Today there are three main ways that consumer-level computers differ.
The first is if they’re mobile or not. i.e. laptops, tablets & phones. The second is how much computing power they have. i.e., memory, storage, & processing speed. The third is how to interact with it. Desktops & laptops use keyboards & mice. Tablets, phones, & laptops can have touch screens.
The operating systems that a given computer can support can also be a major differentiator, but the versions available are quite similar in how they work. Of course, there are some differences, but they essentially run on the same electronics, so there are more similarities than differences.
Are all computers different?
All computers aren’t different, but there are enough variations between computers to appear like all computers are different. In addition, buyers can customize computers with the same model name to have different computing capabilities, further confusing the issue.
When it comes to manufacturers who produce a certain model and distribute it to their resellers, those computers shipped as a batch should all be effectively identical. What can happen is that a certain part is not available for a given batch, and an alternate part is substituted.
The manufacturer will try and get something that matches as close as possible, but a suitable part may not be available, making the alternate a necessary compromise.
So, depending on the model and the batch, there can be some variation. For example, if someone orders a custom configuration, that computer may be unique.
On the other hand, if a company orders a batch of computers with a certain configuration, those computers may be all the same, but they may be unique compared to all the computers in use today. So, as you can see, many variables contribute to how a computer is assembled and its parts.
How are computers different when it comes to mobility?
When it comes to mobility, computers can differ quite a bit. Some people have cases and equipment set up to take their PC tower with them when they travel. Usually gamers. Technically it’s in motion, but it’s not terribly mobile compared to the other options available. Normally, a desktop computer is stationary.
Laptops are the ultimate mobile productivity system. With built-in keyboards, pointing devices, and a lightweight form factor, you can get work done on the go almost anywhere. They have the advantage of having nearly all the computing power and flexibility of a desktop, some of them in the size of a notebook.
Sacrifices are made in the name of saving weight, but with the improvements in computing power that happen each year, it’s nearly unnoticeable now. Wireless connectivity keeps the laptop online and ready for anything.
Tablets and smartphones are the most mobile computers available today—thin touch screen devices with heavy computing power. A smartphone can fit in your pocket, while a tablet is small enough to fit in a small handbag with your other items. They are the lightest and smallest computers available.
Wireless internet and even mobile internet over the cellular network system mean you can access online resources from almost anywhere with these devices.
How are computers different when it comes to computing power?
Having good computing power used to mean that you needed larger computers. Not so today. Now, you can have an extremely powerful computer that fits in your pocket. However, to get the most power, you still need space. This is where desktops still rule.
One of the ways that computers can differ in computing power is how much RAM is included. The random access memory or RAM is the space that you have on your computer to do work. The RAM needs to be large enough to hold all the computing needs of the operating system plus any other software that you want to run.
For example, when you start a software program, it loads it from the hard drive to RAM and runs. However, if the needed space isn’t available, the computer will use the hard drive as a substitute slowing everything down. Not so nice. Having enough RAM so you can do the things you want is important.
The long-term storage of a computer, or storage that stores your information when the power is off, is traditionally referred to as a hard drive or disk. Solid-state drives with their speed and compact form dominate the market now. The storage on a given device needs to be big enough to store the operating system, any software you wish to install, and all your files.
Depending on how many files you like to generate over time, your storage needs will somewhat align with that. Here’s a good metric. If you’re like most people, and you like to take lots of photos, you can look at how big your average photo is and get a feel for how much storage you might need.
For example:
Average photo size = 4.5MB
Need enough storage for 1000 photos
4.5MB * 1000 = 4500MB or 4.5GB
The processor of your computer is a lot less consequential than you might think. Almost all processors available today are fast. Obviously, faster is better, but the difference in speed isn’t noticeable to the average user. It only becomes noticeable when you’re using a computer to do very data-heavy processing that takes minutes or hours to complete.
That being said, the processor is rated in Hz, which is the unit for Hertz. It refers to the speed at which the processor clock is running. All functions of the processor are operating from that original clock speed or some fraction of it. The larger the number, the more operations it can do in the allotted time.
Also in play are the number of cores. These cores are separate processors on the same chip that can work together at the same time. The more cores you have, the more things the processor chip can do simultaneously with high efficiency, so the more cores, the better.
However, these features really don’t make much difference at the consumer level and typically amount to marketing gimmicks. For example, if you choose a lower-speed processor with fewer cores to save $500, you probably will never notice the difference in the device’s lifetime.
How are computers different when it comes to interacting with them?
Interacting with a desktop offers the most control and can offer the most visually engaging experience. Simply because of the complete form of the keyboard and mouse coupled with a large monitor. Or even multiple monitors. One of the drawbacks is that you need to go to it to use it and it takes a lot of space.
Interacting with a laptop can give you a similar experience depending on your onboard keyboard and the pointing device included on your machine. Almost always, laptops have smaller monitors limiting the visual experience. One way around that is to use docking stations to expand the experience of a laptop to one closer to that of a desktop while maintaining mobility.
Truly mobile devices like tablets and smartphones are a completely different interface. They use touch screens with small touch keyboards. Included in this repertoire are gestures. Special finger movements on the screen that the device recognizes and acts on. A beneficial development. Also, in refinement are voice-activated commands.
While this is still being polished, the amount of progress that takes place each year is tremendous.