You know what you’re looking at when reading through the technical specs, you’ve chosen the operating system. Now it’s time to look at the actual device. When it comes to the computer device type, depending on your choice of the OS (operating system), there may or may not be a big choice, but you’ll still have a few options.

Let’s take a look at them:

Desktop

This is, of course, the largest and heaviest of the options.

It’s designed to sit in a room somewhere, and not be carried around.

You will need:

• Base unit – processor, RAM, hard drive, connections
• Screen
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Cables to connect them together

Note: Never assume that all the cables that you need will come with everything – double check. This is especially true for the screen. Any connecting cables that come with whatever you buy should be listed. The base unit should come with a power cable.

Useful if you:

• have the space for a permanent computer setup.
• want or need a larger screen.
• prefer to keep work and personal life separate
• don’t want to have to keep ‘packing the office away’

All-in-1

This is an alternative to buying separate components for a desktop.

It’s a single unit combining the base unit and screen into a single item.

They take up less space, compared to a ‘full’ desktop setup.

However, if something goes wrong, it will affect your whole computer, rather than a single component (e.g. the screen).

They should come with a keyboard and mouse, although you can purchase alternatives if you don’t like them.

Laptop

With the changes in technology over the years, for the majority of people this portable option has become their main computer, rather than a desktop.

One reason is that you can purchase a dock or adapter that lets you connect an external screen, keyboard and mouse. Turning the laptop into the base unit, so you get a ‘desktop’ setup. Now you have the best of both worlds.

With a laptop, it’s an all in one portable device. You don’t need ‘extras’, although you can add external screen, mouse and/or keyboard if you want.

When it comes to a laptop, the main considerations are:

• Size
• Weight
• Touchscreen
• Design Features

Let’s look at each item in a bit more detail.

Size

There are two aspects to ‘size’.

The main one being the screen size.

Screen Size

A screen is measured in inches, diagonally bottom left to top right (the other way round is acceptable as well).

Think about the type of work that you’re going to be doing. 

Do you need a lot of space on screen?

Will you have a number of items that all need to be on the screen at the same time?

What is a comfortable size for your eyes to stare at?

Note: We also refer to the available space on the screen, as the computer or screen ‘real estate’. 

The largest screen sizes are around 16/17 inches.

An average screen size is between 13 – 15 inches.

For a laptop, the smaller sizes range between 10-12 inches.

Note: At this size, you’re moving into tablet size.

Let me quickly mention that other ‘size’.

Actual Laptop Size

The size of the screen does, of course, influence the size of the device. Remember that you’re going to have an edge holding the screen in place.

Some come with thin, or edge to edge screens, while others have a large border of space between the edge of the screen and the outside of the laptop.

Whatever screen size you choose, the device itself will be a bit larger when measured.

Note: If you want some additional protection when you’re carrying a laptop, you’re going to want a laptop case. They are advertised based on the screen size of the laptop they will fit, rather than the actual size of the laptop.

Weight

You’ll be unsurprised to realise that the size of the device directly impacts the weight of the laptop.

The largest screens are also the heaviest.

Back in the day when I thought I needed a full ‘desktop replacement’ laptop, I had a 17” laptop. 

Sure I could put it in a backpack and carry it with me. However, the sheer weight of it meant that I really didn’t want to do that. It became more of a ‘desktop’ that I could put away.

As you move down to a smaller screen, you get a lighter laptop, which becomes something you’re more likely to want to travel with.

If you think that that’s it for weight you’d be wrong.

When you’re carrying a laptop, you won’t just carry the laptop.

You’re also carrying the power cable. Sure, they’ve become smaller and lighter than ever before (some just use a USB-C cable and plug), but when you’re carrying things for a long time, you need to consider the entire weight.

Depending on how you prefer to work, then you might also be carrying an external keyboard and/or mouse, plus a stand to make sure that you are working in a more comfortable (ergonomic) posture.

They might not be heavy individually, but think of the total weight of everything together to give you a better working ‘weight’.

You also need to consider, if or how much you’re going to be carrying or travelling with it.

Note: By travelling, I mean anything from moving to different locations in your home, to travelling to a different building, all the way to travelling nationally or internationally.

If you’re going to be taking it with you on a regular basis, are you carrying it? wheeling it around? What do you want to carry? Does it need to be lighter (smaller?) to make it easier to carry?

Alternatively if it’s mostly going to sit in a single spot, then weight isn’t such a big issue.

Touchscreen

So many laptops have touchscreens as standard, it can be difficult to find one that’s a standard screen.

Note: It is possible.😄

Do you draw?

Handwrite notes?

Mindmap?

Doodle?

The question today might be, will a touchscreen cause you problems, rather than if you want one.

If you like to point at the screen a lot, then a touchscreen might not be useful. You’ll find yourself moving the cursor, or using a command.

As it’s more the norm, can you live with it, even if you don’t really use it?

Design Features

You’re wondering “what on earth is Michelle talking about here?”, and I don’t blame you.

We all know that a laptop opens up, with a keyboard on the bottom and a screen on the top.

However, do you think about how far the screen bends away from the keyboard?

On a ‘standard’ laptop, they usually go almost flat, but not quite.

Then there are other designs that will bend further – a lot further.

Often referred to as Yoga laptops, because they are very flexible.

The yoga laptops generally can bend all the way (360 degrees), with the screen laying flat to the back of the keyboard.

Note: Most yoga devices disable the keyboard when they are flat, so that you don’t accidentally press any keys. They are also touchscreens.

A yoga device can be useful if you watch films/TV, give presentations, draw or any other type of graphics.

