Advantages of Using a Laptop over a Desktop Computer
Choosing between a laptop and desktop can be a difficult decision. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and your eventual purchasing decision is going to be based on these advantages when compared to your own personal needs. Many people are looking for a family computer; one that can be placed in a den or at a desk and become part of a large media center that all family members can utilize. For those people, a desktop computer may be the right choice. However, in today’s fast-paced and portable world, many lifestyles and professions require a computer that can be used on-the-go, but still possess the qualities and capabilities of traditional desktop computers. In these cases, the advantages of using a laptop over a desktop computer become readily apparent.
Portability
The most obvious advantage that laptops have over desktop computers is portability. If you carry a laptop with you, your applications and documents are always immediately available. With a wireless card, your laptop can also access the Internet while on the go, so you have more places to do research, check your email, and be more productive.
These factors are critical in many professions, where someone could be expected to retrieve or send a file at a moment’s notice. While desktop computers may still be favored by people who have no need for portability, it is now possible to purchase laptops that can serve just as adeptly as home PC’s as desktops.
A great example is the Toshiba L555D Notebook, an affordable laptop that’s quick and reliable regardless of the setting. This powerful notebook is wireless-ready, and includes a PC Health Monitor and a power-saving eco utility for efficient energy use. The L555D has one of the more powerful notebook processors in the AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core, which generates an impressive 2.2GHz; as well as a 3GB DDR2 SDRam memory and 320GB serial ATA Hard Drive. The 17.3†widescreen LCD monitor provides 1600 x 900 resolution, while the entire computer weighs in at a modest 6.99 pounds.
Size
Speaking of computer weight, another advantage of laptops is the limited amount of space they require to operate. An average laptop weighs between 4.5 and 8 pounds, while ultra light models can weigh in at about 3 pounds. Conversely, a standard desktop computer, including monitor and keyboard, can weigh around 25 pounds.
For many consumers, economizing space in a living area is very important, and sometimes a bulky desktop is simply not practical. This is an important factor, particularly among those who live in apartments and dormitories.
Q2 Design’s 12.1″ Pentium Dual Core 2.0GHz Notebook is an ideal model for just such a scenario. This stylish notebook is powered by Intel’s Pentium Dual Core processor, which packs a speedy 2.0GHz. A Super-Multi DVD/CD RW drive allows users to easily transition between using CDs and DVDs. Complete with a 2GB DDR2 system memory, 250GB hard drive, and 12.1†LCD monitor, this notebook is small enough to fit anywhere, but still delivers large computer power.
Durability
In the past, critics of laptop computers argued that since laptops are portable, they are more prone to accidents and abuse than desktops. And due to their size, laptops required smaller, more intricate components and more tedious labor. While this may have been true in the past, laptop manufacturers have greatly improved durability concerns in their models. Additionally, processor companies such as AMD and Intel have begun to produce Core 2 Duo and Dual Core processors that can outperform desktops.
Such is the case with the versatile Q2 Designs 15.4″ Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz Notebook, which comes in a multitude of colors including fuchsia, jade, and midnight blue. This wide variety of colors, along with the power of Intel’s Mobile Centrino technology make this model a stylish and desirable computer that delivers in terms of function and power too.
A 15.4″ WXGA Wide Screen LCD monitor provides a vivid picture, and the Windows Vista Premium Home Edition operating system is one of the most cutting-edge available. This lightweight, 7-pound model has an impressive 2GB DDR2 Memory and 120GB Hard Drive. This model, much like many of its laptop counterparts, comes with both a 56k modem and built-in wireless ready technology, facilitating instant portability and versatility when choosing an internet connection.
In short, desktops provide a generally less expensive, sometimes more powerful performance to meet your computing needs from a fixed location. However, laptops provide performance to meet your computing needs from virtually anywhere. Laptops cost roughly one-third more, but if you want to take advantage of the portability and increased productivity offered by laptops, then the extra expense may be worth it. In a world where work deadlines are constantly in flux, and board meetings can occur during a connector flight from Cleveland to Boise, choosing a laptop computer is becoming the more popular option every day.
About the Author
Keith Truman is a freelance writer who writes about popular products and how to shop online.
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