Comparison & Contrast Essay: Desktop Computer or Laptop Computer

Desktop Computer or Laptop Computer

          People of today often find difficulty in deciding whether they will purchase a desktop computer or a laptop computer. It may seem that the two are similar but they are totally different. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast the differences of desktop computers and laptop computers in terms of convenience, maintenance, performance and cost.

          As we all know, a desktop computer is hard to move and it is cluttered due to many wires and cables that need to be connected to each other. Speakers, keyboard and mouse for a laptop computer is built-in so it does not contain wires. It is quite annoying to see so many wires and cables in a desktop computer. The laptop computer is also portable. You can move it with you while you travel and it just occupies a small space.

          Performance of a laptop computer and a desktop computer has great differences. The desktop computer is capable of having better components that can handle better graphics. It is suitable for hardcore gaming. All the components of a computer are much better for the desktop computer. On the other hand, a notebook has its limits. Even though it can handle some computer games, it cannot handle hardcore games which are new releases. Its battery is also limited and easily overheats in just a short time unlike the desktop computer which does not overheat easily unless you keep it turned on for a very long time – about three days without turning it off if placed in a well ventilated place or overclocking it (Marlene, 2009).

          Maintenance is a great factor in choosing what type of computer you will go for. A desktop computer is easy to customize. You can easily choose what brand or how powerful each component is. On the other hand, a notebook is always sold as a whole. It is also difficult to upgrade. You will need to use your USB port if you want to upgrade its hard drive and it is annoying to have it outside of your notebook. If a notebook is damaged, you will need to replace it as a whole and you are lucky if it is still under warranty. But if a desktop computer gets damaged, you can just replace the parts of it that have been damaged.

          Another factor in choosing between a laptop and a desktop is its cost. According to Null(2007), a desktop computer’s price is cheaper than a notebook because it can be 25% - 50% more powerful than a notebook given a price. The only downside in purchasing a desktop computer is that it consumes more energy than a notebook because it has many components. The problem in a laptop is that it can be stolen easily. If this happens, you will need to buy another one as a replacement.

          People have different preferences. Others may want a more powerful computer while others go for portability. If you want a more powerful computer then go for a desktop computer. But if you want portability because you need to work while traveling then go for a laptop. For me, I like desktop computers better because I stay at home. But I suggest you go for both if you have the budget.

Reference:

Marlene, G. (2009). What’s best for your home or office. Laptop vs.           Desktop. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.brighthub.com           /office/home/articles/24545.aspx

Null, C. (2007). Laptop vs. Desktop. Which is Right For You. Retrieved           July 22, 2009 from http://66.196.84.101/blog/null/29230

Reflection:

In writing this essay, I hope to help people decide on whether they will buy a desktop computer or a laptop computer. I do not really like comparing things because people have their preferences. This essay helped me improve my researching skills because in order to compare two things without bias, I needed to know more about these two things. If I am to choose between a laptop computer or a desktop computer, I would prefer desktop computer more because I always stay at home and I do not need to work at school. Both items have their good parts; it’s up to you if you will buy a desktop computer or a laptop computer or probably both.

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Definition Essay: What is Trust?

What is Trust?

          Trust is defined in the dictionary as believing in someone. However, it is not that simple to understand. It goes into deeper meaning as we continue to live, grow and experience different challenges in life. Trust is believing in someone with your heart, knowing that he/she will cherish it as a treasure inside him/her.

          There are different kinds of trust and these are: trust in family, trust in someone special and trust in friends. Our trust in family is of big importance because we have lived with them from the day we were born until we mature. Most of our secrets during our childhood are known by our family and we have deep trust in them because they took care of us. We have grown attached to them so they are the first to know our secrets most of the time. They know when we are acting strange or disturbed because they have known us since our childhood. We let them know almost everything about us. They are the ones we go back to when we do not have anywhere to go. Another kind of trust is trust in someone special or trust in our true love. He/she is the one who knows everything about us. We tell him/her everything that we keep inside ourselves because we believe in him/her and we have commitment with him/her. Sometimes it just takes time before we confide in him/her our secrets and other personal issues but we will surely tell him/her when we have really committed ourselves with him/her. There are no secrets between you two if you truly love each other. This is just a part of your commitment to each other. Another kind of trust is trust in friends. We let our friends know about some of our secrets but we keep our darkest secrets and our secrets from the past from them. We do not trust them right away because there are times that others betray you. It is when you and your friend had spent a very long time with each other that you can trust each other more.

