In recent years, sales of new laptops have far exceeded sales of desktop computers. But when you have to buy a new computer, is it so obvious to get a laptop? When, on the other hand, is it worth buying a desktop PC?The question is still interesting today, both to dispel those predictions that want a future made up only of touchscreens, and to understand what is best to buy in order not to waste money and have the best PC possible.
In this guide we will see together when it is advisable to take a laptop and when it is better to focus on a desktop PC, so as to have the best machine available according to our needs.
READ ALSO -> Best branded ready-made and assembled desktop PCs
Why choose a notebook
The key feature of a laptop PC is that its portability: a notebook indeed you can take it anywhereso as to access part of the performances normally available on a PC even on the move, ideal for those who work or study away from home.
Portability
Portability is the most obvious feature, especially if we focus on very light models (such as the ultralight notebooks under 2 kg), so as to avoid tiring the user who carries a laptop: the times of 4 or 5 kg laptops that after half an hour tired the arm or shoulder if carried in a bag are far away!
Notebook for every need
As far as mobility is concerned, it is important to understand if we need the laptop only to move it from one table to another (in which case it is perhaps better to use a fixed one) or if you actually need to carry it around to work or college. Compared to a desktop PC, a laptop is smaller, it is a satisfying purchase, it is beautiful to look at and takes up little space at home.
A laptop can be easily connected to the TV to comfortably watch streaming movies from the internet, which is difficult with a desktop PC; to learn more we can read our guide on how connect laptop to TV to watch videos and movies.
Notebook da gaming
Most laptops they are not suitable for video games, because they hardly ever have high-end graphics cards; obviously there are exceptions but i gaming laptops they tend to weigh a lot and be very unwieldy, presenting themselves more as “occasional desktop PCs” and as true laptops.
Ability to update
A laptop is often composed of a single body then it doesn’t lend itself much to updates: the only pieces that we can replace are the RAM, the hard disk and the possible optical reader (which we can replace with another hard drive or SSD).
People who like to improve their computer by updating it may find themselves disappointed that their laptop bought a year ago can become obsolete in no time (usually within 2 or 3 years), those who never update parts of their PC do not. will make a problem.
A laptop always has a distinct identity and for each model you can read all the factory features and reviews.
In another article we have seen which are the most reliable notebooks and the best brands.
Notebook o tablet?
Many users prefer to focus on tablets when they need a portable and lightweight computer, since often the apps to use are also present on tablet systems (Android and iPad). A good compromise between the two philosophies of thought is i convertible notebookslaptops that, if necessary, can be transformed into a tablet by rotating the screen or by detaching the keyboard from the top.
These notebooks all feature the touch screen and can adapt to multiple different scenarios, while maintaining the power of a notebook and the flexibility of a tablet.
To learn more, we can read our guide to best Windows Laptops convertible to Tablet.
Why choose a desktop PC
A fixed desktop computer has different characteristics than a laptop; the most obvious thing is that being fixed it is not possible to move it continuouslyso we will have to use a desk or an area suitable for hosting the PC together with all its primary components: case, keyboard, mouse and monitor.
High quality / price ratio
From a price point of view a mid-range desktop PC costs less than a mid-range laptopunless you have to buy the monitor separately or if we focus on gaming configurations (where over 1000 € is the practice if we want to play well).
With the money we spend on a high-end laptop (like a LG Gram) we can assemble a Very powerful gaming PCcomplete with everything.
Computing power
A desktop PC is more powerful hardware side than a laptop, but it is also bigger and bulkier. With the same CPU, disk and RAM a fixed computer will always be more powerful than a laptop, since the hardware designed for fixed PCs is able to push more on pure performance than the hardware of laptops (where it is necessary to keep d also pay attention to power consumption and battery life).
Ability to update
The internal components of a desktop PC can be changed individually and we can keep it updated over time, so as to make the PC less obsolete: for example we can add or replace RAM, disk and video card every 3-4 years and still keep up with the times, without having to replace the whole computer.
Pre-assembled or customized
A desktop PC, however, is less easy to buy than a laptop and we have already seen in another guide if it is better a custom PC or a pre-assembled computer.
To buy a fixed to be assembled leaves a lot of freedom and allows you to obtain the best components possible at a given price, but requires the buyer to have some computer skills (see guide on how to choose the pieces of a computer to assemble).
You will not find reviews on the internet on pre-assembled stationary computers that will be bought, so in these cases it is better to base ourselves on the reviews of the individual pieces, so as to be able to choose only the best components (always pay attention to the compatibility between all the components, which is not always visible during the purchase but which could reserve nasty surprises).
PC All-In-One (AIO)
And if the main motivation for buying a laptop was aesthetics, it would be worth considering buying one PC All-In-Onei.e. compact fixed computers without unsightly cables and with everything needed in the monitor body (which will obviously be larger), which thus maintains a unique elegance and style, ideal for office desks or for a professional studio.
These computers are powerful enough but they cannot be updated easilythus sharing most of the limits with laptops (no gaming then).
They are a good choice only and exclusively for the professional field, where in many trades and professions the appearance with an elegant and refined desk allows you to increase the prestige and the feeling of reliability (you would trust more than an architect with an old desk , messy and with a classic PC or a professional with an elegant, refined desk equipped with an All-In-One PC?).
Conclusions
In the end it cannot be said that which computer is better to take, whether fixed or portable, univocally, it all depends on the use you want to make of it. Buying a computer is a very personal choice, most people prefer laptops because they are more beautiful, smaller and lighter but often they always leave them in the same place, as if they were desktop PCs (we might as well get a desktop PC, right? ).
Stationary PCs are objects that take up the space of a desk but are quite affordable (except for extreme gaming solutions), have higher performance than laptops, are easier to fix and can be easily updated.
To learn more we can read our guide on things to know before buying a new computer and the guide to better hardware components to make yourself the most powerful PC ever.