I've never tried a laptop before. I'm planning to buy one but I don't really know if their is any difference in them..Can anyone help me?
2007-07-02 14:23:52 · 7 answers · asked by jukioo 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
on top-end laptops you shouldnt notice a difference. usually lower-end laptops (read: budget laptops) use slower hard drives which effectively decreases read-write speeds on the hard drive.
another problem with laptops is that they are harder to upgrade. Hard drives, and RAM are relatively simple to upgrade, but if you are looking to upgrade the processor or video card you will probably end up spending more than you bargained for, and your best bet at that point would be to buy a new laptop.
Laptops also tend to get very hot when using them for extensive periods of time and may require additional cooling from an external unit if you plan to use the laptop for things like gaming or plan to use it as a desktop replacement.
Even though i knock on laptops above, they are very useful too. They are compact for one thing. They are great on college campuses, and if you travel they provide you with unlimited access to all your information, whether stored at home or work.
looking for a gaming pc or something that is just as cpu intensive, i say go for a desktop.
looking for portability and just having average joe applications (web browsing, email, word proccessor, dvd player, occasional gaming) wherever you are, i say go for a laptop.
choosing also depends on your budget. but thats a big discussion on its own.
2007-07-02 14:51:28 · answer #1 · answered by Computer Generated World 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basic operation is the same. Mouse input is the biggest difference, usually via a touch pad or by a trackpoint.
In terms of computing power, laptops are crippled to reduce electrical power. When you run of a set of batteries low power means long life. Hard drives are slower. 7200 RPM is fast for a laptop. Desktop drives start at 7200. 10k+ are readily available. CPUs are crippled compared to desktops, and are crippled even further in low power modes.
Expansion is limited. Single hard drive, two memory slots 1 or 2 PC card slots. You are stuck with the screen that came with it!.
The cheapest laptop is more than a decent desktop. The most expensive laptop has the computing power of a cheap desktop.
However, as soon as you want to walk out of the building with your computer under your arm all these drawbacks are moot.
2007-07-02 15:15:40 · answer #2 · answered by Simon T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They work pretty much identically. You can even plug in any USB keyboard and mouse into the laptop so that you don't have to use the condensed keyboard or the joystick/touch pad mouse. The only major difference in laptop and desktops is the price. A laptop will always cost more than a desktop for what you get.
2007-07-02 14:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by Nell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A quality laptop can cost from $350 to $500. A desktop can cost $550. For school I would certainly get a laptop. If you want to convince your mom to get you a laptop, tell her they're cheaper and give her some reasons why they're better for school (e.g. They're portable).
2016-05-17 04:40:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, the difference is when I want to print or scan something I need to plug it into the computer.
I prefer a laptop because I can take my work with me anywhere I go.
2007-07-02 14:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by New England Babe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Same hardware, just smaller and uses less power. (which means your laptop, if it is a cheap one, might be slower than a expensive desktop)
2007-07-02 14:32:25 · answer #6 · answered by lambchopsz 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They work the same.
2007-07-02 14:30:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