10 reasons why the desktop PC will live forever

Steve Jobs piqued consumer curiosity when he unveiled the iPad and declared "the post-PC era has begun." And now with the imminent release of Windows 8 RT tablets—low-powered slates running a touch-friendly version of Office—it might seem that perhaps the world actually can live without desktop computers.

It's an intriguing proposition, but don't count on mobile devices killing off your desktop PC any time soon. While mobile gear is certainly convenient when you're trying to conduct business on the go, it's nowhere near as convenient as a desktop when you're trying to complete serious work in an office environment.

Sure, your phone, tablet or even laptop might conveniently fit in your pocket or backpack, but all these devices are fraught with compromises, whether it's computing power, screen size, or, well, a really expensive price tag.

No, friends, the so-called post-PC world is not yet upon us. But if you're still not convinced, here are ten reasons you shouldn't give up your desktop any time soon.

Desktop PCs are cheap

Desktops are cheaper than laptops—both when you buy them new, and when you have to make repairs. There are a few reasons for this, but the main reason is that mobile components are more expensive, because they're, well, smaller, and expensive engineering is required to make them fit inside your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Desktop components don't have to be nearly as small or fit together like jigsaw pieces, because a roomy desktop tower is a heck of a lot larger than even the most generously sized laptop.

Of course, to be fair, you pay for more components when you purchase a laptop—you're also purchasing a screen, keyboard, and trackpad. But, of course, you can pick up a keyboard and a mouse for around $5 each, and a decent 24-inch monitor can cost as little as $50.

Dell XPS 8500

But laptops usually cost at least (if not well over) $60 more than corresponding desktops. For example, a Dell XPS 8500—which has a third-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and an AMD Radeon 7570 discrete graphics card—costs $799 on Dell's website. Meanwhile, a similarly-equipped Dell Inspiron 14z laptop—with a third-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and an AMD Radeon HD 7570M graphics card—costs $999.

Desktops are more powerful

Desktop processors are more powerful than corresponding laptop processors. And I'm not even going to get into mobile ARM processors (that is, the processors running in most phones and tablets), since the comparison is laughable. Let's just say this is a case in which size definitely matters.

Laptop processors are not only smaller than desktop processors, they're designed to use less energy and produce less heat. There are a several reasons for this: First, laptops usually run on battery life. Because of this, mobile processors are designed to conserve battery life. Second, laptop processors are fitted into a tight, closed chassis, and surrounded by a couple of small fans—and they're still prone to overheating.

Desktop processors, meawnhile, are lucky enough to sip an endless supply of juice from a wall outlet, and they can be surrounded with fans or even a liquid cooling system to keep their temperatures down. Thus, they're not only more powerful, they can also be easily overclocked to run at even higher speeds.

You can plug a ton of peripherals into desktops

Let's say you want to plug in an external mouse and an external keyboard. Can you also plug in a USB-connected headset? If you've got a laptop, probably not.

As laptops get thinner, port offerings decline. Most laptops these days have a couple of USB 2.0 ports, though higher-end systems might throw in a USB 3.0 port here and there. Most tablets have one USB 2.0 port (except for the iPad, of course, which boasts a whopping total of zero USB ports).

Desktops, on the other hand, usually have a minimum of four USB 2.0 ports, and most have many more. Plus, desktops have tons of other connectivity options that only the highest-end, most gamer-oriented laptops might include—these options include eSATA, VGA, DVI, HDMI, and multiple audio lines.

You get extra screen real estate with desktops

Studies have shown that more screen real estate can make you more productive (or more productive at being unproductive). Need more screen real estate? This can be accomplished in two ways: with a larger screen, or with multiple monitors.

The largest laptop screen you can find on the market is 17.3 inches, and it's huge—for a laptop, that is. But a 17.3-inch laptop screen is nothing compared to a 20- or 24-inch stand-alone monitor. Plus, a 17.3-inch laptop is usually too bulky for you to tote around comfortably, which means your laptop may essentially become a desktop.

Most laptops don't support multiple monitor set-ups, though you can try USB-powered displays or using your tablet. Desktops, on the other hand, are built for multiple monitor setups and, depending on your graphics card, you can support two or three or four (or more) monitors for maximum productivity or maximum gaming.

You can play (real) computer games on desktops

Alienware M17x R4

Okay, to be fair there are gaming laptops out there, and they're not bad. For example, the Alienware M17x R4features an Intel Core i7-3720QM processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 680M discrete graphics card. But can it really compare to a gaming desktop, such as the Maingear Shift Super Stock, which houses an Intel Core i7-3960X processor and three AMD Radeon HD 7970 graphics cards? I don't think so.

Graphics-intensive Crysis is used in PCWorld testing.

Graphics-intense PC games put systems to the ultimate test, as they require as much processing- and GPU-power as possible. And, let's face it—you can stuff three graphics cards into a desktop tower (plus liquid cooling, an awesome sound card, and, hey, even some extra gaming peripherals). On the flip side, a hardcore gaming laptop can accomodate just one measly (albeit sometimes moderately powerful) graphics card—and that's inside a device that's barely even portable.

