A desktop computer is a regular use computer placed at a single place owing to its complexity of wires and size. It comes along with other accessories or input devices i.e., monitor keyboard, mouse, and projector. All desktop computers contain built-in modem and multi-storage magnetic drive. They need an uninterruptible power supply so it must be plugged-in all the time to perform its functions.

Desktop computers [i]are connected with a printer. They also need to be connected to a local area network (LAN) to let the users to interact and share information among various devices. Desktop computers bear more features than that of laptops.

Different types of desktop computers

  1. By size
  • full size,
  • all in one,
  • compact
  1. By usage
  • gaming computer,
  • Internet appliances,
  • home theater,
  • work station

Top Rated Brands and their prices

  • Dell XPS 8940 (its price is nearly $659)
  • Apple iMac 24-inch M1 (price range in between $1249-$1300)
  • HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop (prices varies between $650 to $800)
  • Apple Mac Mini (comes in price range from $650 to $700)
  • HP Envy All-In-One 32 (its price lie in between $1530 to $2000)
  • Lenovo ThinkStation P620 (in $1937)

1.2 Operating System

An operating system (OS) is system software to manage computer activities and resources to perform basic functions like task scheduling and managing peripherals. When it comes to home use, traditional Windows and MAC OS are great for regular or home usage because a vigorous operating system is not needed for home computers. Today, lightest and fastest operating system available in the market is Linux based operating system. Linux OS doesn’t require any powerful processor to produce optimal results. Operating systems are compatible for many computers related devices like mobiles phones, game consoles, or supercomputer. There are two types of operating system:

  1. An everyday Operating System is used to run programs like MS office including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, etc., or playing games. It makes use of LAN and Bluetooth connectivity for web browsing and email checking. It is rather cheaper than a server Operating System.
  2. Server Operating Systems are relatively expensive than everyday OS. These operating systems allow unlimited user connections, a large storage memory, and act as universal servers for web browsing, emails, and data processing. Server Operating System is optimized for a network i.e., multiple desktops can be connected a single time instead of single desktop. Different types of operating systems are:
  • Single-tasking and multi-tasking
  • Single- and multi-user
  • Distributed
  • Templated
  • Embedded
  • Library
  • Real Time

Operating system brands

Famous operating system brands are:

  • Apple
  • Blackberry
  • Fedora
  • Google
  • Humax
  • Jolicloud
  • KDE
  • Microsoft
  • Nero
  • Novell
  • Parallels
  • The Linux Foundation
  • Ubun

Comparison of the Top Operating Systems

OS Name Computer system Supported Target System Best For Price
Windows X86, x86-64, Workstation, Personal Computer Apps, Gaming, Browsing $119 – $199
Mac OS 68k, Power PC Workstation, Personal Computer Apple Exclusive Apps Free
Ubuntu X86,
X86-64,
Power PC,
SPARC,
Alpha.
Desktop/server Open Source Downloading, APPS Free
Fedora X86,
X86-64,
Power PC,
SPARC,
Alpha.
Desktop/server Coding, Corporate Use Free
FreeBSD X86,
X86-64,
PC 98,
SPARC,
others.
Server, Workstation, NAS, embedded Networking Free

 

1.3 Laptop[ii]

The latest laptop comes with a huge variety of brands, features and cost.

Laptops are best to do the job When it comes time to work, whether that’s editing photos, writing a lot of emails, composing documents, or staying in touch with colleagues and family, we’re here with our top picks to help you find the best laptop for the job. A laptop or a desktop computer is a machine that could be used for a huge range of purposes such as word processing, gaming, typing, editing, developing programmes and a lot more. Laptops nowadays come in different shapes and styles such as notebooks, chromebooks, thinkpads, workstation, and gaming laptop etc.

Top rated laptops

  • Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet
  • Acer Concept D 7 Ezel
  • LG gram 17Z (2021)
  • HP Spectre x360 14
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
  • Macbook Air
  • Asus Rog Zephyrus G15
  • Lg Gram 17

Prices of laptops

Laptop Specifications prices
MACBOOK AIR Apple’s M1 processor

8GB RAM, 256 GB storage

Starting at $999
HP SPECTRE X360 14 latest 11th Gen processors,

8GB RAM, 256 GB storage

$1150
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15 Ryzen 7 processor

16 GB RAM, 1TB SSD storage

$1550
LG GRAM 17 (2021) Intel Core i7-1165G7

16GB LPDDR4x RAM

1TB M.2 NVMe

$1,696

 

HP ENVY X360 Core i7 processor

8GBRAM

 
MACBOOK PRO 13 Processor Core i5

RAM 8GB

SSD 256GB

$1,299
DELL XPS 13 2-IN-1 Processor Core i7-1165G7

32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD

$1,099
DELL XPS 13 Intel’s new Tiger Lake processors

RAM. 8GB

$999

 

 

1.4 Chromebook

A Chromebook is also a laptop or tablet running with the Linux-based Chrome Operating system. They were initially designed to perform tasks related to web applications using the Chrome browser.

A Chromebook is an alternate to a laptop or MacBook. It is quite affordable and they are operated on the Google operating system, Windows and macOS do not function on these devices. The key difference between laptop and chromebooks is that of the operating system. Chromebooks operate on web-based Chrome Operating Systems while laptops run on various operating systems.

Top rated brands & their prices

  • Acer Chromebook Spin 713
  • Starts with $619
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet
  • $249 only
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Hard Drive: 128 GB eMCP
  • HP Chromebook x360 14
  • In $629
  • 8 GB memory
  • 64 GB eMMC storage
  • Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3
  • Costs $370
  • Up to 4 GB memory ·
  • Up to 128 GB eMMC
  • Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
  • Costs $200
  • 4 GB/64 GB SSD
  • Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook
  • It cost $617
  • 128GB SSD,
  • 8GB RAM

[i] https://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/definition/desktop-computer

 

[ii] https://www.theverge.com/21250695/best-laptops