A desktop computer is a personal computer meant to be used on a desk, with most components in a single case. Towers and all-in-one designs are popular, with advantages and tradeoffs. Desktops are cheaper and more powerful than laptops, but less portable.
A desktop computer is a personal computer built to be used on a desk. This is in contrast to both large mainframe computers, which are not meant to be used on a desk, and laptops, or laptops, which are meant to be easily carried from place to place. Originally, this type of computer was seen as a very small version of a computer, as most computers required a large amount of space. These days, it’s seen as the larger end of the computing spectrum, with computers getting incredibly small.
The desktop computer was traditionally considered a fairly specific layout. This type of computer would contain most of the computer’s components, such as the CPU, hard drive, and RAM, within a single case that would sit horizontally on a desktop. A monitor would then be placed on top of the computer case and an external mouse and keyboard connected to it.
Later, the tower became the dominant form of desktop computer. This type of case sits horizontally and is usually placed under a desk or on top of the desk next to the monitor, rather than under the monitor. Towers usually have more space, allowing for many bays to hold things like hard drives and multiple media drives.
The all-in-one desktop computer has also been popular to varying degrees over the decades. Many of Apple’s original computers were all-in-ones, with the monitor included as part of the component case, but the mouse and keyboard were still external. The subsequent iMac series, also from Apple, continued the all-in-one tradition. All-in-one computers have a number of advantages over towers or basic desktops, including a smaller desktop footprint, more attractive form factor, and increased portability. In fact, many older all-in-one computers actually incorporate a carrying handle, so they’re something of a middle ground between a truly portable laptop and a totally static desktop computer. The tradeoff is that all-in-one computers tend to be much less upgradeable than other desktops, as their components are carefully sized to fit in the smallest possible area, and in some cases can even be soldered directly to other components.
Historically, the desktop computer has been preferable to the laptop for a variety of reasons. First, because the parts can be much larger, these computers are usually cheaper than an equally powerful laptop. This price difference has narrowed in recent years, however, making laptops a much more popular choice. However, a desktop computer is still capable of integrating more powerful components than a laptop of the same generation, making them preferable for high-performance tasks such as video and audio editing, designing, and gaming.
In general, a desktop computer at its peak can be seen as about a year and a half ahead of a laptop at its peak. The desktop is also much easier to customize than a laptop, as parts are generally not made to such specific dimensions, so many people who like to build their own computers or modify their computers over time still find desktops preferable to laptops .
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