A while back I was asked whether it was better to buy a laptop or a desktop. This is a question I’m asked a lot by people looking to buy a PC. The answer comes down to what you want to use your computer for. Once this is decided, there are several thing to keep in mind before making your choice.

For ease of use you cannot beat a laptop. It’s mobile, and you can use just about any ADSL or wireless access point (or use a data connect card) to access the Internet. Batteries don’t last indefinitely, but most people stay plugged into mains anyway. You can take it to the office, or sit in bed and do your typing, writing or Internet. You can use it as an MP3 player or to watch DVD’s at home.

On the other hand, if you are going to do a lot of gaming, then a Desktop is the only way to go. Unless you attend LAN gaming parties in which case you can buy a high end laptop with dedicated graphics and a 19″ LCD panel for the portability, but be prepared to spend loads and loads of cash.

From a price point of view, you can build a decent gaming machine for the same price as a mid level laptop.

From a value point of view, the laptop is a better deal, especially if you get a brand like HP, Acer or ASUS where you get warranties and service support that you probably will miss with desktop equivalents. Warranties are a definite sweetner with Laptops. If your Laptop has hardware problems, you will pay well for repairs. (Acer and HP have good warranty service.)

Consider that squishing all that stuff into a small package means that the engineering of a laptop is better quality, and the fact that they are branded means rigorous QC, giving you product with a potentially longer lifespan.

The downside is that it is not as easy to upgrade a Laptop.

When upgrading a laptop, memory and hard drive upgrades are fairly simple, so when buying, choose a laptop on features other than memory and drive size.

More generally, when looking for value in a desktop of laptop, try to avoid the specials often offered by the large stores (Incredible, Game, Makro) as there is always a catch. At the least do your research on their offerings before buying.

I like that a laptop runs from a transformer pack. This also offers some line protection from power spikes and dips. Take this into account when buying. Buying an desktop gaming PC without putting in a UPS with a line conditioner is pure stupidity. A decent surge can turn your desktop into an expensive doorstop.

As you have probably noticed. I’m biased towards laptops. So my advice, buy a decent laptop. Research the product you like online and read the forums to get a heads up. You won’t regret going to the trouble, and you won’t regret buying a LT. If you find you want to play games, it is easy enough to buy a desktop platform that you can build up as you have cash. Even better, buy a a PS2/3, or XBox, both are cheaper than a gaming desktop.

I have both a desktop and a laptop. I use the laptop for all my Internet and drag it around on call outs so I can use my wireless connection to Google. My technical manuals and saved technical pages are on the laptop. My blogging and website designing also happen on the LT. There is not a single game on it and it is loaded with security and Antivirus programs.

My desktop on the other hand is used for gaming, graphic design and all my other writing. It is especially useful when I am writing material for classes or for the NPO of which I am the Secretary, as I do my online research with the laptop open next to me and edit this into my articles. If I need to transfer material I save it to my USB flash and carry it across. The desktop is also my test platform to troubleshoot PC’s and Laptops that I can’t fix onsite. It has no Internet connection.