Computer or laptop: which is better for your home?

Purpose of purchase

Before buying this or that IT equipment, decide what exactly you need it for. There are different categories of computers and laptops - from budget to ultra-expensive.

When purchasing a PC for Internet surfing, communicating on social networks or watching movies, there is no point in incurring large expenses. A good laptop from the middle or low price category will be enough for your home.
Is there a schoolboy or student in the house? Think seriously about the device! The child will learn, his abilities and needs will grow with him. A huge number of essays and term papers will soon be replaced by more serious tasks. For example, mastering presentations and editing simple promotional videos are a reality, not a fantasy, in the life of a modern student. Here you need a device with more serious power.
Aspiring web designers and other young freelancers need a device with good performance and a graphics card. Agree, it is almost impossible to write even a simple program or application in a “creaky” old man.
The class of ultra-modern gaming laptops stands a little apart. These are always very expensive devices with special capabilities and super speeds. Any advanced gamer knows that a good game costs good money, and there are no other options. At the same time, there is no point in buying such a “miracle of technology” for home use at the “kettle” level.

Advantages and disadvantages

A desktop computer and a laptop differ significantly in several ways. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. A comparison in the table will clearly show these differences:

Specifications	computer	laptop
Mobility	Can only be used at home, mainly in one place. Heavy, large-sized.	The most convenient form factor among serious computer equipment. You can take it on the road, to the dacha, to study. Light weight and dimensions.
Possibility of upgrade	With the release of new software updates, it is easy to replace any desired component, for example, a video card, yourself.	All important details are interconnected. If there is a need for a more serious device, you need to completely replace the laptop with a new one.
Repair	Replacing one part is more affordable for the wallet and completely painless for the “stuffing” of the stationary unit.	Very often the fan and video card fly along with the motherboard. Serious repairs and replacement of parts will cost a pretty penny.
Energy consumption	Very resource intensive. Based on current electricity prices, this is quite an expensive multi-device.	The high energy efficiency of each node individually together gives a good result. The savings on apartment bills at the end of the month are obvious.
Overheat	Plenty of space in the system unit allows you to install an additional fan if necessary.	It often overheats and even turns off during multitasking mode.
Operation speed	Nimble and responsive	With the same performance as a home PC, it runs much slower.
Multitasking	A large number of outputs of all possible formats increases the multitasking of the computer to the skies. Here you can simultaneously add an MFP, a projector, a light pen, and everything will work quickly and easily. Moreover, at the same time.	Often, in order to reduce the cost of products, the manufacturer removes as many ports and connectors as possible, which is not very convenient.

Advantages and disadvantages of a laptop

What are the pros and cons of choosing a laptop over a desktop computer?

Portability

If you regularly have to take your computer out of the house, then purchasing a laptop will not be difficult for you.

But many people buy a laptop just because of its smaller size. In practice, they leave it sitting on the desk in their home office 24/7.

If you fall into this category, do you really need a laptop? You might be better off with a desktop computer and a high-quality tablet for use on the couch.

Fixed Peripherals

Fixed peripherals are one of the most significant disadvantages of laptops. It's a big trade-off you make in exchange for portability.

When you buy a laptop, you're stuck with the same screen, keyboard, trackpad, ports, speakers, etc. For the entire duration of its service.

Of course you can use external components, but then you compromise portability. Again, it may be cheaper and smarter to buy a desktop computer instead.

And of course, if you buy certain peripherals, you end up with two things. It will just make things messy and confusing.

Discrete graphics

Discrete graphics is a term used to describe the individual graphics subsystem in a computer. This can either be a separate graphics card in a motherboard slot, or an entirely separate GPU.

Very few laptops offer discrete graphics. Instead, they use integrated graphics. The integrated graphics are on the same chip as the processor and share its memory.

Having discrete graphics on laptops only matters if you are a gamer. The added cost and weight mean the feature is not necessarily desirable for most users.

