Personal computers have come a long way since the first computer showed up in an individual's home in the late 1,900s. Gone are the days of huge boxes and massive monitors. Today's desktops take up very little space, and many consumers are opting instead for laptops or pocket PCs. If you are in the market for a personal computer, you will need to decide which type is the best fit for your needs.

Desktops: Benefits and Drawbacks

Desktops are the type of personal computers most consumers think of when they think of the technology. These are personal computers that are designed to stay in one place. They are comprised of a monitor, a separate keyboard a mouse, and a tower case that houses the CPU.

Like all types of personal computers, the best desktops have both benefits and drawbacks. One benefit to these computers is the fact that the parts are more easily swapped if needed. In other words, if the monitor dies, you do not have to scrap the whole computer to fix the problem. You can simply replace the monitor. This makes desktops more affordable to upkeep than the more portable personal computers. Of course, there are parts, like the motherboard, that cost almost as much as the entire computer to replace. When these die, the whole system is usually replaced, but smaller less critical parts, like the CD-ROM drive or even the hard drive, can be replace for a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire system.

Because they are larger than portable computers and pocket PCs, the best desktops are usually more powerful and can contain more storage space than their more portable counterparts. You can also upgrade desktops by adding more memory or faster components much easier than you can do with laptops.

The biggest drawback to desktops is the lack of portability. We live in a mobile society, and many people are expected to have access to the information on their personal computers at all times. This is not possible with desktops.

Laptops: Benefits and Drawbacks

Laptops, or notebooks as they are sometimes called, are portable computers that have all of the vital components in one piece. The keyboard, pointing device, memory, hard drive, monitor, and disc drives are all housed in the same case. These portable computers are powered by a rechargeable battery, which means users can have access to their personal computers for at least a few hours when electrical outlets are not available.

The main advantage to laptops is, of course, the portability. People can take their portable computers wherever they go if they choose laptops over desktops. For the business professional, who frequently does presentations or needs access to client information while on the road, laptops simply make the most sense.

There are some drawbacks to laptops as well. Laptops are always more expensive than desktops with comparable features. The "fastest" computers are still desktops, but most users will not need access to the upper limits of computer performance.

One of the main limitations of laptops lies in the ability to upgrade the computer. Desktops are standardized, and this means components can be swapped out easily. This is not always true for laptops. Manufacturers have made their own designs, which means you have to stay "within the family" when trying to upgrade a laptop. The best affordable laptop computers will cost much more to fix than the best desktops. Also, even the best affordable laptop computers will cost more than a similarly designed desktop, because people are willing to pay more for portable computers.

Finally, laptops are not as durable as desktops. This is mostly due to the fact that laptops are frequently taken on the road where they are more prone to being damaged.

Pocket PCs: Benefits and Drawbacks

Pocket PCs are tiny computers that are small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. These are technically called personal digital assistants (PDAs). The term Pocket PC actually refers to a PDA with Microsoft Windows as its operating system.

Pocket PCs are ideal for people who need a sophisticated organizer. They can hold a calendar, alert the user to upcoming appointments, and house an address book with contact information for family, friends, and clients. Pocket PCs can also browse the Internet using WiFi or Bluetooth technology, if properly enabled.

While many Pocket PCs are capable of performing word processing tasks, creating spreadsheets, and even making PowerPoint presentations, they cannot replace larger personal computers. The documents and presentations created on Pocket PCs must be downloaded onto personal computers at some point in order to use them. For individuals who wish to own desktops but need portability, Pocket PCs give them that capability with a much lower price tag than most laptops.

Like laptops, Pocket PCs are difficult to upgrade. They are also far less durable than desktops. However, this type of personal computer has one advantage over a laptop, and that is the fact that they cost far less.

The type of personal computers you need really depends on how you intend to use the devices. Many people end up with a combination, owning more than one computer, so that they can benefit from each type.

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