Several key factors should be considered when deciding whether to purchase a desktop or laptop computer for a small house, apartment, or room. Given that these spaces are small, logic would suggest that purchasing a compact computer, such as a laptop, would be the best choice. But hold on. Don’t press that “Buy” button until you’ve read this.
I recently spent several months researching, buying, trying, and returning three different computers. When I started my research, I only focused on laptops because, as a tiny living enthusiast, I figured it was a natural fit for my lifestyle.
Although I had only owned a desktop computer, I wanted to downsize, become more mobile, and prepare for my goal of designing and living in a small house. So when it became necessary to buy a new computer, there wasn’t much deliberation in my mind on whether I’d buy a desktop or a laptop. I therefore concentrated my research efforts on determining the best brand and the most suitable place to purchase it online and offline.
Allow me to describe my research method. It’s pretty insane. When I decide to buy something that costs a significant amount of money, such as a computer or a car, I become consumed by a single-minded focus that can last anywhere from a few days to several months. I do this to…
- Learn everything about the product type (rather than brand).
- Read niche website resources.
- Visit stores with large computer departments and ask questions.
- Read the manufacturer’s online material.
- Visit manufacturer websites to configure computers in various ways.
- Talk to manufacturer sales representatives via chat or phone.
- Learn everything about the manufacturers.
- Read their online material about warranty and return policies.
- Do test calls or chats with their technical support by presenting sales-related technical questions.
- Do countless searches for reviews and opinions about the manufacturers and specific products.
- Learn everything about online and offline retail outlets.
- Determine who has the best price.
- Determine who has the best warranty.
- Determine who has the best return policy.
- Do countless searches for reviews and opinions about the retail outlets.
A significant portion of my efforts is focused on becoming familiar with the current capabilities of a product type. For example, with computers, I have to completely re-educate myself due to the rapid advancements in their technology.
Never Know Until You Live With It
I’ll tell you later which computer manufacturer and retail outlet my research identified as offering the best deals. For now, let’s get back to my desktop versus laptop experience and findings.
I was thrilled when the laptop I had ordered online, just a few days earlier, arrived. It was beautiful and fast. The contrast between using it and my seven-year-old computer was striking. I loved it! At least I did for a few days.
Being an internet entrepreneur, I spend most of my day on the computer. When I started using the laptop for my daily work, it didn’t feel comfortable after about an hour. It was as if I had to adjust my posture, arms, hands, and vision to accommodate the laptop’s size, shape, and position. There I was hunched over with my hands cramped over the keyboard, trying to do some graphics work or write an article. Although the screen was pretty large for a laptop (17”) and clear, I found it difficult to stay in the same position that would allow me to see it best.
Needless to say, I returned the laptop. I was both surprised and disappointed that it didn’t work out as expected. Being into tiny living, I thought it would work perfectly. However, my online research strongly suggested that laptops are not usually the best choice for individuals who spend their entire day working on computers.
So I began my online and offline research for a desktop. Although I had learned a lot during my laptop research, I essentially had to start over.
Since the laptop didn’t work, I established a research goal of finding a desktop setup that took up as little space as possible. That meant no external speakers and a monitor that also served as a TV. I had recently gotten my first flat-screen HDTV (22”), so I had the monitor/TV solution in hand.
After conducting a substantial amount of research, I made a decision and purchased one through the same retail store’s website. Since you can get more bang for your buck when you buy a desktop as opposed to a laptop, this thing was a beast! It literally had thousands of times more processor speed, memory (RAM), and hard drive storage space than my old computer.
I was pleased, but troubled by the eye fatigue I had and the bothersome wired keyboard and mouse. After extensive online research, I discovered that eye fatigue was likely caused by using an HDTV as a computer monitor. I also learned that computer monitors have better resolution. Particularly for website development, graphic design, writing, and text editing. All the things I do every day.
So, I decided to return the desktop and buy one that came with a monitor, wireless keyboard, and mouse. I soon found out that the monitor that most computer manufacturers package with their desktops does not have internal speakers. That meant I’d have to go back to using external speakers that take up space on top of and underneath my desk, if it came with a woofer. I didn’t like this option, so I resolved to find a deal with internal speakers in the monitor.
I couldn’t find a package that included both the computer configuration I wanted and a monitor with internal speakers that I was satisfied with.
HDTV Computer Monitor Combo Miracle
By chance, I came across a new product by Samsung that had been introduced the previous year – an HDTV computer monitor combo. It was and has proven to be the perfect solution.
I ended up buying the Samsung HDTV computer monitor combo and the same brand desktop, but with a wireless keyboard and mouse through the same retail outlet’s website. I go into much more detail about the Samsung in this article: Advantages of the HDTV Computer Monitor Combo.
The reason I was able to make all these purchases and returns is the store I chose. Costco has a very liberal 90-day return policy on computers, TVs, and other electronics. And it’s the same through their website as it is at their stores. If you buy something online, you can return it to a local store. I have one that is just a few minutes away. 🙂
All the other online and offline stores that I checked have a strict 30-day return policy. I should also mention that Costco’s selection of computers and HDTVs is much more extensive online than in its stores. The computer that I got isn’t available at their stores.
The desktop computer I purchased is a ZT, which offered the most bang for the buck by far! I am very pleased with it. ZT’s come with lifetime toll-free technical support, and they are assembled in the US.
Update – ZT suspended sales of retail desktop PCs at all stores.
Costco automatically adds a second year of warranty and toll-free technical support at no extra charge. That gives you two sources for technical support, which is amazing. I couldn’t find a sweeter deal.
All-in-One Computers
I looked at the all-in-one computers, and I really liked the Apple, but I was leery of having both the computer and monitor together. I felt restricted by that.
I wanted to be able to upgrade my monitor to a larger size if I wanted to. And I wasn’t sure which component might become obsolete for my purposes first—the computer or the monitor. And I loved the idea of being able to use the computer monitor as a TV, and the Samsung could do that. As I recall, you can get a computer with a TV tuner inside, but then you’d have to have the computer running to watch it. That’s not a smart setup.
If you compare an all-in-one, you can get a lot more computer and a bigger screen at a lower cost if you buy a regular desktop.
So for these reasons, I can’t recommend the all-in-one computer. It feels like a passing trend to me that might evolve into something quite different.
My Conclusions
For a person who spends their day in front of a computer, a desktop with a 24-32 inch monitor is the best choice. It is my understanding that anything larger than 27 inches becomes a deficit due to its proximity when sitting at a desk.
If a person needs a desktop, getting an inexpensive laptop or another mobile device is a wise choice. This is especially true for internet entrepreneurs. If you don’t have both, your freedom is restricted.
Shortly after I got my ZT, I inherited a 17-inch HP laptop from my mother. I found it for her just over a year prior, using the same research method described above. So I know it’s a good one. It has proven to be an invaluable asset.
So your choice of whether to get a desktop or a laptop depends on how much you use it and for what purposes. The size of your home or room doesn’t play a crucial role in your decision, unless you’re living in a tiny house or apartment. If mobility is the most important factor, your choice is clear–a laptop.