Different B/W Laptop and Desktop
| Topic | Desktop | Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | There is a wide variety of component options available for desktops, allowing for a large range of prices, but the starting point is relatively cheap. Desktops can start as low as $400 for a full package (computer & monitor) and still be a pretty powerful system. | Laptops can have a fairly wide variety of component options, but they are more limited than desktops. To get a more powerful laptop (higher speed, better graphics, more storage space, etc.), the price can be considerably higher, ranging up to $1500 or more, depending on the brand. |
| Portability | Desktops are large in size and have a separate monitor. While it's possible to take a desktop from place to place, it's cumbersome and not the choice for portability. They are designed to be used in a single location and not moved around much, if at all. | Laptops are very portable due to their compact size. They were designed to be taken from place to place, carried in a backpack or laptop carrying case. They are great for on-the-go use. |
| Processor | Desktop processors are a little bit larger in size, but this also means desktop processors can be more powerful than laptop processors. New, advanced processors on the market are often available in desktop computers first. | Laptop processors have nearly caught up to desktop processors, but are still limited compared to desktop processors. Gaming laptops can have equal performance but have a much higher price. |
| Internal storage | Desktop computers may have multiple internal drives installed. | Laptop computers usually have room for only one internal drive. If the more internal storage is required, the drive must be completely replaced. |
| External storage | Desktop computers can connect to multiple external drives on its available data ports (USB, Thunderbolt, etc). | Laptop computers can also connect to multiple external drives, although the number of ports on a laptop is fewer than on a desktop computer. |
| Ease of assembly | Setting up a desktop takes a bit of extra work to hook everything up, start it up, and begin to use. It also requires more space to set up. While it's not difficult to connect everything together, it is still more cumbersome than a laptop. | Laptops are built to be easy to use, requiring little time to get running. Take it out of the box, plug it in, and press the power button. Within minutes, the laptop is ready to use. |
| Keyboard | Desktops can make use of full-size keyboards, including a number pad. There are really no limitations. | Smaller laptops with 14" and 15" screens have smaller keyboards and don't feature a number pad on the right side. Larger laptops with 17" screens do have larger keyboards and may include a number pad, but the laptops are bulkier and heavier. |
| Screen size | Desktop monitors can be 19" or larger. It is even possible to hook up a desktop to a TV, so screen sizes could be as large as a TV. This provides for great flexibility on what the desktop is used for and in what environment. | Since portability is a big feature of laptops, smaller screen sizes are necessary and screen sizes often range from 10" to 17". However, a laptop can still connect to an external display and support any size of monitor, screen, or projector. |
| Power Usage | Desktop computers use more power than a laptop. They have to power a higher wattage power supply, multiple components inside the computer, and a monitor. If the power fluctuates or goes out, including brownouts, any documents being worked on and not saved can be lost. | Laptop computers use less power than desktop computers. Smaller components mean less power is needed to make them work. Laptops also have a battery, so power fluctuations and outages will not cost any unsaved work to be lost. The battery kicks in immediately when power fluctuates or goes out. |
| Upgrading | Most components in a desktop are removable, making it easier to upgrade. Desktop cases are larger, providing more room inside to add and remove hardware, use tools, and organize cables. | Memory and hard drive are about the only components that can be upgraded in a laptop. The remaining components are either built-in and cannot be removed, or the laptop is not designed to work with the upgraded component. A need to upgrade anything other than the hard drive and memory usually requires a new laptop. |
| Gaming | Desktops are capable of using high-powered video cards that have higher power requirements and require better heat reduction/dissipation. Virtually any video card could be used on a desktop, including two or more video cards at the same time. Thus, they always yield better performance for gaming. | Physical space is limited in a laptop, which limits the graphics capabilities. While higher-end laptops can provide better than average graphics for gaming and CAD-based applications, the heat reduction/dissipation is limited by the space in the laptop case. Power is also limited which doesn't allow for video cards needing those higher amounts of wattage to run. |
| Repair | Repairing a desktop computer is generally easier because most of the hardware can be purchased off the shelf of any local computer retail store. | For most users, opening a laptop to repair a part can be difficult, and finding a replacement part often requires calling the computer manufacturer or ordering from another online site. |
The Main Difference Between Desktop and Laptop
The biggest and most noticeable difference is the Desktop needs basic external devices to be fully functional, whereas the Laptop has all necessary devices built-in, making it the most portable.
Mobility:-
- A Desktop stays in the office or home and needs the computer terminal to be connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse; whereas the Laptop has the built-in components and is thus easily transported as one complete device that can be used in most environments.
Power:-
- The Laptop can run off AC power, batteries, or mains power, whereas the Desktop can only run off the main powers. It is not manufactured for any battery use.
- The Laptop battery has improved over time and can last up to several hours, depending on how much processing power is being used, and keeping WiFi or Bluetooth connections open, increases the battery power consumption.
Speed
- Although the Desktop and the Laptop are becoming more equal in terms of speed and performance specifications, the Desktop still remains the more powerful choice for activities such as gaming and video production.
- Buying a Gaming Laptop with similar specs to a Gaming Desktop would be at a much higher price than a Gaming Desktop.
- If the computer is needed for basic office processing, internet usage, and photo viewing, then a standard Laptop would be perfectly suitable.
Specifications
- Generally, Laptops are known to have lower specs than Desktops, as there is a compromise on size and portability, vs performance and speed.
Screen size
- Desktop monitors can vary from small 15 inch screens to larger ones such as the 34 inches. Laptops have built-in screens which also have varying sizes.
- The larger the screen, the larger and heavier the Laptop, however, if a small Laptop is purchased for easy mobility, it can be connected to a larger external monitor if possible.
- If connecting an external monitor to a Desktop computer that permanently stays in one place, then the size of the monitor would not be a restrictive factor as it is set up once and not necessarily moved so the weight is not an issue.
Storage, Memory, and Data
- For storing very large amounts of data, the Desktop computer would be a better choice and if needed, additional memory can be added to improve performance, or the hard drive can be replaced. Laptops cannot be so easily expanded as the Desktop.
- Backups are recommended for all data, whether it resides on a Desktop or Laptop, however, if using a Laptop is would be essential to have backups as the risk of losing data increases with mobility due to theft, loss of computer, physical damage (dropping the computer), etc.
