A question that sometimes gets asked is whether laptops, even cheap new laptops, are overpriced compared to the performance they give. It’s an interesting question and one with no definitive answer.
As we’ve mentioned on other pages, since laptops are smaller and designed to be more portable, they have a higher cost-to-performance ratio (meaning that laptops are, on average, more expensive than a desktop computer with similar performance power). Therefore, it could well be argued that laptops are over-priced, i.e. since they are more expensive than a similar desktop computer.
But having said that, the fact that laptops are smaller, therefore portable, means that invariably they will be more expensive since packing all the complicated hardware that make up a computer into a relatively small container (compared to a large desktop tower case) will invariably result in a higher cost.
Plus, lets not forget about ‘supply and demand’ here. If someone will be traveling a lot and will need a computer system with them, a laptop is the only real choice here (or the only major choice, at least). Quite simply, there is a demand for laptops and it could be argued that laptops are not over-priced since the supply of laptops is being met by the demand for laptops.
Finally, I think it’s worth pointing out that the cost of laptops has been falling quite rapidly in recent years. You were never able to buy a laptop for under $1100.00 a few years ago, but now you can buy a cheap new laptop from around $450.00. Indeed, laptops are falling in price, and the gap between desktops and laptops is falling also.
In my personal opinion, I would say that laptops are not over-priced. However, even if you are not planning on traveling, then a desktop computer is still the better choice since there will always be at least a bit more ‘bang for your buck’ with a desktop.
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