Do you need to be able to travel with your computer? Take it to class, or move with it from country to country easily? Then you'll need a laptop.

Laptops (also called "notebook" and "portable" computers) tend to be:

• more expensive
• less powerful
• less expandable (cannot add hardware easily)
• can be easily moved, taken to any location

Laptop computers usually include a video-out (to TV) so you can give presentations, or even use the computer as a DVD player; desktop computers sometimes have video-out, but not always. Laptops also commonly have WiFi, and sometimes Bluetooth, built-in. Both are wireless technologies.

Desktop computers are:

• bigger
• cheaper
• more expandable: add-on "cards," also called "expansion cards," can be plugged in inside the computer body. For example, you can add a TV tuner and video capture, special graphics accelerators, or even CPU upgrades. Desktop computers also can take external devices better because they do not need to be moved.
• more powerful: desktop computers have faster processors. These are usually not available in laptops because they run very hot and need a large cooling device with fans.

There are some computers in a middle area, mini-desktops. The Mac Mini is a good example of this. It is small enough to fit in a bag. It can be moved easily, but you need to attach it to a monitor and use heavy cables if you want to use it.

Categories of Computers

Smartphones	Many mobile phones are essentially "computers that make phone calls." They have the same computer power that desktop computers had less than ten years ago. They use an Operating System and applications, just like any computer.
PDA	The PDA (Personal Data Assistant) is a kind of handheld computer. These are currently behind replaced with smartphones or DAP (Digital Audio Players) which have many computer-like features.
E-book Reader	These are computers designed specifically to act as electronic book (or any printed material) readers, but they have many of the same capabilities and features that most computers have.
Tablet	A tablet is a notebook-type computer which has only one "section"--usually there is the notebook body and monitor sections which close together on a hinge. A tablet has only the monitor side with the computer behind it; one controls the conmputer with a pen or by touch.
Netbook	The "Netbook" is a recent popular computer type, but many debate whether it is just a fad or if people actually want this type of computer. Essentially, it is an ultra-small notebook, with a screen less than 12 inches in size. Some netbooks have been made small enough to fit into a large pocket. While cheap and easy to carry, these netbooks are not very powerful, and lack many necessary features like a CD/DVD drive.
Laptop (Notebook)	A portable computer--essentially a computer which runs on batteries. Screen sizes usually range from 12 to 17 inches. Laptops are less powerful than desktops, but cost a lot more.
Mini Desktop	Mini computers are designed to be small and portable, but still require the use of a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you already have that equipment, then a Mini Desktop may be a cheap way of replacing the computer itself.
All-in-One ("AIO") Desktops	These are Desktop computers which have fit the hardware into the monitor frame.
Desktop	Desktop computers are not portable at all. They are heavy and require several cables. They are the cheapest type of computer and can be high-power with a lot of memory. If you do not need to move your computer around and need the most power for the smallest price, this is the one to get.
Workstation	These are the highest-power desktop computers available to the general public. They have the fastest CPUs, many media drives, and are very expandable. They are also very expensive.