Are you looking to get a computer upgrade? Well, you’re in the place. First, it’s best that you decide if you want a laptop vs desktop.
In essence, the reason you want to do that first is to avoid any long-winded refunds, regrets, and unexpected surprises. So before you start looking for computer parts or searching through laptop manufacturers, figure out which is best for you.
And we know that it can be hard to decide, that’s why we wrote this article. Today you will learn the differences between the two, and find enough information to help you choose.
So whenever you’re ready to start your venture into the land of new technology, keep reading.
Desktop PC Argument
If you want a versatile computer, a desktop PC might be the option for you. Desktops can run games at the highest settings and store lots of files. Desktops can also be upgraded whenever you want.
You can more RAM, storage, and better GPUs to improve computing powers. Desktop PCs don’t have a battery, so you can use them 24/7 without having to recharge.
However, you cannot easily transport a desktop, and setting it up at school would be a nightmare. Desktop PCs are great for homes and offices. A desktop can be used throughout the day for whatever purposes you like.
There are also all-in-one desktops, which are styling and fit all of the parts inside of the screen. This means you improve the portability of your setup, as you don’t need to connect many wires and bring many components.
However, these are more expensive and not as easily upgraded.
Laptop Argument
Laptops are also great, and many of them are very powerful nowadays. If you need a computer outside of your home, a laptop is great for that. While laptops are delicate, you can find rugged laptops that will take falls and not break.
Laptops are best for light work, such as streaming videos, reading, word processing, social media, and work. If you want to have the freedom of roaming with a computer, a full charge laptop should last an entire day, given that it is optimized and has a large battery.
The other benefit of buying a laptop is power usage. Laptops have smaller parts that require less energy to work properly. This is a great advantage, especially if you are energy and environmentally conscious.
The best part about laptops with batteries is that you can use them anywhere. This is great for people who like to work at coffee shops, parks, and other pleasant locations.
It can get quite boring to work from home. With a nice laptop, you can use it for over 10 hours when fully charged. In addition to convenience, decreased power usage is relevant to financial savings. Your power bills will not be as high as with a constant draw desktop PC.
The Differences: Laptop vs Desktop
A desktop PC is stationary for the most part and it’s intended use is in a home or office. It usually consists of many components, such as a monitor, tower, mouse, or keyboard.
PCs are more customizable as well. You can put the best parts together for each aspect of your PC and you can build it yourself, whereas the choices for a laptop are limited.
A laptop is an all-in-one portable device that has outputs on the sides for peripherals. Laptops have a built-in keyboard, screen, and trackpad and they come in different shapes and sizes.
Laptops are usually limited by size, but most modern batteries are capable of delivering lots of energy without needing to charge up.
The Consideration
If the laptop vs desktop has the same specifications, usually the laptop will always cost more. Top-tier laptops usually cost a pretty penny and they are still limited in comparison to desktops.
High-end laptops are still great for most people because they can be used for pretty much everything, given that you choose the right parts. A top-tier desktop can be used for so much more though. Not to mention, it has a lower up-front cost.
Eventually, upgrading the PC can be expensive and time-consuming, but out-of-pocket costs, in the beginning, can be kept minimal, allowing a great experience for all budgets.
If your current desktop is over 3 years old, it might be more work to find parts for the upgrade. However, the key things to upgrade will always be CPU, memory, GPU, and SSD/HDD. If you upgrade the processor, you also need to upgrade everything else so they can keep up.
If you’re buying a computer so you can have a mouse, keyboard and large screen, that’s not a valid reason. Modern laptops are more than capable of doing the same, and they can be used constantly just like a PC. You simply connect the wires, display the screen, and put it aside while having it run on the charging cable.
Many people do exactly that, especially Macbook users. They have a peripheral setup at their desk, and they connect their Macbook for whatever purposes. And then they get a call for a meeting at the nearby coffee shop, they unplug and take their laptop without losing any work.
Can a desktop PC do that? Probably not.
Customization
Another thing to consider is the ability to customize your device, not only in terms of parts but also in terms of aesthetics. When you buy a laptop, there’s not much that can be done with it visually. You can add some stickers, place a keyboard pad and some other things.
But with a desktop, you can change each and every part, color-coordinate them all, and have an open-glass panel so that you can see it all why you play. You can add RGB lights to create an atmosphere or match your room’s environment.
Not to mention, if you were to change the parts on a laptop, you would most likely be voiding the warranty. But when using a desktop, you can change the parts as much as you want, because the warranties apply to each part and not the entire device.
However, this does not apply to pre-built PCs, which most often have a global warranty, just like a laptop. Check out some laptops at low prices to find out if they fit your budget.
Pre-Built Desktop PCs
To get around the trouble of upgrading and expensive old computers, buy a pre-built desktop PC. High-end pre-built PCs come at a greater cost than the individual parts, but they do come with great warranties.
Pre-made PCs also come with software installed and they often come with all kinds of goodies, so you simply plug it and start to use it.
With that being said, putting a PC together is quite simple, and there are so many guides on how you can do it.
If you are still unsure if you can put it together on your own, you can hire someone else to do it. You might still have money left over to buy peripherals and other gadgets.
Software
Laptops will come with pre-installed operating systems, and almost always they will have Windows 10 unless it’s a Mac. Some desktops and laptops also come with anti-virus software, games, and office applications installed.
In the end, buying a computer isn’t hard as long as you understand your own needs. If you need to use a computer outside of your home often, a laptop is all you need.
If you are studying at home and want to play the best games, a desktop PC is your option. Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages, but either will work for general purposes with some limitations.
Hardware
If you need to execute serious applications and need lots of processing power, a laptop will most likely not do the job. If you’re running serious video editing software, dedicated audio software, photo editing apps, and any other intensive use application, you will need a desktop PC.
Nonetheless, expensive laptops are still capable of most of these things, however, they don’t have the longevity of a PC. They are more prone to breakage, burnouts, a component malfunction, spillage, and much more.
If you want longevity, buy a PC. If you want portability, buy a laptop. If your budget is not limited, get both. Or simply get a new laptop every 2-4 years. In the end, it’s your choice and it’s up to you to decide what you want to get out of your computer.
Your Choice, Your Computer
Now that you know what to expect from a laptop vs desktop, you are well on your way to decide which of the two is right for you. There’s no rush, so take your time. Research your needs and the components required for them, compare the prices, and learn as much as you can about the benefits.
Without doing your due diligence when looking for a computer, you’re going to be left with something under-par and that’s not what you want, especially when you’re spending a considerable chunk of your hard-earned money.
If you’re interested in learning more about computers, please check out our other technological content on the sidebar or via the tagged filter for this article.