How To Decide Between a Desktop and a Laptop Anderson SC

The price of computer hardware continues to drop and more powerful machines appear to be the norm, so the laptop has become more popular. There are still some very good reasons favoring desktop machines unless your needs for a portable machine outweigh the advantages of the desktop model.

1. Are small size and portability of prime importance? If so, then the laptop is probably the only answer. However it is equally possible to buy a desktop machine using a small form factor case which, combined with a flat screen monitor and suitable input devices, is only slightly larger than the laptop. Indeed some laptops are now so large that you would need a very big lap or strong legs to work with them on your knee.
2. How important is screen size? As mentioned above, laptop machines now include 20 inch widescreen models (diagonal measurements), which are larger than the desktop screens of just a few years ago. However, larger displays will require separate hardware even if you run the screen from a laptop. Widescreen displays are almost the norm now and large sizes still favor the desktop.
3. How much do you want to pay? Cost is usually a factor for most of us and while prices have reduced considerably, particularly in the UK, the desktop is generally about 20%–25% less cost than the equivalent in a laptop.
4. Do you need video versatility and graphics capability? Most laptop PCs rely on the screen display being driven by a set of integrated circuits – 'chips' which are on the motherboard of the machine. This is fairly common on modern desktop machines too, you may think, but please remember that the laptop has no other option; there is no room or facility for an expansion card to be added, even if you decide to pursue the external graphics driver in a separate box option. This on-board graphics option is unlikely to be satisfactory for those who use their machines for games – the laptop has never been the best option for intensive input and graphical output. And gamers will likely prefer a desktop machine with different input devices – joysticks, steering wheels, pedal controls, and different types of pointing and graphics tablet input devices....

Click here to read the rest of the article at HowToDoThings.com

Author: Rik Whittaker