Limited upgrade options

Most laptops don't have many components that you can upgrade - there's RAM and a hard drive, and that's about it.

If you're looking to upgrade other parts of your equipment, you'll probably be out of luck. There simply isn't room in the laptop case to add the extra components you want.

Of course, many desktop users don't update their computers, so the importance you place on this issue is up to you.

Power

Laptops use less power than their desktop counterparts; their smaller parts mean they require less electricity to operate.

Laptops also have a battery. This can save you from losing your job during unexpected power fluctuations and outages.

Placement and equipment

Of course, a desktop computer is more flexible in terms of configuration. A 3D designer can add an excellent monitor to it and reduce constant eye strain. The copywriter has the opportunity to work with a scissor keyboard without hand discomfort. The user can select all components completely painlessly according to his wallet and needs.

As for the space occupied by equipment in the house, everything is clear as day. A large computer will take a lot when placing it. You can sit anywhere with a laptop. Work on the couch? No problem! Movies and recipes in the kitchen? Easily! Cartoons in the nursery? Easily!

Accessing the Internet via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the apartment is a clear advantage of a laptop. Do you like to retire and sit on social networks in a secluded corner? Take home a laptop instead of a heavy system unit.

Advantages and disadvantages of each option

Even a quick glance makes it clear (let me remind you, we only looked at “branded” computers) that it is quite possible to pick up a gaming PC with characteristics similar to those of a laptop, but at a lower price. And for the same amount, the capabilities of the system unit will be even “tastier.”

It would seem like a direct benefit, what can you think? Unfortunately, the reality is somewhat more complicated. So in this case, a lower price in the price list does not mean such an unconditional benefit. Or does it still mean it?

After all, a successful purchase, especially when it comes to computer equipment, is not only what we get here and now. It is also important how it will work in the near future and how expensive it will be to maintain satisfactory performance, given the ever-increasing demands on computer hardware. It's no secret that new games require more powerful processors, more powerful video cards, and take up a lot of RAM space.

Gaming laptop

Taking all this into account, let’s estimate what advantages a gaming laptop has and what disadvantages it has.

Advantages:

Compact, at least compared to a desktop computer.
Does not require much space, has a minimum of wires.
When purchasing, you immediately receive the entire set, including the screen and keyboard. Turn it on, install your favorite game - and go!
A battery, which in a powerful computer is not so much a means of autonomous operation as a built-in uninterruptible power supply. If the voltage in the home power supply turns off at the wrong time, it will not interrupt the gameplay.

Flaws:

Compactness. It can cause cooling problems, especially if really powerful hardware is installed. Regular cleaning of dust is mandatory, and given the design features of a particular laptop model, not everyone will be able to cope with this task. The solution is to contact a service center or a computer friend you know.
Compactness again, but now in terms of screen size limitations. In the vast majority of cases it is 15-17 inches. As a last resort 18. You can, of course, use an external monitor, but then why use a laptop?
And for the third time compactness. The density of the layout and design features do not allow for a serious upgrade. Increase the amount of memory, install a more capacious hard drive or SSD (maybe even a couple) - that’s actually all. As a last resort, you can replace the display matrix, for example, by installing a brighter and more pleasing IPS instead of a faded TN one. The main components, such as a processor, video card, motherboard, set of ports, cannot be replaced - you have to live with what was originally.
Well, for the last time about compactness. Frequent dragging from place to place may well lead to the laptop accidentally falling, which can lead to serious restoration work and associated costs.
Poor maintainability. Considering that most of the components are soldered on the motherboard, the failure of any of them means turning to specialists. The option “the video camera burned out - well, God bless it, I’ll go buy a new one, I wanted to change it anyway” in this case “won’t work.”

How to buy a computer?

When assembling a desktop PC, buying an all-in-one PC is not enough. For full operation, it must be equipped with a monitor, keyboard and mouse. This is the minimum set. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities will also have to be purchased, especially if the system unit is not very expensive.

