laptops vs desktop

As a prospective buyer of a new computer, one of the first things you need to decide on is whether you're getting a laptop or desktop. The differences between laptops & desktops Let's start by outlining the major factors that will influence your purchasing decisions, and which type of computer has an advantage in that particular department. Performance Potential -- Desktop This one is almost a no-brainer since even the most powerful gaming laptops in the market use the less-performing “mobile” versions of their desktop counterparts. These components make up a bulk of a computer’s performance, and the full-on desktop options are able to be (literally) bigger and faster thanks to the superior thermal performance a desktop can provide. Desktop CPUs and GPUs have large dedicated coolers that allow them to be clocked much higher, providing much more performance. Laptops are way smaller and lighter than desktops, allowing you to carry them anywhere. But even if you could manage to pack a small desktop and all its peripherals into a backpack like some people have done, laptops also have batteries that allow you to use them untethered to a power source. Ease of use -- Laptop This category also goes to laptops due to the setup process. Read more in our articles including "Laptop or Desktop: Which one is better?" and "AMD Unveils New Processors for Desktops, Laptops, and Handheld Gaming PCs at CES 2025".