Laptop vs Desktop - Make your laptop work like a desktop
My computer setup at work
How I setup my home and work computer
Ever since I first started programming for HP (Hewlett Packard) as a junior in college, I've concluded that my home and work computer system need to be one and the same. The portability of a laptop is necessary for travel, meetings, and working from the garden on a sunny day, but what's been missing is the large screen of a desktop and the full sized keyboard that really help with productivity at work.
To get a laptop to function as a desktop as well, so there isn't a need to get both, there are a few peripherals that are needed to complete the system.
My laptop of choice is a 17 inch MacBook Pro. I do a lot of work on it and the extra screen real estate is key to productivity. It also has plenty of ports for plugging in accessories like an external monitor and it has bluetooth capabilities for a wireless mouse and keyboard.
At work, I have the following peripherals to go with my MacBook Pro.
- 24 inch Dell monitor
- Laptop stand
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- Power chord
I set my laptop on the stand, plug in my monitor, network cable, and power chord. Then I open my computer and get to work. The nice thing about the apple laptop is it wakes up in seconds and detects my wireless keyboard and mouse. It takes about 20 seconds to get it all running in the morning.
Most days I carry with me to use at home and at work
- Headphones
- Logitech headset for skype
The accessories I carry for on the go in my laptop backpack
- Extra power chord. I keep one in my bag
- Adapters for monitors. Never know when you'll need to plug into a projector
My home setup
- Wireless home network with file server and backup disc space ( I use the apple product)
- Power chord where I normally plug in near the couch
- Wireless all in one printer, scanner and fax, although I never use the fax
Carrying a laptop to and from work, plus on the road is hard on the laptop. To protect my laptop I use
- Plastic case for the top and bottom of my laptop that stays on all the time. It adds weight, but protects the laptop
- A laptop backpack with a protective pouch
Laptop gets best of both worlds
When it comes to a laptop vs desktop, I'd go with a laptop and get the peripherals to make it function like a desktop. With this setup and how powerful laptops are now, there really isn't a reason to have a laptop and a desktop, unless the family shares the computer.
Comments
Thanks for the info, Paul. I never got along very well with laptops, because I found both the monitor and keyboard to be too small to work comfortably with. However, there are times when the portablility factor comes into play. It seems like you found the solution to have the best of both worlds.
Desktop computers are on their way out in nearly all work and home offices- laptops these days are just so great, plus they offer so much more versatility. Good point about the extra power cords- and adapters, too! I feel like one can't have enough. Storing them *neatly* is the tough thing for me.
Very interesting - but then again I'm tech retarded.
Full sized keyboards that I can set in my lap while creating hubs and looking at my monitor which is set in front of me on my bed - are what matters to me. If the computing end of it is a laptop or desktop is irrelevant so far as I'm concerned.
I've never thought that I would like a laptop until about ten days ago when I got my first laptop and I love it. I really like that I can use my flat screen TV as a monitor with the laptop. My son is happy that he now has more access to the desktop computer.
Thanks for sharing your set-up.
I'm going to try a larger monitor plugged into my laptop and see how weel it works. Thanks for the suggestions here!
A large monitor is awesome for working in multiple windows. I do a fair amount in spreadsheets and I love being able to line up three across. Many engineering studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between monitor size and the amount of programming accomplished.
Interesting Hub Paul. I recently heard that the number of desktop computers sold declined last year - for the first time in history! I think that for many people laptops are preferable to desktops. But since the iPhone and iPad became some market sensations, handheld computers are becoming more popular too.
Great information especially from a professional like you, Paul.
Lily Rose 7 months ago
It's always interesting to hear about how others do it. I don't really need the portability of a laptop, but I hate the bulkiness of my desktop and the real estate that it (especially the tower) takes up. I'd love to eventually have a smaller desk in my home office and am thinking about the new windows towerless computers - I haven't heard much about them, but it's intriguing.
I have a laptop in addition to my desktop but it mainly gets used by my kids. I don't like using a laptop for everyday purposes because I hate the keyboard and everything about "getting around" - perhaps I could consider a wireless keyboard and mouse...