Should I buy a laptop or desktop computer for my business?

We get this question a lot at SouthEast IT. Which one is the better option for your business? This is a question that many companies face when it comes to choosing the right technology for their employees. Both laptops and desktops have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget.

One of the main advantages of laptops is their portability. Laptops are designed for portability and travel, making them perfect for employees who need to work outside of the office, at home or for businesses that have a mobile workforce without needing a separate computer at home. They are also great for employees who need to work remotely or for those who travel frequently. With a laptop, employees can work from anywhere with an internet connection, which can increase productivity and flexibility.

When looking for the right business laptop consider the following features:

• Screen size – Most business laptops come in 3 screen sizes, 15.6”, 14” or 13.3” screen sizes. This will determine the keyboard size and weight of the laptop.
• Weight – tablet style laptops can be as little as 800g, where as 15.6” laptops are around the 1.7Kg weight.
• Keyboard size – 15.6” laptop will have the number pad with a full sized keyboard great for people working with lots of number applications. 13.3” laptops conversely have smaller keyboards generally with more function keys. Such keys with more than one function
• Touch screen – Touch screens in laptops are becoming more and more popular especially when using a pen or similar device to operate the machine. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have tablet mode builtin to make use of this feature.
• Webcam and mic – Laptop generally include a 720p or 1080p webcam with mic builtin with the ability to turn it off physically for security purposes.
• Docking station – To enable you to use your laptop as a desktop replacement consider a docking station with dual monitor output. Then you can use your laptop at the office like a desktop with external keyboard, dual screens, additional USB ports and external network port. Most newer laptops allow all these devices to plug in with just one USB-C cable that also provides power to the laptop as well.
• External monitor – You can now purchase a portable second monitor for your laptop running on just one USB-C cable requiring no additional power. Ask us for a range of these monitors for your next laptop.

However, laptops also have some disadvantages. One of the main drawbacks is their limited lifespan. Laptops have a shorter lifespan than desktops, and they are also more prone to damage and repairs. Additionally, laptops have a smaller screen size than desktops, which can be a disadvantage for employees who need to work with large amounts of data or for those who need to work with multiple windows at the same time.

Desktop computers, on the other hand, have a longer lifespan than laptops and are more durable. They are also more powerful than laptops, making them ideal for businesses that need to handle large amounts of data or for those that require high-performance computing. Desktops also have the option of a larger screen or multiple monitors, which can be beneficial for employees who need to work with large amounts of data or for those who need to work with multiple windows at the same time.

When looking for a business bomputer consider the following features:

• Size of the machine – Some new desktops are only 10cm x 10cm square and will still run multiple monitors. However gaming machines tend to be a full tower size mainly for cooling and hosting the powerful graphics card required for modern gaming
• CPU – which will affect the speed and efficiency of your machine.
• RAM or memory – usually will dictate how many programs or Chrome TABs you can have running at the same time without slowing your machine down.
• Hard Drive – Consider the speed and size of the harddrive. A modern machine will have an SSD usually M.2 style which have a fast transfer speed and need to be matched to the machine. They come in sizes such as 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. If you need to store a lot of data you can have 2 or sometimes 3 Hard drives in a desktop machine.
• Graphics Card – One of the benefits of a desktop machine is you can add your chose of graphics card depending on your needs. It might be for 3D CAD design work, Gaming or just multiple screens. SouthEast IT can help you choose a graphics card to suit your needs and the PC it’s going into.

Another advantage of desktop computers is their upgradeability. Desktops can be easily upgraded with new components, such as more memory or a bigger SSD or multiple disk drives allowing you to run Windows on a small fast disk and keep your data on a large slower but more cost-effective drive. This can help to extend their lifespan. This is particularly important for businesses that need to stay competitive and need to keep up with the latest technology. Desktop machines are also getting smaller and smaller making them easier to conceal or place on your desktop without taking up too much space. This is convenient to access USB ports for charging your favorite device or using a USB drive

However, desktops also have some disadvantages. One of the main drawbacks is their lack of portability. Desktops are designed to stay in one place, which can be a disadvantage for employees who need to work outside of the office or for businesses that have a mobile workforce. Additionally, desktops are not as versatile as laptops, and they do not come with built-in cameras and microphones.

In conclusion, both laptops and desktops have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. Laptops are portable and versatile, making them ideal for businesses that have a mobile workforce or for those that need to work remotely. However, laptops have a shorter lifespan than desktops and are more prone to damage and repairs. Desktops, on the other hand, have a longer lifespan, are more powerful, and can be upgraded with new components. But they lack portability and versatility. Ultimately, businesses should carefully consider their needs and budget before making a decision. It is also important to note that a combination of both laptops and desktops can be a great solution for many businesses.

Feel free to contact SouthEast IT if you have any questions about which is the right choice for your business and we can help you purchase and setup your machine including installing all your programs and transferring your data for a competitive price.