Laptop vs Desktop Article

I have written another article which I will be putting onto my website shortly. I wanted to get some comments on this first draft prior to finalising it.

Most people seem to prefer to purchase a laptop/notebook computer these days instead of the more traditional desktop computer. The problem is that users are not always aware of information they truly need to make that all-important purchasing decision. We have tried below to provide you with a reasonable summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Laptop v’s Notebook
Most people refer to their portable computer as a ‘laptop’, whilst this is not technically the correct term in a lot of cases. Here we examine the difference between the ‘laptop’ and ‘notebook’ definitions.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s portable computers became widely available. They were all called ‘laptops’ and they were heavier than we have become used to. Prior to this the only portable computers were very large ‘suitcase’ style machines which were quite heavy. As these laptop computers became smaller during the 1990’s the term ‘notebook’ computer began to emerge. Most portable computer manufacturers will now refer to their product as a ‘notebook’ rather than a ‘laptop’. The term ‘notebook’ has partially replaced the term ‘laptop’ because these ‘heavier’ machines are no longer being made.

Traditionally, a ‘notebook’ computer would have most of these features:
- Ultra-light and very low profile (ie. thin)
- 4 hours of battery life
- No internal floppy drive
- Minimal graphics subsystem
- Maximum 14” TFT screen
- Integrated modem/network connections
- Smallest possible keyboard (retaining functionality)
- Low power consumption processor

The problem with a notebook computer is that, in order to have a high specification, they come at a cost. Many ‘notebook’ computers cannot actually be used on your ‘lap’, so they cannot really be described as a ‘laptop’ – this is because the main cooling air fan inlet is on the bottom. Comspec would suggest that when you are actually intending to use your notebook computer on your knees, then you should place a small board (even a tray) underneath it.

‘Laptop’ computers realistically do not exist anymore, they are being referred to as ‘desktop replacement’ computers. They are designed to offer desktop performance, but still be portable. Traditionally, a ‘laptop’ computer would have most of these features:
- 14” to 17” TFT screen
- Nvidia GeForce or ATI Radeon graphics subsystem
- Internal DVD-ROM or DVD-RW drive
- Large full-featured keyboard
- 2 hours battery life
- Upgradeability (within some restrictions)
- Integrated modem, network and Wi-Fi capabilities
- High quality integrated audio/speaker system
- Low power consumption processor

Most people, however, still refer to their ‘notebook’ as a ‘laptop’ and numerous retailers still call them ‘laptops’. The terms are used interchangeably and could be used either way. Because of the advances in portable computing, the definitions have become fuzzy and it is a matter of opinion as to which you call your computer.

Laptop/Notebook v’s Desktop
The portable computer should not realistically be used as a ‘replacement’ for a desktop computer – it is purely a ‘portable’ solution. Some retailers are misleading (I hope not intentionally) customers by telling them the laptop they are selling is a straight replacement for a desktop. I have even heard one salesperson say that the desktop computer is now obsolete and the laptop is the new computer.

The advantages of a desktop computer are:
- More powerful
- Higher storage is available
- Easy to upgrade or repair
- More resistant to theft
- Less prone to component failure
- Components are less expensive
- Components are not always specific to any machine
- More overall performance per pound cost
- Multiple monitor support is standard on some desktops

The advantages of a laptop/notebook are:
- Portability makes them very useful
- Access to wireless networking in public places

There is no real comparison on performance between a laptop and a desktop computer. The laptop has a couple of fundamental problems to overcome which limit it. The first of these is size – the smaller the machine the less room to put components. The second is heat – the laptop is small, giving less room to circulate air to cool components. Because manufacturers are constantly fighting against these problems the laptop will never truly ‘replace’ the desktop.

A major number of laptops are ‘proprietary’ meaning that their components are not interchangeable. If you want a component for your laptop you will usually have to stick to the same manufacturer to get it. The design of laptops changes so often that parts are not always easy to get. Here are a few other important factors which you need to be aware of regarding laptop/notebook computers:

1) Their processor usually runs at a reduced speed when on battery power

2) The cost of repairing a laptop/notebook can be much more than a desktop. Labour is more intensive and the parts are always more expensive.

3) The hard drive in a laptop is smaller than their desktop cousins. This means that, whilst laptops are being supplied with larger disks, the desktop computer is still the number one choice for users with large storage needs.

4) The laptops/notebooks which are being offered for sale in the £300-£500 price bracket are usually not what we would describe as ‘business’ machines. They are built to a lesser specification and their upgradeability path is small to non-existent.

5) Anyone who relies on graphics or sheer power for gaming is forced to go the desktop route to gain the specification they require.

