When people say desktop computer, they are usually referring to a PC; although they may in some cases be talking about a Macintosh computer. In any case, the term is used for computers which are designed to be set up in one location and to stay there, unlike a laptop where portability is the idea. In the days when microprocessors were anything but micro, any computer which could be comfortably accommodated on a standard office desk was known as a desktop computer (and for the time, these were considered small). Today, people use the term desktop computer to refer to a specific kind of CPU casing. However, desktop computers come in many shapes and sizes from form factor models where the CPU sits behind the screen of the computer to the traditional tower style of casing.
Strictly speaking, a desktop computer is one with horizontally oriented casing. The design is meant to save space, since the monitor can be put on top of the computer to make more room on a desk. These systems usually have a separate mouse, monitor and keyboard.
All in one computers are those which combine the monitor and CPU into a single casing, as seen in the mid-eighties Macintosh 128K and the late nineties' iMac. There were precedents for this style which include the Kaypro II and the Commodore PET 2001. All in one PCs are designed to be somewhat more portable than a traditional desktop computer, often featuring (as in the case of the iMac), carrying handles built into the casing of the computer.
However, all in one desktop computers suffer from the same problem as do many laptops - the difficulty of hardware upgrades. For instance, with iMacs, the CPU and other important hardware is permanently attached to the motherboard to save space.
Desktop computers have a number of advantages over laptops. One is that it is far easier and cheaper to replace hardware when needed, since these parts are much more standardized, which is not the case with most laptop computers. A desktop computer also features more room for expansion; a desktop computer typically has several PCI card expansion slots, compared to perhaps two on a laptop. These computers are also far easier to upgrade and repair; assembly and disassembly are far easier procedures and remains much the same regardless of brand.
Desktop users also do not have to worry about power management, since there are no batteries to consider. A desktop also tends to run faster than a laptop, since there is more room for heat to escape. Additionally, the microprocessors in use in laptops use less power and generate less heat, but also have less processing power than desktop microprocessors. - 16089
Strictly speaking, a desktop computer is one with horizontally oriented casing. The design is meant to save space, since the monitor can be put on top of the computer to make more room on a desk. These systems usually have a separate mouse, monitor and keyboard.
All in one computers are those which combine the monitor and CPU into a single casing, as seen in the mid-eighties Macintosh 128K and the late nineties' iMac. There were precedents for this style which include the Kaypro II and the Commodore PET 2001. All in one PCs are designed to be somewhat more portable than a traditional desktop computer, often featuring (as in the case of the iMac), carrying handles built into the casing of the computer.
However, all in one desktop computers suffer from the same problem as do many laptops - the difficulty of hardware upgrades. For instance, with iMacs, the CPU and other important hardware is permanently attached to the motherboard to save space.
Desktop computers have a number of advantages over laptops. One is that it is far easier and cheaper to replace hardware when needed, since these parts are much more standardized, which is not the case with most laptop computers. A desktop computer also features more room for expansion; a desktop computer typically has several PCI card expansion slots, compared to perhaps two on a laptop. These computers are also far easier to upgrade and repair; assembly and disassembly are far easier procedures and remains much the same regardless of brand.
Desktop users also do not have to worry about power management, since there are no batteries to consider. A desktop also tends to run faster than a laptop, since there is more room for heat to escape. Additionally, the microprocessors in use in laptops use less power and generate less heat, but also have less processing power than desktop microprocessors. - 16089
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