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So why would I compare a car manufacturer to an appliance maker? And what heck does any of that have to do with your computer?

When people ask me to either upgrade or repair their laptop, I usually tell them to take it to an authorized dealer, wait 6 to 8 weeks and be prepared to take out a second mortgage. I'm just kidding, but only a little bit.

Of course you can replace parts in a laptop like you can any other PC, but point I'm trying to make is that desktops and laptops are fundamentally different.

Ok, smarty-pants, we both know that laptops were designed to be ultimate, portable computing tool for road warriors, students and other mobile users. And desktops, on other hand were made to be stay-at-home workhorses.

The point I'm trying to make is that desktop computers (either a true "desktop" model or a floor-base "tower") are designed like cars and can be easily modified and upgraded with common after-market parts. This is called "open-source" since any hardware producer using standard sizes and configurations can sell their components and be assured that it will fit inside any industry standard computer.

Laptops are designed to be more like a household appliance than an automobile. Sure you can upgrade a laptop but all parts are habitually proprietary or custom made for that laptop manufacturer to fit inside that specific model. With exception of memory or RAM and hard drive (which is still smaller than a typical desktop hard disk) often only other "standardized" items are connector ports on back and sides for phone jacks, mice or printers.

"No thanks."

"May I help you?" asks another.

"No thanks."

"May I help you?" asks a third.

When store runs out of salespeople, you get to see merchandise. This is called "in your face customer service"

Other stores take opposite approach. When you can't find right size adapter for your new portable electronic zapper gizmo thingy, you look for help in aisle three. Nobody there. Aisle four? Still nobody. Aisle five? Nope. Aisle six? Seven? Fifty-six?

This is called "run for cover customer service".

Then there is equipment shop that welcomes you with open arms when your lawn tractor starts sounding like dentures in a blender.

"It just needs a routine cleaning. We charge $150 for that," friendly salesman says. Then he lowers his voice. "But you could probably do it yourself."

You commend him on his helpfulness. He beams with pride. "Yup. I thought it up by myself. Whenever a customer tries to fix something at home, we make a whole lot more money next day. Think my boss will give me a raise for this?"

I call this "do-it-yourself-extortion".

And what about three companies that came to quote on some ductwork? Each looks around, takes some notes and promises to get back to us with a quote.

We wait. And wait. And wait.

We call back first company, which promises to get back to us with its quote. It makes same promise consistently each time we call. I just love a reliable company.

This is called "consistent filibuster customer service".