A laptop, desktop computer, or desktop computer is any small portable personal computing device with a touch screen and a keyboard. These days, nearly all laptops are built with the latest Intel Core Duo processors, and run on Windows XP or Vista operating systems. Laptops use the same form of input devices as desktop computers, using a pointing device like a mouse or keyboard, and an optical scanner for printing items such as photos or documents. Some laptops come with built-in keyboards, while others have touch screens that are used simply for pointing and clicking, without any function other than that. Many laptops also have cameras, Bluetooth kits, and other networking capabilities that allow users to connect to wireless networks.
The average laptop runs for approximately three to five hours on a charge, depending on the use. Laptops were originally designed to be used on a desktop or wall with a monitor. Modern laptops have learned to adapt to their environments and so many are small enough to be carried from place to place and used in the course of doing work. They can easily be taken with the user to a public location and used as a personal desktop computer.
One advantage of laptops is that they do not need a host of cables or wires. This means that if a signal comes in from somewhere else, the laptop can quickly “talk” to it over the airwaves. This is useful for activities such as Internet browsing, gaming, and video conferencing. Other laptops can also be used with Bluetooth headsets to wirelessly communicate with other laptops or other devices.
While laptops can be somewhat more fragile than a desktop computer, they are much less likely to be harmed if something is dropped on them. Laptops are much easier to destroy when they are held down by a weighty volume of books or other items. However, this advantage has also been used to make laptops less useful for the office, where they are frequently used. In addition, laptops are usually much slower than desktops, and they are also larger and heavier. Some laptops are designed so that they can be used as a “Tiny desktop computer”. This feature makes them ideal for people who want the look of a full-sized desktop computer but do not have the space or mobility to take one with them.
One drawback of a laptop is that they have no mouse or keyboard, which makes using them more difficult than using a desktop computer. A small keyboard is often all that are available on a laptop, and even then the sensitivity of the touch pad may cause discomfort when typing on a small keyboard. Laptops often have no screen and instead have a small monitor, which can be inconvenient for watching media or viewing large graphics. However, the advantage of having a small monitor for business users makes up for the lack of a larger screen when it comes to actually working with the laptop.
Laptops also do not have the same battery life as a desktop computer. The typical laptop will last from two to six hours on a full charge, while a desktop computer can last up to ten hours on a full charge. Because of this, it is important to know how long a charge the laptop should be left on before it needs recharging. If you overcharge the laptop the battery will begin to drain, and it is better to keep it charged as much as possible during normal use.