Why are laptops becoming more common than desktops?

LunaMischief

Desktop. So much faster and more powerful than our old laptop. It's custom built by my fiance and perfect for my gaming habits. I just have no use for a laptop.

k8blujay2

In our house we have a laptop, desktop and a tablet... we use the tablet the most by far, though.... However, when it was just me, I had a laptop.. I didn't need to amount of power a desktop has... I just wasn't running programs other than microsoft office or perhaps itunes... It just wasn't necessary. I'm not running autocad or any other memory intensive program... and I could take my computer anywhere... I still don't run memory intensive software... Unless you include the Sims.

With that said, we have one of each in our house and use them according to their abilities...

ser0630

Lately it's become increasingly common for laptops to outsell desktops in electronics and computer stores. I'm curious as to why most people would choose a laptop over a desktop given the following:

1. Most people do not need the portability of a laptop.

2. Laptops are not as powerful despite having the same stats on paper.

3. Laptops often cannot be repaired when they fail and must be replaced entirely.

4. Laptops are prone to overheating.

5. Laptops are very limited in their upgradeability.

Do you use a desktop or a laptop? And if so, why?

I use a laptop.

1. I don't have the space for a desk and a monitor that a desktop computer (or tower these days) would require. I have a wireless network set up in my house. I even have a printer set up to print wireless. Besides, I can use my laptop in my living room or in my bedroom.

2. Laptops run the same processors that desktops/tower PC's do run. If you're playing RPG games, i.e. Diablo, then a desktop/tower PC would be recommended. Most people use computers for e-mail, internet, etc.

3. Yes, laptops can be repaired. I used to work in Technical Support for a couple of large companies and I have done service work on laptops. The only part I know of that costs more than a new laptop itself is the LCD screen.

4. You can purchase something called a "Chill pad" for a laptop that will draw the heat away from the laptop (and will also protect your thighs or whatever you set your laptop on). The laptop sits right on it and can be plugged into the laptop using a USB port. I own one and I love it.

5. As far as "upgradability," laptops run the same software as desktop/tower PC's. As far as hardware upgrades/replacements, it depends on what you are upgrading/replacing. It's not that hard to do a "memory upgrade" on a laptop. As far as trying to replace some parts on a laptop, I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself.

I have had my laptop for two years and I work in Information Technology. It's all about what works best for you.

MissTattoo

Laptop...because I like to play The Sims 2 in bed.

pavingnewpaths

I own both.

The problem with desktops tends to be the fact that internet is SO much slower (my reason at least). Also, i'm lazy, and I can lay down while using my laptop but I can't do that with my desktop.

Currently my desktop is sitting, collecting dust, unplugged so I have two extra outlets for my laptop and record player, haha.

collinj8

I use a desktop because I assemble my own machines, but most people I know have laptops.

1. Many people discover that while they don't use the portability of a laptop every day, it occasionally comes in handy.

2. Most people don't need something as powerful as they have - let's face it, any modern computer is going to run any modern software (other than games) just fine.

3. Most people cannot repair computers. Heck, I get a lot of informal repair requests from friends, family, and co-workers because "the machine got slow". Well, yeah, those 1500 viruses you had on it might have had something to do with it - that pop-up ad you clicked on that said "you had a virus"? That was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In a few cases, I've had people offer to "pay for the parts" and start trying to throw money at me because they thought I added hardware - nope, installed an ran a free anti-virus package, the 6-pack of beer we originally agreed to is dandy, thanks, but I'll take a second six-banger if you insist, thanks.

4. Cheap crappy laptops are more prone to overheating. But so are cheap crappy desktops. On the other hand, laptops have a built-in battery backup system and tend to use less electricity and have better power management than a desktop.

5. See point 3. For a lot of people, "upgrade" means "go to Best Buy, pick out something shiny, pay to have someone move documents to new machine". The smarter folks use something like Carbonite so they can just restore their data to the new machine.

I'm finding myself increasingly using my smartphone and I'll probably drop some bucks on an Android tablet soon.

I agree with this. Now a days people are spending less than 500 bucks for a laptop. IF they get a year or two out of it they are happy. Also the increase has to do with Working from home and office, as well as the school. It is easier to care a laptop around at school than a desktop. Besides, do you really need that much power to play Farmville on facebook?

MacBook Pro user here.

OtekahSunshield

I have a pretty beastly desktop for gaming. My husband and I build our machines ourselves, and we upgrade them fairly regularly.

That being said, I'd love to have a laptop or a tablet for portability when I'm just screwing around on the internet. But, eh, it's not a necessity for me right now.

I love my gaming rig, though.