Compare / Reviewed October 2026
FarDesktop vs buying a second Windows PC.
The oldest solution to the oldest problem is to buy a Windows computer. It works, it is simple and it is sometimes exactly right. It is also the option people most often regret when the machine ends up in a drawer. Here is how to tell which side of that line you are on.
| buying a second Windows computer | FarDesktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | The price of a computer, plus Windows if not included | None. You pay as you use the service |
| Time spent | Charging, updating, carrying, finding cables | Opening a link |
| Works offline | Yes | No |
| Special hardware and heavy graphics | Fully supported | Limited |
| Reaching the program from other devices | No, only on that machine | Yes, from any device with a browser |
| Best for | Daily heavy use, hardware, offline work | Occasional or portable use of a program |
Choose the other if
- You will use the program for hours most days.
- It needs a dongle, a scanner, or a strong graphics card.
- You often work without a reliable connection.
Choose FarDesktop if
- You use the program a few times a month, or seasonally.
- You want it on the devices you already have, including a tablet.
- You would rather not own, update and store another computer.
Cost per hour of use
A cheap laptop looks like a bargain until you divide its cost by the hours you actually use it. Twenty hours a year turns a modest purchase into an expensive one. Forty hours a week turns it into a bargain. Be honest about which you are, and use the Ledger to compare.
The hidden costs people forget
Windows updates that arrive the one day you need the machine. A flat battery in a bag. The licence for the program, which you need either way. The slow dread of a drawer machine that needs forty minutes of updates before you can do a ten-minute job.
Sources, reviewed October 2026
We make FarDesktop. Products change, so check the vendor's own pages before you decide.
Questions people ask.
Is it ever worth buying the machine?
Yes, for heavy daily use, special hardware, strong graphics or offline work.
Can I try streaming before I decide?
Yes. Start free and use your own program for a real task.
What if the vendor forbids remote use?
Then a local machine may be the only compliant option. Check the licence first.
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