More and more often, people ask me, “I want to buy a computer,
but I can’t decide between a desktop or laptop - what do you recommend?” I
always tell the people the same response, “It depends on what you will be
doing with it.”

If a person does a lot of traveling and needs to have a computer at their
ready, then I always recommend a laptop. They can be pricier, but for the
techno geek on the go, they can be lifesavers. One thing to keep in mind
when looking at laptops is that, a lot of the time, the graphics cards in them do
not have the same kick as the ones you would find in a desktop. Programs
requiring heavy graphic usage sometimes may be better be suited to a desktop.
Another point to keep in mind is that the displays are usually smaller than
those you can get for a desktop (unless you have a buttload of cash to
spend). This can make a difference for people with vision problems, although
you can crank up the screen font - just remember that you end up losing screen
area. As far as accessories go, you can pretty much get anything for a laptop
that you could for a desktop, but usually you will pay a little more.

A desktop is great for someone who does not need to do a lot of traveling
and usually it’s possible to pack a desktop with more goodies than a laptop at a
cheaper price. One good thing to keep in mind when buying a desktop is
where it will be set up. By determining this, you then decide on whether or
not you want a desktop, mini tower, cube, or full tower. If a person decides
to go with a cube style case, then I recommend packing it with all the
goodies and RAM you can afford as they are harder to upgrade later. I also
recommend taking a good hard look at what the computer will be used for. If
the computer is to be used for gaming or graphic intensive usage, then the
processor, graphics card, and RAM should all be tweaked out. If it is to be
used for word processing and e-mail, then the average user can get away with a
little less power.

When deciding on a laptop or desktop, never be afraid to ask questions.
Sometimes, if you think you know the answer to the question, ask it anyways. If the
person selling you the computer does not know the answer, then go someplace
that does.

[Ira Fawcett]