Should I buy a laptop or desktop?

Choosing between a laptop and desktop can be a difficult decision. The bottom line comes down to portability. If you will need or use the portability of a laptop, then it can be a powerful tool for you and worth the extra money. However, if the laptop will simply act as a desktop with very occasional need for portability, a desktop is also an excellent choice and far less expensive.

Which should I buy? Laptop or Desktop?

Laptops have a great advantage in terms of their portability. If you carry a laptop with you, your applications and documents are always immediately available. With a wireless card, your laptop can also access the Internet while on the go, so you have more places to do research, check your email, and be more productive.

Desktops offer other advantages. Although laptop prices have come down and performance has increased, most desktops offer a better price-to-performance ratio. Desktops also still hold some ergonomic advantages over laptops. Bear in mind that, aside from small footprint desktops like the iMac or Inspiron One (available for personal purchase through our online catalog or the  Dell Educational Purchase Program), they take up more space in an apartment or residence hall.

Your decision should be based primarily on how you plan to use your computer and the size of your computing budget. Here are some factors to consider:

Weight, size and portability

A typical laptop weighs between 4.5 and 8 pounds, while "ultralight" models like the MacBook Air weigh in at under 3 pounds. Alternatively, the economy and cost-oriented option - the netbook, belonging to the ultralight class - focuses primarily on mobility and are often Windows or Linux-based. Netbooks are most commonly equipped with an Intel Atom - a series of microprocessor that focuses less on performance and more on basic functionality in tandem with low power consumption.  Netbooks are often designed with screen sizes between 8'' and 10''. Because of these features, netbooks are therefore best suited for web browsing, e-mail and office tasks and are priced beneath the cost of a typical laptop. The MacBook Air is noted for its thinness and sparse weight and is available in both an 11" and 13" screen sizes depending upon a user's portability needs. The MacBook Air currently utilizes a Core i-Series processor which allow them to better approximate the level of performance of the typical laptop; it is a device geared toward performance and portability rather than budget. Furthermore, these two types of "ultralight" laptops do not have internal CD/DVD drives and are dependent on the internet and removable media to retrieve information.

Your classic desktop computer, including monitor and keyboard, weighs about 25 pounds. If you regularly want access to the contents of your computer whether at home, office or on the road, the portability of a laptop is an important criterion. Alternatively, using a USB flash drive or web-based storage like My WebSpace with copies of your important documents allows for easy on-the-go access  (My WebSpace requires an internet connection) and works with any desktop, laptop, Mac, or PC.

Ergonomics

One downside of portability is ergonomics. The laptop's miniature size can make its use less comfortable and physically taxing. The keyboard and trackpad orientation of netbooks can vary significantly; the result of this being the built-in keyboards of the netbook tend to be anywhere between 92% and 95% of the typically laptop keyboard. As manufacturers approach their netbook keyboard and trackpad designs with more variance than with normal laptops and standard keyboards, it is particularly important to type on the netbooks for ergonomic reasons. The desktop computer's design has evolved to ease the comfort of users. Its display is at eye level, and the keyboard allows for proper positioning of your back, arms, and wrists. These are important concerns, especially when you use your computer for long periods of time. You can improve laptop ergonomics by building a more comfortable "home base" into which you can dock your laptop when you return to your desk. A "home base" can include such things as a standard keyboard, a mouse, an external display, etc. 

Cost and reliability

PC desktops cost less than a comparable laptop. Although overall prices have declined, price gaps still exist largely because of the higher cost of laptop displays and the added cost of miniaturized technology. Since laptops are portable, they are more prone to accidents and abuse than desktops. And due to their size, laptops require smaller, more intricate components and more tedious labor resulting in more costly upgrades and repairs. We recommend that you consider purchasing extended warranties for both laptops and desktops to cover the effective life of the machine. 

Connectivity

Both laptops and desktops have equal connectivity to the Internet through the standard technologies including dial-up modems, DSL or Cable modems, Ethernet and Wireless networking. Users can connect using an Ethernet cable in residence hall rooms or by purchasing and setting up a wireless router. Owning a laptop gives users the ability to take advantage of wireless networks like UWNet, which is available in nearly all campus buildings and the common areas (dens, dining halls, etc.) of residence halls. For more information on wireless on campus see: Wireless.

Theft

A laptop's small size and portability make it vulnerable to theft. Unless you can lock or secure your laptop, you should take it with you wherever you go. Security devices like cable locks and LoJack are available for laptops to deter thieves. 

Desktops provide less expensive, more comfortable, powerful performance to meet your computing needs from a fixed location. Laptops provide performance to meet your computing needs from virtually anywhere. Laptops cost more, and for additional comfort you will pay more yet for extra "home base" components. But if you want to take advantage of the portability and increased productivity offered by laptops, then the extra expense may be worth it. If portability and the extended access it provides is not important, then a desktop may make more sense. 

The choice is yours. Evaluate and review your computing needs and decide what's best for you.