Form Factors

The form factor of a computer describes the general size and power of the computer and its shape. Here is a list of common form factors:

Desktop

The large chassis of the desktop computer allows for larger cooling systems and better heat dissipation. This means that desktop computers are generally cheaper and more powerful than other forms of computers. The trade off is the lack of mobility and large size of the desktop computer.

All-in-one Desktops

The computer's components are situated behind the monitor. While taking up less space of the desktop and being more aesthetically pleasing, they are generally less powerful and more expensive than a desktop computer where the monitor and computer are separate.

Notebook/Laptop

Generally much more expensive than a desktop PC (for the same specs) but has a built in rechargeable battery which make it much more mobile. Much more powerful and feature-full than its smaller cousins, the net-book and ultra-book.

Netbook

Netbooks (sometimes referred to as mini notebooks) are a rapidly evolving category of small, light and inexpensive laptops suited for general computing and accessing web-based applications. They are usually less powerful than other larger computers such as desktops and often lack features such as DVD-Drives to save costs.

Ultrabook

An Ultrabook is a name given to laptop computers that have been optimized to be more portable than a standard laptop. Most often ultrabooks do not have any optical drive and they usually do not have a mechanical hard drive either. These two features along with an LED backlit screen help to make the battery life far longer than a standard laptop. These computers are aimed at the top end of the market and tend to have very sleek chasiss , often in aluminum.

Many people consider the macbook air to be the first of these devices to become popular. At first they were very much more expensive and had far smaller hard drives and fewer ports than most computers. Once people started to see that they could easily cope with a smaller hard drive and no optical drive they started to become far more popular.

Samsung Ultrabook

Apple Ultrabook (MacBook Air)

Tablets

Smart-Phones

Smartphones are far less powerful than other larger form factors. They are pocket-sized devices.

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