The first computer was invented almost a century ago and since then it has evolved. Computers have seen a lot, from being a bulky piece of junk which took a whole room to store, to being transformed into a PC or personal computer that everyone owned in the 90s to finally having a makeover that made it so that it is called a laptop now.
No matter how many changes the physical body went through, the main purpose of it remained the same. To assist us and provide output faster than any human could ever give. But ever since the “invention” of laptops, people have been questioning is a laptop a PC? To answer this question, the following are some of the most prominent differences between both of the technologies.
Table of Contents
Portability
It is an obvious difference. A PC consists of several components, CPU, monitor, keyboard, etc. No matter how lightweight these components are, traveling let alone moving it around the house is a difficult task. Meanwhile, even the heaviest of laptops is easy to take anywhere. Laptops do not require any heavy components. To compensate for the mouse, there is a touchpad.
For monitoring the input, a good size led screen is present, usually 15”. This compact design makes laptops more portable than desktop computers. The laptop was created solely for this purpose so that users could easily take their device anywhere.
Assembly & Space Consumption
Laptops come in one piece, ready to use. However, this is not the same case with a PC. Yes, assembling different components is not difficult but it sure takes some time. Also, as the computer is not one single component as a laptop, it takes a lot more space. You can not put a PC anywhere you want.
There are special tables for computers, with a specific drawer for keyboard and leveled surface for CPU. These pieces of furniture take a lot of space. This is the reason why students living in dorms prefer laptops over desktop PCs.
Power Usage and Battery
Computers consume a lot more energy. Because of the fact that to run multiple components of the PC, higher wattage and constant supply of energy are required. Voltage fluctuates not only lowers the performance rate but can also ruin the unit. In worse scenarios like power breakdown, any work you are doing will be deleted if the computer shuts off.
Power is not a problem with laptops. It requires less energy. Yes, the constant ups and downs of voltage are not good for laptops either. But, if the electricity cuts down automatically or accidentally, the laptop will continue working due to the battery.
Computers can not work without a consistent power source but laptops can. Charge the battery once and you are good for at least one day. The rechargeable battery feature makes laptops good to work while on the road. For freelancers who are always traveling, the laptop is always a better choice.
Maintenance & Repair
The bulky size makes the desktop computer hard to move but when it comes to repairing, it is a plus point. Because there are so many components, you can detect which one is faulty. Also, repairing PC is easier because laptops have high-tech and complex wiring. But, if you can not get your pc fixed, changing the detective component is inexpensive.
You can easily upgrade your computer and make it as new as it can be. Meanwhile, if your laptop stopped working, without consulting a professional you can not figure out if it is a software issue or hardware issue. Even after the technician has detected the issue, changing the flawed hardware can not make the laptop a brand-new unit.
Processing Speed & Performance Quality
Having a big CPU consumes more space and seems like a downfall but most of the time it equals to better processing speed. As the performance depends on the quality of processors, computers usually work faster with multiple tabs on. Laptops are not behind in the race. Especially for office work, easier freelancing tasks, and multimedia usage, people prefer laptops. But if you ever try to place games on these laptops, you will know it freezes immediately.
Average Cost
According to a 2020 survey, a personal computer is going to cost roughly around USD 700. This includes all of the necessary parts e.g. 1 monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, etc. A good quality high functioning laptop will cost USD 1,500 which is more than double a PC cost. Now keep in mind that this is not the cost of a gaming computer. Usually, computers that gamers use are expensive. The average cost of a gaming PC is USD 1,000 which is still less than the cost of a normal laptop.
Gaming
Either someone is a gamer or not, everyone at some point in their life has played games on their PC or laptop. It gets frustrating when the device freezes during a battle and you lose before you have started playing. Laptops are notorious for lagging during games and for the obvious reason, their processor is not quite efficient for gaming.
However, a gaming PC can provide all the benefits to a gamer that a laptop can not provide. These computers were specially designed for gaming. The gaming processors do not lag because of the good input lag. The response time is also faster than any random PC or laptop which makes the gaming experience better. The gaming monitors are famous for giving crystal clear high definition images.
Due to the recent popularity of gaming, several manufacturers have started mass producing these PCs which has made buying cheaper equipment for gaming possible.
The Final Verdict
So, a simple answer to the question “Is a laptop a PC?” is: “Yes, a laptop is indeed a PC”. A laptop does the same things and is used for the same purpose as a regular desktop PC does.
The feature of mobility, rechargeable battery, and compact size has made laptops popular among consumers. However, a gaming computer is a completely different thing and a laptop can not easily substitute it.
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