Technology has brought about many changes to your life, some good and some not so much. It cannot be denied that most of these changes are designed to make life easier for you. Laptops are one such invention that has brought about many changes in your lives. What started with huge desktops came to laptops, even mini ones.
Laptops are portable, which gives them an edge over desktops. If you are prone to moving from one place to another while continuing your work, laptops are the best option. It would be impossible to carry your desktop around wherever you go.
Based on the market’s needs, companies are trying hard to bring our different technologies into laptops. There are specially designed ones for gaming, while other laptops are only fit for work purposes. You need to choose the one that is suitable for you.
Laptops also have advantages and disadvantages which you need to understand before you buy one. The cost, memory, performance, and storage space are very different from that of a desktop.
So, if you are thinking about whether to invest in a desktop or a laptop, this difference can help you make your decision.
Advantages of a Laptop
The world is changing, and people are more inclined towards mobility. No one wants to be confined to one place even when they are working. Laptops have quickly replaced desktops because of this main reason that it provides mobility. You cannot pick up a desktop and move to another desk, but you can do this with a laptop.
If you are planning to buy a laptop, you may want to know its advantages. Here we have mentioned five of the top advantages that can help you. Though there are more, we have touched the ones that are of importance.
Portability
The first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the advantages of laptops is their portability. Portability means the ability to move an object from one place to another without any hassle.
Whether you want to carry your laptop to the dining table and work while drinking your coffee or even move it to your bed to watch a movie, it is very easy.
The battery in a laptop is built-in, and the body is lightweight enough to carry it around easily. This ease is not provided on a desktop as you need an external power source to switch on and run it. If you have deadlines that you need to finish while you are on the move, then the best thing would be to carry a laptop.
Laptop computers can have a battery life of more than 10 hours. Even an average laptop can have a battery life that can last for about 5 to 6 hours.
Due to its size, most laptop models have an option to connect to a projector or larger screen to enjoy a better viewing experience.
No Cords or Cables
Keeping your desk can be quite tiresome since there are the monitor, mouse, and keyboard to be dealt with. The cables from these devices can become entangled with each other and make the table quite messy. This becomes more of a problem if you have a small tablespace.
You will find a hard time trying to arrange your necessary office equipment. There are also cords from the UPS and the desktop. This is a huge advantage in a laptop since there are no cables. If your laptop has a full charge, then you can operate it without even connecting the power cord.
There is no need for a mouse or a keyboard separately, which saves a lot of space and cleaning hassle. In case you need to charge the laptop, there is just the power cord, which is quite long and will not interfere with your comfort.
Security
When it comes to being secure, the laptop is a better option. Your workspace desktop would be present with you only during office hours. Other than that, you will have no control over who it is exposed to. Even if you put up a password, experienced people can hack into the system if they want to.
There is also the fear of the desktop being physically damaged by someone else. This will not happen if you have a laptop. The laptop will be with you at all times. Whether you are at the office or coming back home, you will be carrying your laptop with you everywhere.
You can effectively save any personal information that you have on the laptop.
Processing
The configuration and processing of laptops are done in such a way so that they are user-friendly. Since laptops are used in almost all sectors, manufacturers need to ensure that laptops can satisfy multiple users’ demands. In current times, laptops are almost equal in speed and performance as compared to desktops.
You will not have to be dependent on any external power source since laptops have a built-in one. The battery mechanism of a laptop is such that you can work it for a long time without getting interrupted.
When the battery is low, the laptop will give you a notification to charge it. Unlike desktops, the laptop will not immediately switch off when disconnected from the power source.
Advanced Technology
The best thing about laptops is that technology is continuously evolving to enhance the user experience. Today you will find hybrid laptops that can also be turned into a tablet mode. This advancement is great for people who wish to make the laptop smaller and need a touch screen.
The ease of use and portability are two of the major things in these hybrid devices. This sleek and lightweight device can be very easily put into your bag and carried no matter where you go.
Superior all-around portability, long battery life, and capacity for entertainment (i.e. internet access, streaming movies, playing games, video conferencing) make it an ideal choice for the casual user.
Moreover, these 2 in 1 laptop devices will also take up much less space than conventional laptops.
Technology also determines important specs such as power consumption, image quality, energy-efficient batteries, etc.
Disadvantages of a Laptop
Along with the advantages, several disadvantages are present on a laptop.
Better Backup
The first disadvantage of using a laptop is that the battery backup is extremely limited. Even though you can use the laptop on a single charge for a long time, the battery may become less dependable as the laptop becomes older.
You might also have to plug it in more than once if you are using the laptop for the whole day. This is not the case with a desktop since you can work for hours on end due to the external power source. If you are in an area with no access to a power source, then the work will stop when the battery drains out.
Expensive Maintenance
The maintenance of a laptop is costlier than that of a desktop computer. Not only will you have to replace the battery after a few years, but you will also have to handle it with extreme caution. Suppose you damage a single key in the keyboard, and then the whole keyboard needs to be replaced.
You will also have to ensure that the USB ports are not exposed to moisture or stop working. Moreover, since laptops are continuously moved, they are more damage-prone. If not handled carefully, the hinges of the laptop could be damaged or locked.
Most of the other laptop manufacturers find it quite difficult to resolve technical queries of customers within a quick time.
Hardware Limitations
One of the biggest limitations of a traditional laptop is that they are not fully upgradable. The hardware of a laptop cannot be upgraded whenever you want. This is not the case with desktop computers since the hardware can be changed based on the user’s requirements and needs.
If you want a specific upgrade instead of a hard disk or RAM, you will have to buy a whole new laptop model with the needed configurations. Most of the other parts of a laptop cannot be removed, which means that they cannot be changed.
Though DVD/CD drive has started to become a thing of the past, you must be aware that you won’t find any optical drive in most recent laptops. The headphone jack is another thing of the past since all most recent laptops have Bluetooth and it’s simpler to connect wireless headphones/earphones.
Low storage capacity means you have to be more cautious while storing your data on laptop computer.
Referring to the screen size, laptops as they are manufactured considering the portability aspect in mind, you rarely get a screen size of more than 17 inches.
Expensive
Laptops are no doubt portable and quite easy to use, but they do burn a hole in your pocket. A desktop can be assembled according to your need and also by keeping your budget in mind.
But this is not possible on a laptop. Here you will have to invest more money to get any high-end configurations.
People who cannot provide the budget will either have to settle for something low or have to invest in a desktop with the needed configurations. Moreover, the non-upgradable feature means that you will have to spend more money on new machines if you want to keep yourself upgraded with the latest technology.
A gaming laptop features a highly powerful CPU that is equipped with multiple graphics cards. This makes it a perfect gaming device over an average mid-range laptop, but with that comes the price tag.
Health Issues
People who use laptops tend to use it for a longer period since they can be taken anywhere. If you are using an office desktop, you will not take your work home. That means that time to work also decreases.
Keeping yourself exposed to the harmful rays of the laptop is not good for your health. But you will not be able to keep track of time when you are on your laptop. The main focus during that would be to complete your work no matter how much time it takes.
Summing Up
Laptops have been one of the most in-demand machines in the latest times. People are more and more understanding of the convenience that laptops provide. However, it is also necessary for you to understand the machine’s limitations so that you are well-informed.
Whether you use a laptop or a desktop, you must be aware of its effects on your work, budget, and health. All of these are major concerns, and not one of these should be ignored.
