Guide to Laptops Vs Desktops: How to Make your Choice

When purchasing a computer in this day and age you are often faced with a plethora of options to consider. The first one that should be made (and the most important of the options) is whether you want a desktop system or a laptop system. Both systems offer a varied number of tradeoffs and advantages.

The first option to consider is the desktop. A desktop is normally much cheaper than a laptop, and therefore more processing power can be purchased at the same price. Another advantage of a desktop is the ability that users have to "swap" parts in and out in order to repair broken parts or upgrade to new components.

Desktop computer systems offer an extreme amount of flexibility in order to match user needs. If you want a new hardware ability, it is as simple as installing the correct computer component to perform that need. If you want a faster processor, all you have to do is take the old one out, and replace it with the new one.

The second option to consider is the laptop computing system. A laptop is a portable device that usually has less processing power than a desktop system. Laptops also have the downside of not being able to swap out parts or service the device yourself. Both of these factoids equal out to much higher total costs of owning a laptop. These total costs also equal a smaller rate of hardware problems with laptops.

All of the components are soldered directly to the laptops motherboard. This prevents something called "chip creep", which is a phenomenon that causes components to slip out of their connections by the constant heating and cooling (through use) of computer components. All of these factors combined have led laptop owners to be the key consumers of extended warranties (most of the time only a manufacturer can repair a laptop). Modern, experimental laptops have attempted to create a fully upgradeable laptop; this option is however still in development.

With all of that being said, the determining factor is probably what the use will be for the computer. Many business users tend towards laptop computers because of their mobility. These users are then able to complete their work while traveling, or bring their laptop to a presentation. Desktop systems tend to be the favorite amongst the "gaming" crowd as well as the novice computer user. Desktop systems allow for the "gamers" to operate at speeds much faster than a laptop in the same price range would be able to operate, and novice users because of the relative affordability of a desktop system.