Information Technology (SHC 1913)

Assignment 1

Differences between
desktop and laptop

Preparedby:
NurmalabintiAbdSamad
A11HA0116
1SHAC

Lecturersname:
1

Dr.NoorminshahbintiA.Iahad

Index

No. Particular

Page

WhatisDesktop

Whatislaptop

Comparisonbetweenlaptopanddesktop

Recommendedmodelandreasons

References

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WhatisDesktop

A desktop computer is a personal computer that is designed to fit conveniently on top of a

typical office desk. A desktop computer typically comes in several units that are connected
together during installation: (1) the processor, which can be in a microtower or minitower
designedtofitunderthe deskorinaunitthatgoesontopofthedesk,(2)thedisplaymonitor,
(3) and input devices usuallyakeyboardandamouse.Today,almostalldesktopcomputers
include a builtin modem, a CDROM drive, a multigigabyte magnetic storage drive, and

sometimesadiskettedrive.

Whatislaptop

A laptop computer, usually called a notebook computer by manufacturers, is a battery or

ACpowered personal computer generally smaller than a briefcase that can easily be
transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as on airplanes, in libraries,
temporary offices, and at meetings. A laptop typically weighs less than 5 pounds and is 3
inches or less in thickness. Among the bestknown makers of laptop computers are IBM,
Apple, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba. Laptop computers generally cost more than desktop
computers with the same capabilities because they are more difficult to design and
manufacture.

Differentbetweenlaptopanddesktop
Function
All types of computers perform similar functions, butthedifferenceisgenerallythatdesktop
computers have more robust specifications and more computing power for the dollar
compared to their more portable laptop cousins. Comfort is another function that is traded
away in favor of portability when it comes to laptop computers, which generally have a
touchpadthatisnotaseasytouseasthemousethatcomesstandardwithadesktopcomputer

MemoryandStorage
System memory,frequentlycalledmainmemoryorRAM(RandomAccessMemory),
is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. That is, any byte of memory
can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the "working memory"
storage area within the computer. All data on the computerisstoredonthehard drive,butin
order for the CPUtoworkwiththedataduringnormaloperations,thedatathecomputeruses
andworkswithisreadintotheworkingmemory,whichistheRAMchips.
A laptop's memory can make up for some of the reduced performance that comes
from a slower processor. Some laptops have cache memory on or very near the CPU,
allowing it to access data more quickly.Somealsohavelargerbusses,allowingdatatomove
betweentheprocessor,motherboardandmemorymorequickly.
Laptops often use smaller memory modules to save space. Memory types used in laptops
include:
*SmallOutlineDualInlineMemoryModule(SODIMM)
*DualDataRateSynchronousRAM(DDRSDRAM)
*SingledatarateSynchronousRAM(SDRAM)
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*Proprietarymemorymodules
Some laptops have upgradeable memory and feature removable panels foreasyaccesstothe
memorymodules.
Like a desktop, a laptop has an internal hard disk drive, which stores the operating
system, applications and data files. However, laptops generally have less disk space than
desktops. A laptop hard drive is also physically smaller than that of a desktop. In addition,
most laptop hard drives spin more slowly than desktop hard drives, reducing both heat and
powerconsumption.
Desktop computers have multiple bays for installing additional drives, such as CD
and DVD ROM drives. However, space in a laptop is in much shorter supply.Manylaptops
useamodulardesign,allowingavarietyofdrivestofitinthesamebay.

Size
Laptops are smaller than desktop PCs. This is beneficial whenspaceisatapremium,
for example in small apartments and student dorms. When not in use, alaptopcanbeclosed
and put away. Desktop nowadays, event become smaller, but it stillremainsbulky.Thiswill
limit the space. For example on the study table, desktop will use more space of the table,
thereforethespacetostudyandputotherthingswillbelimited.

Component
The basic components of laptops are similar infunctiontotheirdesktopcounterparts,
but are miniaturized, adapted to mobile use, and designed for low power consumption.
Because of the additional requirements, laptop components are usually of inferior
performance compared to similarly priced desktop parts. Furthermore, the design bounds on
power, size, and coolingoflaptops limitthemaximumperformanceoflaptoppartscompared
tothatofdesktopcomponents.
Desktops have several standardized expansion slots, like Conventional PCI or PCI
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express, while laptops only tend to have one mini PCI slot and one PC card slot (or
ExpressCard slot). This means that a desktop can be customized and upgraded to a greater
extent than laptops. Procedures for (dis)assembly of desktops tend to be simple and
standardized to a great extent too. This tends not to bethecaseforlaptops,thoughaddingor
replacing some parts, like theopticaldrive,harddisk,andaddinganextramemory module is
oftenquitesimple.
Performance
While the performance of mainstream desktops and laptops is comparable, and the cost of
laptops has fallen more rapidly than desktops, laptops remain more expensive than desktop
PCs at the same performance level. The upper limitsofperformanceoflaptopsremainmuch
lower than the highestend desktops (especially "workstation class" machines with two
processor sockets), and "bleedingedge" features usually appear first in desktops and only
then,astheunderlyingtechnologymatures,areadaptedtolaptops.

