Which is a better purchase in the long run?

both are computers. a computer is laptop is the same thing

i think you meant desktop vs laptop

desktop is better in the long run, especially fi it's BYOS (build your own system) .

because there's alot of 10 to 20 year old desktops in existence, although obsolete now is still in working condition. you don't see ANy laptops more than 5 years old still working. unless its ibm.

desktop:

1, expandable, upgradable

2, customizable

3, better thermal dissipation- things run cooler

4, less likely to be damaged by soda or dropped, etc

5, if BYOS you can build it to last 10 years no problem. mine has a design life to 2019 (10 years).

6, easily upgraded.modified to keep up-to-date with latest trends. like extra memory, new hard drives, new OS, etc.

7, if anything broke it's easy & inexpensive to repair/replace.

laptop:

1, one set of hardware. if you need new hardware too bad.

2, only ram cna be expanded, and usually only ot 8 GB

3, use it or loose it, it'll only last about 5 years. if you used the heck out of it or used it light and maintained it well, it'll only last 5 years

4, batteries may die, a recurring expense.

5, no upgrading options you can't even do a hard drive swap with many laptops due to the amount of special drivers, software, etc.

6, since it's portable it has the high chance of getting coffee spilt on or knocked off a table.

7, if anything broke after 1 year of ownership it's out of pocket to repair or you have ot buy a new one.

basically values break down:

laptop: $1500, 3 years. worth $500/year

recurring cost, in 10 years you'll have bought 3 laptops each costing $1500 each. ($4500)

desktop (assuming BYOS) $1500, 10 years. cost is $150/year.

in 10 years, you've only spent $1500.

basically for laptop- convenience of taking it everywhere, you're losing on hardware options, power, capacity, use, no expansion, no upgrades, suck with special hardware/software only available thru OEM software, ease of self repair options. you trade all these away for mobility at roughly 3X increased cost over a period of time, say 10 years.

is it worth it? perhaps not.

the only reason to get a laptop is to have portable computing, it will not game, it will not workstation, the screen's too small for multi media, it's primary use is mobile computing that's all. best value is always attained with desktops.

Do you play games or do PROFESSIONAL (not amateur) photo editing, video editing, or 3d modelling? Then get a desktop because you get a more powerful computer for the same amount of money AND you can upgrade individual parts later on.

Otherwise, most people prefer the mobility of laptops.

Basically A Computer. But Again, this might end up on the brands in question.

A Laptop like Apple MacBook Pro MD101LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop cannot be questioned.

Consider these reviews so that you shall know exactly which laptop and why.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MD101LL-13-3-I...

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1HSLOPERWGAVY/ref=cm...

The list is of best sellers below. Each of these laptops got excellent customer reviews

in terms of durability and performance.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Electronics-Lap...

a computer because you always have an opportunity to upgrade where with a laptop you are still limited.