Are you considering buying a laptop or a desktop PC? Here are some tips that might help you. You’ll be faced with two options. Which one you end up buying will be determined by your budget and your requirements from the PC.
A desktop PC is one that will reside on a desk in your home or office. It will come with separate parts — usually a structure, which contains the brains of the PC along with a DVD or Blu-ray drive. It will typically also come with a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
A laptop, also called a notebook or netbook is an all-in-one device that is portable. It can be carried with you from room to room, between your office and home, or used while on the road. Laptops have a battery that can last anywhere between one and a half hours to eight hours, depending on the type of programs you use. Laptops have a built-in monitor, a built-in keyboard and a built-in mouse, and they can vary in size from 10 inches to 18 inches.
Performance
Back in the day, if you wanted a quick computer, you had to buy a desktop PC. Currently the performance of desktop PC’s and laptops are similar and, in some cases, equal. The only area in which desktop PC’s and laptops can differ greatly is in their ability to play games; although there are gaming laptops, they tend to be less powerful than desktop PC’s. If you want a computer to play the latest games, then you should definitely consider a desktop PC. If you want to buy a computer just so that you can view photos, use the Internet or type up documents and spreadsheets, then a laptop is a good choice.
Specifications
The key specs to look for when buying a laptop or desktop PC is the CPU, RAM (memory), graphics adapter and hard drive. The CPU is the brains of the computer; the RAM is the space where all your programs will be loaded (the more RAM you have, the more programs you can load); the graphics adapter (also known as the graphics card or graphics controller) determines how well your computer will play games; and the hard drive determines how many programs, music files, documents, videos and e-mails you will be able to store on your computer.
Laptops will generally have lower specifications than desktop PC’s, although there’s not much in it these days. A typical laptop might have less RAM and a smaller hard drive than a similarly priced desktop PC, and it will also have a less powerful graphics adapter. The CPU, which makes a big difference in computer performance, is often the same between a laptop and a PC. For the best performance in a laptop or a desktop PC, look for a model with Intel’s Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 CPU’s, or AMD’s Phenom II CPU’s.
Screen size
When buying a laptop, you will need to decide what size screen will be suitable for your needs. A 15-inch (measured diagonally) screen means the laptop will be heavy, but you will be able to view a lot more programs on the screen at once, and in some cases fit more windows on the screen. A 14.1-inch screen offers a good balance between size and portability. You should look for a 13-inch screen or a 12-inch screen if you want a laptop that will be easy to carry with you when you’re travelling.
If browsing the Web, accessing social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and viewing your photos is all you will be using your laptop for then a small and light 10-inch netbook will be all you need.
For a desktop PC, a 22-inch widescreen monitor offers the best value for money, and 24-inch and 27-inch models are also available if you want something larger. It’s worth spending a bit more on the monitor, and even upsizing to a 24-inch model if you can afford it, because the monitor is the one device that you will have to look at every time you use your PC.
Burning CD’s and DVD’s
Nearly all desktop PC’s and laptops now come with a DVD burner, even if you choose to buy a cheap laptop (provided it’s not a netbook). Most laptops have a DVD burner built in, but smaller laptops, such as slimline models, may supply a DVD burner as an external unit that needs to be plugged into the laptop. Netbooks do not have a DVD burner at all. With a DVD burner you can burn CD’s as well as DVD’s. Blu-ray combo drives are also available for PC’s and laptops. These allow you to play Blu-ray movies, as well as burn CD’s and DVD’s. A Blu-ray writer is required if you want to burn your own Blu-ray discs.
Software
Nearly all laptops and desktop PC’s come with a version of Microsoft Windows 7 preinstalled. They should also come with software for burning CD’s and DVD’s and watching movies. The brand of laptop or desktop PC you buy will determine exactly what software is bundled with the product. Some laptops and desktops may also include office application software, games or educational software. Many models may also come with software to protect your computer from viruses.
Buying a laptop
If you want a computer that you can use at home, as well as take to work, then you will need a laptop. Also, you may choose to buy a laptop if you want to have more freedom to roam when using your computer at home. A fully charged laptop can give you a few hours of use and will let you work from your living room, bedroom or even your garden. On the other hand, a desktop PC will restrict you to working from the location where the PC is installed.
Buying a desktop PC
If you want a computer that can store a huge amount of music files or a computer that will let you play games, then a desktop PC is a good choice. A powerful desktop PC is generally less expensive than a powerful laptop with similar specs, and a desktop PC also has an advantage in that it can be easily expanded if your needs change (you can add more storage, RAM or a better graphics card at a later date). A laptop cannot be expanded to the same extent that a desktop PC can, although you can change the hard drive and in most cases add more RAM. Finally, desktop PC’s are far easier to repair and parts can be replaced within 1-3 working days whereas laptops have to go back to the manufacturer, meaning you could be without a PC for several weeks.
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