Desktop or laptop? – the choice is yours
Laptop computers are selling well. They are compact, convenient and portable. But a laptop may not be the right choice for your next computer. It all depends how you are going to use it, and what compromises you are prepared to make.
Laptops are well advertised, and sales have increased in recent years. It’s tempting to buy a shiny new computer that you can pop in a bag or take on the train. The larger desktop computers, with their separate keyboard, mouse and screen, seem clumsy and bulky in comparison. But look a little further – laptops are often more expensive, and a lot more fragile. If you drop it, or trip over the wire and break the power socket, the cost of repair could be high. Spill food or drink on the keyboard, and you may have to say goodbye! A few years down the line when it’s getting a bit slow, or the hard drive is not big enough for your latest music collection, upgrading can be difficult. Desktops, on the other hand, are often cheaper, replacement keyboards, monitors and mice easy to come by, and easily upgradeable with more memory and storage. The larger keyboard and separate mouse on a desktop PC make for ease of use.
Don’t get me wrong. Laptops are fine, and repairs are not impossible. If you need a portable, compact PC, then go for it. Treat it well, and it will serve you well. But for a more robust, more future-proof solution, for me it’s a desktop every time.
PC Care offers a reliable, professional repair and maintenance service for laptops and desktops in and around Worthing! I’ll advise on the best system for you, and offer training to help you get the most out of it. Call me on 01903 533586 or e-mail me. Visit my website at www.pccare.me.uk.
(First published in the Goring Guide, Feb 2010)
