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How to Decide Which Format of Computer to Buy
by Lynda Hill
Laptop or desktop? These are the main two types of computer available in the shops for people like you and me.
These days, laptops can be as powerful as a desktop, but this article is not going to look at the actual specification, ie power, you need; I just want to examine the formats and help you decide which one may be best for you.
Why choose a desktop?
Up until a few years ago, a desktop was always considered to be first choice. Because they are so versatile, you can find them to suit all pockets and can upgrade certain components whenever necessary in future. Most popular upgrades are more memory and larger hard drive - either of which are easy enough to do for yourself. The other advantages are that you can have larger monitors and good quality keyboards and mice - either as part of the original purchase or by upgrading afterwards.
Or laptop?
Laptop keyboards and mice are often uncomfortable and don't have a 'good' feel to them. However, these days more people are buying laptops as their main computers - because they have the added bonus of being portable. Laptops, which are also called 'notebooks' can be very powerful too, but they are limited in upgrade potential - for example, you may or may not be able to add more memory, although you can probably buy a bigger hard drive. To make them more comfortable to use at home you can add a separate keyboard and mouse.
Desktop computers are static; moving one around is a fiddle - lots of cables and other attachments to be moved as well, whereas a laptop is designed to be mobile. If you want to be able to use your computer both at your desk and when sitting in on your sofa, then a laptop would be a good choice. You can have a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse even linked through a docking station, sitting on your desk, but have the versatility to be able to pick it up and take it away on holiday, for example, or if you want to relax in another room.
One advantage with the laptop + extra monitor is being able to spread your windows desktop onto the second monitor - makes working a lot easier and faster too.
Back to the desktop option. Do you know where you want to put it? You can put a desktop box on top or underneath your desk. It can be laid flat or on its side. But be aware of two things - dust and temperature. If it is on the floor it has a greater risk of dust getting inside, and it needs a couple of centimetres all round to stop it overheating.
Overheating is also to be avoided with your laptop. It may sit on your lap OK, but both it and your knees will get very hot; and very hot means it will keep shutting itself down to cope. Always use a laptop cooler or flat hard surface with the laptop angled on little feet to help keep it cool. Unless you use your desktop for a lot of gaming, it is unlikely to overheat - unless there's a component fault.
I hope this article has illuminated some of the considerations you need to make before buying your new computer. There are lots of excellent deals out there these days, and other than being aware that the day after you have made your purchase you are sure to see the very same machine cheaper, you need to be sure you are buying something which will be most useful to you. After all only you know how and where you will be using your computer. Of course, you could always have one of each!
Most of the mainstream brands offer extremely good deals, but do shop around. Try and get as much bundled software as you can with the deal, whichever type of computer you buy. Be extra careful if you are thinking of buying from eBay - due diligence is required. If you know what you are doing then you won't need to have read this article and you probably won't need any kind of extended warranty either!
About the Author
Lots more tips and ideas about getting the best out of your computer can be found on my computer tips blog - lynda-hill.com
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