I hate laptops. I use PCs all the time, and while I’ve tried to get used to laptops, it’s begrudgingly and always ends badly. Desktops are far superior, so I’ll never buy a laptop again—here’s why.
1
I Prefer the Layout of a Desktop PC
First and foremost, I hate the way laptops look. Their layouts can’t match my desktop setup.
The screens are never big enough. I understand that they’re used for mobility, but I can use my smartphone for anything I want to do on the go; otherwise, I could get a tablet. But a wide screen is best. Yes, you can get “screen extenders”, i.e. additional screens, for laptops, but they’re hugely expensive, and I can do the same for my PC.
Most important, however, is that I’ve never found a laptop keyboard that feels right. Again, I could buy an additional one, but that renders the laptop’s portability a moot point. And as a writer, a good keyboard is essential to me! (That’s why a keyboard is one of the tech items I won’t purchase online, too.)
2
Desktops Are Typically More Powerful
You can get some powerful laptops, but overall, desktops beat them hands down.
Companies like Intel install different CPUs for laptops and desktops. Why? Laptops give them more things to think about and counteract. You don’t want to burn through a laptop’s battery life too quickly, for instance. You probably don’t want to overclock your device, either. And that’s without getting into the serious problems with playing games on a laptop…
Desktops, then, are bigger, so heat can dissipate naturally. The fans are bigger, as is the heat sink. That means they can be afforded more power. I want fast processing, and laptops don’t cater to my needs on that front.
3
I Can Upgrade PC Components More Easily
Most of us wouldn’t know where to start if we want to upgrade components in a laptop. Take the RAM as an example—if it’s soldered onto your laptop’s motherboard, it’s almost impossible to change it. With a desktop, you can upgrade or replace damaged components comparatively easily.
You might not have the skills to do it yourself, but that’s fine. In fact, if you’re at all unsure, you shouldn’t delve into the workings of your device at all. You risk causing irreparable damage. But that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade your hardware.
Just talk to a professional if you can’t do it yourself. They can swap out your graphics card, give you more or faster RAM, and repair fans. If you want to do something yourself, adding a new SSD is easy.
4
All-in-One PCs Don’t Take Up Much Space
I can understand if people are put off buying desktops because they might take up a lot of space. Often, desktops consist of separate units, i.e., a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and, of course, a tower. That’s not necessarily the case.
All-in-one PCs give you many benefits of normal desktops but are more compact and offer better portability. Essentially, they wrap up the tower components with the monitor. However, you do have to compromise with all-in-one PCs. They can be more expensive than traditional ones, and you can’t swap out components as easily as with traditional desktops. But if space is your main concern, it can be worth the gamble.
Plus, even desktops don’t take up that much space anymore. Many towers are slimline and will fit into a small work area anyway.
5
Desktops Can Be Cheaper Than Laptops
Price is a big consideration. I use my PC daily, so whatever I buy is a massive investment. I’ve got to factor in how much my desktop is worth to me while also considering my budget. I can’t afford a top-of-the-range gaming laptop, but I don’t need to: a good quality desktop doesn’t have to cost a huge amount of cash.
We’re talking mid-range here. Generally, desktops are cheaper when looking for a solid device that won’t break the bank but will still do all you need. If I spot a particularly cheap laptop, I question why it’s that price. There’s always a trade-off. The components aren’t equivalent.
Obviously, I have to note which is better value for money. As PCs tend to last longer and give me all the benefits I want from my computing experience, it’s a no-brainer. To me, laptops never live up to my needs. That’s why I’ve only owned a PC for over a decade and am sticking with desktop PCs for the long term.
