Comments on: Transforming a Workspace From Desktop to Laptop Computing

By: Guy Harvey

Guy Harvey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:08:52 +0000

I use the laptop and external monitor combination. I have a Macbook Pro and an Apple Cinema 20 inch. I have the laptop open and use it as a second monitor.

I am considering going back to a desktop but then would have the synching problems. I do a lot of digital photography and often like to show my work on my lap top. One solution would be to have all the data on an external portable drive. Though I am wondering about the point of that.

One thing though about having two computers is you have a back up. I used to an ecommerce website couldn’t afford to down even for a day.

I am really attracted to the new iMacs but the Macbook Pros are so powerful and the convenience is great. There is a law of nature that the minute I buy a desktop I end up traveling somewhere else to work for a few months :-)

By: Tech Tips

Tech Tips — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:04:51 +0000

I have gone through this process a couple times and found that I still really prefer a full sized keyboard that I can tilt a bit. I’ve also realized that I don’t like look down at the laptop monitor (bad ergonomics) plus I prefer a 22″ or 24″ monitor to any laptop. While having a computer I can pick up and go with is useful the ergonomics just don’t work for me. Plus I don’t want to invest in a ton of add-ons to modify the laptop (keyboard, monitor, etc.).

By: Simon Mackie

Simon Mackie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:37 +0000

I suppose one way to get around the amount of desk space it takes (without rearranging your desk like Nancy has) is to store the laptop on the floor — bluetooth keyboards and mice had enough range to work (that’s what I used to do at Carsonified, though then there’s the danger of accidentally kicking it). Alternatively, you can get a vertical laptop stand (like this: http://www.desktop-innovations.co.uk/products.php?p=Vertical%20Laptop%20Stand%20%209719) or store it under the desk (maybe suspended in a tray supported by those brackets you mention?)

By: Kimmo Linkama

Kimmo Linkama — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:59:50 +0000

Sure you can – I used to have two monitors as well (for viewing two documents simultaneously), plus an external full-size keyboard (writing for a living) and mouse. My point was that they took a heck of a lot of space on the desk. Now that the CPU is neatly tucked away under the desk, suspended on brackets, and I have a flat 22″ LCD screen, there’s approximately 40% more space around me, even with the keyboard and mouse. No need for a second monitor as the wide screen accommodates two documents side by side excellently. Not to speak of the speed and hard disk capacity of the desktop.

I do see your point about syncing, though. I’ve tried to solve that by saving my work documents “in the cloud”, in my case Google Docs.

By: Simon Mackie

Simon Mackie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:51:08 +0000

You can use multiple monitors with laptops, too. Plus external keyboard and mouse. In my new office I will have an exteral keyboard and mouse and two widescreen monitors, but I will use my MacBook Pro so I don’t have to worry about syncing data between my laptop and a desktop machine.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:56:11 +0000

I too am looking forward to switching from a Laptop to a Desktop. And my reasons are a lot similar to Kimmo’s.

A laptop has limited screen space, and the keyboard is crappy for use day in and day out. I am looking forward to building a 3 monitor desktop setup with an ergonomic keyboard, with more processing power and memory.

It is cheaper to upgrade a desktop than a laptop and that way I can keep the machine upgraded much cheaper. But what I am looking forward to most is the multiple monitors…

Sampath

By: Kimmo Linkama

Kimmo Linkama — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:10:56 +0000

Actually, I’ve gone the opposite route: I used a laptop as my primary work computer for 3 years and switched to a desktop not so long ago.

Reasons: The laptop’s 15-inch screen is really tiny compared with the desktop’s 22-inch one. I frequently need two documents side by side, so with the laptop I had to fit an extra monitor on my desk.

Also, if you write for a living, you need a full-scale keyboard. It takes up more space on your desk.

On the other hand, with the laptop it was handy to have all your business on one computer, whether “at home” or on the go. Now that my laptop is for road use only, I need to be careful to sync it with my desktop before leaving the office.

If I’ve not used the laptop for a while, it frequently happens there are all kinds of updates waiting that need to be downloaded and installed in strange places, often at WiFi spots that charge for use.

Financially, my present system of primary desktop/secondary laptop works fine, though. Even if the laptop is a bit sluggish, it gets the work done while on the road, and the desktop with its big LCD screen and more processing power frees up space in my working environment while at the same time increasing productivity.