Which to Buy: Laptop vs. Desktop

Last Updated: 9/27/11

Should you buy a desktop or a laptop? Hard to say. Only you can decide, but here is some info to help you:

***Desktops***
- take up more space
- not mobile
- average cost for replacement parts
- replacement parts may be nearby, or maybe not
- over heating, less common
- if the screen breaks, just buy a new monitor

***Laptops***
- NO RAID to tolerate drive failures (laptops only have room for one hard drive). This means laptops do not get used as servers.
- compact
- mobile
- less ports to connect things too (this can be handled by a hub)
- less ability to expand (i.e. you cannot add a graphics card if you dislike the one built in)
- replacement parts cost more
- replacement parts probably have to be ordered online
- over heating can sometimes be an issue, especially if air flow is restricted by a nearby object
- if the screen breaks, it is probably cheaper to replace the whole computer
- laptops often come with HDMI out for connecting to a HDMI compatible TV
- Higher probability of leaving it somewhere by accident.

Keywords: buy, laptop, desktop, decision, advice, help