Technology is wonderful, it’s useful, it’s growing rapidly day after day and every day we get closer to the future we’ve been dreaming about or seeing in movies, but sometimes we get confused by all these fancy abbreviations or definitions, a lot of people are not into tech or as some people call them “tech-savvy” so if you’re a geek like me and want to know the difference between a PC, laptop and a desktop computer then keep reading.
Is a Laptop Considered a PC or Desktop?
While a laptop is not the same as a desktop computer, both are also referred to as personal computers. Most laptops are designed to perform the same functions as desktop computers, which means they can run the same software and open the same files. Laptops as well as desktops use the same operating system (also Windows-based) and are therefore functionally identical, except you can just pick up a laptop and take it with you. Laptops can have a fairly wide selection of components, but they are more limited than desktops.
Laptops vs Desktop Computers
When choosing a desktop computer, you can collect premium parts for every aspect of your PC, while your choice is more limited to a laptop. High-end laptops typically cost more than desktops and also come with all of the limitations listed above. Typically, desktop computers include all components such as the CPU, monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. individually. They are cheaper than laptops. While you may find that some basic laptops cost less than desktops, they tend to be much less powerful machines.
For the same price, a typical laptop may have less RAM and a smaller hard drive than a similarly priced desktop PC, as well as a less powerful graphics card. These characteristics define the limitations of the computer, so if video production is the main business and the computer has an inexpensive graphics card, the computer (laptop or desktop) will not be suitable for this job. Most conventional laptops only include integrated graphics (integrated into the CPU) instead of a discrete (standalone) GPU more commonly found in desktops.
The processors that have a significant impact on computer performance can often be the same between laptops and PCs. Unless you’re a true power user who often does the heavy lifting on your computer (like video editing), you’re unlikely to notice a difference between a regular desktop and a regular laptop. Desktop processors are slightly larger, but this also means that desktop processors can be more powerful than laptop processors.
Laptop processors have almost caught up with desktop processors, but are still limited compared to desktop processors. As advanced as laptops are, high-end models still can’t compete with powerful desktops and workstations when processing power is needed. Many high-end laptops can run at the same speed as their big brother, and high-end desktops are faster, more efficient, and more powerful. For the most part, desktops still have the upper hand when it comes to processors, memory, local storage, expansion ports, and managing power-hungry projects like graphics or video editing, especially when comparing desktop and laptop at the same price.
While many families and professionals actually own (and can afford) both, laptops and desktop PCs are still entering the computing arena. As portable technology advances, laptops are challenging the long-standing dominance of desktop computing. Luckily, the gap between desktops and laptops in general and gaming performance has narrowed significantly in recent times, with manufacturers offering the most mid-to-high-end dedicated gaming hardware in the form of laptops. The laptop is still considered a PC (personal computer) because its size, power, and price make it practical for individual use.
It can often have more or fewer components than a traditional desktop PC, but it’s still considered a computing device. Your laptop has always been a PC, but you can still use it on your lap. The laptop gets its name from the fact that it can be used while lying on a person’s lap without using a table or other surface. A laptop can also be defined as any small, lightweight, battery-operated personal computer.
A laptop computer sometimes referred to as a portable computer maker, is a personal computer powered by a usually smaller battery or AC briefcase that can be easily transported and conveniently used in temporary spaces such as airplanes, libraries, temporary offices, and meetings. A laptop is a personal computer that is small and portable for use outside the home. Yes, laptops aren’t just a different form factor than traditional desktops. A laptop isn’t really considered a desktop computer because it can easily be brought from one location to another, it runs on a battery, and it can be charged anywhere an adapter can be plugged in.
It turns out that the answer to your question is whether a laptop is like any other computer; it can be used by people personally, not just in companies. We can say that a laptop is really a PC since it can be used by people personally, and not just in offices and companies combined. In this case, your laptop is classified as a PC because the main difference between a laptop and a PC is that you can’t connect more than one monitor to your laptop, which usually makes sense considering they’ll be in your lap most of the time if not all time, while some people like to use two external monitors on their desktops. Laptops can be used alone on a desk or as a desktop computer by connecting a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
The definition of laptops has gone through several stages over time, and some people now refer to them as laptops or ultra-portable computing devices (or UPCs). Laptops and desktops can be considered personal computers today, but there are still fundamental differences between the two despite having so much in common. Laptops for everyday use may have slightly better performance with more memory and storage space for people who use computers more than a valued user.
Is a laptop a PC or Mac?
A laptop could be both a PC and Mac, it depends actually on what company manufactured the laptop, if it was Apple then it’s a Mac, if it’s another company then it’s just a normal PC