A few years ago buying a computer was a fairly easy decision. It was almost always a desktop PC for both offices and homes. Laptops were more or less targeted at top-level executives who needed computing on the go. The high price of laptops was also a major constraint for average users.
Since then things have changed! The prices of laptops have gone down drastically. Today it's not difficult to find a notebook with the latest configuration at around Dh3,000, something you pay for a high-end smartphone. The price has been the single most important factor in the volume sales of laptops.
It's important, though, to make a practical decision when you must choose between a desktop PC and a laptop. Some broad considerations in this regard would help.
Space constraints
I've seen quite a few people in the UAE going in for a laptop because of the lack of space in their homes. It is easily transportable and can be set up anywhere in the house. Also, if there are small children around, you can easily keep it out of their reach, unlike desktops.
What's your budget?
If space is not an issue but budget is, then one should always go for a desktop. Laptops are still fairly expensive compared to normal PCs. Also, for the same price a desktop would always give you more value for money. You can have bigger storage and a bigger screen, not to mention the computing power.
The one for me
If you have both the money and space, then you need to analyse your usage.
- Do you use computers to just check your email and surf the net? If the answer is 'yes', then go for a notebook. If you are in the computer stream or need to create a lot of documents and presentations, then go for a desktop.
- There's no way laptops can match the robustness of a desktop PC. The built-in keyboard in a normal laptop is not as sturdy as the external one connected to a desktop PC. It's easier to work on a normal PC for longer hours compared to notebooks. And with the coming of USB drives you can transfer data between your college PC and your home PC at a mouse click.
- Desktop is also the right choice if you want to watch movies on your computer or if you like big screens. Most laptops in the market start at 12 inches and go up to 17 inches. Mind you, with the screen size the actual size of the laptop also increases, which would make it heavy and bulky.
Which lasts longer?
A desktop has a longer usage life as you can upgrade components like the memory, hard disk, and monitors (in some cases you could do it on your own). A local computer store would come in handy in such cases.
Laptops on the other hand come as an integrated whole. If one key component fails it will cost you a lot of money to get the machine fixed. You must take it to the service centre of the manufacturer.
To sum up, the choice boils down to justifying the associated cost. If you are one of those net freaks who wants to be connected even while sipping coffee at a shop, then go for a notebook. A laptop forever lying at home is like buying a smartphone to just make and receive calls. Purpose is important!
If computers are only a means to get your work done or to check your email once or twice in a day then a desktop is the right choice.
— The writer is a guru of tech who runs a trading company in Dubai
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