Should You Choose a Desktop PC or a Laptop?

In the good old days when I began using a computer laptops were extremely expensive. In those days, you had desktop and tower cabinets for your computing needs. In those days the logic was also that you could replace parts as new expansion cards changed your computing power for a fraction of buying a new PC.

Nowadays, buying a laptop is much more price efficient, and your savings on the cost of electricity are obvious. When a stationary PC runs on 600W or more, whereas laptops typically run on 60-85W power supplies, savings are huge, both economically and for the environment.

It All Depends On Your Needs

If you are a gamer, there is no doubt you probably need a stationary pc. Buying a laptop that can run the latest games is still costly, and you will end up having to replace your laptop at regular intervals when you want to run the latest games.

If you are an average user who checks your emails, run a few office programs, you don't have the same problem with having to upgrade at the same intervals. What you buy today from new should be able to last some three to four years at least.

As I have said numerous times on my other blogs, the obvious thing for a gamer to do would be to buy a console such as XBox or Playstation, and then having a laptop for your computer needs. But that is a question of choice and taste. You could never convince gamers who insist on having a tower cabinet that they charge up with some flashy lights, changing lights in their keyboards etc... :-)

My best advice for anyone starting to use a computer in 2021 would be to go for 6-8Gb of RAM and a SSD drive with either 128 or 256Gb. That should be acceptable for most average users, and personally I am running on a Compaq 17" with 3Gb of RAM and a SSD drive with 128 Gb capacity. Suits me fine...

If you have any questions about computing, you're more than welcome to write a comment. I will gladly help you get more from your computer. I thank you beforehand for your comments. Maybe it can inspire for a laser-targetted reply to your precise question. :-)