Since 14 years, many people asked me this question. In my view, answer of the question varies according to individual's requirement. I experienced that, while buying a computer most of the people get confused
due to misguided suggestions from seller or non-technical person. Here, I tried
to consider different scenarios to answer the question. Consider the following scenarios,
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If you are a general user
who surf web and use computer for personal use (like letter typing, home
budgeting) then you should buy desktop computer only. Desktop computer
is robust and cheap for maintenance.
§
If you are a businessman
or marketing person who is frequently traveller then surely netbook,
laptop or notebook (preferably Netbook) should be the best choice.
Netbook is a light weight laptop which has basic computing facilities. Notebook
is light weight, thin, advanced but expensive laptop.
§
If you are a small scale
businessman (like medical, shop owner) who need to enter the data and
take a print outs then buy a low-middle range desktop computer.
§
If you are a student,
you need computer for education purpose and you stay at one place only then I
suggest you to buy a low-middle range desktop computer. A desktop computer
is easily upgradable and low maintenance as compare to laptop. If you are reallocating
student then laptop may be the choice.
§
If you are an mechanical
or civil engineering, geospatial technology or multimedia student/user who use software like
AutoCAD, ProE, ArcGIS, Erdas, 3DMax then you can purchase big screen high
range laptop or workstations with ATI or nVIDIA graphics card as per the budget.
§
If you are a game lover
then buy a big screen desktop computer with ATI or nVIDIA graphics
card. Laptop’s keyboard maintenance is not affordable because if any key
fails, you need to replace whole keypad. Also, game playing experience is
enjoyable at big screen only.
One more question arises while
buying desktop computer, should I purchase branded (Like HP, Dell) or
assembled computer? Today, desktop computer prices are very low, so if you
have good budget then you can buy branded computer. I suggest HP or Dell as
brands to purchase for laptop as well as desktop computer. If you know an authentic
seller for assembled computer then you can purchase assembled computer. I give
emphasis on authentic seller because duplicate parts are available in the
market with the same brand name.