Welcome to the  Computer Olympics 2012.

This competition will test the four entrants each a different format of computer in a series of trials designed to give you, the End User an idea of what is the right device for you.

The Competitors are:

Desktop PC
Laptop PC
Netbook PC
Tablet PC

Round 1  The Portability Test.

The Tablets, light weight and built-in 3G portable internet rock this competitor right to the front on this trial, scoring an easy Gold Medal, with the Netbook following on behind,

Although its more powerful than current tablets it is hindered by its full version of Windows.

Laptops follow in third place, it’s been a long time since laptops were ruling the portability trial, in in final place desktops.  No surprise: as this their weakest event.

Results For First Round

Tablets Gold
Netbook silver
Laptop bronze

Trial 2 Upgradability

After a dismal start, the Desktop PC comes out on top in Event Two

With its removable side panel upgrading is not only possible but easy!

Laptops came in a distant second with limited upgrade options. The access panels in the bottom keeping ahead of netbooks and the tablets bringing up the rear

Results For Second Round

Desktop Gold
Laptop Silver
Netbook Bronze

Trial 3 Gameplay

Games are a feature that have always been the domain of the desktop with their ability to hold discrete graphics processors.

Desktops Win the Gold again this year but only by the slimmest of margins.

Nvidia’s Tegra has revolutionized tablet gaming performance and the wide selection of games from the App Shops. Also making fast improvements are laptops with the new AMD Fusion processors giving a modicum of gaming capability wherever they are to be found.

Results For Third Round

Desktops Gold
Tablets Silver
Laptops Bronze

One third through and the Leader Board stands as follows:

Desktops 2 Golds
Tablets 1 Gold and 1 Silver
Laptops 1 Silver and 2 Bronze
Netbooks 1 Silver and 1 Bronze

Trial 4 Usability

The near instant on and ease of use of the tablet see it come out on top, with laptop nipping into second place over the desktop with its use it anywhere giving it a slim advantage

Tablet Gold
Laptop Silver
Desktop Bronze

Trial 5 Robustness

Very little can be done to damage a big metal box. 

Certainly when compared to the competition. Laptops come a distant second with netbooks trailing in third.

Both at least offer some screen protection when switched off , unlike the tablet.

Desktop Gold
Laptop Silver
                                                Netbook Bronze

Trial 6 Text Input

Old school trial here but still valid, we do after all use these devices for communication.

Desktops with adjustable positioning & full sized keyboard ,takes a slim lead ahead of laptops.
 

The reduced size keyboards of Netbooks and tablets leaves them only good for a tweet or two with netbooks getting the bronze for actually having tactile feedback.

Desktop Gold
Laptop Silver
Netbook Bronze

Two thirds through and the standings are:

In last place with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze medals: Netbooks
In 3rd place with 4 Silver and 2 bronze medals: Laptops
In 2nd place with 2 gold and 1 silver medals: Tablets

And leading with 4 gold and 1 bronze medals is desktop pcs

Three rounds still to go and all to play for!

Trial 7 Media Consumption

Just as important in today’s PC world is how we watch movies and view photos

Tablets Gold
Laptops Silver
Desktops Bronze

Trial 8 Performance

Head and shoulders above the rest stands the desktop, always with the performance crown.

Trailing behind are laptops which have lesser processors. Tablets with dual core ARM and NVIDIA tegras are stomping on the dual core atoms of Netbooks.

Desktop gold
Laptop silver
Tablet bronze

Trial 9 Desirability

Always a difficult trial to judge.  There is a definite trend towards tablets at the moment.

Laptops versatility gives them second place in this category with their ability to do anything anywhere being very desirable.

Netbooks are very out of favour at the moment leaving desktops the bronze.
 

Tablet Gold
Laptop Silver
Desktop Bronze

Overall Winner

With an outstanding tally of 5 out of 9 Gold medals and two Bronzes, desktops are the overall winner but only just.

Tablets have come in a close second.

Versatility Award

Laptops were the only format to secure a medal on every test making them The jack of all trades but master of none and is an indication if why they are the most popular device to purchase

Newcomer Award

In a relatively short space of time tablets have come well up the rankings, who knows what the next 12 months will bring for them!

Wooden Spoon Award

Netbooks are now viewed as slow unpopular devices that nobody really wants and it shows, with 5 last places and a single silver medal the writing is on the wall for netbooks.

Full Results

Netbook 1 Silver 3 Bronze
Laptop 7 Silver 2 Bronze
Tablet 4 Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze
Desktop 5 Gold 2 Bronze