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Desktop?....or....Laptop? |
Deciding on the type of computer you need can be daunting.
There are so many different manufacturers out there each
offering a huge range of computer models, features and resources. On this page
we have tried to give you just an idea of what to look for and
also whether or not you should consider a desktop or laptop pc.
Whilst this is not meant to be a 'Buyer's Guide', we hope it might
just
make things that little bit clearer. |
First considerations.....
What is the computer going to be used for and who's going to
use it? Is it primarily for word processing letters
and other documents? Keeping your finances up to date? Or is it
likely to be taken over by the kids?! Will you be storing photos
of holidays? Is it being used for Internet? All these things
need to be considered as to what sot of facilities you need on
your pc at home.
Having weighed up the uses and users, it's then time to consider
in view of this, just what type of pc is best. A desktop is
obviously permanently established somewhere in the home, whereas
a laptop will give much flexibility - again maybe around the
home, but it could very useful for travel and business purposes.
Laptops are fairly lightweight, but if you decide on this
option, its recommended that for peace of mind you buy a laptop
security cable, which is inexpensive and can bought at stores
such as PC World. Any security measure is a must with computers.
We discuss this elsewhere on the website.
So you've decided on a desktop?
Of course nowadays there is a huge variety of computers on
offer, not only in large computer stores, but supermarkets and
smaller stores. You want to try and buy a reputable brand. Some
of these are listed below and pc's can be bought online if you
have that facility and happy to send credit card details over an
internet connection. Your
desktop may come as a package. That is, with a printer/scanner,
and almost always with some pre-installed software. You can
indeed save money this way. Printers which come with computers
can be inferior, so bear this in mind if you are, for
instance likely to be printing off photos. If this is the case,
it might be worth selecting and buying a separate pc and
printer. It's up to you!
What does a computer consist of?
 A
desktop pc has a tower or 'box' in which resides the inner
working of the computer such as hard disk, printed circuits,
memory modules etc etc!
A monitor or screen:
Obviously the larger the monitor the more expensive. Screens can
start from around 15" right up to 20" or more. Buying a monitor
will be dictated by the level you pc you are buying and the
price! If you have money to burn, consider
mixing and matching your system. Shop around. Other points to
know and consider. It also depends on what sort of use you are
putting your computer to.
Hard Disk: The
desktop pc contains a certain sized hard
disk. Nowadays, these are usually high capacity. Sizes
of disks start around 40GB through to around 160 GB or more. In
other words for pretty standard home use, there'll be plenty of space
to store your data.
Keyboard: You need
this in order to type commands, letters, numbers, etc etc. So its a vital
input device! Here's where you will communicate with your
computer and others. Most computers come with a good keyboard,
usually specially designed by the manufacturer. There are more
specialised keyboards on the market such as wireless and
especially shaped versions for gaming and disabled people, but
these have to be bought separately.
Mouse: The pc will
come with a mouse which without this little fellow you aren't
going to get very far! Most pc's come with mouse software from
which you can adjust sensitivity (so the pointer doesn't race
across your screen!), also assigning the functions of left and
right buttons and scrolling actions. However this can also be
controlled through other means on your computer.
Preinstalled software:
Again most new pc's come with installed software. This may
include for instance, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) if
this is specified in the package you are proposing to buy. You
may also get a trial version of
internet security software, such as McAfee or Norton. This
may only run for around 15-30 days then you have to purchase it.
Its however a very important item if you are going to use
the computer for internet and e-mail use etc. Another more
regular inclusion is CD burning software which can be really
useful, but again this may be time-limited.
Manual: This mine
of information is very much appreciated as part of your
delivery! Some pc manufacturers are better than others for the
depth and informative nature of these. Some can be very brief,
and increasingly manuals are available only on the hard disk of
the pc or on a CD which comes with the pc itself, rather than a
book.
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What's in a laptop?
 A
laptop means flexibility, so its portable and easy to take
around with you. It consist much the same as a desktop machine,
(see above) but generally smaller. Many business employees use
laptops especially if their work involves local, national and
international travel. Most laptops therefore have a wireless
facility. You can still use a laptop at
home, but remember a lot of different users on a laptop and any
arguments about who uses it might have a detrimental effect on
it!
There many types of laptop on the market, just like desktop
machines. Some laptops are very small and can be put in a small
travelling case. Others are larger and more designed for gaming,
web design etc where a larger screen size is important.
So as we stated earlier, the laptop consist of the normal
internal parts such as hard disk, memory and other
hardware. Of course it has a lid
which should always be closed when the machine is not in use.
When it comes to a keyboard and mouse, there is a difference.
The laptop doesn't have a separate mouse, although on most
models you can attach a compatible mouse if you wish to. The
keyboard is built into the body of the machine.
Preinstalled software is also a feature of a laptop as it is
with a desktop machine. As this type of computer is made for
portable, maybe business use, it may include a wireless
facility, which is a wireless card and software to set up this
facility for either home network or travel use (Wi-Fi). This is
discussed elsewhere on the website.
Find out what the difference is between hardware
and software?
Need further advice for free? Contact us either by Yahoo
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