If you’re in web design, there’s every chance your colleagues have already stated their preference for desktops or laptops. Not all of these opinions will have been in line with one another; IT professionals are natural contrarians.
Some – often the more technically minded – may favour a powerful desktop device in order to handle their niche programming and coding requirements. More creative types may enjoy the mobility that comes with a laptop: decent RAM and a few other features are good enough for these crazy kids. At IT Clear and ITC Sales, we’re not bothered about tribalism, tradition or other trivialities – we just want you to make the right choice for you.
Laptops
Let’s start small. In today’s increasingly non-traditional working environment, web design is often undertaken remotely. The best part about working out of office is, surely, the ability to do so in whatever city/cafe/bar/club that you’d like, when you’d like. That, and the ability to visit clients and wow them in person, is where a laptop will come in handy; these increasingly light, compact and powerful devices are also easily able to handle most web design tasks.
There are some stipulations: you’ll want at least 8GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive (SSD) is also pretty handy, but not essential, for coding and programming. A sturdy Intel processor is useful. The Dell Latitude 5480 with Intel Core i5-7200U is a fantastic choice as an all-rounder. It includes no prohibitive Mac-style upfront costs, and provides great value in its aftersales and services. However, if you’re dealing in serious, graphically intensive projects, then you might need to think about something a bit larger. Something a bit… ‘desktoppy’.
Desktops
That’s right: desktops. While they mean that you’re cemented to a desk in the office or at home, there’s no doubt that a desktop can handle the work of most laptops, and then some. They have pretty enormous advantages, even at entry level. You’ll get more RAM, a faster performance and the general triple-monitor-darkened-room-whizzkid expandability options that are simply impossible with a laptop. This enhanced display is important: if you’re designing a website, you need to know that your design looks good, and multi-monitor setups are handy for running multiple programs.
The Dell Optiplex Desktops SFF with Intel Core i5-7500 is a great way to go. Adaptable, reliable and malleable to a range of tasks, the Intel HD 4600 Graphics can handle intensive jobs easily. It’s also under a three-year warranty from HP.
So, which is actually better?
Like in many crucial debates, the answer is infuriatingly subjective; this is a fight in which the referee is too scared to call a winner. Cowardice aside, one thing is certain: ITC Sales offer fantastic new, open box, ex-demo and manufacturer refurbished desktops and laptops for web design, delivered to your door at extremely competitive prices. We also offer a range of useful guarantees, offers and support, so have a browse and find yourself the device that will design the next Google.