          There have been instances wherein others have shown their trust in me. During my second year in high school, it was the only time when I had many female friends because my section that time was very friendly. That was also the only time when many of my friends really trusted me. I had this friend who liked a guy who was also liked by her close friend. She told me that she was falling for the guy who likes her close friend and that her close friend likes the guy too. She did not like their friendship to be affected by her falling for the guy so she just kept it from her close friend. I was close to both of them and I told our friend whom she kept the secret from about it. That incident made my friend who was keeping the secret cry. I made her cry and I do not know why I did such a bad thing that time. I was really sorry and the good thing is that their friendship did not break. My friend just forgot about what I did. Even though the issue was resolved already, my conscience kept killing me up until now. I learned a lot about trust because of that. I learned that trust is a hard thing to regain and you will need to go back to square one just to build it up again.

          Trust is really not easy to earn. It is not given to others but rather, it is earned. It is not something that is as simple as believing. Instead, it involves your believing in each other, knowing that you will not let each other down.

          Therefore, trust is very important to us. Without it, people cannot live with each other in unity. Trust is a big factor in unity. It can only be explained fully by our hearts. There is something special inside us that allow us to trust and be trusted. People have a place in our hearts and that is why we trust them. It is also the same to them; we have a place in their hearts. It is like a magic in this world that every living thing possesses. It is betting our life just to express ourselves.

Reflection:

I decided to write a definition essay about trust because trust is a very important thing in relationships of people. I wrote this essay purely based on my experiences. It was quite hard to dig in the words that would best describe trust in a creative way. This essay made me remember my responsibilities as a friend and a member of a family. It also made me reflect on my mistakes and what I should do to make my relationship with others better. Trust has different meanings depending on people’s experiences. I hope that readers would learn from this essay.

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Descriptive/Static Essay: Vacation in Hong Kong

Vacation in Hong Kong

          Five years ago, we went to Hong Kong during our summer vacation. My family, together with my relatives, was excited to go there even if it was only for three days. It was the month of May and my brother was not able to go with us because DLSU had started classes already. We went to Philippine Centennial Airport and it was my first time to board a plane. I enjoyed seeing different planes of different countries; it made me say “Wow! So this is what it feels to be in an airport”. The plane we boarded was PAL Boeing 747 which was actually larger than the other planes. I took the seat beside the window but I was disappointed because the wing of the plane blocked the view and I could only see a little. The food at the plane was delicious. For breakfast, we were served sausage with vegetables. Though it was only a sausage, it was the best breakfast I have eaten. The stewardesses were all fluent in speaking different languages. I heard one of them converse in Japanese, Chinese and English to foreigners. I know that she was good at Japanese because I have watched different films, anime and some dramas of Japan. We traveled the beautiful blue sky for two hours.

          Afterwards, we arrived in Hong Kong and it was raining there. The rain was neither that hard nor light; it was only moderate. As the plane landed, I saw the rear part of the wings flop to reduce speed. I could almost see the thick air mixed with rain shower. There was like a white line created by the thick air. We got off the plane and I saw different people of different nationalities. Later on, we rode the tour bus. It was quite colder there in Hong Kong than here in Philippines. The temperature there was 20°C unlike here in Philippines which is about 26°C - 30°C. We toured different places in Hong Kong. The tour guide introduced us about its history. The tour guide was a Chinese lady. She spoke English fluently and she was tall-about 5’8, with long brown hair. In our first day there, we spent our time in our hotel and shopped in the streets. During our tour at Victoria Harbour, I felt the strong sea breeze blow my hair to disarray as the tour guide took a picture of me for my souvenir. The picture was given to me in our third day there. It was printed on a plate. We were able to see the Central Plaza, Hong Kong’s tallest building just across the bay. It was about 78 storeys high. There were also statues of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and other known figures along the harbor.

