Laptops Vs. Desktops: Which Computer is Best for College Students

Maybe you're getting ready to go to college, or maybe you're already in college. One way or the other, you're probably going to want a computer of some sort. Computers are almost necessary for college students. If you're looking to buy a new one, or decide which one to bring with you, you're probably wondering which is better for college students, a laptop or a desktop.

Desktops are computers that, as their name suggests, have to sit on a desk. The monitor, keyboard, mouse, and computer proper are all separate and connected by wires. The monitor and computer will have to be plugged into the wall for power.

Laptops, on the other hand, are made to be portable. The monitor, keyboard, mouse, and computer proper are all built into one small case. It doesn't have to be plugged into an outlet at all times since they always have batteries.

The first thing on most college students' minds is cost. Laptops will always cost more than desktops of similar performance. First of all, laptop components have to be smaller, use less power, and produce less heat. That all costs money. Plus, that battery adds to the cost. Desktops will be cheaper than laptops that have the same performance. Which brings me to my next point.

Another thing that college students will have to think about when purchasing a computer is performance. You probably don't need that much performance actually. Even the cheapest computers you can buy today will be more than adequate for basic web surfing, e-mail, word processing, watching videos, listening to music, and most other basic things you'd want to do with it. About the only thing you'd need extra performance for is more than casual gaming or if you're going into a field that requires more oomph from your computer, like graphics design or something similar.

Another thing college students should consider is how much space your computer will take up, especially if you're living in the dorms. You probably won't have much available space. In this case, a laptop is the clear winner. Not only are laptops usually smaller, but they're easily portable. Some people say that a desktop really won't take up much more space than a laptop would, but that's simply not true. With a laptop, you won't have to deal with all the wiring and whatnot. A laptop only takes up one outlet, something scarce in dorm rooms, compared with a desktop's two. Also, a laptop can be put away when you need the desk space for something else. A laptop takes up much less space when space is tight than a desktop.

Portability is something else that must be considered when choosing a computer. Frankly, a desktop isn't portable at all. If you want to take a computer to class or anywhere really, a laptop is the only choice. Admittedly, you probably won't need a laptop for class. Few people actually bring their laptops to class. Even if you're planning to do it now, you probably won't, so that shouldn't be your sole motivation. But it is handy to take your laptop to the library, or to someone else's room when you're studying or working. Sometimes you need to get out of your room to work or study and it's here that a laptop really shines.

A last thing I have to mention is comfort. Desktops tend to be a bit more comfortable to use than laptops. You can move around the keyboard and monitor to a position that works best for you whereas in a laptop the positions are pretty much fixed relative to one another. If you'll be on the computer a lot and are dead-set on a laptop, you can pick up a docking station plus another keyboard and mouse. This should be just as comfortable as a desktop. Another monitor may also be useful if the one on your laptop is too small.

In my honest opinion, I think a laptop is the best choice for most college students, if only for the portability. But if you need the extra performance for gaming, work, or study, and can't afford a laptop that performs as much as you need, you should definitely go for a desktop. You will be sacrificing a little space and convenience, but if you need it you'll have to deal with it. Otherwise, you'll probably want a laptop.