i want to buy a new computer and I'm not sure weather to get a lap top or desk top?

Question

apart from the obvious that lap tops are portable what are the other differencies ?

Answer 1

Well, desktops are usually cheaper for more memory etc, and if you have the room for a desktop, go for that definately. If you want a computer that is more private and you dont want people getting their grubby mits on it, go for the laptop. We couldnt decide whether to go for a desktop or a laptop, but we chose desktop in the end and do not regret the decision. XX Good luck xx

Answer 2

To be honest it all depends on what you're going to be using it for and where.
I recently bought a laptop so let me tell you what I thought of before choosing:

a/ Where will I be using it?
Only at home or also when travelling? Remember that a desktop has alot more cables and separate parts, if you're moving every few months you'll have to move the main unit, the screen, the mouse, the keyboard, and any other add-ons (I'm staying in a host family during school period so laptop was an obvious winner here)

b/ Will I be wanting to use it in other places than the desk?
It's not always comfortable to sit at a desk for hours, I love the possibility of being able to lie on my bed and type/do research (like I am now =P) but I can also go outside in the garden or upstairs in the living room. Mobility means that you can also take it to a friend's house if you want to show them some pictures, or use it as a DVD player whereever you go.

c/ Will it bother me to carry it around?
If it's a desktop then I wouldn't even consider carrying it around, but if it's a laptop you also have to think, do you want a average-big sized one (14inch screen or more) which is better for long hours of work or media playback, or a more portable one (under 14inch) which is alot easier to carry around but not so good if you're going to spend hours on it. Also if you're planning on using a bike to get around with (in towns) then invest in a proper backpack for it, those side-carrier bags just dont work on a bike :P

d/ Will I be using it for games/graphic intensive things (3d designing, photoshop) or mainly research and writting? (IM works on both :))
Because remember that laptops are in general alot less powerful than desktops, to get the same amount of power expect to pay half more if not double the price, it's the price to pay to keep it small and practicle :)

e/ How much memory do you need?
Laptops tend to not have more than 120GB of memory internally, of course an external hard drive can always be a solution.

f/ How much are you planning on investing?
From an upgradable point of view, laptops are very hard to upgrade. The one you buy when you get it will probably be the same as the one you have 3 years after. A desktop however is easier to upgrade. However if you can get one powerful in the first place, or if you don't need it aprticularly powerful, a laptop is fine :)


Small conclusion, it's nice to be able to move around, and yeah the battery life isn't always as good, but power sockets are all over the place :) Mine lasts about 3 hours if I minimise power with another easy to use software (coz other mine is a beast and only lasts about 45 mins :P) Desktops are more expensive but now that i have my laptop I don't know how I lived without it :) Another option if you get a small one is having a bigger monitor on your desk and when you're home you plug it into the laptop for a bigger screen :)
Also if you're in the UK check out PCadvisor (the magazine), they have a chart with the top 10 budget laptops and the top 10 budget desktops, and also top 10 for power laptops and desktops.

Good luck

I hope that helps :)

Answer 3

It really depends on how much money you are willing to spend, how your going to use the computer, and if more than one person is going to use it.
Laptop computers are usually are at least $300 more than desk top computers.
Lap top computers are more portable allowing you to take it with you any where and use it. With wi-fi wireless cards allow youto access the internet easlier.
Laptop computers are more fragile than desk top computers.
Laptop computers in most instances aren't able to allow you access to an array of hardware at one time. Laptops are smaller and compact. Same goes with memory and hard drives size in most instances.
Laptop computers are easier to lose or misplace if taken away from the home. People are looking for people to make a mistake and they will walk off with your laptop. Your desktop stays home and remains basically in one location.
Laptops are harder to get to use for the key boards are a lot smaller and it is easier to press wrong keys. They have to compress a lot of key stroke functions in a smaller area which is harder to see and type correctly.
I have both a laptop and a desk top computers.

Answer 4

Laptops are also more expensive when compared to a similar destop system. The only benefit to a laptop is portability and size, so the only reason you'd ever want to choose one over a desktop is if you have limited space at home or need to do a lot of computing on the move (and for that, you an also consider a PDA).

Answer 5

ok imo heres the deal ... a laptop is better but, if you drop it its gonna break really and thats a major consideration, you have to be really careful about where you bring it or what you do with it or your out of buisness. the keyboard can wear out relatively quick and its not cheap to fix that so get a usb keyboard for home. PAY extra for a clear and bright screen if you get a laptop. The cd/dvd drives are not near as reliable as the ones in a desktop so plan on a 50$ replacement every few months if you use it alot (or if you drop the laptop)
....overall a laptop is great, especially if you get a wireless box for your house ... you can surf on ur bed or in the living room or in the bathroom lol ... and you can bring it with you on trips or to school. If you are a computer gamer would be the big reason NOT to get a laptop ... laptops can usually play most games but not nearly as nicely as a powerful desktop ....
...if you have to choose one, get a laptop ... just be careful with it and get a bright clear screen are the main points.

Answer 6

tru latptops are portable and all.. but this question can be answered by your needs.. Do you need powerful computer for multimedia use like games etc... Are you ready to spend more ?
laptops are not compareable to a desktop in performance.. And to get a desktop replacement worthy laptop, you would have to spend a huge amount on it.. Like lets say you spend $1500 on a laptop, you would get a decent laptop to do all your daily needs and also your casual gaming... But if you spend the same amount on a desktop, you would get a pretty good desktop which would be much faster than your laptop and also upgradable. Laptops aren't upgradeble..
But then if you need portability over all things, then you should go for a laptop.. there are companies which make high end laptops which can be used for multimedia purposes too..
check www.alienware.com for such laptops

Answer 7

A laptop only has a life expectancy of about 2 yrs and then it dies.

Where a desk top lives alot longer.......lol
and it is easier to upgrade.

I was interested in getting a laptop because I have a bad back and sitting at the computer desk hurts my back. But when I found out that the laptop generally dies on you in a couple of years then I went with a desk top.

I have a friend who has to use a laptop for work and he has had to purchase 3 of them in the last two years because something always happens to it.

Answer 8

My husband and I have a lap top...
PRO's
- obviously you can use them anywhere
- it's cool to be able to be sociable when on a laptop not having to go and sit at a desk
- you can sit on the sofa while you work!
CON's (Not many)
- If you use it outside of your home the batteries tend to suck (ok though if you can plug it in)
- they get REALLY hot sometimes!
- they are generally more expensive than desktops (I recommend Dell as they tailor make your computer to your needs - you can get free stuff too if you are cheeky enough to ask!)
Other than all that they all do the same thing depending on the memory size etc, we've had our laptop for about three years and it's lasted longer that our Packard Bell desktop.
Hope that helps x

Answer 9

A desk top is less expense for up front. But a laptop is better if you need to take it to classes or something like that. I have no need for mobility, and I use a desktop with a fast processor and a lot of memory, which is very expensive in a laptop.

Answer 10

The two big differences are, yes laptop are portable, they also are wireless depending upon which one you, meaning that say you go to a hotel for a weekend. You can bring the notebook with you and conect through the internet.

I have owned two laptops, both of them hp. However a desktop, does seem to last longer then a notebook, but that also depends on how well you take care of the notebook.