Personal computing

Personal computing

1. Laptops

   • Advantages
     • Due to slim size and light weight can easily be taken places
     • Some upgradability options such as Memory and Storage
       • The upgrading procedures are often very easy and can be learnt online in minutes
     • Built in screen, no additional purchase needed for a monitor like a desktop would
     • Web cam come included above or below the display
     • Better and more powerful components means desktop apps can run
   • Disadvantages
     • Cooling can often be insufficent and makes internal components slower
     • Battery life degrades quickly over time
     • Specification of laptop is limited to what the manufacturer offers and may not be exactly what the user needs
     • laptop grad processors and graphics are often under powered to give better thermal performance
     • Small screen size can often cause strain on the eyes if viewing for extended periods of time

2. Desktops

   • Advantages
     • Very powerful components for cheaper price.
     • Cooling is often very good as there is more space for airflow
     • Personalised components which the user can specifically pick out to tailor to their needs
     • All parts can be easily upgraded down the line if parts become outdated or if they become damaged or broken
     • Longer life span of components due to better cooling of components
     • Assembly can be made simple by watching a "follow along" video which can highlight common mistakes and tips
     • Monitor screen size is significantly larger than laptop which helps reduce eye strain
     • The IO connectivity has everything which means compatabilty wont be a problem
     • Hard drive space can be very large for cheap prices
   • Disadvantages
     • Large form factor requires space to store
     • Monitor must be bought to display image
     • No portable at all due to large size and weight
     • Separate keyboard and mouse must be purchased along side
     • Must be plugged into the wall for usage
     • If components are all purchased specifically for the users needs and from different suppliers then assembly is required
     • compatible components must be chosen out which is not always obvious
     • No web cam included with desktop or a monitor that would already be bought seperatly
     • Hard drive space can not be reclaimed
     • Special motherboards must be purchased for wifi capabilities

3. Phones

   • Advantages
     • Most portable of all personal computing options as it can fit in a pocket
     • Wide range of apps can be easily downloaded from an app store
     • Long battery life due to small screen and lower power consumption components
     • Operating system is very good at detering viruses
     • All come with SSD storage which means files and data can be wiped and the storage can be reclaimed
     • Phones cameras are now replacement for cameras and the quality is very good
     • Fast charging and very efficient batteries
     • Face id and touch id protection
   • Disadvatages
     • Limited by operated system as not all applications have mobile variants
     • Small screen makes viewing content such as video hard
     • Low audio quility through speakers
     • Components are often not very powerful due to slim small form factor
     • No upgradability at all as all components are soldered on to the main board
     • Sometimes very little storage depending on how much money you spend
     • Small onboard speakers not a lot of volume

4. Tablets

   • Advantages
     • Bigger screen for viewing content, less strain on the eyes
     • Better sound quality and louder sound than all phones and most laptop
     • Wide range of apps can be easily downloaded from an app store
     • Not as expensive as laptops
     • Lighter and thinner than laptops easier to take places
     • Pens can be bought with them for easy paperless notes as well as graphic design and art capabilities
     • younger kids can download more games as it is a touch device
     • Cost a fraction of the cost of laptops
     • customization of cases and accessories
     • Faster charging than laptops
     • Split screen
   • Disadvantages
     • Not as portable as a phone, can't fit in a pocket
     • compuying power still very weak compared to a laptop
     • Desktop version of apps are still not available which means not all features are available
     • Normally only one port for charging
     • No keyboard included and on screen typing is not as good as a physical keyboard
     • Physical keyboard purchased separately and are expensive
     • screen size still smaller than laptop makes research and viewing content better on a laptop