          In our second day, we went to Hong Kong Disneyland. It is just actually a small park because you can tour it in only a day. My cousin and I rode the “Space Mountain”. It is a roller coaster which runs in high speed, approximately 30 Kph. While riding in it, we felt like we were traveling in space because of the pitch black background and very little light was seen because it only came from the look-alike stars inside. I bought a red shirt with the picture of Pluto. If you wear the shirt, it will look as if Pluto went through your body.

          In the third day, we went to Ocean Park. It had a large signboard at the entrance. The signboard was a cartoon picture of a seal with its hands saying welcome. Afterwards, we rode the film simulator. We found the film simulator thrilling because it actually makes you feel like being in the film. My favorite ride there in Ocean Park is the Abyss tower. It is a 20 storey high tower with seats around it. My cousin and I rode it once only because after our first try it started to rain. The ride took us up and we were able to see the beautiful green island and bluish China Sea. Afterwards, it took us down in an instant. I thought I was going to die and I could not feel my seat anymore while it was taking us down and that is what made it fun. I hope that I could ride it again someday. I would want to see the Dolphin show there again next time.

Reflection:

In writing this essay, it was fun remembering the days of my summer before my high school. My family went to Hong Kong. It was my first time in going to other countries. I intended to write more but time made it difficult for me. It was hard describing every detail of what happened but it was a good challenge as it tested my memory too. I hope that I will be able to write this kind of essay again in the future because it is just great to describe things in a creative way. It also tests ones imagination. If I am going to write blogs, it would be great to use this kind of essay.

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Process Essay: Ways to Handle Your Time

Ways to Handle Your Time

         Most college students have difficulty in managing their time well. They say that a well-thought time management is the key to success in life. We should handle our time wisely and think about it seriously to be more productive. Some ways to handle time wisely will be discussed here on.

         The first thing you should do is to set your goal. Do not set goals which are too high that you would not be able to do it. You can set questions of what your future will be. Examples are: “What will be my job in the future?” and “What will I do to sustain my future family?” The second thing is ask yourself if what you are doing is actually worth your time. Get rid of everything that wastes your time. Most students tend to waste their time. They do the things which are less or least important first. Examples are playing computer games and opening facebook, friendster of multiply accounts even if it is unnecessary. You should do the most important things first. If you need to throw something you cannot control yourself from using, throw it to help you in your time management. From time to time, you will need to cultivate your enthusiasm to be able to follow your schedule and to eliminate your laziness. There will come a time that there will be obstacles to your time management. One is procrastination or when you delay your tasks which need to be done. Always remind yourself by telling yourself, “Do it now!” (Pavlina, 2006). This is a way to eliminate procrastination. If you are always using a computer or a cell phone, you can set wallpaper with this sentence. Sometime you will be depressed; you blame yourself for your failures and others’. Whenever you have this feeling, just be active. You can go to parties or hang out with your friends and ask them to entertain you and your depression will be gone but not instantly. You need time to do its job. There are times that you will fail but do not let it be a reason to discourage you. Make it a reason for you to try harder and you will notice that it actually helps you manage your time because you will be taking opportunities and it will save more time. You will always gain knowledge and experience if you take opportunities. Sometimes you will need to choose from two important tasks that need to be done in a short period of time. What you need to do is to remember your goal, then do the task which is more important and more benefiting. An example is when you are scheduled for a medical check-up but suddenly too many assignments came up. You should consider some questions like what will happen to your health when you postpone the medical check-up.

         Important factors for time management are patience, awareness and analysis. Always be patient to follow your schedule and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Always be aware of the time. Analyze each task that you are about to do.

         In conclusion, always remind yourself of your goal and always tell yourself “Do it now!” Identify the obstacles to your time management and deal with them accordingly. Manage your time wisely.

Reference:

Pavlina, S. (2006). 15 suggestions to handle time problem. Do It Now.              Retrieved July 7, 2009 from http://www.timeanalyzer.com                /lib/doitnow.htm

Reflection:

In writing this process essay, I have decided to write about time management because I realized that most of the college freshmen lack proper time management. I saw that many of them were laid back because they are just adjusting to college. By writing this essay, I hope to get my message to other college freshmen. This would be a big help to others. The message I wrote in this essay also had an impact on me because I too was laid back like the other college freshmen. After learning about this, I have learned to quit the things that only waste my time. I had a big interest in writing this essay so I tried my best to make it easy to comprehend and as meaningful as I can.

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