Differences Between Laptop And Desktop

A desktop computer is a personal computer that is designed to fit conveniently on top of a typical office desk. A desktop computer typically comes in several units that are connected together during installation: (1) the processor, which can be in a microtower or minitower designed to fit under the desk or in a unit that goes on top of the desk, (2) the display monitor, (3) and input devices ­ usually a keyboard and a mouse. Today, almost all desktop computers include a built­in modem, a CD­ROM drive, a multi­gigabyte magnetic storage drive, and

A laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery­ or AC­powered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries, temporary offices, and at meetings. A laptop  typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3 inches or less in thickness. Among the best­known makers of laptop computers are IBM, Apple, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba. Laptop computers generally cost more than desktop computers with the same capabilities because they are more difficult to design and manufacture.

Different between laptop and desktop
Function
All types of computers perform similar functions, but the difference is generally that desktop computers have more robust specifications and more computing power for the dollar compared to their more portable laptop cousins. Comfort is another function that is traded away in favor of portability when it comes to laptop computers, which generally have a touchpad that is not as easy to use as the mouse that comes standard with a desktop computer

Memory and Storage
System memory, frequently called main memory or RAM (Random Access Memory), is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. That is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the “working memory” storage area within the computer. All data on the computer is stored on the hard drive, but in order for the CPU to work with the data during normal operations, the data the computer uses and works with is read into the working memory, which is the RAM chips. A laptop’s memory can make up for some of the reduced  performance that comes from a slower processor. Some laptops have cache memory on or very near the CPU, allowing it to access data more quickly. Some also have larger busses, allowing data to move between the processor, motherboard and memory more quickly. Laptops often use smaller memory modules to save space. Memory types used in laptops include:

* Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM)
* Dual Data Rate Synchronous RAM (DDR SDRAM)
* Single data rate Synchronous RAM (SDRAM)
* Proprietary memory modules

Some laptops have upgradeable memory and feature removable panels for easy access to the memory modules.
Like a desktop, a laptop has an internal hard disk drive, which stores the operating system, applications and data files. However, laptops generally have less disk space than desktops. A laptop hard drive is also physically smaller than that of a desktop. In addition, most laptop hard drives spin more slowly than desktop hard drives, reducing both heat and power consumption.

Desktop computers have multiple bays for installing additional drives, such as CD and DVD ROM drives. However, space in a laptop is in much shorter supply. Many laptops use a modular design, allowing a variety of drives to fit in the same bay.

Size
Laptops are smaller than desktop PCs. This is beneficial when space is at a premium, for example in small apartments and student dorms. When not in use, a laptop can be closed and put away. Desktop nowadays, event become smaller, but it still remains bulky. This will limit the space. For example on the  study table, desktop will use more space of the table, therefore the space to study and put other things will be limited.

Component
The basic components of laptops are similar in function to their desktop counterparts, but are miniaturized, adapted to mobile use, and designed for low power consumption. Because of the additional requirements, laptop components are usually of inferior performance compared to similarly priced desktop parts. Furthermore, the design bounds on power, size, and cooling of laptops limit the maximum performance of laptop parts compared to that of desktop components.

Desktops have several standardized expansion slots, like Conventional PCI or PCI 6

express, while laptops only tend to have one mini PCI slot and one PC card slot (or ExpressCard slot). This means that a desktop can be customized and upgraded to a greater extent than laptops. Procedures for (dis­)assembly of desktops tend to be simple and standardized to a great extent too. This tends not to be the case for laptops, though adding or replacing some parts, like the optical drive, hard disk, and adding an extra memory module is often quite simple.

Performance
While the performance of mainstream desktops and laptops is comparable, and the cost of laptops has fallen more rapidly than desktops, laptops remain more expensive than desktop PCs at the same performance level. The upper limits of performance of laptops remain much lower than the highest­end desktops (especially “workstation class” machines with two processor sockets), and “bleeding­edge” features usually appear first in desktops and only  then, as the underlying technology matures, are adapted to laptops.

Battery
Battery: a charged laptop can continue to be used in case of a power outage and is not affected by short power interruptions and blackouts. A desktop PC needs a UPS to handle short interruptions, blackouts and spikes; achieving on­battery time of more than 20–30 minutes for a desktop PC requires a large and expensive UPS

Upgradeability
Upgradeability of laptops is very limited compared to desktops, which are thoroughly standardized. In general, hard drives and memory can be upgraded easily. Optical drives and internal expansion cards may be upgraded if they follow an industry standard, but all other internal components, including the motherboard, CPU and graphics, are not always intended to be upgradeable. Intel, Asus, Compaq, Quanta and other laptop manufacturers have created the Common Building Block standard for laptop parts to address some of the inefficiencies caused by the lack of standards.

The reasons for limited upgradeability are both technical and economic. There is no industry­wide standard form factor for laptops; each major laptop manufacturer pursues its own proprietary design and construction, with the result that laptops are difficult to upgrade and have high repair costs. With few exceptions, laptop components can rarely be swapped between laptops of competing manufacturers, or even between laptops from the different product­lines of the same manufacturer.

Some upgrades can be performed by adding external devices, either USB or in expansion card format such as PC Card. Devices such as sound cards, network adapters, hard and optical drives, and numerous other peripherals are available, but these upgrades usually impair the laptop’s portability, because they add cables and boxes to the setup and often have to be disconnected and reconnected when the laptop is on the move. Portability

Portability is usually the first feature mentioned in any comparison of laptops versus desktop PCs.[38] Portability means that a laptop can be used in many places—not only at home and at the office, but also during commuting and flights, in coffee shops, in lecture halls and libraries, at clients’ location or at a meeting room, etc. The portability feature offers several distinct advantages:

Productivity​
: Using a laptop in places where a desktop PC cannot be used, and at times that would otherwise be wasted. For example, an office worker managing their e­mails during an hour­long commute by train, or a student doing his/her homework at the university coffee shop during a break between lectures.

Immediacy​
: Carrying a laptop means having instant access to various information, personal and work files. Immediacy allows better collaboration between workers or students, as a laptop can be flipped open to present a problem or a solution anytime, anywhere. Up­to­date information​

: If a person has more than one desktop PC, a problem of synchronization arises: changes made on one computer are not automatically propagated to the others. There are ways to resolve this problem, including physical transfer of updated files (using a USB flash memory stick or CDRs) or using synchronization software over the Internet. However, using a single laptop at both locations avoids the problem entirely, as the files exist in a single location and are always up­to­date. Connectivity​

: A proliferation of Wi­Fi wireless networks and cellular broadband data services (HSDPA, EVDO and others) combined with a near­ubiquitous support by laptops means that a laptop can have easy Internet and local network connectivity while remaining mobile. Wi­Fi networks and laptop programs are especially widespread at university campuses.

Motherboard
Desktop motherboards have more slots generally as a laptops motherboard is usually designed to fit into the housing of the manufacturers new model, if Dell only wants you to have one mini pc so you stuck on your stock wireless card, they can do so. Another feature in nearly every laptop is Integrated graphics card, which is a GPU thats soldered to the board & not on a slot, some high­end have a gpu called MXM but MXM Mobile GPU’s are pricey compared to their desktop counterparts. You can get desktop motherboards with GPU integration, which is a really good idea in case your dedicated GPU’s start failing on you to prevent the system from becoming unstable