Desktop or Laptop?

Choose based on your workspace and portability needs.

🖥️

Desktop

Starting at $1,500

Pros

Better cooling for sustained workloads
More powerful components for the price
Easier to upgrade RAM, storage, GPU
Larger displays (dual monitor setups)

Cons

No portability between home and studio
Requires dedicated workspace
Cannot work during commute or travel

💻

Laptop

Starting at $1,800

~40% premium over desktop

Pros

Work anywhere (studio, library, home)
Present to clients or critique sessions
Single device for all workflows
Built-in battery backup

Cons

Higher cost for equivalent performance
Limited upgrade options (usually RAM only)
Thermal throttling under sustained load
Smaller screen (external monitor recommended)

Most students choose desktop for home use and rely on school labs for portable work. Choose laptop if you need to work from multiple locations regularly.