Laptops VS Desktops- Which Is Better For Your Business

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Business practices are constantly evolving. With almost every industry moving toward digitalization, paper-based processes are now deemed outdated and ineffective by many.

Technological innovations like cloud computing, the internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) have drastically changed how businesses operate.

Productivity applications have made collaborative work more convenient. Social media platforms have helped enterprises reach larger audiences and build stronger customer relationships. Hence, if you want your company to stay ahead of the curve, it’s essential to go digital.

Making the Digital Transition

Digitalization, as the term suggests, basically entails incorporating digital technologies into all elements of your business. Automating processes to increase efficiency by using big data analytics to improve decisions and utilizing electronic devices to complete tasks more easily are all part of digitalization.

Because technology is typically altering every aspect of life, businesses must adapt to survive in a competitive market and meet the changing needs of modern consumers. By embracing digitalization, you can tap into new revenue streams, enhance operational efficiency, and gain a deeper understanding of your target demographic.

Of course, to go digital, you must first furnish your office with the right equipment, starting with computers. You have two options for a computer: a desktop or a laptop. Some may even argue to include the tablet, but it’s not the best device for productivity.

This article will compare laptop and desktop computers to help you decide which suits your business better. Your choice can make or break your company, so it’s best to review your options and weigh the advantages of each carefully. But before you dive straight into their pros and cons, this guide will briefly tackle the main benefits of digitalization.

How Your Business Can Benefit from Digitalization

1. Optimizing day-to-day procedures

Businesses can dramatically shorten the time required to perform operations by automating common tasks and processes. Digitalization lets your employees concentrate on more vital duties, increasing overall productivity.

Human error can also be reduced when you automate previously manual operations, such as data gathering and recordkeeping. Accessing and organizing documents are made much easier and faster with digitalization.

2. Enhancing customer experience

You can provide customers with a more convenient, efficient, and personalized service using digital platforms. Today’s consumers demand a consistent, elevated user experience across all channels. Accordingly, by gathering and assessing customer data, you can tailor your services to match every customer’s preferences and add value to their purchasing experience.

Furthermore, by studying customer information, you can understand your target demographic’s behavior, interests, hobbies, and demands more deeply. This focused data can help you develop products and services in the future that are well-suited to your customers’ needs.

3. Enabling real-time processing of data

The IoT pertains to a network of physical items that contain embedded sensors, software, and connectivity features for collecting and exchanging data over the internet.

Accordingly, real-time data processing is required to appreciate IoT data’s value fully. Businesses can immediately uncover recurring patterns and trends that processing data would otherwise miss as it’s created.

A timely examination of IoT data can aid in more precise decision-making and better results. Moreover, while IoT can benefit companies from any industry, it offers distinct value to organizations that rely heavily on data collection and analysis, such as healthcare facilities, real estate agencies, and retailers.

4. Reducing business expenses

Businesses can gain a major competitive advantage through digital transformation. You can spend less time and workforce completing routine tasks by speeding up processes. It helps significantly reduce operational costs while simultaneously saving time.

Automated procedures can also eliminate manual input, freeing resources to focus on more essential business aspects. Minimizing or completely foregoing paper-based documentation reduces paper and printing expenses considerably.

Choosing Between Desktop and Laptop Computers

As previously mentioned, providing your staff with the right office equipment is important to increase productivity and promote optimal performance. When getting computers for your workplace, you should consider many vital factors.

Choosing the most suitable device is especially critical for small to medium businesses with limited funds since every acquisition must be carefully considered. One wrong decision can mean wasted resources or, worse, production delays.

Before you start shopping around, look into the fundamentals. What is ideal for your business will be determined by how frequently your employees will use the computer and for what kinds of tasks. A content creation company, for example, will use the computer daily for nearly every step of each client project, but a construction company will only utilize it for special activities.

Here are other crucial factors to consider:

1. Cost

Laptops have traditionally been more expensive than desktops, but this has changed in recent years. You can now get laptops for only a few hundred dollars more than a desktop. Comparing prices is good, but it shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor when choosing between the two.

Remember, though, that if your company requires more than one or two laptops, it’s generally advisable to use the less expensive alternative for most of your staff. A business with more than 30 people can save much money using desktop computers, even if the savings are only $200 per unit.

In most situations, replacing laptops is also more costly since they are more complex to operate and maintain and have everything built-in. They’re portable but more likely to break because they are moved around frequently. Plus, a laptop is more common to get lost or stolen than a desktop.

2. Mobility

Although you may not essentially need a portable device, most small business owners find it extremely convenient to be able to work from anywhere. Internet access and connectivity are seldom an issue these days, so it’s easy to work remotely if you have a laptop. However, providing your employees with a laptop can give them the impression that they must be available 24/7.

