The Desktop vs Laptop Computer / Using Your Laptop as a Desktop Pc

Desktop vs Laptop.
Can you use a laptop as a desktop pc?, generally yes, after all we really need to look at what a desktop can offer that a laptop can’t.
The general things that people presume a laptop can’t do are…

Only has a small screen, did you know you can actually plug an external screen into around 99% of all laptops, most have a standard VGA connector allowing you to connect any standard monitor.

Not only that by certain operating systems such as XP and Vista support multiple monitors, allowing you to use a single laptop screen, a single external screen or by using the laptop screen and the external screen together as one big screen, this is great as it allows you to use different applications on each screen, as the cursor moves to the edge of one screen it then reappears on the other screen.

Prefer to use a mouse and real keyboard, every laptop built over the past 5 years supports USB (universal serial bus) and as such has some USB ports, these ports support a whole range of hardware including keyboards and mice, the only limitation with USB ports on laptops is there usually is not enough of them, but you can easily add an external USB hub to solve this problem.

Desktops are more powerful, well yes and no, but you generally get what you pay for dollar for dollar a desktop is more powerful than a laptop, but you can get some very fast laptops if you’re prepared to stump up the cash, with larger hard drives, more memory etc, it’s even worth looking around for a 2nd user laptop, if you want something a bit cheaper and still under warranty. Computer adviser desktop vs laptop article

Laptops can’t take extra cards, today with USB and PCMCIA ports laptop can accept a whole range of cards, many laptops even have docking stations so you can actually add PCI cards if needed, docking stations also mean you can plug everything into them and remove your laptop very easily without having to remove all your cables.

Laptops aren’t as good for games as a desktop, If you’re looking to play games desktop pc’s do have the edge here, but you can buy laptops today aimed at the gaming market that do come with beefed up graphics, sadly though most laptops can’t have the graphics upgraded.

But on the other end of the scale have a think about what a laptop can do that a desktop can’t?

Each of them has its place, but if you are limited by space, want to be portable, even if it only means being able to browse the web from the comfort of your lounge, garden a laptop is the best choice.

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