Computers and technology

Portable versus desktop computers

Many freelance graphic designers are tempted to buy a laptop computer. The advantages are obvious, but there are disadvantages as well.

The benefits for a designer of using a portable computer are obvious. Laptops are useful for taking to clients, for transporting work to and from the office and they also take up a lot less space in a creative home-office workspace.

In recent years many laptops have been sold as desktop replacements and some are packed with features that many desktop computers don't have, out of the box. For example Apple's Powerbooks and MacBook Pros come with fast processors, Firewire, gigabit ethernet networking, up to 17" screens and the ability to run dual monitors. And there are also portable Windows PCs, with equivalent specifications.

But if portability is not a crucial issue, then the disadvantages of buying a laptop are many. First and foremost is cost. Portables cost more and you get a lot more bang for your buck with a desktop computer. Obviously, portable devices cost a lot more to manufacture and so this cost is passed on to the consumer.

But desktop machines are also capable of being much more powerful than portable computers. Desktops can have faster processors, that would generate too much heat for a laptop PC. You can also put far more RAM memory into a desktop computer, faster and larger hard disks (and more than one) and more powerful graphics cards. So if you spend a lot of time working with large files in Adobe Photoshop, or rendering 3D animations, then a desktop computer will generally save a lot of time

Desktop computers are also far more expandable. They generally have more input and output sockets and ports, which allows for connection to more peripherals, such as external hard disks and printers. In addition, as and when a new graphics card comes out, or a hard disk becomes full, they can easily and cheaply be upgraded.

As ever, it is a question of priorities and requirements.

Mac or PC | Monitors | Hard Disks | Printers | Portable or Desktop | Input Devices | Freelancer or Studio

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