When it comes to understanding what equipment is necessary for QuickBooks, one of the biggest questions business owners have is whether they need a desktop or laptop. Both options are valid choices, but there are some things you should consider when making this decision.
Laptops
Desktops cannot beat laptops when it comes to storage space and processing power. But laptops usually take up less desk space, start up faster, and are easier to use on the go. If your business fits into this category then a laptop may be right for you. Their portability means that if you have multiple work locations or do fieldwork then a laptop would be more convenient than other options.
Desktops
Desktops are a popular choice for QuickBooks users because they offer faster processing power and higher storage capacity. They can be configured to fit your specific business needs which is ideal if you do not mind sitting at your computer for long periods of time while performing data entry or number crunching tasks. Desktops are often less expensive than comparably-equipped laptops due to their age and ubiquity in the marketplace. But since they stay in one place all the time, they can also create clutter and safety issues if they are not put away properly.
Specs Before Buying a Computer for Quickbooks
The best computer for QuickBooks is the one that meets your business needs while also being within your budget. There’re a few things to consider before buying your computer for quickbooks.
CPU:
If your business needs involve number crunching such as financial analysis, you will want a desktop with a high-powered CPU. These can be hard to find in laptops under $500, so if you need this type of power it is probably best to buy a high-end desktop.
Hard Drive:
The next factor is storage capacity and speed. Since QuickBooks takes up large amounts of drive space and Intuit recommends that users have at least 100 MB free on their hard drives at all times, we recommend buying a computer with at least 128GB of storage and 7200 RPM spindle speeds for peak performance. Laptop hard drives usually offer the same performance as desktops, but require more power which means shorter life and increased heat output (though you will rarely notice this in most laptops).
RAM:
RAM is less important for QuickBooks but it’s still a good idea to have some on your computer. As with CPUs, RAM is best bought in desktop form factors since it can’t be upgraded easily. We recommend 4-8GB of RAM for most users, depending on how much multitasking they do while running other applications.
Operating System:
You will need to use Windows XP or later for the QuickBooks software. If you are using an older version of Windows then you might consider upgrading your operating system if possible because there are some compatibility issues with some versions of Windows 7 and 8 that lead to poor performance when running Quickbooks.
Portability:
Laptops and desktops both have their pros and cons when it comes to portability. Desktops will provide better performance, but laptops are much easier to take with you on the go. If your business is easily transportable then a laptop may be your best option.
Budget:
This category tends to vary the most because everyone has different needs and financial resources available for computers. If you need a lot of power or storage space, then this will usually come at an increased cost. However, there are always budget models for almost any kind of computer out there so just shop around until you find something that meets your requirements within your price range.
What About Apple Macbook Laptops?
Macbooks don’t have a whole lot of storage space, but they do offer great performance and durability. Plus you get access to the Mac OS X software which QuickBooks for Mac runs well on. However, there are other laptops that can run Quickbooks just as well so it’s up to you to decide what features are most important for your business needs.
Conclusion
Choosing a computer can be difficult because different users will need different things out of their machines. That is why we recommend understanding your business needs first, then choosing the proper hardware to meet those needs within your budget. We hope this buyer’s guide helps narrow down some options that best suit your business’ computing environment!
