10 years ago, the choice between a laptop and a desktop was easy. If you needed portability, practicality and only a small upgrade capacity, choose a laptop. However, if you were looking for more power, value for money and greater flexibility, go for a desktop. Today however, the choice isn’t so clear.
With both laptop and desktop options constantly evolving and updating, it can get a little overwhelming when trying to choose the best fit for you. Laptop sales may have eclipsed desktop sales for more than a decade now, but there are still advantages to picking a traditional desktop machine.
To make your decision a little easier, we’ve put together a guide to some of the pros and cons of both laptops and desktops.
Laptop vs Desktop: Pros and Cons of Laptops
Laptops are portable and much smaller than desktops, however, there are many reasons to weigh up before you make your decision:
Power
Laptops are smaller than desktops, this means they use less power and therefore less electricity. Laptops also run on batteries, so if you had a power cut, you could continue working and not lose any of your work.
Portability
If you need a device whilst you’re on the go, a laptop is the clear choice. They are portable which means you don’t need to be fixed to one location to get your work done. However, if you only ever work from one place, there isn’t much point in getting a laptop. Their portability can also lead to them becoming damaged more easily or stolen.
Difficult to upgrade
Laptops have a much smaller scope for upgrades than desktops. You can update the RAM and the hard drive to an extent, but usually that’s pretty much all you can do. Because laptops are more compact, they simply do not have the capacity to accommodate extra components. If you aren’t looking to regularly update your device, a laptop will be fine. You could even opt for a higher spec model on first purchase to future proof yourself and therefore get more use out of it.
Rigid peripherals
One of the main cons of purchasing a laptop is the fact that you are limited to the same single screen, keyboard, speaker, trackpad and ports for the duration of use. Laptop keyboards and screens are much smaller than desktops and usually don’t feature a number pad. However, you can invest in docking stations or ports that enable your laptop to link with larger monitors, external keyboards and mice. This will improve usability and flexibility; however, you are essentially turning it into a desktop computer.
Integrated Graphics
If you are intending to use your laptop for gaming or large apps, unfortunately, many models do not have a dedicated graphics card. A graphics card is a detached graphics subsystem in a computer which is either a separate GPU or a standalone graphics card, linked to your machine’s motherboard.
Laptop vs Desktop: Pros and Cons of Desktops
We’ve had a closer look at some of the pros and cons of laptops, so now let’s delve into some of the reasons for and against desktops.
Cheaper
Desktops are usually much cheaper than laptops, you can purchase a high spec desktop much cheaper than an average laptop. If you need a powerful device, laptops with high speed, quality graphics and lots of storage space will set you back.
Helpful reviews may be difficult to find
Before you buy any kind of new tech, it’s always nice to read reviews from a range of different people, so you can get a better understanding of its performance and quality. However, due to laptops being the more popular choice of late, you may find it difficult to find reviews about the kit you are interested in. This is particularly common when you are looking at desktops which are built to order by smaller IT companies. If you aren’t particularly tech savvy, a lack of reviews may put you off.
The buying process can be tricky
Buying a desktop is becoming increasingly more bespoke, which means that buying certain types of desktop, especially those built by smaller organisations, can be confusing. If you aren’t particularly technical, it can be difficult to understand which parts will fit together and what will best for your needs. The process can take more time, something which you wouldn’t have when purchasing a laptop.
You can choose your own spec
Do you need complete control over the individual elements that make up your computer? A desktop is probably the best option for you. With desktops, you can choose which hardware you have, and an IT specialist will put it together for you.
When buying a bespoke desktop, you can choose from a selection of:
- RAM (type, quantity)
- Processor/CPU (speed, manufacturer)
- Hard drive (type, capacity)
- Graphics card (size, suitability for a particular application)
- Peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
- Case (size, orientation, design)
- Monitors (quantity, size, resolution etc.)
- USB ports (type, quantity)
Power
Desktops are larger than laptops and therefore use much more power and electricity. However, with larger processors, more RAM and enhanced cooling systems, desktops are more powerful and have more potential.
The look
It’s true that laptops are more compact, sleeker and portable, however not all desktop machines are bulky and ugly. Since the launch of the iMac in 1998, desktops have undergone a transformation into more attractive, ergonomic devices, many of which have wireless components and sleek designs.
Which is best for me?
In the end, only you know which option is best to suit your individual needs. Both desktops and laptops have a range of pros and cons, with the decision based on:
- How you plan to use your device
- Where you will be using it
- Your level of technical knowledge
- Budget
- Future goals or plans
If you are interested in learning more or need help choosing the right fit for you, get in touch with our team today.
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