So, to summarise, Comspec do not recommend that you avoid laptops, but you should realistically only buy one if you are happy to trade performance for portability. The portability aspect is very important – if you do not need it, then always go for a desktop computer. The debate will go on as the industry develops, but the purpose of this article is simply to give you, the user, a heads-up on this ‘political’ debate.

 

comspec I would say you have just about summed it up.I would add that the display on a laptop oops notebook,is inferior to a desktop owing partly to the angle having to be set each time it is used,

also I still use a crt monitor on one of my machines which has a much better display than the LCD screen.

Earl

 

Thanks earl for the feedback. I will look at putting a mention in there about screens.

Mark

 

[Astaroth]

To be honest, and without wanting to sound harsh, I dont like the article - it isnt interest nor particularly educational.

Laptop -v- Notebook, well my "portable computer" doesnt fit into either definition you have given. I would personally say the names are interchangable and any differentiation is purely marketing spin.


Portable -v- desktop: "Less prone to component failure" - never heard this one, any stats to back this claim up? I also dont see how you think that sales people are misleading people by saying they are a replacement? On a bang for your buck you are getting less but that doesnt mean that a £600 laptop isnt an adequate replacement for a desktop given the majority of people simply use it for net, mp3 and office - it is probably more misleading when sales people upsell someone to the latest Quad Core desktop to use itunes with.

You mention dual screens, I have had 20 or so laptops now and every one had native dual screen support.

 

I think laptops are in the main a fashion accessory ,having a much lower performance and specification than a desktop allied to there fiddly little mices and terrible screens,limited upgrading potential and extremely limited battery life,

The main purpose would seem to me ,there ability to annoy fellow travellers on the 6.10 to Euston along with there mobile phones of course

I would bet that less than 2 in 10 sold are actualy used to do work on as mobile computers.

In my business Although I have a laptop somewhere in the loft,I find using a 4GB memory stick a much more convenient way to show clients E.T.C

any neccessary information.

A laptop Hater

 

Thanks for the comments.

I have already mentioned that the names (Laptop/Notebook) are 'interchangable'. This is something which a lot of 'laymen' are asking the difference in and is what led to me creating this article.

There is a main computer store about 20 miles from me and I have heard their staff telling customers that desktops are dead, and laptops are taking over. Whatever anyones opinion on laptops, this just is not true.

Yes laptops can support an external monitor, but as for true dual monitor support (ie spanning, etc) then it really takes a desktop with a suitable video card. Laptops usually have the ability to 'mirror' the display on a secondary monitor, but this is not as developed as the desktop card support.

The 'prone to component failure' is valid if my 18 years of experience is anything to go by. I have always found that laptops just do not last - not always their own fault, can be due to misuse, etc. The problem of cooling has led to some of these problems and many laptops have had to have redesigns quite quickly to cover this problem. The use of notebook computers on the 'lap' also covers some outlets and this also reduces their lifespan. I get on average 7-8 years out of my main desktop PC, yet I have never had a laptop which has been useful for more than 4-5 years.

I wanted to keep this article as simple as possible, without too many heavy technical portions - most of my home-based users do not have any technical knowledge and it is really them I am pitching at. To go too technical would remove the point of this altogether.

I am not knocking laptops in any way, just the fact that they are being purchased as direct replacements for a desktop - which no-one will ever convince me they are. Yes most times they will 'do the job', but this is not the way I sell PC's. Current uses and future uses have both got to be taken into account.

 

[Astaroth]

Again, my laptop allows spanning and mirroring - I have never been into spanning onto dual screens and so cant say if previous ones could or couldnt.

It seems the first 1/2 should simply be that there is no difference between the two names other than marketing spin used to differentiate newer smaller/ lighter laptops from the older style but that it is continuous line from one to the other and not a check list that makes a portable computer one or the other.

I think you are possibly missing the reason why most people buy a laptop (which is probably different from how some are used). People are paying the extra for the lifestyle element. Peoples homes are getting smaller as property prices inflate and most cannot afford/ dont want to have a large area perminantly lost to a PC being set up when a laptop can be easily stuck under a sofa/ bed and be back up and running in 30 seconds.

They also like the idea of being able to use the pc infront of the TV with their partner/ kids rather than being stuck in the box room whilst the rest of the family are in the lounge or kitchen.

All the people I know outside of web development and pro photographer circles have moved on to laptops and the majority do do this.... of cause some have bought a laptop and now have it constantly set up in the same place with their printers, 5.1 speakers etc.

I have to say that I have only once had a component of any desktop or laptop fail on me and that was the PSU of a desktop after 6 years so cannot dispute the fact they are more likely to go wrong. It does sound much more like that they are more prone to miss use (vents covered etc) than inheritently more prone to failure.

Are they fit for purpose? Majority are perfectly powerful enough to run IE, Office & Itunes. Is it sensible to pay extra for lifestyle? The majority of people do even if they say they wont