Upgrade Potential and Capacity A desktop has the greatest upgrading potential over both a tablet and a laptop. It is easy to upgrade a desktop because nearly all parts of it can be removed and replaced with better parts. For example, one can increase the ram of a desktop to almost 8 GB ram. Upgrading of a desktop does not affect its performance, but improves its performance and speed. Even though, it is possible to upgrade a laptop, it is not recommendable because some upgrades are likely to affect its performance. On the contrary, one cannot upgrade a tablet.Costs Laptops are typically extremely expensive as compared to a desktop and a tablet. Currently, the lowest price of a laptop is almost $250. For example, an Apple laptop retails at over $1000 apiece. On the other hand, a desktop is cheap and affordable. One can get a complete desktop at only $150. The prices of a tablet vary widely according to its functionality (Ballew, 2013). Different companies sell their tablets at different prices because there is no standard cost for a tablet yet. Nevertheless, one can get a tablet for only $100 at a local retail store.Internal Storage Another key distinguishing factor in a desktop is its storage capacity. A desktop can have an internal storage of up to 4tb. Similarly, the storage capacity of a laptop can reach 8tb. This enables one store different files such as music, videos, movies and learning materials.
Primarily, it is not easy to run out of space in both a laptop and a desktop. However, the tablet has very little storage capacity. In fact, it does not have a hard drive; therefore, one cannot store big files in a tablet. A tablet has a solid-state storage that is capable of holding less data (Ballew, 2013).Input Devices The main input devices for a desktop is the mouse and the keyboard. These two devices are used for entering information into a desktop. Similarly, the laptop has the same input devices; even though, its mouse is a touchpad and the keyboard is inbuilt in the laptop. Therefore, one cannot lose the keyboard or mouse. However, the tablet has a touchscreen. It requires one to touch the screen in order to use the tablet. For example, if one wants to open an application, he/she has to touch the open button on the screen. Many people claim that it is tiresome; therefore, there is the need to have an external keyboard.
Screen Resolution Both a desktop and laptop have large screen resolution. The average screen resolution of the desktop is 21 inches. This is the best screen for many people who want to type information in a word document. Besides, the average screen resolution of a laptop is 15.6 inches. The screen resolution of both a laptop and a desktop make it easy for someone to watch movies and music on the internet (Belew and Elad, 2012). On the other hand, a tablet has a small screen resolution. This makes it difficult to watch movies and music or prepare a word document.Biometric Options There is a distinct difference in biometric options of the desktop, a laptop and a tablet. Primarily, a tablet can have a fingerprint reader, a hand geometric system, a signature verification system, iris recognition system and face recognition system. For example, a user can just place his/her hand on the top of a tablet, and it will recognize if he/she is the owner. If it verifies that he/she is the owner, it will open, and he can use it. A laptop can be modified to have a face recognition system and voice verification system (Muir, 2011). Currently, all the laptops that are being manufactured support these two verification systems. However, the desktop does not have all these biometric options.
Internet Accessibility
The main similarity in these devices is that they can all access the internet. The speed will depend on the type of processor in each device and the speed of the internet service provider.
References
Ballew, J. (2013). Laptop & tablet basics.
Belew, S., & Elad, J. (2012). Starting an online business all-in-one desk reference for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Muir, N. (2011). Laptops & tablets for seniors for dummies. Hoboken, N.J: J. Wiley.
