When it comes to buying a personal computer, there has always been a debate whether to buy a desktop or a laptop. This debate extends to used computers as well, with many thinking that a used laptop is better than a used desktop. Read on to know more.
With the amount of computer penetration in the world today, it should come as no surprise that without the use of computers, our life will come to a standstill. Almost everything is done on computers today, and with better access to email and the Internet, everybody is glued to the computer screen.
Computers are used at home, at work, and even in educational institutions. The most popular activities using the Internet are reading newspapers, sending and receiving e-mails, Internet banking, and finding information about goods or services.
Using a search engine to find information, sending e-mails with attached files, and using chat-rooms are the most common skilled usage.
If you are among those very few without access to a computer, then it is surely time to buy one. Computers are here to stay, and soon learning to use a computer will become as necessary as learning to read and write. If budget is your problem, then you could opt for a used system.
One of the greatest advantages of buying a used system, either a desktop or a laptop, is that there is a fair chance that you will inherit the operating system along with all the software, applications, and utilities installed on it.
For the many people who have trouble in deciding whether they should go for a laptop or desktop, there are certain characteristics that can help them make a decision. In the further section, we take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of both systems, so you can judge which one is the best for your use.
Desktop Computers
Let us analyze a desktop computer in general first. Desktops are best suited as the family machine, which can be used for everything from surfing to games to photo editing to video. Energy efficiency and portability for desktops are secondary as the main goal is performance.
Desktops can be easily upgraded and repaired. They are very sturdy and can sustain the entire family working on it. However, the main shortcoming of a desktop is the fact that it is not portable. Another disadvantage is that they do not have battery backup; hence, in case of a power cut one would lose any unsaved data.
Laptops
Laptops, on the other hand, are compact and portable, and perfect for a first-time computer owner. Everyone will agree that laptops prioritize energy efficiency and compactness over absolute performance, and it is this quality that makes it so popular.
It gives the freedom to move around with ease, whether one works from home or in an office. A good laptop is considerably cheaper than a desktop as most of the peripherals, such as the screen, keyboard, mouse, and ports for connecting additional hardware, are included.
Another major factor that gives the laptop an edge over the desktop is the battery; in case of power cut one would not lose any data. Laptops can run directly from the mains and in the event of a power cut, its battery would take over and allow the user to work until that runs out.
The question again boils down to whether you want a laptop or a desktop. In either case, you should get a professional to completely review the computer that you are planning on buying, especially the various ports, life of the battery and all the external drives.
In the case of a desktop, you can get a used CPU while buying new accessories that would give your desktop a new look. Unfortunately, the same is not possible with a laptop. At the most, you can give it a nice hard scrub.
The best place to look for prices of used computers is the Internet. Obviously, buying over the Internet is not advisable, especially if you do not get to inspect the computer. But you will get a fair idea of the approximate cost of what you are looking for.
At the end of day, you have to take a call and decide what is best for you. Be patient and wait for a deal that suits your wallet and your purpose.