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Desktop or Laptop Computer? Making the choice

By Christos Demos, C&IT Computing Support Team

This document aims to provide perspective on the difficult decision of purchasing a computer to use while pursuing a degree at Wayne State University. Of course, there are no absolutes in the computer industry. The following are general comparisons and guidelines.

Trait	Desktop Computer	Laptop Computer	Edge
Ability to upgrade and customize	Most desktops are based on open architecture and can be easily altered with more powerful components. If you need to add a DVD-recorder, a faster processor, or multiple internal hard drives, you can do so with most desktop computers.	Only the memory, and often the hard disk drive, can be upgraded. Sometimes the CD/DVD drive can be upgraded as well. The ExpressCard or PC Card slots provide for limited expansion capabilities.Otherwise, you are stuck with what you originally bought — particularly the video subsystem (video chip and monitor!)	Desktops
Cost	Parts for desktops are always lower in price. The same is true for the overall cost of a system.	Shrinking a computer down to the size of a laptop increases the overall cost. In addition, most laptops are designed to adhere to general industry standards but with parts that are largely specific to the particular brand and model.	Desktops
Power	The latest processors, the fastest video cards, the biggest hard drives are all available for desktop computers first. Choose a desktop if you want to maximize performance.	The reduced laptop size also imposes certain limits to performance. Keeping the internal system cool in a limited space is a major engineering problem. Laptop users have to wait for months, even years in some cases, to use the same technologies seen in desktops. Still, the performance gap has been shrinking.	For the same amount of money, you always end up with a faster computer if you buy a desktop.
Portability	No, not really.	Portability is the reason why laptop computers now outsell desktop computers with no trend reversal imminent.	Not even close.

Notes:

The lines between desktop and laptop computers are blurred by some diminutive desktop computers that are a lot less upgradable but a lot more portable.
Once a computer reaches the end of its primary lifecycle (approximately 40 months), it is usually more cost effective to obtain a new one rather than add excessive upgrades to it.
Get a desktop computer if you need a lot of computing power for your academic work. Statistical packages, engineering packages, and graphics/video manipulation software are some examples of programs that benefit from a fast computer system. Having just said that, note that a lot of laptops shipping these days are very strong performers.

Resources

The following guides on these Websites contain detailed information about purchasing laptop and desktop computers:

After you decide on a computer to buy, make the C&IT Software Clearinghouse and the C&IT Help Desk supported software Web page your first stops to get software at deep discounts — or for free!

Also, make your computing experience at WSU more enjoyable by keeping your computer clean of malicious programs like viruses and spyware. C&IT offers a lot of helpful information on Safe Computing Practices:

http://computing.wayne.edu/safecomputing/

Overall recommendation

Desktop computers have a better price/performance ratio. However, unless you have compelling reasons to do otherwise, you probably will find that a laptop computer can best fit your needs. It all comes down to portability. This is a critical factor not be overlooked.

Are you going to be largely mobile during your studies - doing coursework in multiple locations?
Are you going to find yourself writing a paper at one place then preparing for an exam at another?
Will you need to take your computer in a lab or to the library?
Or have you set up your office in your apartment and know you will do all your studying from there?

Whatever your choice, make sure to also read the aforementioned desktop-and laptop-specific guides.