Maybe your old computer has breathed its last. Maybe your new college student has informed you that going to the computer lab for every assignment is not working for him or her. Maybe you need a second computer in your home. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided it is time to purchase a new computer. With so many options on the market, it can be very difficult to decide what will best suit your needs. It may help to break down your options into two basic categories: desktops and laptops

A desktop computer is a good option as a main household computer. Since it is stationary, it is a great option for connecting to printers, scanners, digital cameras, and other devices. It is also great for homes that have an office area where household business (bill paying, etc.) is conducted, since it allows you to keep all the clutter in one place in your home. One downside of a desktop is the space it requires. In small homes or college dorm rooms, where space is at a premium, a desktop may not be the best option. If, however, you have the space and like the idea of a centralized location for all things computer-related, a desktop may be for you.

If space is an issue, or if you need portability, a laptop might be a good fit. A laptop basically has all the functions of a desktop packaged in a small, lightweight, portable case. A laptop is a good fit for a college student since it allows him or her to take notes in class, as well as to work on assignments wherever and whenever possible. Other users who need similar flexibility will benefit from a laptop as well. A potential problem with a laptop is its fragility. If young children use your computer, or if you tend toward clumsiness yourself, a laptop may not be a good choice. Also, if you plan to use it as the main computer in your household, you must choose whether to unplug your printer, scanner, fax machine, etc., every time you want to move the laptop, or simply to leave it in one place, thereby losing the portability that attracted you to it in the first place.

If you only need one computer in your household, but would like the flexibility a laptop offers, a docking station allows you to have the best of both worlds. All of your peripheral equi pment (printers, etc.) can plug into the docking station instead of the laptop itself. When you need to use the equipment, you simply dock the laptop, and when you are finished, the laptop can become portable again.

Within each of these categories are several subcategories, such as all-in-one desktops and netbooks. However, the basic pros and cons remain the same in each of these. In addition, the purchase of a new computer will bring up all sorts of questions for which you may not have answers: how much memory do you need? What kind of processor? What size hard drive? At Beasley Technology, we know how to ask the right questions, and how to help you find the answers so you can rest assured you have purchased the best computer for you and your family. We have the latest in desktops and laptops, as well as docking stations and peripheral equipment. Stop by the shop or call us today.

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