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Step 1
First, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of desktops.
A major advantage is you can usually get a more powerful desktop with more features than a laptop that's the same price. Desktops are also easier to upgrade--and since computer technology changes rapidly you can get more life out of a desktop by upgrading RAM and hard drive space.
The main trade off when you get a desktop is the lack of portability. If you're a student or travel a lot with your work, it can sometimes be frustrating to need a computer for something and not have one nearby (or go into a college computer lab to find they're all taken). -
Step 2
Laptops have the advantage of being portable, and with free Wi-fi becoming more common you can use them to access the Internet in many locations.
One feature I would definitely recommend with a laptop is a built-in wireless card. If you have to get an inexpensive laptop that does not have one built-in, several companies make wireless receivers that plug into one of the laptop's USB ports (as of this article, these range between $30-50).
The biggest mistake I've seen people make when it comes to laptops is they buy one that is too heavy or bulky for them to carry on a regular basis, and what happens is it ends up sitting on the desk a few weeks later when the person could have gotten a better desktop with the same money. -
Step 3
If you have a larger budget, there is nothing wrong with getting one of each--spending the majority on a desktop then getting an inexpensive laptop for occasional use.
If you have $1000, for example, there are now new laptops you can get for less than $300 including tax. Most are mini-laptops that don't come with a lot of features, but you can access the Internet with them and transfer files to your desktop using USB flash drives. You can then use the remaining money on the desktop--likely getting a similar if not better computer than if you paid the entire $1000 for just a laptop. -
Step 4
I try to remain impartial when it comes to particular brands, but what you want to investigate with both desktops and laptops are three things: customer reviews (which you can usually find online and asking people you know), the quality of support and service the manufacturer supplies (do you get a human being or a machine when you need help?), and the ability to upgrade (can you easily find RAM and other components for it?).
Don't make the decision on impulse--narrow down what you want on your first trip, then research when you get home before making your final decision. Best wishes, and I hope these tips have helped you!
Comments
xrayness said
on 6/8/2009 Thank you for writing this article and sharing this information with the eHow community.