In addition to your computer, you should buy speakers for high-quality listening to music, and a webcam for communicating on Skype. As a plus for the laptop, I would like to note that it already has all this as standard.

Standard Windows firmware for a desktop computer rarely comes straight from the store; laptops, on the contrary, in 90% of cases are immediately sold with the latest OS update. Whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage is up to you to decide. A beginner will be happy with this content, but an advanced user will remake it in his own way. The question is, is it worth paying more?

Fragile and reliable at the same time

I note that the laptop is a fragile thing and requires careful handling. In a home with small children, there is a risk of breaking a portable device. And a cup of tea spilled on the keyboard is generally a disaster. It is under it in a portable computer that all the important components are located.

The minicomputer requires more thorough cleaning. All pet owners note that the device quickly overheats over time. This happens because the wool is drawn into the cooler and the likelihood of processor failure seriously increases. The laptop requires additional care and accuracy. Fragile things need to be protected!

Now imagine (or maybe it is true) that you live in a remote village where there are constant power outages. When working on a home computer with important information, all files run the risk of disappearing at once! The laptop will continue to operate on battery power for some time, so you will still be able to save an important document. Read more about how to choose a laptop here...

Desktop computer or laptop: the main differences

In order to understand in detail all the advantages and disadvantages of each device implementation option, it is necessary to analyze each characteristic separately.

Characteristic	Desktop PC	Laptop
Performance	Most desktop computers have the highest power, unlike laptops. However, it all depends on the cost of the device. If we take the same price range, then this option will be much better in this regard.	In order to achieve the same performance as a regular computer, you will have to spend a lot more money, but the result will be the same.
Size and mobility	Of course, the computer loses completely in this characteristic. It is placed on the table and is there permanently. If there is a need to use the device in another place, then this is simply impossible. In addition, it has impressive dimensions.	No one will argue that the laptop completely defeats its opponent in size and mobility. You can carry it with you and use it wherever it is convenient. Moreover, due to its compactness, it fits into a special bag or a standard backpack.
Upgrade	Due to its design, any desktop computer can be upgraded by the user. This could be anything from adding or replacing RAM to completely reorganizing the system.	Unlike the first option, almost nothing in the laptop can be upgraded. In some cases, developers provide the possibility of replacing RAM, as well as installing an additional discrete graphics processor. However, as a rule, you can only replace the hard drive with a newer one or an SSD.
Reliability	Due to the fact that the computer always remains stationary, the likelihood of causing technical damage is reduced to zero. Therefore, undoubtedly, this is a big plus for the device.	Unfortunately, laptop breakdowns are much more common. This is, of course, due to its mobility. Due to constant movement, the risk of damaging devices increases significantly. Regarding the hardware itself, both in a PC and a laptop, the possibility of failure is approximately the same. It all depends on how the user exploits its capabilities.
Difficulty of repair	If it comes to a breakdown, then, as a rule, the user can independently identify it and get rid of it immediately. In more serious cases, the problem is solved by replacing the defective part. Quite easy and cheap.	Laptop users will experience serious inconvenience if their device fails. Firstly, you won’t be able to diagnose it yourself. In any case, you will have to contact the service center, which already entails costs. And if the breakdown is really serious, then it will significantly hit the owner’s pocket. In many cases, it is easier to buy a new car than to try to repair an old one.
Continuity	Many people, unfortunately, experience problems with electricity in their home. And as a result, it can seriously affect your computer. After all, a sudden blackout in the house can lead to serious consequences. To do this, you need to purchase an uninterruptible power supply, which is an additional expense.	It's much easier and more convenient with a laptop. Thanks to its own rechargeable battery, it can be used without fear of safety, even in places where there is no electricity.
Energy consumption	Buying a desktop computer is not the best way to save on electricity.	Not too significant, but an advantage. Consumes much less electricity.

Each device has its own advantages. And it’s quite difficult to say that one of them is better than its opponent. It all depends on the personal preferences of the user, as well as the purpose for which the device is purchased.