I will be comparing Desktop vs Laptops. Determining which one is best to have for the right price, size, quality, and looks. There is a big market now for laptop and not so much for desktops do to the fast growing technology we are using now. You will find the pros and cons of both desktop and laptops and can make a decision as to which will be right for your needs. First I will be comparing the desktops. Desktops have a big disadvantage when it come to mobility. There are stuck in one place and can not be moved very easily. They have a lot more wires that have to be. Everything comes separate for example: monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You need a bigger space to use a desktop. Desktops usually do not come with Wi Fi so it means you always need a modem around to be connected to the internet. Desktop are bigger so the do not travel well when needed to get fixed or it cost more for someone to come to your house to fix them. Now with the way people depend on things, there are not many desktops around. Meaning there are more choices for laptops then there are for desktops Laptops have few disadvantages to them. The do not come with a mouse and would have to buy one separate. Laptops are more delicate and can brake easily if dropped. It is harder to type on them because keyboards are usually smaller. You always have to have a power cord with you if bringing it somewhere because the power runs out on them faster. If you are not in a place that has a plug then your laptop will not work if not powered up. Laptops can be stolen more easier then desktops because the are more portable and smaller. The advantages of a desktop can be that they are better for businesses and are more durable then a laptop. You can buy more accessories for the desktop like, bigger monitors, different keyboards, and different mouses. Desktops are priced lower then laptops that have the same components or similar components. Desktops are easier to use compared to laptop bigger screens to see and better keyboards and mouses to use. The advantages of laptops are higher. They are very mobile and can be taking almost anywhere and still work. Just like a desktop they are used the same ay in terms of using them and the programs that can be done with them. There are more choices and different sizes you can have for you likeness. They come in all sizes and colors for your lifestyle. Easier to get fixed, you can bring them to someone and don’t have to pay someone to come to the house to do it. Most laptops can be used with the internet using Wi Fi and can be used at most locations. Between the comparisons I hope you can make a decision on which you would like to have over the other. Knowing some of the pros and cons should be an easier decision to make. Depending on the mobility or the performance. It is going to be a preference or needs thing to which device you would like to have. Hopefully after reading this your decision will be easier to make. In conclusion I believe laptops are good if you are always on the run and need it for home and office. If it is for a business with many employees then desktops are easier and safer. Less likely to get stolen. Desktops are easier to upgrade and easier to use in overall performance. Good luck in your search for a computer.
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Laptops and desktops have become very popular and important in everyday life today. Laptops and desktops are similar in some categories, but they are very different in many other ways. A laptop is a small mobile computer that is light in weight and sits in the lap of the user. A desktop is a stationery computer that is designed to fit conveniently into an individual work space and is typically on top of an office desk. Laptops and desktops are both basically designed for personal use. When choosing whether to purchase a laptop or a desktop a great aid in helping you decide would be to compare the similarities and differences. Laptops and desktops are similar as far as keyboards and screens, but are far different in the major categories such …show more content…
Laptops are wireless computers that are great for traveling because they are easy to occupy in small places. A laptop is extremely light in weight and can be used to fit in brief cases, back packs, and in laptop pouches. Laptops can be used on airplanes, at meetings, in a library, at school, and any place where you have space for it. Laptops are created with built in speakers, a mouse, keyboard, and a hard drive. Whereas, desktops are mainly big and bulky computers. The additional accessories a desktop requires in order for it to function correctly takes up a lot of space, which makes a desktop only convenient when using for stationery purposes. The inability to function while traveling is the leading downfall against desktops. Desktops are known to last longer than laptops and are the last to be replaced or …show more content…
For instance, the inability of a laptop to stay cool and to not overheat while on for four days, or the inability of a desktop to function without all the cables and accessories connected. Laptops are seen as extravagant devices when it comes to portability, performance, and convenience. Desktops are categorized as number one when it comes to gaming, powerful processors, and being inexpensive. A numerous amount of people today want a computer that will last years without having to be repaired or replaced, and others want a computer that will give them more convenience and make their tasks easier. Even though laptops and desktops are both very important in the world today they both have their individual way of being beneficial. When determining whether to purchase a laptop or desktop, the price range, convenience, performance, and maintenance are some differences you can look for in your decision
What is a Desktop?
A Desktop is commonly referred to as a physical computer unit, as well as a graphical user work space on a software operating system like the Windows Desktop. This article compares the Desktop computer to the Laptop computer units.
The most common components of a Desktop is the computer terminal powered by a grounded electrical source i.e. a wall socket. To be fully functional, the Desktop is connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse via Bluetooth, WiFi, or USB, HDMI, and VGA cable connections.
If the Desktop is not configured for WiFi, Bluetooth, or has the necessary ports for USB or HDMI, these would have to be installed manually, probably at an additional cost as the average user may not necessarily have the technical know-how to set this up.
The default factory specifications vary and there are enough choices out there to suit different consumer needs, starting from entry-level computers with smaller hard drives and lower processing power to high spec computers used for gaming, multimedia design, or as servers.
Having separate parts connected to make up the Desktop unit means it is not easily transported between office and home, or easily used while traveling [if at all possible], so Desktops usually reside in a permanent place.
What is a Laptop?
A Laptop [also known as a Notebook], is an all-in-one computer that uses batteries or AC power that can last for several hours. Unlike the Desktop, the Laptop computer is easily transported and can be used as long as the battery lasts.
However it is becoming very common for public places to have powering units available for phones and Laptops so they can be used almost everywhere!
