Staff are continually becoming more able to work while on the go. As technology improves, more options are becoming available for people and there are fewer requirements to be tied down to a desk / desktop PC. However desktop computing still has its advantages.

There used to be a big gap for cost of performance when comparing a laptop against a desktop, however as faster technology becomes smaller, the size and portability of a laptop is less of an impediment on performance. These same advancements, and in turn higher demand, also mean that notebook computing is more affordable than it was, say even just five years ago.

However there are also other less positive factors you must consider when purchasing laptops for your staff. One of the biggest is concern for security, as laptop theft is a common crime. You should make sure that your insurance policy covers equipment in transit and away from the office. The laptop is likely to also house your company’s Intellectual Property, and this should be considered also. Strong and secure passwords, and only allowing minimal data to travel away from the server are good measures to prevent IP theft.

Laptops also take a real beating, particularly the more mobile the owner is. Generally you won’t get the same longevity out of a laptop as you would a desktop, even though they are built as robustly as possible, without compromising weight.

For most, the number one advantage of a desktop PC is value for money. These days you can buy a great PC for under $1000 that could last you four or more years. I’m still amazed that the prices of computers have come down as much as they have.

If you’ve got staff that work on Excel spread sheets or CAD programs, you can’t beat the real-estate of a 22” or 24” LCD monitor. Not having to alt tab or constantly scroll, improves the productivity of your staff. As desktops are fixed to your work network, you also have the option of being able to take regular backups of them. This can be very unreliable for laptops.

In conclusion, laptops and desktops both have their place, but these days it’s not as painful to provide an employee with a laptop so long as the need is there. For further advice on whether your staff would benefit from a laptop or desktop experience, or to purchase, please contact The IT Department.