Battery
Battery: a charged laptop can continue to be used in case of a power outage and is not
affected by short power interruptions and blackouts. A desktop PC needs a UPS to handle
short interruptions, blackouts and spikes achieving onbattery time of more than 2030
minutesforadesktopPCrequiresalargeandexpensiveUPS

Upgradeability
Upgradeability of laptops is very limitedcomparedtodesktops,whicharethoroughly
standardized. In general, hard drives and memory can be upgradedeasily.Opticaldrivesand
internal expansion cards may be upgraded if they follow an industry standard, but all other
internal components, including the motherboard, CPU and graphics, are not alwaysintended
to be upgradeable. Intel, Asus, Compaq, Quantaandotherlaptopmanufacturershavecreated
the Common Building Block standard for laptop parts to address some of the inefficiencies

causedbythelackofstandards.
The reasons for limited upgradeability are both technical and economic. There is no
industrywide standard form factor for laptops each major laptop manufacturer pursues its
own proprietary design and construction, with the result that laptops are difficult to upgrade
and have high repair costs. With few exceptions, laptop components can rarely be swapped
between laptops of competing manufacturers, or even between laptops from the different
productlinesofthesamemanufacturer.
Some upgrades can be performed by adding external devices, either USB or in
expansion card format such as PCCard.Devicessuchassoundcards,networkadapters,hard
and optical drives, and numerous other peripherals are available, but these upgrades usually
impair the laptop's portability, because they add cablesandboxestothesetupandoften have
tobedisconnectedandreconnectedwhenthelaptopisonthemove.
Portability
Portability is usually the first feature mentioned in any comparison of laptops versus
desktop PCs.[38] Portability means that a laptop can be used in many placesnot only at
home and at the office, but also during commuting and flights, in coffee shops, in lecture
halls and libraries, at clients' location or atameetingroom,etc.Theportabilityfeatureoffers
severaldistinctadvantages:
Productivity
: Using a laptop in places where a desktop PC cannotbeused,andattimesthat
would otherwise be wasted. For example, an office worker managingtheiremailsduringan
hourlong commute by train, or a student doing his/her homework at the university coffee
shopduringabreakbetweenlectures.
Immediacy
: Carrying a laptop means having instant access to various information, personal
and work files. Immediacy allows better collaboration between workers or students, as a
laptopcanbeflippedopentopresentaproblemorasolutionanytime,anywhere.
Uptodate information
: If a person has more than one desktop PC, a problem of
synchronization arises: changes made on one computer are not automatically propagated to
theothers.Thereare waystoresolvethisproblem,includingphysicaltransferofupdatedfiles

(using a USB flash memory stick or CDRs) or using synchronization software over the
Internet. However, using a single laptop at both locations avoids the problementirely,asthe
filesexistinasinglelocationandarealwaysuptodate.
Connectivity
: A proliferation of WiFi wireless networks and cellular broadband data
services (HSDPA, EVDO and others) combined with a nearubiquitous support by laptops
means that a laptop can have easy Internet and local network connectivity while remaining
mobile. WiFi networks and laptop programs are especially widespread at university
campuses.

Motherboard
Desktop motherboards have more slots generally as a laptops motherboard is usually
designed to fit into the housing of the manufacturers new model, if Dell only wants you to
have one mini pcsoyoustuckonyourstockwirelesscard,theycandoso.Anotherfeaturein
nearly every laptop is Integrated graphics card, whichisaGPUthatssolderedto theboard &
not on a slot, some highend have a gpu called MXM but MXM Mobile GPU's are pricey
compared to their desktop counterparts. You can get desktop motherboards with GPU
integration, which is a really good idea in case your dedicated GPU's start failing on you to
preventthesystemfrombecomingunstable

Recommendedmodelandreason
Iwillrecommendhertobuylaptopcomparedtodesktop.Thereasonsare:
1.

Laptop is lighter and easy to bring. As a student, theremustbelotofassignmentthat

she has to do. With laptop, she can do her assignment anytime and anywhere. With
Wifi that is provided by the universities, she also can access information anywhere
withherlaptop.

2.

Laptop also does not need a lot of spaces and special table. If she buy desktop, she
need lot of spaces on her tabletoputherdesktop.Itwilllimitedhertablesspacethat
canbeusedtostudy.

3.

Besides that, laptop has battery. So, she can use laptop event thought there is no
powersupply.

4.

Even thought the memory of laptop is smaller than desktop, but as a management
student, there is no much software that shehastoinstall.So,shedoesnotneedbigger

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memory. Besides, if she likes to watch movie, she can use external hard disk tosave
allhermovies.

References
1.

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2008/laptop_desktop_
memory.asp

2.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/113911/laptops/laptops_and_desktops__
_a_comparison.html

3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop

4.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/desktop

5.

http://www.computerbuyadvice.com/

6.

http://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/definition/desktopcomputer

7.

http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/laptopcomputer

8.

http://www.google.com.my/imgres?q=what+is+laptop&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=is
ch&tbnid=SVq8wDzMz9MHhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.lapto

9.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6064781_comparison-laptops-desktops.html

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