Notebook Trends

My first laptop – Acer Aspire 4530.  This laptop was bought more than six months ago and until today, I can say I’m still happy with this 14-in screen black machine running on Windows Vista. It has a 160GB hard disk and it has given me good service and, touch wood, I have not faced any major problem with it. 

  
My trusty Acer
 

In fact, I have got so used to this blogging ‘pal’ of mine and I’m now wondering what to do with my desktop PC. So, should I hand the PC down to somebody or continue to keep it as a backup machine? Give me more time to think about it.

In the beginning, I’d always think that my desktop PC was the only machine for me. Then, I wasn’t so keen on acquiring a laptop. Maybe, I consider them too expensive but in the last couple of years we have seen new laptops or notebooks coming into the market at prices that are more affordable for most people.

This is the trend and now we are seeing mini-notebooks or netbooks hitting the marketplace. Mobile computing has never been more exciting than now. 

Yes, all of a sudden, I’m beginning to realize that a laptop is very handy without taking up too much space in your room. Perhaps, the bulky desktop PC is heading towards the twilight zone.

I’m sure a lot of people who are planning to get a computer will be asking themselves: Should I go for a laptop or a PC? Let prolific internet marketing writer Titus Hoskins give you the lowdown on what to get in this article…

Laptop Or PC – What Should Your Next Computer Be?

By Titus Hoskins 

Before you can even decide what make of computer you want, whether it is a Dell, Mac or Hewlett Packard…you need to answer this burning question. Will your next computer be a laptop or a desktop PC?

In order to answer this question you need to do your research. You need to familiarize yourself with both laptops and PCs. The reason that I say this is because as with all purchasing decisions there are pros and cons to whatever decision you make. In order to make the most informed decision as to which choice will be your next computer, you need to not only look into the advantages and disadvantages of each of them but you also need to make sure that you apply these pros and cons to your individual circumstances.

So what exactly are these pros and cons?

If you are looking into desktop PCs you will see that they are usually cheaper than laptops and for the money that you are paying you will get a lot more hardware/software. You get a faster computer at a lower price. That’s the main reason many gamers tend to opt for desktop PCs over laptops as they are more suited to gaming and audio/video applications. However, recent developments have meant that there are now laptops coming out that have been primarily designed for gamers. The performance gap is narrowing swiftly.

While laptop prices are falling, they are generally more expensive than PCs because of their design aspect but mainly because they haven’t been around as long as PCs. Generally over time, electronic goods such as TVs, DVD players, computers… usually come down in price as makers recoup their initial manufacturing costs.

Another plus point for a PC comes in the fact that they are easily upgradable. If you want to upgrade the graphics card to a more powerful one you can. If you want to change or add another hard drive then go right ahead. With a laptop however, they may require professional installation and in many cases you are unable to upgrade or add to the technology that appears within it. They are a lot more troublesome to deal with when it comes to modifying or repairing them.

Despite these advantages that the PC holds over the laptop hasn’t stop the popularity of laptops from growing and expanding. There are in fact now more laptops being brought than desktops and this is a trend that is set to increase.

One of the main advantages that exist with laptops is the fact that they are portable. Many people now need a laptop in order to stay more productive. They allow you to access files and data at anytime and from any location, which is a necessity for many people due to our fast paced and on the go society. Also thanks to Wi-Fi wireless networks the connectivity of laptops are amazing. You are able to gain easy access to the Internet while you remain mobile.

Another pro to having a laptop as your next computer as oppose to a desktop PC is the fact that with a laptop you have low power consumption. The reason for this is that laptops are several times more power-efficient than desktops. A typical laptop uses 20-90 W, compared to 100-800 W for desktops. I feel that this is an important feature, especially for businesses that run hundreds of personal computers as it could ensure that you have a multitude of potential savings. It is also helpful to homes where there is a computer running 24/7 such as a home media server or print server.

Nor should you ignore the aesthetic appeal of the laptop. They have great style and design which makes them attractive to potential buyers. Gaming laptops are especially decked out with flashy decor and pizazz; while you should never buy a computer for its looks, many people do just that!

These are just a few examples of the pros and cons that are associated with laptops and desktop PCs. There are good and bad points for each option, so depending on what you need your computer for you may opt for a laptop or you may opt for a PC. The most important thing is that you make your choice based on your needs to ensure that you get the most out of your computer. Satisfy your own needs first and you won’t be disappointed with your final choice.

About the author: The author runs a handy online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming laptops: Best Gaming Notebooks.  To learn more about laptop computers try here: Laptop Buying Guide.