Desktop or Laptop

After we show you the differences between them, your choice should be clear

History

Computers have evolved over the years and while they have increased in power, they have shrunk in size. The EDVAC computer that John Von Neumann developed to hasten the end of World War II took up a full room and held a tiny fraction of the memory of current computers.

Laptops today approach the desktop computers in power and speed but since they are designed to be lightweight, portable, reasonably sized and thrifty in power consumption, compromises need to be made. If you need to take your computing power and data from place to place, laptop computers do the trick.

Laptop Issues

Since they need to be light and are intended to be moved, they tend to be somewhat fragile and extra care is necessary to avoid a damaging drop.

Their lower power CPUs are not as powerful, in general, as the desktop counterparts.

Miniaturization leads to lower capacity disk storage, lower memory capacity, shrunken screen real estate and cramped and unusual keyboard layouts and inventive but inconvenient mouse substitute schemes. Less internal room makes them harder to upgrade.

Providing full computer system functionality in a small package requires using higher priced components since they have to deliver close to full capability in a smaller footprint and these components require more manufacturing resources. Overall laptops tend to be more expensive for the same functionality than their desktop counterparts.

Summary

In short, if you need to bring your computer with you from place to place or have a high need to conserve space then you should consider a laptop. Otherwise, for optimum power, utility, and financial savings get a desktop.

This being said, you should know that if you are going to keep a laptop at a certain site for a sustained period, docking stations are available that allow the desktop to connect to a full fledged monitor, keyboard and mouse as well as other peripherals.