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Which PC Do You Need?

One computer doesn't fit all. We look at systems for the office, the home, and the road to help you find the right machine.

By Roy Santos, PCW Print   

PC Pointers: Supersize It or Downsize It?

Space constraints may determine which PC you choose, but other factors are also important to consider.

Tower PCs Small Systems Notebooks Basic Boxes
Marc Simon Marc Simon Marc Simon Rick Rizner
Pros
Extremely upgradable: Towers tend to have more open slots and bays than other types of systems.



Speedy performers: Many towers use the latest processors, graphics cards, and storage, making them ideal for gaming or video editing.



Flashy style: Some tower PCs resemble otherworldly technology, with lights, knobs, and other adornments.		 Space savers: Small systems can easily tuck into a corner on your desk, or even attach underneath.



Unique styles: Many petite systems have distinctive cases. Some have handles for easy toting.



Strong performers: Despite their size, many little systems use speedy processors to perform briskly. 		Ready to go: Even a big wide-screen notebook, which can weigh upward of 10 pounds, is much more portable than a comparable tower system.



Not the latest components, but still strong: Many notebooks use processors that are a few ticks in speed behind those used by desktop systems, but big notebooks often turn in good performance numbers. 		Cheap, cheap: A basic system can cost as little as $700--not bad, when a more exotic tower or notebook can set you back several thousand dollars.



Wide selection: Basic systems are available with everything from the latest processors to somewhat older CPUs--offering plenty of choice between performance and cost.
Cons
Space hogs: Plan on clearing out space for your tower--they take up lots of room, whether on the desk or under it.



Noisy: With all the fans necessary to cool the hot-running components, towers tend to run a lot louder than other types of systems.



Not portable: Because they're big and heavy, towers are hard to move around. 		Little room for upgrades: Because their components are compressed into a tight space, many petite systems offer no opportunity for tweaking.



Hot, hot, hot: Small systems have less space to cool all the components and can run much hotter than a tower with lots of breathing room. 		Bye-bye, upgrades: Compared with opening a desktop case, opening a notebook can be a much more involved task and yields few upgrade options.



Expensive: The cost of a notebook can be considerably higher than that of a similarly configured desktop system, but such is the price of portability. 		Less expansion room: Big towers beat smaller beige boxes on upgradability, though many basic systems offer almost as many slots and bays.



Dull design: If you'd like a flashy system, a basic machine in gray or black might not suit your style.

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