Should I Buy a Laptop or a Desktop Computer?

There is no one correct answer to this question. The decision depends entirely on your needs and preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you decide. Please keep in mind that these are useful generalizations, but generalizations nonetheless. You may discover some exceptions. Here's the list:

Advantages of Desktop Computers:

• Faster
• More reliable
• Less expensive
• Lower maintenance
• More easily upgraded
• Larger screen display
  
• Greater hard disk storage capacity
• Less attractive to thieves

Advantages of Laptop (Notebook) Computers:

• Portable!
• Smaller
• Wireless
• Usable where there is no electricity (at least for a while)

Disadvantages of Laptop (Notebook) Computers:

• More likely to be damaged due to mishandling
• Inherently less reliable due to greater heat generation
• Higher maintenance costs (battery needs to be replaced every 2 years or so, at an approximate cost between $45 and $85)
• More likely to be lost or stolen

My favorite combination is to own a relatively expensive, higher-capacity desktop computer that has a relatively large display, and a lightweight, wireless laptop that's a bit older and not too valuable. How about you?