Why a Laptop

Advantages and disadvantages of a laptop computer have been summarized as

Advantages

Portability is usually the main advantage as it can be used in many places—not only at home and at the office, but also during commuting, in coffee shops, in lecture halls and libraries, at clients’ location or at a meeting room, etc.

Productivity: Increased productivity is achieved by using a laptop in places or at times when a desktop PC is not available.

Immediacy: Carrying a laptop means having instant access to information, personal and work files so, better collaboration between coworkers or students.

Connectivity: Wide spread usage of WiFi wireless networks and cellular broadband data services (3G and others) means that a laptop can have Internet and network connectivity while remaining mobile.

Size: Laptops are smaller than desktop PCs which is useful if space is at a premium, as in small apartments or offices. When not in use, a laptop can be closed and put away.

Low power consumption: Laptops are several times more power-efficient than desktops. A typical laptop uses 20–90 W, compared to 100–800 W for desktops. This could be particularly beneficial for businesses (which run hundreds of personal computers, multiplying the potential savings) and homes where there is a computer running 24/7 (such as a home media server, print server, etc.)

Quiet: Laptops are often quieter than desktops, due quieter components in them and less heat production leading to use of fewer and slower cooling fans.

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 but a desktop PC needs a UPS.

Disadvantages

Cost: Cost of laptops has fallen rapidly but, laptops remain more expensive than desktop PCs at the same performance level.

Performance: The upper limits of performance of laptops remain lower than the highest-end desktops, and new features usually appear first in desktops then to laptops.

Upgradeability: Upgradeability of laptops is very limited compared to desktops.. In general, hard drives and memory can be upgraded easily but internal components, like the motherboard, CPU and graphics, are not always easily upgradeable. Each major laptop manufacturer pursues its own proprietary design and construction hence, no standard form factor for laptops

Health: Laptops affects health of user health more than desktops as user is using the laptop more as compared to desktop. Laptops affect various body parts due to their usage like because of small and flat keyboard and track pad pointing devices, prolonged use result wrists injury , integrated screen can cause users to hunch over thus, causing neck or spinal injuries, and heat from laptop can cause skin discoloration on the thighs

Equipment wear : Due to their portability, laptops are subject to more wear and physical damage than desktops.

Parts replacement : Original external components are expensive, and usually proprietary and non-interchangeable; other parts are inexpensive also, their replacement may require extensive disassembly and reassembly of the laptop.

Security : Because they are valuable, common, and portable, laptops are prized targets for theft.