The IT business is full of controversy. Apple, Microsoft, Google, Nokia, phones, online services, operating systems, games, consoles, browsers, social networks are just a few of the brands and technologies that are most often subjects to controversy. If carried out in a constructive manner, these issues can generate ideas and new concepts which can result in superior products. Superior products that are much appreciated by us, lazy brats of new technologies.
One of these controversy, creates just a simple question: Laptop or Desktop ? which oone is better, more performance, and more advantageous to me?
These topics imply a great deal of subjectivity. There is no universal valid answer, like ” we all have to buy product X because it’s the best”. It depends on the person, of what we want from a computer, our level of knowledge and many other details.
This post, however, wants to highlight the up’s and down’s of each one of the two types of computers. It can also help you make a valid decision.
LAPTOPS
Portability
Portability is a very important aspect for people who’s jobs are not possible without a computer and Internet connection. I write a lot, because I have to and because i like it. Because this type of job doesn’t require me to be tied up by a desk with a desktop computer on it. I can write at the office, home, table, in the morning, at lunch or at night, whenever inspiration hits!
Portability can also be a sign of relaxation, not just work. When you have your laptop with you, you also have music and movies. You may end up in a place where you get bored, maybe you want to watch a movie…
Unlike desktops which can be used by your entire family, laptops have a more intimate character. Same as a phone, a laptop can be considered as a personal attribute, for your eyes only.
Internet
This necessity has become as important and cheap as water. You can easily find a wireless connection. In big cities, there are places like parks with hi-fi connection where you can “hook-up” for free.
Especially if you work online, it matters a lot to have a laptop that you can use to connect to the internet. Maybe you own a blog and inspiration hit while you were taking a walk in the parc. Or maybe you have some photos and you want to post them online and share them with your friends.
Informations, settings, software
When you work on one computer at the office and another computer at home, well here another problem appears. The one of different data between the two computers. With a laptop, you know that you have all the software and documents at your disposal all the time. You don’t have to send files by email or copy them on a stick in order to have them on your home computer as well. You dont have to complicate your life with sync software. The obvious “down” is that you have to carry it. It is however a compromise that many of us are starting to accept.
Comfort
In general, intelligent people are also lazy. New technologies are development in such a way that encourages lazyness. From the invention of the remote control, usability has become simpler and simpler.
The laptop is the type or product that is made for lazy people. Maybe sometimes you’re not in the mood or you are tired to sit behind a desk. With a laptop there’s no stoping you to work in bed.
To be short, the idea is that portability can be an “UP” on short distances. At the office or even at home, you can move your workplace with a few meters. If you have a wireless router, well in the summer you can also work in the balcony.
No Games
What matters a lot is that fact that I don’t play computer games. Well, at least not latest high tech games that require a very powerful system. For World of WarCraft or Football Manager, the laptop is great.
Nu mă joc
Contează foarte mult în alegerea mea şi faptul că nu prea mă mai joc pe calculator. Cel puţin nu jocuri de ultimă generaţie care ar fi necesitat un sistem foarte puternic. Pentru un World of Warcraft sau un Football Manager ocazional, laptopul este suficient.
To sum it up, the laptop is the computer that you have by your side everywhere. This is something that a desktop cannot do. Not even high processing power, or cheaper price does not compare, in my opinion, with the advantages portability offers.
DESKTOPS
Not all users have to carry their computer with them every day to work. We don’t all have to take our computer every weekend or vacation to keep in touch with friends or co-workers. There are a lot of people who do not need a laptop.
Performance
This advantage is usually tied up with price/performance ratio, however let’s not talk about money now. From a performance type of view, the most powerful laptop does not come even close with a top desktop.
I admit that a desktop can only sit on a desk, at home or at work, however I am not lazy and if I really want to have the same data I have at work on my home computer, well I can use a USB drive, i copy everything I need in a matter a minutes and i’m on my way. Of course, lazy laptops users can see this as a “Down” however, as I mentioned before I am not lazy.
You can’t work in bed, well that’s fine also. I sit as much as I can at my desk, if I get tired i go out to catch a breeze of fresh air. A desktop computer can also remind a user that he also has a life in the real world. I would tell all users who work in bed after work that maybe it would be better to go out with their girlfriend/wife, take a walk in the park, go watch a movie in a movie theatre.
To sum it all up, Laptops are great for users who do not need performance and need a computer with portability. Desktops are great for performance users.
Each one is good, it depends a lot on the person and their type of work.
