Should your next family computer be a laptop or desktop?

A computer for your home used to be a nice-to-have, but these days it’s not really an option, especially if you have kids. But what kind of computer would make the best choice for your family: laptop or desktop? I put together a list of factors to consider that should help you to pick the right option.

Portability

I’m going to start this off with the key difference between a laptop and a desktop PC: portability. A laptop is completely self-contained. Everything is build into a single case, including the display, keyboard and with its battery it can be used for hours without even needing access to an electrical outlet. Laptops are designed to be easy to carry as well; they’re thinner and lighter than ever.

If you anticipate needing to move your computer from room to room, depending on who’s using it, or if there’s any chance your kids might need to take it to school, then a laptop is a no-brainer. If portability isn’t a deal-breaker, it’s time to dig deeper.

How Much Power Do You Need?

The next significant difference between laptops and desktop computers is how much power they can pack. By power, I mean processing power and graphics capabilities.

The current generation of laptops can do very well on both fronts, but there are limits. Even a gaming laptop can only be so big. The space available for components, battery consumption and heat generation means that laptops can only go so far when it comes to power. So even in a high end laptop, you end up with mobile versions of CPUs and graphics cards. The names may sound the same (for example Intel offers the Core i7 for laptops and desktops), but the desktop version is always more powerful.

For most people, this won’t be an issue. A high end laptop can keep up with pretty much anything, from editing video to working with large spreadsheets.  However, if someone in the house is a PC gamer who wants to play the latest titles at maximum resolution, with all the effects cranked up, get a desktop computer.

Desk Space

This one probably isn’t going where you think it is. If you have limited desk space to set up a home computer, the knee jerk reaction is to choose the laptop.

You should look at desktop PC options too, because some of them can actually take up less desk space than a laptop.

First, that “desktop” computer can actually be set up on the floor, under the desk. The only thing on the desk top itself is the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Monitors are typically mounted on stands that have a smaller footprint than a laptop. The keyboard and mouse (go wireless to avoid clutter) can be tucked under the monitor or in a drawer when not in use. You can even wall-mount many computer displays, using a VESA mount.

The desktop PCs themselves are also available in much smaller cases. For example, the Acer Chromebox pictured above is small enough it can be mounted behind a display using a special bracket. If you really want to go to extremes (and processing power is not a concern), you can even buy a PC in HDMI stick form, and plug that into a TV or monitor.

Finally, there are All-in-One desktop computers. I have a 27-inch iMac and a 13-inch MacBook Air in my office. Guess which one takes up the least amount of desk space? The iMac ..’

Display Size and Resolution

If you want a big display or a high resolution display—or both—a desktop PC should win hands down, right?

Actually, this is another of those tricky ones. If you want to enjoy Ultra HD resolution, 4K displays have made their way into laptops now. I just finished testing an ASUS ZenBook 4K that has a 15.6-inch display at 3840 x 2160 resolution. So it’s not only fairly big, it’s incredibly sharp.

However, if you want bigger than the 17-inches most laptop displays max out at, don’t forget that laptops have the same option to run external displays that desktop computers have. Many also have enough onboard video power to drive an external 4K display. So you can choose a laptop that connects to a big screen, 4K display when it’s used at its regular workspace, just like a desktop computer. Unlike that desktop, the laptop is still portable and when connected to the external monitor, its’ own display acts as a second screen—and multiple screen are a real productivity boost!

Upgradability

This is one area where the gap is actually widening between laptops and desktop PCs, and it’s the desktops that are in the lead.

Do you want to have the ability to upgrade your computer over time? Some people prefer to replace their computer every few years, but some prefer to swap out components for the latest and greatest.

Some laptops still give you relatively easy access to replace key components like RAM and storage. But that is pretty much it for upgradability. The cutting edge ultra-thin laptops that have become increasingly popular gain some of their sleekness by tightly integrating components, making them even less upgradable. So in the latest Apple MacBook (to pick a popular example),  the RAM and SSD are soldered to the logic board and the battery is glued down. There are literally no user-upgradable components in this particular laptop.

Pick any desktop PC and opening the case is usually a matter of removing a screw. Virtually any component can be replaced or upgraded, including RAM, storage, network cards and the graphics card. With some, you can also replace the CPU. Many desktop PCs ship with empty expansion slots so you can supplement what’s already there—adding a super-fast SSD to the factory installed hard drive, for example.

If you’re an upgrader, the Desktop PC is probably the better choice.

At the end of the day, the choice between laptop and desktop can still be a tough one to make. There are some easy calls: portability means a laptop, upgradability means a desktop PC. But other factors will depend on how your family will use the computer. The good news is that if you reach the stage where it could go either way, there are plenty of excellent laptops and desktops to choose from. At that point it comes down to factors like personal preference and budget.