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I keep my personal computer at my desk in my apartment almost all of the time, and for the past decade have used a desktop since I pretty much never needed to m
by joemi 5y ago
I keep my personal computer at my desk in my apartment almost all of the time, and for the past decade have used a desktop since I pretty much never needed to move it. But over that decade with a desktop, I found myself wanting - craving - the ability to easily take my computer on trips, or into the living room from time to time, etc. Not a lot of movement, but the possibility for it. But the concept of having files/projects split over a desktop AND a laptop seemed to be a hassle. And syncing seemed to be a not-so-ideal situation (possibly hard to set up, or requiring a paid service, or not reliable, etc). The best solution I found was a dockable laptop setup. I've now been using a dockable laptop setup for almost a year and I honestly can't imagine ever going back.
The only other solution I could envision I'd be happy with is one that doesn't exist: where I have a processor and storage "core" that I can use in a variety of dumb terminals. That's my real dream, but a dockable laptop is kind of similar.
- ashtonkem 5y agoI have a laptop plugged into a dock, from which it basically never moves. If it was a desktop nothing would change. The one thing I want to do in a mobile fashion is take notes and do zoom meetings, a need that my iPad meets handily.
- peeters 5y agoWell OK but now you're already not comparing laptops to desktops, you're comparing laptops to desktop+iPad.
- ashtonkem 5y agoI could do without the iPad and use my phone, I just coincidentally have an iPad I inherited. I will not be buying another iPad once it dies, nor will my next personal computer be a laptop. The funny thing is that the laptop is actually incapable of doing the one thing I would reasonably want it to do: work outside. It overheats within 5 minutes and slows to a halt if I dare let the sun hit it. Both the iPad and iPhone handle this task easily, weirdly enough. And this is really the issue I have with laptops; they try to be everything to everyone and they end up sucking at any given one task as a result. Compared to my Mac mini my MBP is expensive and underpowered with compromised ergonomics and thermals. Compared to my iPad my laptop has poor battery life, weighs a ton, and overheats in the sun. All that buying a MBP has done is waste $2k extra of $CORPs money, and produce a bit more e-waste given the short upgrade cycle they have me on.