Which Computer is Good for Freelancing in 2020?

If you’re a freelancer or you want to start a freelancing career, you may have come across one of the biggest problems we have: what type of computer is best for me as a freelancer? We have all been there, and to be honest, being confused is normal.

And to be even more accurate, there’s no answer to that: the best computer depends on what type of freelancing you do and what your needs are.

So in this guide, we will not show you the best machines you can buy as a freelancer, but instead, we want to help you choose the type of computer to buy based on your freelancing needs.

You won’t find a list of laptops and desktop computers, instead of a list of things to consider to decide what type of machines you want.

What is the difference between a laptop and a desktop computer?

The main difference between desktop and laptop is the essential element of every discussion on the topic.

A desktop can only stay in the place where you’ve placed it; it cannot be moved (unless you change location or workstation), and to work, it needs to be connected to external tools.

A laptop is portable and can be moved from one place to another; it works without the need to be connected to external components, but it can be connected to other parts if you want to use it.

Laptops vs Desktops: what’s the best for freelancers?

1. Laptop/notebook

One of the biggest perks of being a freelancer is being flexible: this translates in possibly being able to work from anywhere, or to often work at the client’s premises, or even to work in different places in your house or your office. For these reasons, you need to take advantage of portable technology and invest in a laptop or a notebook.

How do you choose the best laptop or notebook for your freelancing business?

Once again, this depends on what type of job you do and what technology you need.

If you’re an IT consultant, you may need a machine that is capable of handling a lot of data, so your laptop will have to have a lot of RAM and space on the disk. If you’re a writer, you need a functional laptop, able to get you connected, and that you can use to write and research: you don’t need the last in technology, but you surely need something reliable.

So, make sure you evaluate your daily job and check if a laptop would be the best choice.

2. Desktop

A desktop is a perfect computer for freelancers that work almost exclusively from home: it’s not that flexible, but if you pick up a good one, it can be potent. Most of the time, a lot of the components in a desktop can be easily removed, and this means you can upgrade it to better suit your needs, without spending too much and without having to change the whole system.

How do you choose the best desktop for your freelancing business?

The ultimate choice is based on what you need a desktop computer for. Generally speaking, you should also go for a desktop with a lot of memory and a lot of space in the hard disk. On top of this, do not forget the graphic card if you need to work with visuals, and do not forget about the audio card if you have to work with music.

A desktop computer almost always comes out with a monitor, so make sure you choose one that is big enough to allow you to use it comfortably, and that is capable of holding on what you do.

Are desktops cheaper than laptops?

A laptop and a desktop computer can have the same price nowadays. Yes, this is right: the best laptops cost a lot of money because they are usually equipped with fantastic software and, since they are also portable, you have to pay for both these things.

It’s not unusual to find a laptop that costs more than a desktop and has the worst hardware because companies know that the majority of the people will always go for a notebook for its flexibility.

Specific desktop computers can cost a lot of money based on the hardware and software they’re equipped with. Overall, you can buy cheap laptops and cheap desktops, but in both cases, you will most certainly sacrifice quality.

Desktop vs. Laptop: which one should freelancers choose?

Based on the above, these are a few things you need to ask to yourself before buying one between a laptop and a desktop:

• How portable do I need it to be?
• What balance of power and price do I need?
• How much do I want to spend?
• How do I use the tool?
• What’s the thing that I cannot really miss?
• How does it fit with my workspace?

If you can answer these questions, the most significant part of your job is done. If you can’t, you need to narrow down the reasons why you would choose one over another.

Laptop or desktop computer? What’s the best for a freelancer

We keep saying the same: it depends on you, your business, and your needs. Generally speaking, a laptop is always more advisable unless you really need to have a powerful machine for your work (e.g., if you do videos!) or you really don’t need to use it outside of your home office.

One of the biggest perks of using a laptop daily is that you can still connect it to an external and bigger display. In this way, you’ll benefit from its portability, but at the same time, when you’re working in the office, you won’t sacrifice in comfort.

Where to buy a laptop or a desktop computer

If you are looking to buy a new computer, whether it’s a laptop or a desktop, you have multiple options: you can buy locally in a shop or buy online.

Generally speaking, unless you have no access to big shops and shopping malls close to your place, if you buy in traditional shops, you may be subjected to higher prices and a limited choice. Buying online gives you a chance to avail of better prices and a better selection.

Once again, the choice is based on your needs and the city where you live. If you decide to buy online, we recommend Amazon as your primary choice if you’re looking for a machine. On Amazon, you can find standard machines, but also a more sophisticated one. It goes without saying that if you are looking for Apple products, you better shop on the Apple Store because the choice on Amazon may be limited.

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Veruska Anconitano

Veruska is a freelance content marketer and digital strategist, proudly working from home for clients located everywhere in the World. She's the co-owner of FreelancingJournal and a bunch of other websites.