An expert guide to help you decide what desktop PC or laptop to buy

We at Computeractive remember fondly when you could waltz into your local computer shop to buy a new PC, and you would be greeted with two options – desktop or laptop. The desktop option would be as tall as a child and twice as loud, and the slightly smaller laptop would be portable but offer the computing power of an abacus.

How things have changed. Nowadays some laptops offer the computing power of the most powerful desktop, while desktops have changed beyond all recognition. Tiny, shoebox-sized PCs, traditional tower machines and all-in-one systems all vie for your attention and cash.

An obvious way to choose your next computer is via Computeractive’s online reviews section, where we review the latest hardware, but all we can do is tell you which systems are best within their own category.

In this article we will compare the categories themselves – what’s the difference between each type of PC, and which one should you choose?

Desktop PCs
The desktop PC is the most simple machine to understand, mainly because it’s been around the longest. These days, most desktop PCs stand vertically, and follow what’s known as the ATX format. An ATX PC contains a standard motherboard, and has standard-sized spaces for hard disks and optical drives such as DVD burners.

This leads us to the biggest advantage of a desktop – it’s a worldwide standard. That means if something goes wrong, all but the most clueless repair shop will have the knowledge and tools to fix it. It also means there is room to install new components, and you won’t have to throw away as much of your PC as it gets older, which is better for the environment.

As for downsides, there is obviously size – with a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse, a desktop takes up a lot of space. Desktop computers aren’t always designed to be quiet, either, so be prepared to hear some whirring fans.

As you are not paying for sleek design or clever heat-channelling materials, it’s possible to buy a decent desktop for a lot less than most other types of computer. Take the Cyberpower Infinity Triton SE for example – this costs £400 and will perform all standard tasks reasonably well.