Why Your Next Computer Should Be a Laptop

As I type this blog post, I'm sitting on the couch, watching a children's cartoon with my kids in the living room, typing on a laptop. My attention is split between the TV, my kids, and the computer.

While this series of blog post is supposed to provide information on how to save money with technology, this particular post will try to convince you that even if you spend more money on a laptop, you can be more productive with a laptop than a desktop computer.

If you spend a lot of time on the computer, whether for work, fun, or both, a laptop provides the following benefits:

• You can work from anywhere inside or outside the house.
• You can take your work with you on the road.
• If you have kids, you can put the laptop up out of their reach when not in use.
• If your laptop has a DVD-ROM drive, you can watch movies wherever you go.
• If you are in school, you can use a laptop to take notes during class and do homework whetever you like, such as a quiet corner in the library.
• If you already have a nice desktop monitor, keyboard, etc., you can plug those devices into your laptop when you need to or would rather work at a desk, but still be able to take your computer with you when you're finished.
  

Yes, there are a couple of disadvantages to buying a laptop. They include:

• Laptops can cost 2 to 3 times more than a new, basic desktop computer.
• Because a laptop is mobile, it is easier to damage and/or misplace.
• While laptop battery life averages around 3-4 hours, you still need to find an outlet and plug in occasionally to recharge the batteries.
• If you like to play the latest video games that require state-of-the-art video hardware, then a laptop most likely won't support your needs.

If you are considering buying a new computer or a second computer, I recommend weighing the advantages and disadvantages above. If the decision comes down to whether or not you can afford a laptop, you can find used laptops on http://dellauctions.com, IBM Certified Used Equipment, or http://ebay.com. In fact, I just found the my laptop (it's a ThinkPad T23) on the used IBM site for $629, including a three-month warranty. If you do decide to go for a laptop, you'll be able to take advantage of the benefits listed above.