advantage in a desktop is the ability to continually improve it. Every component in it is replaceable by anyone who knows where the parts go. There really is no need to bring it to a computer repair specialist. If you can read a manual, you can upgrade any part in it. The motherboard, memory sticks, hard drive, cd drive, video card, sound card, modem, power supply (which eliminates the need for a battery and therefore forgoes the problem of battery life), cooling fans and even the case itself are all able to be replaced if they burn out. This is a fantastic advantage for gamers, especially. With the ever changing computer specs that games require it is easy to make your machine do what you need it to do in order to conform with the game you’d like to play.
As previously mentioned, there is no comparison on price. A new computer system typically nets about $400 whereas a decent laptop is usually around the $700-$1200 mark depending on what your needs are.
Also upgradeable is the separate monitor. The monitor attaches to the case via a wire that is easily removed. This means if you break the screen, you go buy a new one. There is no need to panic or overpay for someone to fix it for you.
They also tend to be faster and more ergonomic than laptops. There are a wide variety of keyboards and mice that can be purchased to conform to the shape of your hand.
However, desktops also come with their downside. They are stationary, for one. They are bulky, heavy and awkward to move. No one in their right mind would lug one around from place to place.
They are also hardwired. Whereas laptops run on battery life, have wireless internet capabilities, a monitor attached to the keyboard with a keypad and speakers built in, desktops need wires plugged into the case at all times to have those work. This is one of the biggest downfall of the modern PC.
Last but not least, PC’s hold no resale value. When you decide your done with yours after a couple of years, your best bet is to find a place to dispose of it. While laptops generally hold some value, desktops do not. No one wants a used desktop when they can be found cheap enough in the store.
I also own a desktop that I use for things like gaming and anything else that requires a lot of space, memory and a heavy duty processor. Like I said, everyone has their preference and most are built around what the system is needed for. There is not one system type that is better than another – just different. My biggest advice would always be to Research! Research! Research! BEFORE buying. Those who know what they’re looking for tend to have fewer buyers regrets than those who buy blindly.
-Brought to you by the folks at SmartHotBuys.com