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Are laptops not mobile?

by Dalewyn 3y ago

smt88 3y ago
No, not the way anyone means "mobile" when saying "mobile devices".
- ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
  Most people would think "computer" means laptop, or something along those lines, rather than their phone.
ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago
Pick a random time, pick a random person, what are the chances they have a laptop with them? What are the chances they have a phone with them?
prmoustache 3y ago
It depends on what we agree for the definition of mobile. If by mobile you mean transportable, yes they are. But sometimes they are less convenient than some smaller desktop devices[1] If by mobile you mean they can be used in anywhere, you can say more or less. Yes you can use them on your lap, or even very uncomfortably standing up with the laptop in your hand but you are unlikely to do so for more than a few seconds. Apart from students and business travelers, most laptops are just moved from the living room to the kitchen, a desk to a meeting room while powered on, and only transported from home to office. If by mobile you mean you can comfortably use them anywhere on the go, without too much hassle, well they aren't as mobile as smartphones or even tablets. If you look at real estate agents, they mostly only carry their smartphones or a tablet if they want a bigger screen. Very rarely will they pull a macbook from a bag to show you something. When an executive in my company is joining a videocall while parked in his car, he usually use his mobile phone because they find it less convenient to open a laptop, trying to cram it somewhere on the dashboard and share their mobile connection. [1] Even as "transportable" items laptops are sometimes not the best proposition. When I was still working in an office and commuting by bike, I asked my IT department if I could switch from my company issued laptop to a much smaller and less fragile mini barebones computer like the Gigabyte Brix or an intel NUC. They fit more easily in something as simple as a large handlebar bag and can be more easily protected from the elements.

Are laptops not mobile?

smt88 3y ago

No, not the way anyone means "mobile" when saying "mobile devices".

ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
Most people would think "computer" means laptop, or something along those lines, rather than their phone.

ArtTimeInvestor 3y ago

Pick a random time, pick a random person, what are the chances they have a laptop with them? What are the chances they have a phone with them?

prmoustache 3y ago

It depends on what we agree for the definition of mobile. If by mobile you mean transportable, yes they are. But sometimes they are less convenient than some smaller desktop devices[1] If by mobile you mean they can be used in anywhere, you can say more or less. Yes you can use them on your lap, or even very uncomfortably standing up with the laptop in your hand but you are unlikely to do so for more than a few seconds. Apart from students and business travelers, most laptops are just moved from the living room to the kitchen, a desk to a meeting room while powered on, and only transported from home to office. If by mobile you mean you can comfortably use them anywhere on the go, without too much hassle, well they aren't as mobile as smartphones or even tablets. If you look at real estate agents, they mostly only carry their smartphones or a tablet if they want a bigger screen. Very rarely will they pull a macbook from a bag to show you something. When an executive in my company is joining a videocall while parked in his car, he usually use his mobile phone because they find it less convenient to open a laptop, trying to cram it somewhere on the dashboard and share their mobile connection. [1] Even as "transportable" items laptops are sometimes not the best proposition. When I was still working in an office and commuting by bike, I asked my IT department if I could switch from my company issued laptop to a much smaller and less fragile mini barebones computer like the Gigabyte Brix or an intel NUC. They fit more easily in something as simple as a large handlebar bag and can be more easily protected from the elements.