A laptop may be the superior option if you belong to an industry that requires a lot of traveling or have plenty of familial responsibilities that keep you home.

On the other hand, a desktop computer is a fantastic choice if you know you’ll mostly be staying at the office or rarely bring home any work. While desktops aren’t the most portable, the latest models aren’t as bulky as they used to be. The desktop monitor can be light and thin, making it easier to move it from one place to another.

Your decision lies mostly in your company’s needs and the type of job you do. Make a list of everything you need from a computer and identify your primary objectives, such as whether you need better performance or portability.

3. Functionality

Laptops have significantly advanced in the last few years, and there’s almost no functional difference between a laptop and a desktop. You can also acquire external hard drives to ensure you have endless space. Alternatively, you can use cloud storage and save all your work files online.

The two options are fairly identical in speed, making this a non-relevant consideration. However, this still depends largely on your business vertical and the daily tasks you and your personnel do. If you require high-end computing and ultrafast processing, desktops’ power is more uncompromising and absolute.

The quality of functionality goes hand in hand with price. A desktop computer with more power, memory, and speed can give you more value for your money. A laptop with the same specs may be more expensive to the general public.

Furthermore, with their separate and larger mouse and keyboards, desktops can be considerably simpler to operate than even the best laptops, particularly if you’re stumbling with a laptop’s smaller keyboard and built-in touch mouse. With the USB ports on laptops, you can connect a full-size keyboard and mouse, but remember that this adds more objects to carry and decreases mobility.

Another disadvantage of a laptop is that it has everything integrated, which might be inconvenient. It’s more expensive and time-consuming to repair a laptop with a malfunctioning keyboard. Meanwhile, a desktop will only require a new keyboard, which means significantly less downtime.

4. Work model

In the aftermath of the pandemic, remote and hybrid work arrangements have become the norm for many businesses.

If most of your employees work on-site, proper desktop computers may be the better choice. If you’re implementing a work-from-home setup, it makes more sense to issue laptops since shipping them is simpler. Returning a laptop to the office in case of damage is also easier for the employee.

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Moving assets from home to office is inconvenient, jarring, and time-consuming. If you opt for desktops, your staff will waste most of their time disassembling and setting up their equipment. Moreover, laptops are ideal if your business follows a hybrid model since they frequently switch between on-site and remote work.

A laptop computer is a portable workstation, making it ideal for a hybrid work setup. Because it’s easier to transport, it can instantly pick up where you left off even after moving from office and home workstations. However, be sure to consider future arrangements.

If your remote or hybrid setup is temporary, and you’re planning on moving your workforce on-site soon, desktops may be a smarter choice.

5. Available space

Another important factor to consider is your office’s available space and design. If you have a fixed workspace, it may be best to build desktop workstations for your employees. Stability and permanence can make it easier for your staff to adjust to a conducive environment and create lasting work habits.

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A fixed workspace may be a luxury for small enterprises and start-ups. Not every business owner can furnish their personnel with huge desks or enclosed workstations. If your employees need to cram their office supplies onto a tiny surface, it may be smarter to get them laptops. Every inch of their desk should be maximized, and fitting a desktop into a small space can be challenging.

Setting up workstations with laptops is also quite easy, regardless of the location and space availability. By getting vertical laptop stands, your employees can move around freely and have ample space for their office gear. Also, many laptops combine remarkable displays with wireless connectivity and sturdy built-in computers, allowing workers to maintain an orderly workspace.

6. Employee insights

Since they are the ones who will use the device, it can be very helpful to ask for your employees’ opinions. It doesn’t mean that you’ll purchase whatever they select. However, they know their core responsibilities and daily tasks best, so allowing them to give a suggestion can be beneficial.

In addition, asking for feedback from your staff can make them feel valued and heard. It strengthens workplace relationships and can even boost employee retention in the long run. Getting suggestions from your employees is also incredibly easy—a brief meeting or a quick poll may do the trick.

The Key Takeaway

While laptops remain popular, it’s important to consider whether they make sense for your business and the work model you’re currently implementing. Laptops enable you to enjoy the benefits of powerful computers in a smaller package. They’re also suitable if you have limited space since you can fit multiple laptops into the area a desktop computer typically takes up.

Listening to your employees is also crucial. Remember, if they like the equipment they’re using, they’re more likely to perform at their best. The type of work they handle is also a huge consideration.

For instance, graphic designers, video editors, and web developers require reliable performance to work effectively. In this case, a desktop workstation may be a fitting solution. In contrast, laptops may be suitable for managers and consultants who frequently travel, attend multiple meetings, and whose productivity lies heavily on their mobility.

Of course, once you decide whether to go with a desktop or a laptop computer, you’ll have to make many more intricate decisions. Thus, make separate lists of your top choices for both categories before deciding. It can help you further narrow down your options. These include brands, models, features, and specifications.