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About a year ago, I bought a Mac for the first time in my life.
It’s not that I’m anti-Apple—I switch freely between iOS and Android, and I currently wear an Apple Watch—but my preference for working in Windows has started to feel like a blind spot in my tech coverage. Even when I can borrow my wife’s MacBook to try out the occasional app or MacOS trick, it’s not the same as living inside MacOS full time.
But unlike the average Mac buyer, I didn’t end up with a MacBook. Instead, I went with Apple’s tiny Mac Mini, which now sits on my desk below my main monitor. Whether it’s Windows or MacOS, one thing I know for sure is that I’m an avid computer user.
While the portable advantages of the laptop are obvious, here’s why I still appreciate the desktop computer—whether it’s running Windows or MacOS:
Desktops can be cheaper
Apple’s Mac Mini starts at $700, which is $300 cheaper than a MacBook Air with nearly identical tech specs. Basically, you’re not paying for the screen, trackpad, battery, and webcam, which means you can put those savings toward better desktop accessories or use what you already have.
The math gets a little trickier on the Windows side, where prices can be all over the place. However, you can generally find decent desktops in the $500 range (one example), while the quality of laptops in that price range can be spotty in terms of keyboard, trackpad, and build quality.
They are better for certain applications
The always-on nature of desktop computers also opens up a number of use cases that aren’t practical with a laptop. If you want to use Plex or Channels DVR to record over-the-air TV or stream your personal media collection, you’ll need a computer that’s connected and running around the clock. Same if you run your own home automation service or sideload apps on your iPhone. With a laptop, you would lose the access to these services whenever you put it to sleep.
They provide more power
Intel and AMD ship different sets of processors for laptops and desktops, with the latter being more powerful. After all, they don’t have to worry about keeping your lap cool or burning through too much battery life, and they can use larger fans to dissipate heat. Apple, meanwhile, is clearly leaning toward the strength of desktop computing with its Mac Studio, whose optional M1 Ultra chip outperforms any MacBook.
Of course, desktops also leave room for larger, more powerful graphics cards for PC gaming—at least when you can find them.
Desktops are easier to expand…
To add more storage to a desktop computer, you just need to throw in an extra internal hard drive or plug in an external one. That means you can lower costs on the initial purchase and scale up as you go.
Adding more storage to a laptop creates a whole new set of complications. Only some Windows laptops allow you to install more internal storage, and Apple’s recent MacBooks are not expandable at all. Although you can always plug an external drive into a laptop, you’ll want to avoid loading it with any important files or programs unless you always plan to carry the extra drive with you.
… And they are simpler to sit down and use
The ease of adding storage to a desktop connects to a broader point, which is that desktops can feel less cumbersome than laptops, especially when you bring in external monitors, webcams, speakers, mice and keyboards. You don’t have to deal with your laptop and clutter of power cords and peripherals before you can get comfortable at your desk.
That might sound kind of silly — it’s not that hard to plug in some cables — but sometimes removing little bits of friction can make a big difference. Even using a fancy laptop docking station isn’t the same as being able to sit down at your desk and start computing right away.
Whether those benefits are worth sacrificing the portability of a laptop is something I can’t answer for you. But they’re worth considering next time you’re in the market for a new computer.
This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s newsletter for understanding technology. Sign up to receive practical tech tips in your inbox every week.
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