Which Desktop Computer or Laptop should I buy?
This is a question I get asked a lot. We are very happy to discuss your needs and source a replacement for you, but let us break it down and give you an idea of what you need to consider when selecting a new computer.
Consider what you’re using the computer for
This is the first thing to consider will depend on what you are using the computer for. If you are buying a computer for everyday use, for example just sending emails, browsing the internet, or shopping online then a laptop would surely be the way to go, but you are pretty much limited to what you get.
But a desktop computer on the overhand is fully upgradable, bigger graphics cards can be added for gaming. You can install more than one hard drive in a desktop computer to keep your personal files separate.
I would say that if you are a gamer or download/watch a lot of movies on your computer that a desktop computer is the better way to go.
Avoid cheap laptops
You have probably seen laptops for sale brand new at £250 but I really would not touch one, yes they do what they are supposed to, however you will most certainly find within 12 months that the computer’s performance has dramatically decreased.
The old story – you get what you pay for
As a guide if you are paying £350 – £450 you are going to get something that lasts, this is still going to be used every day and not high-end gaming.
I won’t go into detail on the specs you need as this can get very confusing, and would take a long time to explain in detail. Just consider how much information you are going to be storing on your computer and how fast do you want your computer.
Choose an SSD drive for storage
These days when it comes to storage I would go for an SSD drive as this will greatly improve your systems performance and speed, however, the bigger the drive the prices can get a bit expensive, so it could be worth opting for a duel drive combining SSD & HDD (see blog on SSD vs HDD).
8GB of computer memory
As for computer memory, you will see a lot of computers for sale with 4gb ram, this is the minimum amount you will find and this is the computer that you will find doesn’t perform very well after a short while.
For everyday use and for a computer that lasts I really wouldn’t go for anything less than 8gb (this is your systems main memory).
I3 processor or above
I won’t get into processors too much as this is where it can get confusing. The processor is the brain of the whole computer, the bigger the processor the more powerful the computer will be. As long as you are buying something with an I3 processor or above, and you have a good amount of memory and this will be fine for everyday use.
Bottom line
Please be aware this blog is aimed at the average user that is not doing high-end gaming, graphic design, or anything more in detail that will put a strain on the computer. If you are a gamer or need something more in terms of high-end performance, please call to discuss your needs. We can help you find the computer you need regardless of your requirements.
We can also help upgrade your current computer for improved performance. Contact us today for advice. Lee Harvey Computing is based in St Austell but we travel across Cornwall, our computer repair services are fully mobile. See the popular computer repair locations we visit.
