Advice please...

I have a lap top, but can also link it to a separate screen and key board, best of both worlds in my opinion. I also have a second data storage unit, so can back up away from the laptop.

I have never used a PC, but always had a laptop. I am not aware of anything I have not been able to do because of this. I did chose a model with a CD drawer though, and I prefer to use a mouse most of the time despite having a touch screen. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to the advantage of a PC over a laptop.
I hope you manage to find the right thing for you.

First off, Shysal there's the price/performance ratio. Whether you're spending £300 or £3,000, you will get a more powerful computer for your money if you're willing to give up portability.

You have more upgrade options with a desktop. Most laptops will let you easily add RAM and swap out the hard drive. But your average desktop can take more RAM than your average laptop. And with a desktop's multiple bays, your drive options open up considerably. For instance, you don't have to choose between an SSD and a hard drive on a laptop; you can have both. Upgrading a CPU or graphics card--reasonably easy tasks on a desktop--are difficult to impossible (usually impossible) on a laptop.

When it comes to repair. It's easy to open up a desktop PC, check to make sure the cables are secure, clean out the dust, remove a broken part, and replace it with something generic. Laptop repair takes considerable skill, and many parts are specific to that model.

I'm told the new all-in-ones are quite portable too, as all the hardware is located inside the monitor thingy (that's the technical term) but I'm a bit of an old traditionalist when it comes to desktop PCs ....though it's time I moved on. Think I'll go with the all in one as that's the way foreword.