by Abby Way

Created on: June 14, 2009

If you're looking at purchasing a computer in the near future, it's important to decide whether you want to go for a desktop computer or a laptop. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and are widely available. Here are some reasons you might decide to choose a desktop computer rather than a laptop.

1. Affordability
One of the main reasons that people opt for a desktop is often the price. Desktop computers tend to be, on average, cheaper than laptops. Of course, some desktops are high-priced, and some laptops are low-priced, but laptops tend to cost more.

Desktops also tend to last longer and not be outdated quite as quickly as laptops. The average lifespan of a desktop outlasts the average laptop by a few years, which can be a big difference for someone on a tight budget.

2. Ease of repairs and upgrades
If your monitor, keyboard, mouse, or another part breaks in a desktop computer, it's generally easy to replace the part. When you have a laptop, unless you're computer-savvy, this could mean an expensive trip to the computer specialists. Laptops tend to have all these computer components and more built into them, whereas an external connection is straightforward to replace.

Gamers like desktop computers because it's generally easier to replace parts on a desktop than a laptop. This means it's easy to upgrade the CPU performance, hard drive, and other parts that gamers rely on for fast, stable games.

3. Safety and durability
Laptops are stolen more often than desktops, because of their value and portability. If someone breaks into your home, he or she is much less likely to choose to steal a heavier, more awkward desktop computer.

Since desktops are not carried around and used in different environments like laptops, there's also less chance of them being dropped or having a foreign substance spilled on or over them.

Overheating is another problem that affects laptops more than desktops. Most computers, desktop or laptop, have fans built into them to cool the hard drive. With a desktop, however, the vents are on the back of the CPU tower, and with a laptop, their vents are positioned in such a way that the computer will often overheat if left running on a soft surface. As long as a desktop computer has plenty of room for air to circulate around the tower, it runs relatively little chance of overheating.


There are other reasons besides these three, but they are some of the biggest reasons people opt for a desktop rather than a laptop computer. Whichever you choose, do your research and compare prices before buying and you're sure to be satisfied with your purchase for a long time.

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