In an age with smartphones, tablets, and even laptops, you may think that the time of the desktop has come to an end. However, I’m hear to tell you that the desktop will always be available. Don’t believe me? After you read this post, I think you will. There are many great reasons to buy a desktop computer even today. That’s why I thought I would focus today on ten reasons I love my desktop computer. Sure I still have a smartphone and a tablet, but I haven’t given up a desktop for daily use.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why I still keep a desktop around. I believe you will find that these reasons are quite compelling and you may even be convinced to stick with a desktop for your main computer.
Reason 1: Plenty of Room to Work
If there is one thing where a desktop truly shines over a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, it is comfort. Desktops are larger, meaning they take up more room, but they also force you to create a workspace that is big enough for them. The result is plenty of room for you to work or play without being hunched over a small screen. Because of the extra space, you will be more comfortable, meaning you will be able to work for longer periods of time without having to take a break. If you want to get things done, using a desktop is by far the best option, at least in my opinion.
Reason 2: Full Sized Keyboard and Mouse
While you can connect these to a laptop, they are just a given when it comes to a desktop. Have you ever tried typing for hours on end on a laptop? I have. I don’t know about you, but it can make my wrists hurts after a few hours. However, when I use my desktop, I can comfortably type and use the mouse for hours at a time. This is even more important if you like gaming. If you want comfort and you want to give your wrists a break, go with a desktop. Your wrists will thank you.
Reason 3: Multiple Monitors
I realize you can do this with a laptop as well, and I have done it, but there is just something about the ease at which you can do this with a desktop. Most desktops, and especially those with fancy graphics cards, will easily allow you to connect multiple monitors. Whether you use one, two, or three monitors, chances are you can do it without a lot of work. Contrast that to a laptop that may allow you to connect one monitor. If it won’t, you are forced to use a dock to get the functionality you really want. So, if you like multiple monitors, go with a desktop. If you have an all-in-one desktop, you could end up with more monitors than you know what to do with, and that’s never a bad thing, if you ask me.
Reason 4: Powerful Specs
When new processors and video cards are released, they first come to the desktop platform before they make their way to laptops. That means you have access to the very best in technology if you use a desktop. Sure, they may not be as fashionable as a laptop, but when it comes to performance, they will destroy a laptop. If you like purchasing the very latest in technology, then get a desktop. Remember, all the best technology will come to that platform first.
Reason 5: Gaming
Do you like PC gaming? If so, then you probably already know what you have to do. Sure, there are gaming laptops today, but they just don’t quite compare to a gaming desktop. If you want the best graphics, best audio, and the most comfortable gaming experience, you simply have to get a desktop. There is just no beating it. For example, a high-end gaming desktop will allow you to add multiple video cards, so you can further increase your gaming performance, and with the larger hard drives, you will be able to store more games on your system than you ever could with a laptop. I love playing video games when I have time, and I always prefer to do it on my desktop computer instead of my laptop, and I’m sure you will, too.
Reason 6: Expansion and Upgrades
One of the great things about a desktop is the ability to expand and upgrade it later. Try doing that with a laptop. For example, say you wanted to add a second Blu-Ray drive to watch Blu-rays. If you have a laptop, you just can’t do it. With a desktop, you should have the space to add it whenever you want. What if you wanted to upgrade your video card? If you have a laptop, chances are that it is attached to the motherboard. That means you’re stuck with it. If you have a desktop, you will be able to pull out the card you have in there and replace it with one of the latest to be released. If you like modifying your computer later and upgrading it to last you even longer, a desktop is a much better option. With the right upgrades, you can make your desktop last much longer than a laptop ever would.
Reason 7: Gobs of Internal Storage
Hard drives made for desktops tend to be larger and faster. Combine that with the extra bays you have to mount the drives, and you can add almost unlimited storage to your system. Well, not unlimited, but more than you will ever truly need in your home. For my setup, I use one SSD for all my applications and my copy of Windows and Linux, and the rest is reserved for storage of all my documents, movies and music that I have collected over the years. I even have one devoted to backups, so I can make sure my data is safe without having to rely on tape backups or the cloud.
Reason 8: Repair
Because a desktop is easy to access and comes with many different parts that are replaceable, repair is much easier to do. A laptop often uses proprietary parts that you must get from the manufacturer’s and accessing them is very difficult. With a desktop, you just pop off the cover and get to work. You can easily find the parts you need from almost anywhere so it won’t take long to get it fixed, and it won’t cost you as much either. If you have a failure on a laptop, chances are you will be taking to a certified repair place or shipping it to the manufacturer for repairs.
Reason 9: You Can Build Your Own
There are many different desktops that are pre-built today, and that’s great. But, if you truly want to unleash the power of your computer, build it yourself. Not only will you learn a lot about how computers work, but you will also be able to customize your desktop exactly how you want it. It’s also quite fun. If you want to create a truly unique experience with your computer, you must build it. Unfortunately, you can’t build your own laptop, so you must go the desktop route if this sounds like something you want to do. To learn how to build your own desktop, check out my guide series on custom building a desktop here.
Reason 10: Price
Whether you build your own or buy one that is already made, a desktop is far cheaper than a laptop. When you compare specs, you can pretty much guarantee that the desktop with the same speed and specs as a laptop will be a few hundred dollars cheaper. That means you end up getting way more for your money if you buy a desktop. If you are counting your pennies and you want to get the very best you can for your money, look no further than a desktop.
Bonus Reason: Other Uses
When your desktop has outlived its usefulness, you can easily re-purpose it. You can transform it into a server or even gut the case and make it a fish tank. There really is no limit to what you can do with a desktop computer. What other uses have you found for your aging desktop computer? Maybe I should write an article about it.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many reasons to stick with a desktop computer. Now, I understand that these are the reasons I still use a desktop today. Your reasons may differ, but that’s okay. If you are here, chances are you already agree with me anyway. I’m sure we can all agree that the desktop still has a place in modern computing, despite the dominance of laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Personally, I love my desktop computer. It’s fast, comfortable to use, and has everything I need to get my work done as efficiently as possible. I’m sure many of you feel the same. So don’t worry about what all those desktop detractors say about these systems. They are here to stay and it will be a long time before they go anywhere.
Do you love your desktop? If so, tell me why you are a fan of a desktop computer in the comments below. Disagree with me? No problem. Tell me why below and we can have a meaningful discussion about it.
