Business Laptops vs. Desktops: Which is the Better Option?

Are you starting up a new business or upgrading your current business? You may need to decide between a desktop and a laptop for business applications.

Ultimately, when deciding between a laptop and a desktop for business applications, you compare a laptop's mobility against a desktop computer's performance. Laptops with the latest features are the best choices for everyday office use. However, in scenarios where highly specialized and demanding applications are required, a desktop computer is worth the investment for your employees.

You can make the right choice by assessing your requirements and taking our "Business laptops vs. desktops" guide into account. So, let's dive in!

Laptops for Business

Who wants to carry a bulky desktop back and forth from the office, especially if their company has a new hybrid WFH schedule? Laptops are all-in-one computers with a screen, keyboard, touchpad, and processing components packed in a single package. Workspaces that allow laptops may need more desk space and flexibility in seating arrangements. Their employees can take their laptops anywhere and do their work rather than being confined to a specific seat or cubicle. Docking stations are standard in offices, allowing employees to connect their computers and access additional features such as Ethernet internet connections or external monitors.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of business laptops that you must consider before investing in them.

Pros

• Laptops are exceptionally lightweight and portable, allowing you to carry them to the office quickly, take them to meetings, and share them amongst team members.
• You can fit laptops in a briefcase or backpack — and its tiny features make it easy to prop up on any flat surface, such as a coffee table and class desk.
• A laptop with a built-in battery means you don't need to keep it constantly plugged in, unlike a desktop computer that restricts you to a power outlet.
• Laptops are not limited to a single screen and a built-in keyboard. If you have the right peripherals, you can connect it to a docking station connected to multiple additional screens, desktop keyboards, printers, projectors, and more. You can also use your laptop in clamshell mode with the display closed to mimic a desktop setup.
• Thanks to its exceptional portability, sharing your laptop with your team members is easy. For instance, instead of huddling at a desktop screen, an employee can pick up a laptop and carry it to another colleague's cubical for real-time discussion.
• Laptops also increase office productivity. They make it easier for employees to accomplish activities around the office and at home, stay connected to their files, log in to their accounts, delete or reinstall documents, and collaborate with their teammates anywhere in the world.

Cons

• Laptops may face battery or charging cord issues, disrupting your whole experience.
• Due to compact form factors, laptops are built with smaller screens to make it easier to carry them around. However, some office applications require larger screens to view or work, and the smaller screens can be tricky to navigate.
• Undoubtedly, laptops are more accessible to carry, but their fragile and thin design makes them even more accessible to damage than desktop PCs. Likewise, small hardware may be more challenging to open and repair.
• When working on laptops, you must have a stable WI-FI connection to maintain productivity. However, many laptops do not come with ethernet ports, and if, for some reason, there is a Wi-Fi issue, you will not have a backup to access some of your laptop's applications and software.
• On extensive use, your laptop can get very warm, damaging its components and making it uncomfortable to use.

Desktops for Business

A desktop is a stationary computer that requires you to sit next to it, or you can put it under your desk in the office. Due to its heavy and bulky design, it is easier to move once it's broken or replaced. If rolling out desktop PCs, you must consider desk type and size.

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the pros and cons of using desktops for business.

Pros

• Desktop computers offer more powerful hardware than laptop computers, making them more suited for demanding applications like video editing, graphic design, and data processing.
• Typically, desktops come with a built-in power supply designed to meet the electricity consumption needs of their hardware. Modern desktop power supplies are commonly rated in the hundreds of Watts, which can make these systems less green.
• Desktops are becoming lighter and more portable than in the past, but they still often remain immobile in one area. This stationary nature helps to reduce the dangers of theft, physical harm, and cyber threats.
• Desktops are more easily customizable and upgradeable than laptops, allowing you to enhance their capabilities as your business demands evolve. To improve performance without changing the entire system, you can add additional RAM, upgrade the processor, or even change components such as graphics cards or storage devices.
• Desktop systems generally have better heat and noise management than laptops to ensure employees a quieter and more comfortable work environment. This is especially beneficial for shared work areas or open office spaces.
• In the long run, working on a desktop is far more sustainable for your eyes and wrists than a laptop.

Cons

• Desktops are not suitable on the go. Consider the typical workday of your employees; if it involves frequent movement from one location to another, there may be better choices than desktop computers due to their bulky footprints.
• Desktop setups take up more space than laptops, which can be problematic for offices with limited space.
• You may have a higher initial investment for a desktop than a laptop, especially considering the cost of peripherals and additional components.
• Desktop may necessitate more excellent technical knowledge for maintenance and troubleshooting, mainly when working with sophisticated hardware configurations or upgrades. This may increase the IT workload for organizations that do not have in-house IT teams.
• Desktops are more prone to theft and data breaches if left unattended or in an unsecured area. You must follow proper security measures, such as physical access control, data encryption, and password protection, to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access.
• Lastly, unlike laptops, desktops rely on a power outlet, which offers portability and flexibility through battery power.

Business Laptops vs. Desktops: What to Choose?

For an average corporation, laptops are better choices due to the additional flexibility, versatility, ease of use, and capability to support remote working. They're the most suitable option regarding portability, as you can pack and ship them anywhere.

However, on the performance side, desktop computers offer the best value for the money, typically allowing you to access far more powerful components without spending much. For instance, you can get a high-end desktop computer at the price of a cheaper laptop with minimum specs- you're possibly paying for the extra flexibility.

Security-vice: a desktop is physically and digitally secure because it's often kept in one location, and internet access is usually a single source. If you opt for a laptop, it is essential to ensure it is secured appropriately and in line with your business' security.

Although laptops provide the convenience of portability, their smaller size is limited to weight ratio, so ultra-portable laptops incorporate smaller screens with less advanced display technology. On the other hand, if you choose a desktop PC, you will want a dedicated monitor with the latest technology, whether larger screen sizes, higher resolutions, higher color gamut, or faster refresh rates.

In addition, the accessibility to components makes desktop PCs an ideal choice for employees who have to work on demanding projects like creating projects with the Adobe software suite. These tasks often strain system RAM and CPUs significantly, but the good news is that you can efficiently address all the issues by upgrading components on a desktop PC. The broader availability of all the hardware components may eventually make desktop PCs obsolete in work settings. By contrast, laptops are comparatively limited in flexibility, and if a laptop lacks the necessary power for a task, you will have to replace it entirely.