Computers are getting smaller and more advanced by the day, but desktop computers are still used for many applications. While many people have only a laptop, others prefer their desktop model. If you want to know more about the pros and cons of owning a desktop computer, this article lists the most important ones.

Consider the disk burning capabilities of any desktop computers that you are looking at. Consider whether you plan to just watch media or to make your own CDs and DVDs. If you plan on doing the latter, make sure sure the computer that you want supports it. Not all desktops come with these capabilities.

Carefully choose the products you use when building a desktop computer. The motherboard will have to fit the processor to work. Certain RAM units are only compatible with certain motherboards. Before you purchase anything, make sure of their cross compatibility. This will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches when building your own desktop computer.

If you have a home office or a small business, a laptop computer probably will not meet all your needs. While a portable computer is great when you are out and about, a desktop model is better if you need a printer, copier, fax and scanner. Also, many people find typing on a regular keyboard is easier than working on a laptop.

Try to customize your purchase when ordering your computer. If you are ordering directly from the manufacturer, you should be able to upgrade individual components. For example, you should be able to get more storage space for a higher fee. You might be able to get a different video card by paying a bit more. Look into different companies to make sure you have this option.

If you’re planning to use your desktop computer as an entertainment device, don’t ignore the speaker quality. A monitor with small speakers may give you a poor, tinny audio experience. You may be better off with buying a set of external speakers rather than relying on the speakers in your monitor.

How much hard drive space do you need? Look at the sizes available in terms of how many photos they can hold for an easy reference. A 500GB hard drive holds 100,000 photos, for example, or the equivalent of 38 hours of video or 125,000 MP3 songs, which is more than enough for most.

If you need a more powerful computer, look in areas listed as “gaming” or “entertainment” computers. These will have more RAM and faster processors which can handle these tasks. If you buy a computer listed as an “everyday” machine, you’ll find that it just doesn’t live up to your needs.

If you started out with a laptop computer but are considering a desktop model, this article has some valuable information on the subject. Just as with nearly everything in the world of electronics, desktop computers are evolving constantly. This article outlines the most important considerations if you decide to purchase a desktop model.