Laptops vs Desktops – What to Buy
When shopping for a computer one of the first and most fundamental questions people have is if they should buy a laptop or a desktop. Everyone has unique situations and preferences so there is not a one size fits all answer. With the increase in power and drop in prices for computers, it is much easier to find a computer you like at a price you can afford.
When deciding between a laptop and computer consider the following.
- Where will the computer be used? Will you take it with you to school, work, coffee shops? Do you want to sit on the couch watching tv while on the computer? - If you need or want mobility, the laptop makes a lot of sense.
- How much space do you have? - If space is a premium for you, a laptop may make more sense. They are smaller than desktops, and do not require dedicated space.
- How clumsy are you? - It is an odd question, but if you tend to drop and spill things, a desktop may suite you better. Laptops typically don’t respond nearly as well to a coffee spill as a desktop might. The case on a desktop stands up better to minor spills and accidents.
- What do you like? - If you don’t like desktops, get a laptop. There is no point buying something that doesn’t resonate with you. With all the variety of choices in the market today, you can most definitely find a laptop you enjoy. The reverse applies as well.
It really is this simple.
Once you’ve picked desktop or laptop, make sure to buy a machine with at least these specifications. 2GB of ram. 256GB hard drive. The more ram you have the better your computer runs over time, but 2GB is sufficient for most people. 256GB can be on the low side especially if you have a large music, video, and picture library. Feel free to upgrade either of these as you desire. Processor speed really isn’t that important for most people these days. Especially if you don’t do graphic editing or hardcore physics calculations. Outside of these base specifications, just purchase things that you will use. Most people don’t use hdmi ports or blue ray players, so only upgrade to these features if you are sure you sill use them.
For $500 – $1000 you can find yourself a quality machine. Happy hunting
