Laptop sales have surpassed desktop sales worldwide for a decade. In 2018, desktop sales reached 94 million units compared to 162 million laptops.

The global laptop market is expected to grow to 80 million versus 171 million by 2023. But even if desktop sales are declining, that doesn't mean they're not worth the money. There are times when desktops are the ideal solution.

If you are undecided about which is the ideal solution for you and what you should buy, read the article below. We will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of laptops and desktops.

Laptop – Advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a laptop over a desktop computer?

1. Portability
If you often need to have your computer outside of the home, then owning a laptop is clearly the way to go.

But many people buy a laptop just for its smaller size, and "park" it in their office or at home.

If you fall into this category, then consider whether you really need a laptop. You might be better served with a desktop computer and an additional high-quality tablet for use on the couch.

2. Fixed components
Fixed components are one of the biggest drawbacks of laptops. It's the big compromise you make in exchange for portability.

When you buy a laptop, you are "married" to the same screen, keyboard, trackpad, ports, speakers, etc., for the entire duration of its life.

Sure, you can use external components, but doing so compromises portability. With that in mind, it might be cheaper and more sensible to buy a desktop machine instead of a laptop.

And of course, if you decide to buy some peripherals, you'll end up having double the number of them, since you can't get rid of the original components. What's certain is that things will get more complicated.

3. Graphics Card
Many desktop systems use a separate graphics card. It is usually a standalone graphics card connected to a special slot on the motherboard.

Very few laptops offer a discrete graphics card. Instead, they use a graphics card integrated into the motherboard. Integrated graphics are on the same chip as the CPU and share its memory.

The presence of a discrete graphics card in laptops only matters if you're a gamer. The extra cost and weight that comes with a discrete GPU is usually not desirable for most laptop users.

4. Limited upgrade options
Most laptops don't have many components you can upgrade. You can usually only play with the RAM and hard drive.

If you want to upgrade other parts of your hardware, you probably won't be able to. There simply isn't room inside a laptop chassis to add the extra components you want.

Of course, many desktop users never upgrade their computers, so how much importance you place on this feature is a personal matter.

5. Power Supply
Laptops use less power than their desktop counterparts. Simply put, their smaller parts require less power to operate.

Laptops also have a battery. This can protect you from possible data loss if you don't save it during unexpected power fluctuations and outages.

Advantages and disadvantages of Desktop PCs

See below what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a desktop computer?

1. Lack of reviews and opinions
When you're about to drop a serious amount of money on a product, you probably want to do some market research beforehand to make sure you're getting exactly what you want.

Many desktop computers don't have reviews. We're not talking about all-in-one computers from Dell or HP. We're talking about computers that are assembled by your local (or domestic) computer store and are usually sold as no-name.

Okay, you can certainly read reviews of the individual components of a PC, but you will never be sure that all of these components work together flawlessly, without minor problems that will grow over time.

2. Harder to buy
The lack of reviews for desktop computers also means that they can be harder to buy than a laptop.

For example, if you're buying an assembled computer from a local store, you should trust that store implicitly. Have they tested the machine the way they claim? Do the internal components match what the store says? Are you getting the best quality for your money? The whole process is much more personal.

You can mitigate some of these issues, perhaps by buying from a name brand chain store, but you will end up paying a significant amount for the domestic brand.

3. Cost
And this leads to our next point: cost.

Desktop computers are significantly cheaper than laptops. You'll get a lot more features for the same money.

For a few hundred dollars, you can find a desktop computer that will significantly outshine the laptop you could get for the same price.

4. Aesthetics
When you think of a desktop computer, you might think of an ugly tower, a giant screen, and endless tangles of cables.

It doesn't have to be that way. If you want something that suits your aesthetic, all-in-one machines are ideal for you. Especially if they're from a top computer manufacturer.

They look like a very thick screen. And with the exception of the power supply cable, there is no other cable to be seen.

5. You can build your own desktop
If you want complete control over your computer's components, you can build your own desktop computer with your own hands.

Don't be fooled by the word "build." If you're not sure what to do, it's best not to attempt it.

If you can, you can do your research and buy all the parts you need online and then either go to a friendly store to have them do the assembly for you, or assemble it yourself. Of course, the most common commercial solution is to have your friendly store do the material purchases (for a commission) so that they can carry out the assembly without any complaints.

There are a few downsides to building your own computer. It will take hours and hours of research, the overall cost can skyrocket if you're not careful about how much to spend on each individual component, and ultimately you'll have to take responsibility for the success or failure of the system.

Laptop vs. desktop: Which is better for you?
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into which strategy is right for you. Just remember that there is no single right answer. It largely depends on what is important to you and how you plan to use your computer.