Why Are Home Computers a Better Buy Than Laptops?

In recent years, laptops have become cheaper to produce and purchase, and for many, they are the best computer option. Those who favor portability will benefit most. Students can take their laptop computer from class to class and keep detailed notes. Professionals can work while commuting. However, laptops have some failings that people tend not to think about. Here's why we think a home computer is the better choice for your family s next computer.

Durability

One of the biggest problems with a laptop is its durability. Sure, you may see a new computer go through several tests to prove how rugged it is, but after a few years of transport, things start to get loose. Day after day, a laptop is shoved into a bag, the bag is tossed in a seat or on the floor, and the computer is set onto a new surface. After years of this treatment, a circuit can break loose, frying the whole motherboard and ruining the whole computer.

On the other hand, desktops rarely travel. Usually, there are only one or two places a desktop will move, so while it may not pass all the same durability tests that a laptop passes, you ll never have to worry about a short circuit. A desktop may not be waterproof or drop resistant, but if you keep it in a safe location, it doesn t need to be.

Portability

People love that you can travel with a laptop, and besides the issue of breaking parts, there are a handful of problems that come with portability. With more things to carry, you re more likely to misplace and lose your laptop. Also, many locations are magnets for thieves who wait for people to turn away from their computer. Finally, if your teenager or grade-schooler takes your laptop, who knows how long it will be before you get it back.

With a desktop, the whole family has to come to one central location to use the computer. It s easier for you to monitor activities and control what programs go on the computer. Also, if you want your kids using the computer for homework, it turns the computer area into a work environment, which can be beneficial as it helps kids block out other distractions.

Upgradability

When a laptop starts to slow, you have two options: take it to a repair shop for maintenance or buy a new laptop. Either option can get pricey. If the problem is malware or large programs, it s fairly easy to delete the troublemakers and boost the computer s performance. But if you re trying to export video or play a game on an aging laptop, that usually means it s time for an all-new computer.

Desktops tend to be future ready. When your old hardware becomes outdated, it s easy to unscrew a panel on the chassis and change components. If your computer isn t running your kids  new games, you can swap the CPU, upgrade the RAM or add a graphics card. If the new components aren t working correctly, you can upgrade the power supply to make sure everything is getting enough juice. If you run out of storage space, you can add or change your hard drive. All of this is available by removing one side panel.

As long as you take care of your desktop and keep it on a regular update cycle, this purchase is practically a one-and-done deal. Component upgrades can be expensive, but there are several discount websites where you can save hundreds on new hardware. Best of all, you don t need any special training to keep your desktop running. If you don t know what you re doing, there are hundreds of websites that offer free advice. For all of these reasons, we believe that desktop PCs are a better purchase for your family than a laptop.