It can stand up in a tent position, with a screen and keyboard on the outside, which can be perfect for everything I mentioned above.

Tablet

If you’re looking for something (normally) a bit smaller and lighter, then a tablet can be the right option for you.

The majority of tablets run on either iPadOS or Android, however, there are some that have a ‘full’ operating system, like Windows.

Tablets are ‘all in one’ type systems that are full touchscreens. They don’t come with, or need other items. However, you can connect external items (headsets, keyboards, mice etc.) either as a wired option, or frequently with wireless with Bluetooth. 

You install apps for individual program needs – productivity, games, graphics etc.

The apps range in price from free (or freemium, where you pay for upgrades or additional features, or end up watching a lot of videos to get additional items – mostly in games). Or for paid for apps, it’s often either a one-off payment or monthly/yearly subscriptions. 

Note: A number of these apps allow you to install a free version with limited capabilities, and you pay to unlock the additional features. It gives you the opportunity to try before you buy. 

Size

Tablets are generally smaller than laptops (and desktops).

Similar to a laptop, they can range in size, from 7-8 inches classed as the small or mini version, up to 14 inches for the largest version.

The average screen size is around 11 inches.

Of course, depending on the design, the actual device might be a bit bigger, due to the housing around the screen.

Storage 

Because a tablet is a self-contained unit, you can’t add more space to it. What you bought is basically what you get.

This is true of the RAM (for more info read What Computer Hardware Should you be Looking for in a New Device).

With the main data storage, it’s not as big a problem as it used to be, due to online storage. You’ll be able to save most of your files in the cloud, making them accessible across the devices you use.

The limit will be on the number of apps that you can install, and the space that they take up.

Functionality

Depending on your needs, a tablet can perform most of the commands that you need.

A few things to consider:

Keyboard – as a touch-typist (thanks Mum 😊) being comfortable when I type is a big deal. As standard all tablets come with an on-screen keyboard (not something that I can type on). You can purchase Bluetooth external keyboard, and some cases come with a keyboard ready to be connected.

Working position – most tablets are just the main device, so you’re either going to have to hold it, or lay it down. That’s not the most comfortable position. There’s a pretty good chance that you’re going to want a case for it, which not only protects the device, but also gives you a stand or a way to prop it up.

Note: There’s one that I know has a built-in kickstand, so it stands up without the need for a case – that’s the Microsoft Surface. There may be others, but none spring to mind.

Camera/Speaker/Mic – I don’t really know of a tablet that doesn’t have a camera built-in. So they can be really useful for meetings.

Likewise, they all have speakers and microphones built-in. But, you’ll be inviting everyone around you to join in with your conversation. Older tablets have a 3.5mm audio jack built-in, you can connect headsets. Newer models don’t necessarily have that jack, but they do all have Bluetooth.

Productivity Apps – most companies that have a version of their productivity apps will be offering their online version. For Google Drive (and the others) that’s basically what you are used to. For Microsoft Office, that’s a simplified version, compared to the full desktop. Think about the facilities that you actually use, and make sure that you have them included in the available version.

Speciality Apps – I’m not a graphics or big video editor, but I have been known to play with Canva. If you want/need a really specific tool for your work, then check that a) there’s a version available for the tablet you’re looking at and b) that it performs the commands you need (remember apps are often simplified compared to the desktop version) and you can use it.

Note: I’m going to talking about software in the next post, so keeping it simple here.

Smartphone

I mentioned this in the previous post, so let’s make sure that it’s covered here as well.

Today’s smartphones are very smart. They’re mini computers in your pocket.

Similar to many tablets, they also run the same or versions of the apps, just in a smaller device.

Depending on what you need to do, a smartphone may be enough for you to work with. Although due to its size it can be difficult to create big or ‘complex’ files. They work great for reading or watching information and creating smaller/shorter content.

I mentioned that they are generally smaller in size (of course they need to fit in your pocket) although they range in screen size from 4 inches up to 6 inches.

Note: 6 inches is a small tablet.

You probably already have a smartphone, consider if it’s worth using it for work. This could be instead of a tablet.

Making a choice

Based on your operating system preference your choices are:

OS	Desktop	Laptop	Tablet	Smartphone
Windows	Tower Mini Desktop All-in-1	Surface Laptop Windows Laptop	Surface Surface Pro Surface Go	n/a
Mac	Mac Pro Mac Mini iMac (All-in-1)	MacBook MacBook Pro MacBook Air	iPad iPad Pro iPad Mini	iPhone
ChromeOS	Install ChromeOS Flex on any desktop	Chromebook	Galaxy Tab Tablet	Android Phone
Linux	Can be installed on any desktop	Can be installed on any laptop	A search had options, but most appeared as Android	n/a

Decisions, Decisions/Next Steps

It’s up to you, want you, need to be able to do, what you prefer, what your budget is and a bit more.

A last (ish) thought. 

The best solution for your needs could be a mix of devices.

Your smartphone for social media, and communication (no, not just calls, but instant messages, emails, chats and more).

Then a tablet or a laptop. 

You could go wild and buy both – if you want/need it.

I’ve got a larger tablet and my phone for business. It covers everything that I need to do.

The tablet is portable, if I need to and will fit in a standard bag. Most of the time it’s at home.

The phone is the one I take with me – everywhere.

Take some time to work out what you need to do, and research what device(s) have the features that you need.

Share your decision and reason in the comments to help others.

Other Computer 101 Posts

What computer hardware should you be looking for in a new device?

Choose the best operating systems software for you

What type of computer device suits you best? (current post)

You’re going to need some software with that new device

Do you want computer peripherals with that?

When should you think about buying a new computer? (May 22)

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