Desktop computer users are some of the most stoic and hardened defenders of what they love. Whether the desktop computer is coming up against televisions, gaming consoles, mobile phones, or laptops the debates are rowdy and often come out unresolved.
However, since laptops entered the marketplace and became a major force in the technological space the debate has heated up and become even more difficult to decide.
The best way to settle this discussion, in terms of the buyer, is by looking at both the practical and technological aspects of both competitors.
Laptops: Pros and Cons
2008 marked the first year that laptops surpassed desktop computers in worldwide sales. The mobility, weight, and size were novel concepts for computing technologies and made many people believe that static desktop computers were a thing of the past.
The small size and simple clamshell design of laptops meant that people were able to take their computers wherever they needed to go and could do work, gaming, and socializing on the go while still having the computing power of some lower-end desktop computers.
Thus, the most obvious pro of laptop computers is their mobility and easy-to-use nature. Furthermore, what this small size means is that laptops are generally a lot cheaper than desktop computers as well.
The portability and lower price range are pros for buyers looking to compute on the move for a relatively cheap price.
The size of a laptop means that not much hardware goes into the assembly of these computers. This means that laptops are generally lower spec than desktop computers and generally have much lower ranges of performance.
This does not mean that all laptops are low-end. Depending on the price range one could buy a laptop with the specs of higher-end desktop computers – these would just be a lot more expensive.
Desktop Computers: Pros and Cons
As explained above desktop computers have declined in overall popularity in the last decade or so, with the advent of new machines that can do the same job but are cheaper. However, there are various attributes of desktop computers that simply cannot be replicated by laptops.
The most obvious pro of desktop computers is the high-performance levels in comparison to most laptops on the market. The computer towers that desktops run on have space for lots of high-tech hardware which cannot be accommodated in laptops due to their size.
The obvious con that follows on from the previous pro is that assembling these computer towers is expensive and requires a lot of physical and as well as mental effort. Sourcing good parts and either hiring someone to build your PC for you or doing it yourself is an arduous task that requires lots of effort on the part of the buyer.
Overall, the debate should be settled subjectively by the buyer. Think about what you need and want out of your PC. If you’re looking to work on the move a laptop might be the best fit for you.
If on the other hand, you’re looking to invest in a powerful rig to use at home then building/buying your own desktop computer might be the way to go.