Business Laptop

Should I buy a laptop or a desktop PC?

Before we discuss what to look for in a business laptop, you should figure out whether you need a laptop at all. Desktop PCs typically cost hundreds of dollars less than laptops and if you're able to do all of your business comfortably from one location, you need not shell out extra cash for a portable form factor.

What advantages does a laptop offer?
A portable computer provides access to your files and applications wherever you are -- every corner of the world becomes an extension of your office. Riding the train or sitting in an airport, you can be just as productive as if you were sitting in your desk chair.

Your laptop can handle much more than just email, spreadsheets, and word processing. Here are a few of the roles a laptop can fill:

Presentation maker: Display your PowerPoint deck anywhere, anytime.

DVD player: Whether you're waiting in the terminal or on the plane itself, watching a movie makes flying much more entertaining.

Gaming machine: The most powerful business laptops are primed for gaming on the go.
Jukebox: Invest in Internet radio, a CD drive and a big hard drive for MP3s You'll never be without your music collection.

What are the disadvantages to using a laptop?
On top of the premium price tag, there are a few other drawbacks to buying a laptop rather than a desktop PC. For one, laptops are not as easy or inexpensive to upgrade as their desktop brethren. While it's relatively simple to add a bigger hard drive or a DVD burner to a desktop, on a laptop the operation can be more expensive, more complicated, or both. Here are a few other limitations to note:

You'll be working on a smaller keyboard, looking at a smaller screen and probably sitting in a less-than-ergonomic position.

You'll have to become conscious of battery life, an issue the desktop PC user doesn't have to worry about.

You'll need a separate network hub and a backup solution. Laptops aren't optimised for those functions.

Are there hidden, recurring, or long-term costs of owning a laptop?
Because a laptop is likely to log many more miles than a desktop PC, it's inherently more vulnerable to wear and tear. You'll be susceptible to ailments such as worn-out hinges, broken keys, busted screens, and mangled optical drives. In the past, nearly all business laptops came with a standard three-year warranty on parts and labour. These days, some models include only a one-year warranty with the option to purchase an upgrade. Read your warranty information carefully before you make a purchase. Also, a decent laptop bag will help reduce laptop deterioration.

By Justin Jaffe