subject: What Makes Computers And Laptops For Business Different From Consumer Models? [print this page] If you are upgrading your systems at work and looking at purchasing a new laptop or computer it can be tempting to purchase a cheap consumer model, especially if your budget is tight. However, consumer PCs and laptops are not always geared towards business use and you may find yourself with a piece of equipment that does not perform the tasks you require of it.
The reason that business computers tend to be more expensive than consumer computers is that they are comprised of higher quality components. This means they will often perform better and ensure a longer lifespan. In addition, a business computer will come with greater technical support so that should you encounter any problems with your PC or laptop these can be resolved as quickly as possible in order to reduce down time, which can cause major disruption to your working day.
Business computers and laptops are designed for business use, which means they are easy to set up with an existing network and they also have useful features and software that may not be found on consumer versions. It is often the case that consumer laptops have software and graphics cards that may not be relevant to your work. Before purchasing any laptop it is a good idea to check the spec carefully so that you know what you are buying.
Generally a business computer or laptop will require a dual core processor, although you may wish to invest in a model with a quad core processor like the Intel Core i7s if you plan on running any complex design or data analysis software. A 500GB hard drive should provide more than enough space for regularly accessed files and remember that data will be backed up on a daily basis so you shouldnt need to store too many files anyway. 4GB of RAM is sufficient to enable you to run several applications at once as is often required when using a computer for work purposes.
Many consumer laptops and PCs no longer come with an optical drive but this can be important for a business that needs to back up data and exchange discs with clients and partners. If you are looking for a laptop that will be knocked about regularly on the road then it might be worth thinking about investing in a solid state drive as this will increase the lifespan of your machine. Those on the move may also benefit from having a built-in 3G connection if regular access to the internet is required.
