As the 2024 Back to School season kicks off, many students find themselves in need of a new PC that can efficiently handle their homework and project demands.
Choosing between a laptop and a desktop is a major decision, with each option offering its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
The best laptops offer a huge degree of portability that desktop PCs simply can't match, while the best PCs can provide a level of performance and upgradability that laptops can only dream of.
At TechRadar, we're here to help you leverage our extensive experience from reviewing thousands of PCs and laptops to provide clear guidance tailored to individual needs and budgets.
During this period of numerous back-to-school promotions, we also assist in finding the best deals to ensure you get great value on your choice.
Laptop vs desktop: Key differences
A desktop PC is a static, stationary computer that will stay on a desk in an office or bedroom. It usually consists of various parts: a tower, a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse.
PCs are generally more customizable than laptops as well. You can put together top-of-the-line parts for every aspect of the PC when you choose a desktop computer, and upgrade those components as they become outdated.
This means that they last much longer than a laptop.
A laptop (also called a notebook) is a portable, all-in-one device that usually has USB inputs on the sides for optional peripherals.
Laptops have a built-in screen, a built-in keyboard, a trackpad that acts as a mouse, and can vary in size. Laptops are generally limited by their size but many modern batteries are big enough to provide 12 or more hours of power before needing to recharge.
However, unlike desktops, laptops are either very limited or impossible to upgrade, meaning that they last for a much shorter period of time than a desktop.
Laptop vs desktop: Benefits of a laptop
A laptop is the best option for students who are going to school outside of the home every day and need a computer for classes. While laptops are more delicate than desktop PCs, you can now find rugged laptops that will take a fall or two without being destroyed. And unlike a desktop, a laptop can be used right out of the box with minimum setup.
Laptops are best used for productivity work like reading, word processing, streaming videos, or using social media. If you or your child wants to have the freedom to roam while using a computer, a fully charged laptop should last an entire day for working or learning.
Not to mention that some of the best laptops for students and best laptops for kids are Chromebooks, which solve the expense issue that laptops tend to suffer under. The OS is simple to use for both young students and parents, and there's an extremely low risk of a Chromebook being infected with malware or having glaring security issues.
Laptop vs desktop: Benefits of a desktop
If you want a computer with a lot of versatility, a desktop PC is for you. Desktops can store huge files and gaming ones can run the best PC games at high settings. Desktops can also be changed to fit your needs.
You can add more storage, RAM, and a better graphics card to improve your computing experience. Desktop PCs also do not run on a battery, so you can use them for longer without stopping to plug in and recharge. But you can't easily transport a desktop computer around and schools don't allow for a desktop to be set up at your desk.
Desktop PCs are great for a home-schooled or distancing-learning scenario. A desktop computer can be used during the school day for learning and word processing, and during off-hours for gaming and entertainment.
There are also all-in-one PCs, which are stylish devices where their components are built behind the screen. This means they are easier to move and set up, as you don't need to connect as many wires, and they take up less space on the desk as well. However, they are also more expensive, and not as easy to upgrade as normal desktop PCs.
Laptop vs desktop: Which to choose?
If a desktop PC and a laptop have the same specifications, the general rule is the laptop will be more expensive. Top-of-the-line laptops generally have higher price points than desktop PCs and they also have all of the limitations listed above. High-end laptops are still a great investment because they can be used for gaming and streaming in addition to schoolwork.
A top-of-the-line desktop can be used more often by a distance-learning student, with a lower up-front cost for parents. Eventually, upgrading the PC can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but the initial out-of-pocket costs don't have to be sky-high.
It really boils down to the student's specific needs, as well as the overall buyer's budget. If portability isn't necessary then it's best to invest in a PC
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