Final answer:
Working on and supporting a laptop differs from a desktop primarily in terms of portability, integrated components, and ease of upgrades. Laptops offer the flexibility to work in different environments and are designed for mobile use, whereas desktops are stationary but often more powerful and easier to upgrade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Working on and supporting a laptop differs from a desktop in several ways. On a physical level, laptops are designed to be portable, which means they are lighter, thinner, and have a built-in battery for mobile use, unlike desktops which are stationary and require a direct power source. The portability of a laptop allows a person to have a flexible work environment, which can lead to a more personal relationship with the device as it can be used in various settings - for work, education, or entertainment.
From the design level, laptops often integrate components like the keyboard, speakers, and often less powerful hardware compared to desktops, to maintain their lightweight and compact form factor. Desktops, on the other hand, usually have more powerful components and are easier to upgrade, which might be preferable for heavy-duty tasks or gaming.
On the commonsense level, the average person typically uses a laptop for convenience in everyday tasks like word processing, research, or social networking, which are also possible on a desktop but with less mobility. However, an average household might use a desktop for entertainment purposes, such as gaming or streaming, which could involve several hours of use each day.