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Do you use a laptop?

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Beren, Jul 30, 2011.

  1. Beren

    Beren Lovesick and Lonely Wanderer Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I don't ... I just can't bring myself to get one, for several reasons:

    1) They never seem to have quite the power and specs of their desktop counterparts.

    2) I just don't trust myself with carrying one around. To a certain degree, I live up to the stereotype of the absent-minded professor, therein is my fear.

    3) 'Mouse scrolling' is a b****, at least in the few times that I've ever tried somebody else's.

    4) I do most of my work, research, from a desktop anyway.

    But ... one thing I've noticed when I became a professor instead of a graduate student is ... I travel a lot more, since conference travel is subsidized by the university. And the convenience of a laptop in that situation is starting to make an impression, which got me thinking.

    So how about the rest of you? Yes or no? Why or why not?
     
  2. 8people

    8people 8 is just another way of looking at infinite ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    [​IMG] I use a laptop, have had one pretty consistantly for a few years now, generally in conjunction with a desktop.

    Why?

    Nowadays it's more convenience. I can't sit in chairs for too long so having something I can pick up (or get someone else to pick up) and amble to somewhere more comfortable to settle into is simply necessary to ensure I can continue whatever I'm working on.

    Travel, again, used to end up spending weekends away at grandparents or parents, university I've needed to be able to type as well. Even if my current laptop is too large for me to take and my tablet given to me by the uni is too slow to be useful.

    I use an external mouse and I'd like an external NumPad if I can find a suitable one, otherwise it's all good, most of my laptops have had better spec than the desktops - generally because Desktops last longer and are replaced on a less regular basis.
     
  3. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    I prefer the performance, modularity and upgradeability and large screens of a 'real computer' over a laptop. However, for mobility and as a back-up I have long eyed a netbook or a notebook.
     
  4. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I use one when travelling and for certain specific apps that I've only got on there... but I'd never consider a laptop as a replacement for a desktop. They have their uses but for me they just supplement my desktop PC.

    Btw Beren, you just attach any USB mouse to a laptop... I always carry one with my laptop because trackpads are vastly inferior to mice.
     
  5. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I have one for work which mostly stays in a dock at work, so is more like a desktop anyway, bit it's useful if I have to do something from home.

    I have never bought a laptop; the mobility aspect just isn't very important for me.
     
  6. Déise

    Déise Both happy and miserable, without the happy part!

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    I just have a laptop and not a desktop. The main reason is that the only place I'd have room for a desktop is up in my bedroom and I'd be worried that I might start staying up there if I had one. The laptop is more social as I can stay with the others watching tv while I'm surfing. I don't game much and can just use the kitchen table and a mouse when I do. As I play old games the specs don't matter. I did make sure to get a 17" screen though, the things a bit of a monster.
     
  7. Silvery

    Silvery I won't pretend to be your friend coz I'm just not ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    We have a Windows lap top and desk top, a Mac book and a windows notebook.
    The desk top very rarely gets used these days unless Rob has some course work to do and needs a bit of piece. The notebook (netbook? It's one of those mini lap tops) is used to programme the ECU on Robs race car so it gets taken to the shed and the track. Plus Rob takes it to college.
    The Mac is Robs and he sits on the sofa on a night and does most of his coursework after the boy is in bed.
    My laptop gets used all the time. I have to keep track of accounts for my 2 businesses, take it on home visits for customers and use it to do hearing tests for my voluntary work as well.

    I don't think we could manage without all of them! :lol:
     
  8. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Just the laptop I bought when my last desktop died. It runs the games I play fine, I hook up an external mouse and the keyboard is actually OK. I noticed the need when I was traveling to San Jose for depositions and couldn't do any work.

    My office is a desktop with two huge screens, great for productivity.
     
  9. henkie

    henkie Hammertime Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    I got a laptop for travelling. As such, I got the smallest I could find where my finger could still fit comfortably on the keyboard, a 10". It's ok for what it does, but it's hardly necessary and the slowness of this netbook tends to get on my nerves. It's pretty nice to play the IE games on, though, which in turn is a pretty neat way to pass the time on long flights.

    I'm looking for a faster replacement, but haven't really found something that fits my requirements. On the other hand, I don't use it that much, so it's not really a priority.

    I do use a separate mouse on it, a wireless one because the wire would just get in the way. I just can't seem to get used to the touchpad, especially for scrolling, but also precision clicking is a disaster.

    At home I have a desktop that I use for pretty much everything. I know many people that use a laptop as a replacement for a desktop (even to the point where it will just sit on the same desk 100% of the time), but for me that is not an option as a laptop with the same performance as my desktop will be much more expensive. Plus I like to look around for the components for a new PC and assemble it myself.
     
  10. chevalier

    chevalier Knight of Everfull Chalice ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Never owned one, although even bought one for my mother on an occasion and had one at work for 9 months as the only computer (where it always sat on the desk). I just can't and won't, although, truth be told, the thought has crossed my mind but only these last two years. I just want my desktop PC.
     
  11. Taza

    Taza Weird Modmaker Veteran

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    I use an ultralight 13 inch laptop as my traveling laptop.

    It's actually pretty darn useful for when I have the need for it - and the 8 hour battery really helps with the usefulness. As does a powerful processor and a discrete graphics card.
     
  12. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    I am keenly interested in this :love: beauty :love: as my back up computer and for when under way.
     
  13. koliva Gems: 2/31
    Latest gem: Fire Agate


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    I do use a laptop out of pure necessity. I went for a 15" model, but thinking in retrospect, i should have gone for one with a 14" screen because of portability issues. It's really useful when you're away from your home/work computer (especially when traveling).

    EDIT: I recommend choosing one whose screen has a matte finish. While shiny finishes make it look classy, they tend to shine light right into your eyes.
     
  14. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I spend hours each day on a laptop, but I have never owned one. They are always work laptops that I use, and I tend to spend way too much time on them. :(
     
  15. Topken

    Topken Elven-dragon wizard

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    They have kits to change glossy screens into matte ones. I like matte screens more then glossy ones as I happen to have a full length window sitting right next to my desktop in my bedroom and I don't have any other place to set my pc up as my room is set up awkwardly as in i have 2 walls that jut out into the room and one of them is a closet while the other is the bathroom. so I have a small walkway when you first enter the room. Having a small laptop would help that out as I would be able to move the desk to another corner of the room and turn my bed the other way.
     
  16. Morgoth

    Morgoth La lune ne garde aucune rancune Veteran

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    I've got a macbook pro 2 years ago. Best laptop I've ever had.

    A few months ago I bought a large LED monitor and a separate mouse and keyboard, and connected it to the laptop. Now I use the laptop for everything. I still have a windows/linux desktop pc but I only use it for gaming.
     
  17. Harbourboy

    Harbourboy Take thy form from off my door! Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I use a desktop, laptop, and iPad in probably equal measures. But I only use the desktop as it is the main 'server' for our home network. I use a laptop for work, but would use my iPad for everything, if only it had a bit more functionality.
     
  18. Barmy Army

    Barmy Army Simple mind, simple pleasures... Adored Veteran

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    Desktop for playing games or anything that requires my beasty spec.
    Laptop for watching films in bed, or travelling etc.
     
  19. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Harbs, what do you use the iPad for exactly?
     
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