Laptops come in various sizes with various specifications. Like the Desktop, the type of computer depends on the consumer needs.
A Laptop has a built-in monitor, keyboard, and typically a touchpad [or trackball]. External peripherals can also be connected using different cable connections, depending on what ports are provided by manufacturer. Essentially, the Laptop can be used as a fully functional unit without any connected devices or power.
As technology advances, the Laptop is becoming more popular with the average consumer and the preferred computer for business users, especially those who travel for work.
Similarities
- Most Desktops and Laptops are sold with pre-installed software and operating systems like Windows 7, or if it is an Apple computer, then the Mac OS.
- Both computer units come with port connections [varying between each make and model], and a built-in CD/DVD component, however this is being phased out in some of the newer Laptop models.
- Peripheral devices can be connected such as external hard drives, printers, cameras, and phones, etc.
- For both the Desktop and Laptop, key specifications to consider before purchasing is
- CPU
- Memory [RAM]
- Hard drive capacity
- Graphics card.
- These specs determine the computer’s limits so if video production is the primary task and the computer has a low end graphics card, then the computer [laptop or desktop] will not be well suited for the job.
The Main Difference Between Desktop and Laptop
The biggest and most noticeable difference is the Desktop needs basic external devices to be fully functional, whereas the Laptop has all necessary devices built-in, making it the most portable.
Mobility
- A Desktop stays in the office or home and needs the computer terminal to be connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse; whereas the Laptop has the built-in components and thus easily transported as one complete device that can be used in most environments.
Power
- The Laptop can run off AC power, batteries, or mains power, whereas the Desktop can only run off the main powers. It is not manufactured for any battery use.
- The Laptop battery has improved over time, and can last up to several hours, depending on how much processing power is being used and keeping WiFi or Bluetooth connections open, increases the battery power consumption.
Speed
- Although the Desktop and the Laptop are becoming more equal in terms of speed and performance specifications, the Desktop still remains as the more powerful choice for activities such as gaming and video production.
Buying a Gaming Laptop with similar specs to a Gaming Desktop would be at a much higher price than a Gaming Desktop.
- If the computer is needed for basic office processing, internet usage, and photo viewing, then a standard Laptop would be perfectly suitable.
Specifications
Generally, Laptops are known to have lower specs than Desktops, as there is a compromise on size and portability, vs performance and speed.
Screen size
- Desktop monitors can vary from small 15 inch screens to larger ones such as the 34 inch. Laptops have built-in screens which also have varying sizes.
- The larger the screen, the larger and heavier the Laptop, however if a small Laptop is purchased for easy mobility, it can be connected to a larger external monitor if possible.
- If connecting an exteral monitor to a Desktop computer that permanently stays in one place, then the size of the monitor would not be a restrictive factor as it is setup once and not necessarily moved so the weight is not an issue.
Storage, Memory and Data
- For storing very large amounts of data, the Desktop computer would be a better choice and if needed, additional memory can be added to improve performance, or the hard drive can be replaced. Laptops cannot be so easily expanded as the Desktop.
- Backups are recommended for all data, whether it resides on a Desktop or Laptop, however if using a Laptop is would be essential to have backups as the risk of losing data increases with mobility due to theft, loss of computer, physical damage [dropping the computer], etc.
Summary
Although Laptops are becoming more highly spec’d and configured for performance, the Desktop still has the upper hand. Besides budget, the biggest deciding factor would be Performance or Portability.
| Area | Desktop | Laptop |
| Portability | Desktops need external devices to be fully functional thus making it cumbersome to constantly move or transport a the computer. It usually resides in one place. | Laptops are highly portable as a complete all-in-one purpose device making them easily transportable. |
| Performance | Desktop processors have always led the way with larger processors making them more powerful than Laptops. | Laptop processors are catching up to the Desktop but they still have size limitations to fit with portability. |
| Ease-of-use and assembly | Desktops need to be manually setup by connecting the necessary devices while avoiding cable chaos and they require larger work areas than Laptops. | Laptops simply need to be powered and opened before being ready for use. There is little to no effort for a basic setup. |
| Cost | Entry-level Desktops are relatively affordable for most consumers. There is a large variety of peripheral devices available at additional cost but most packages are cheap enough for the average household. | Entry-level Laptops have a higher starting price than Desktops. The higher the specs, the higher the cost which can increase considerably for Laptop models. |
| Monitor and Keyboard | There are no limitations to the size and weight of external devices as the Desktop is not intended for portability. | The size of the screen and keyboard determine the size and weight of the laptop, which needs to be considered as it is intended for portability. |
| Upgrading | Components within the Desktop computer [terminal] can be removed and replaced and in most cases allows easy upgrading of storage capacity, memory, graphics controller, etc. | In Laptops, only the hard drive and memory can be replaced, but other cards and components cannot be removed. To upgrade any other aspect, would require purchasing a new Laptop. |
| Maintenance and Repairing | It is a lot simpler to fix components in a Desktop computer as it allows the removal and replacement of many parts available from most computer hardware stores. | Because of the compact design and non-removal of most components in a Laptop, it requires technical expertise to repair. |
| Gaming | Desktops are considered more powerful for Gaming as the graphics and video cards can be top end with no limitations on power consumption and more than one video card can be installed. | Laptops are limited to space so limits the size of some components. Gaming Laptops do have above average specs but they are still limited to space to keep them portable.
The power consumption on an unplugged Laptop will increase drastically with gaming activities. |
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