What is the difference between desktop and laptop?

The difference between desktop and laptop is that a desktop has external devices like a mouse, keyboard, printer, and CPU attached to it physically to compute a result, while a laptop has inbuilt hardware devices like a mouse and keyboard.

What is a peripheral device?

Any device connected to a computer externally or internally is called a peripheral device. Despite the difference between desktops and laptops, both make use of peripheral devices. A desktop has external peripheral devices, while a laptop has internal peripheral devices. Keyboard, mouse, printer, touchpad, etc., are peripheral devices.

What are the advantages of laptops over desktops?

The use of laptops has replaced desktops over time. This is due to the added advantages of laptops over the desktops, which are as follows: Laptops are easy to carry (Portable) Small and lightweight. In-built peripheral devices. Runs on battery. Convenient to work from remote locations.

What is the difference between desktops and laptops in terms of storage space or memory?

In terms of storage space, desktops are better than laptops. A desktop has a bigger storage space or memory area than a laptop. A laptop has limited memory. However, we can increase the memory by using bigger RAMs in laptops. Also, the processing speed of a desktop is fast than a laptop.

What is the use of a CPU in a computer?

Every computer system has a CPU(Central Processing Unit). A CPU helps in the processing of data, it helps in arithmetic calculations and other control transfer executions. A CPU is the heart of the computer system. It is responsible for all logical and arithmetic calculations.

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Difference Between Desktop and Laptop | Desktop vs Laptop

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

With the growth of technology and automobiles, people started using electronic gadgets, specifically computers. To cut down their workload, people started relying on desktops and laptops. It also saved a lot of time and increased productivity. The major difference between desktop and laptop is that a desktop requires basic external components to function fully, whereas the Laptop has all necessary devices built in, making it the most portable.

Difference Between Desktop and Laptop PDF

Charles Babbage launched computers in the 19^th century and witnessed exponential growth in technological development worldwide. There are many similarities and difference between desktop and laptop. Further, let us check the difference between desktop and laptop in the sections below.

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Table of content

1. Difference Between Desktop and Laptop
2. What is a Desktop?
3. Advantages of Desktops
4. What is a Laptop?
5. Advantages of Laptops
6. Key Difference Between Desktop and Laptop
7. Similarities Between Desktop and Laptop

Difference Between Desktop and Laptop

The major difference between desktop and laptop is that desktops can be used in both houses and offices. However, laptop is packaged as one whole device and we can carry it while traveling. Let us now discuss the difference between desktop and laptop based on their utility and functionalities, which are as follows.

Desktop VS Laptop
Desktop	Laptop
Desktops are large in size.	laptops are small in size.
Desktops need external peripheral devices to provide functionality.	It has in-built devices to provide functionality.
It runs on a power supply.	It runs on a battery and power supply.
It is not portable.	It is portable.
The desktop has a powerful processor.	Laptops do not have a powerful processor in comparison to desktops.
The number of data ports is more.	The number of data ports is less.
It is easy to repair a desktop.	Repairing a laptop is hard due to its complex structure.

What is a Desktop?

It is a non-portable graphical user interface. It is a physical system consisting of a CPU(Central Processing Unit), a keyboard, a monitor, and a mouse. It requires a constant power supply to function.

Desktops are mainly used in office spaces and organizations where the portability of the systems is not required. Desktops were in high demand in the late 19th century and early 20s. Nowadays, laptops have replaced desktops because of their advantages over desktops.

Advantages of Desktops

In the early 19^th century, desktops came with the following advantages, which lured technological giants and people to use them to save energy and time. Following are the advantages:

Reliability
High disk space
Accuracy
High speed of data transmission
Long lifetime
Cheap cost

What is a Laptop?

It is an all-in-one portable computer. It runs on battery or AC power that lasts for hours. One can work remotely with laptops as they are easy to carry and compatible to work on. They basically have an LED or LCD screen.

In laptops, the keyboard, CPU, monitor, and mouse all are in-built. They are light in weight and small to carry to different work locations.

Advantages of Laptops

In the early 21^st century, the world witnessed laptops replacing desktops. The difference between desktops and laptops is sure because of the advantages attached to laptops. The advantages of laptops are as follows:

Portability
Less power usage
The convenience of assembly
Lightweight and small

Key Difference Between Desktop and Laptop

The key difference between desktop and laptop are as follows.

Laptops are convenient and don’t require a set location, but desktop computers require more room and time for installation.
Laptops are convenient and don’t require a set location, but desktop computers require more room and time for installation.
External parts found in desktop computers include the monitor, UPS, CPU, keyboard, etc. Laptops, on the other hand, contain built-in features like a built-in keyboard and touchpad.
Before use, desktops require complete installation whereas, laptops are already set up and ready to go.
Laptops do not have a high storage capacity compared to desktops and do not have irreplaceable hard drives. Desktop computers have high storage capacity and replaceable hard drives.
Laptops require significant upkeep and require skill, but desktops do not require either of these things.

Similarities Between Desktop and Laptop

The similarities between desktop and laptop are given below.

The majority of desktops and laptops come pre-installed with programs and operating systems like Windows 7 or if it’s an Apple machine, Mac OS.
Both computer units have ports (which vary depending on the brand and model) and a built-in CD/DVD player, however, some of the more recent laptop versions have started to phase this out.
External hard drives, printers, cameras, phones, and other peripheral devices can be attached to both desktops and laptops.

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