Laptops vs. Desktops: Which One is Right for You?
Deciding the winner of desktops vs. laptops isn’t always easy because both have so much to offer. If you’re going back and forth on which one you want, that’s completely normal! Whether you’re a gamer, work from home, or going back to school, Rent-A-Center can help you choose the desktop or laptop that best suits you.
Know Your Budget and How You Shop
Knowing how much you want to spend can help you settle the score of desktops vs. laptops. To get an idea of how affordable Rent-A-Center’s options are, consider that payments can start at $19.99 for laptops and $23.99 for desktops. While you set your budget, also identify what type of shopper you are. Get Rich Slowly suggests that people tend to fall into three different types.
- The Features Route: You prioritize features more than the price tag.
- The Cheap Route: You prioritize price and price only.
- The Set-Price Route: You prioritize features that fall within your budget.
Now that you know how much you can spend and the type of shopper you are, let’s figure out which computer fits your lifestyle.
Desktops vs. Laptops: The Pros and Cons
Weighing the pros and cons of both a laptop and desktop can tell you which suits you better:
Laptop Pros
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Requires less power than a desktop
- Touch screen options
Laptop Cons
- Smaller keyboard and trackpad (mouse)
- Shorter average lifespan (3-5 years)
- Weaker graphics
- Harder to repair
Desktop Pros
- Bigger screen and keyboard
- Longer average lifespan (5-8 years)
- Stronger graphics
- More significant CPU (central processing unit) or memory
Desktop Cons
- Difficult to transport
- Stationary
- Takes up a lot of space
- Uses more power than a laptop
Think about which features you can live with and without, and then how a laptop and desktop might perform in a few typical scenarios for you.
Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop
The gaming laptop vs. desktop match-up is an exciting battle and one where YOU get to declare the winner. The gaming laptop’s latest advancements (power, speed, and jaw-dropping visuals) make it a tough opponent for the gaming desktop. Which one will you have more fun kicking you-know-what on?
Team Laptop
Gaming laptops are more deluxe than everyday laptops because they need to keep up with you. They have out-of-this-world processors that push billions of cycles per second.
Take Acer’s Nitro 5 GeForce GTX 1650 Gaming Laptop as an example. Its i5-11400H Processor provides you the ultimate gaming experience with no hiccups. This laptop also has a 15.6-inch screen for easy transport, which leads us to our next point.
A gaming laptop can be your go-to traveling buddy who you won’t have to worry about complaining along the journey. Yes, it’s there for you when you want to play online with your friends from all over the world, but what about when you visit those friends in the third dimension, a.k.a the real world? Just fold that baby up, and take it for an adventure.
Team Desktop
A gaming desktop like the OMEN 30L Gaming Desktop puts you in YOUR zone. With this gaming PC’s growing list of customization features, like the OMEN Light Studio, your inner gamer will feel more empowered than ever. You’ll be looking at graphics so good that you’ll feel like you’re literally in the game (as we said, it puts you in your zone).
According to TechSpot, a gaming desktop with the same graphics cards as a gaming laptop has enhanced visuals because its boost clock (performance level while at ideal temperatures) outduels the laptop’s boost clock.
Another plus about a gaming desktop is its form and how easy it is to replace old components. Keeping up with the latest game technology is a piece of cake when you can easily modify your desktop.
Whether you end up pawning noobs on a gaming laptop or gaming desktop, your next long-term gaming setup will be awesome.
The Work-From-Home Life
Even if you work from home, do you actually work from home? If you work remotely, you probably are working from home often, but can you see yourself ever having to bring your work with you, like when you’re on the go with your kids?
If so, a laptop with a smaller screen that’s great for productivity may be what suits your lifestyle. Think about what you need to do on an everyday basis and use this laptop buying guide to help you choose the right laptop for your work life.
Some people are more productive when they work in the same spot every day. If this is you, an all-in-one desktop like the HP 23.8” AMD Athlon Silver 3050U could be your best option.
Its sleek, 1920 X 1080 resolution monitor is easy on the eyes, making it easier for you to find the right solutions that can earn you a well-deserved raise.
Laptop vs. Desktop for College
There’s one thing we know for sure about the laptop vs. desktop for college faceoff: both sides have A-plus options. It’s up to you as the student to think about where you’ll use your new computer when shopping.
Do you like to take handwritten notes during class and do your homework at your desk at night? Then the HP 23.8” All-In-One AMD Athlon 3050U Desktop with a reliable processor is a terrific choice.
Or, are you the type of student who takes notes on your computer during class and studies at the library? Then you’re probably looking at the easy-to-take-with-you Dell Latitude 3000 14” Laptop built for productivity.
There’s no wrong answer because both will help you fill up your next report card with A’s.
Find Your Next Computer at Rent-A-Center
If you’re having trouble deciding between a laptop and desktop, remember our small payments and flexible payment plans make getting both possible! Find your next computer at Rent-A-Center either online or at a location near you.