Desktop/ Laptop

Desktops
The first personal computers (PCs) were launched in 1981 by IBM. In designing the PC, the newly formed division within IBM decided to collaborate with an established chip manufacturer to help with the internal architecture called Intel. For the operating system, IBM turned to a virtually unheard of and very young company - called Microsoft.

At the time, there were other competing desktop computers but in these early days of affordable computing, they were mainly used by computer enthusiasts and hobbyists*. The big difference with the IBM PC was that it was squarely positioned as a business computer. In order to establish the format as an industry standard, IBM openly shared the design so that other manufacturers could produce "clones". This in turn encouraged a wide range of software applications to be developed by independant software vendors. It was these applications which really attracted PC users and turned desktop computers from a hobbyist's play-thing to a valuable business tool.

*Note: One alternative to the PC which has stood the test of time is the Macintosh from Apple. Although we focus on the IBM PC and it's derivatives, Apple may well be worth considering as an alternative. Apple has seen success through a strategy of maintaining a more proprietary architecture, focussing on key niche markets (for example graphics and media) and developing highly innovative products which have created and captured new markets. In the past, many key applications (most significantly from Microsoft) were not available for Apple systems. Today, there is far more interoperability making Apple Macs a viable alternative for mainstream use.

The basic building blocks within a personal computer are:

Hardware
Consisting of processors, memory, data storage, graphics to output to a screen, keyboard input and network connectivity. Other hardware can be added through the architecture's expandable nature.

Operating System
Provided to IBM by Microsoft and called MS DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). In the early days, there were also DOS compatible alternatives from other software vendors - but these eventually fell by the wayside and Microsoft finally dominated. DOS was a text based system (limited graphics capability) and was later superceded by Windows - which incorporated a graphical user interface navigated by a mouse plus keyboard. There is one alternative to Microsoft Windows which is worthy of mention which is Linux. This is based on open-source software meaning that it is inherently non-proprietary. Various "flavours" of Linux are available from providers who typically wrap in support services and a level of compatibility testing (for example Redhat and Suse).

Software Applications
This is the software which actually provides value to the users. Early applications included word processors, spreadsheets and a growing proliferation of other useful software. Note that Microsoft applications are written to run on Microsoft operating systems. This means the choice to pursue the Linux route for operating system will also restrict what applications can be used.

One of the attractions of the PC architecture was that it included expansion capability. Network cards were an early add-on. Other cards evolved from third party manufacturers to allow PC's to become more specialised. For example, enhanced graphics cards, audio cards, extra connection ports, etc.

The original processor was called an Intel 8086. Subsequent processors were called 186, 286, 386, 486, Pentium and then a series of slightly more imaginative names since. The architecture of PCs is still referred to as X86 or Intel Architecture.

Today, the core elements needed to specify a PC are still the same. However, more and more peripheral devices which might have been add-ons originally have become part of the core system (integrated onto the motherboard). The combination of a standards based architecture, which drives massive component volumes, plus the moves to integrate functionality onto fewer chips - means that technology prices have continued to fall year on year whilst advances in technology continue to rise.

Arguably, it is easier to specify PCs these days as so much performance and functionality comes as standard. However, there are still choices to make depending on personal or business requirements. Some areas to consider are highlighted below:

Scalability
Many systems allow for the addition of extra memory, additional hard drives, specialised graphics cards, extra processors etc. Consider your requirements of the system over its lifetime and pick the system which best caters for your needs. Adding components in the future can be disruptive, so quite often it pays to specify your system upfront with some headroom built in and not go for the cheapest option.

Performance
Your actual requirements will depend on what types of applications you will be running. For lots of number crunching , graphics or multi-media type processing - you will probably need a higher end processor or processors (more the better) and plenty of memory. For high end graphics, perhaps gaming or 3D image manipulation, you may need a specialised graphics card. Depending on the amount of local data you will be manipulating, you may need high capacity or high performance drives. Consider a hardware RAID controller and multiple drives for real high end data processing.

Support / Maintenance
Certainly in business environments, you need to consider your arrangements should something fail within the system. You will need a suitable support contract which ensures an engineer will turn up with spare parts within an agreed timeframe (perhaps next day, same day or 4 hour for example).

Component Lifecycle
Especially in large organisations, the process of rolling out software onto PCs can be significant in terms of the time it takes. One way round this is to establish common installation "images" which can easily be downloaded onto PCs as required. The challenge is that changes in hardware components, which may occur as PC technology evolves, can cause incompatibility issues with these images. All of the top PC vendors have specific product ranges which tend to change components less often and certainly in a more predictable way. This can help reduce deployment costs.

Specifics
There are always new technologies evolving and you should check out which may be relevant to you. Examples might include - WiFi, Network connectivity (eg 10Gb), Bluetooth, DVD/ BlueRay read and write, video inputs/ outputs, USB, eSATA etc.

Laptops
The core architecture of a laptop is the same as a PC - but there are two fundamental differences which set laptops apart: The first is that low power consumption is critical to the function of a laptop meaning mobile variants of many of the components have evolved. The second is that a laptop incorporates a keyboard, screen and pointer device into a single portable package meaning specially designed, light weight components are required. The mobile nature of laptops coupled with easier access to wireless networks has made them highly desireable compared to desktop PC's. This has driven an increase in the volume of laptop sales which in turn has allowed prices to fall.

All-in-ones
As laptop technology has evolved and come down in price - especially LCD displays - so the option of an all-in-one desktop PC has become affordable and practical. These systems combine the core system and a display into a single unit - thus minimising desk space requirements. When complimented by a full size keyboard and a mouse - these systems represent a form factor that is both practical and highly ergonomic. The lines between laptop and desktop are getting blurred.

Maximising Business Value