No option is best for everybody, but laptops are powerful and portable enough to suit most needs. Before purchasing, consider each option in terms of:

• Cost: How much financial strain will its purchase create?
• Power: How much work can it do at once? How long will doing work take?
• Portability: How easy it is to transport?

 Desktops

Desktops stay in one room and use wires to attach an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

• Cost: More expensive than tablets, but less expensive than laptops.
• Power: The most powerful option by far.
• Portability: The least portable option by far.

 Laptops

Laptops are portable desktops with an integrated monitor, keyboard and mouse.

• Cost: The most expensive option.
• Power: More powerful than tablets, but less powerful than desktops.
• Portability: More portable than desktops, but less portable than tablets.

 Tablets

Tablets are large mobile phones that generally lack the ability to call or text.

• Cost: The least expensive option.
• Power: The least powerful option by far.
• Portability: The most portable option.