Using a laptop as a main PC?
 

If you use a laptop or a notebook as your main computer, please post some comments about how it's working out for you.

I imagine that you could use a laptop (2.0 mobility or 3ghz pentium) as a main work computer in conjunction with a USB external drive.

I was thinking of this as a possibility for me, but I'm unsure. Basically a laptop will let me work during trips, during the day at some different places, and I think it would be convenient since I'd be working in multiple locations at least 3 days a week.

So does anybody have experience with this?

I'm talking about using it for checking stats, designing web pages, graphic editing with photoshop, etc.

I just use mine for surfing. Watching DVD's. Everything else I use my pc.

I'm sure tons of people do this, I know I do!

I've been using my laptop exclusively since July 04... it's great. The ONLY thing I miss my desktop for was gaming... otherwise, it's my laptop all the way.

Runs photoshop fine, great for coding and stuff... I can work anywhere in the house since there's no wires.. I highly recommend it.

How do you like it, any problems? I think it could work out if you have a docking station for your home monitor + keyboard + mouse.

what is your processor speed, and how much ram do you have?

I think you'll only really find limitations with laptops if you want to do video and audio stuff... having said that spending enough and you'd be able to do anything on it.

tried it before, hard to get used to when you have dual screens on your desktop

Been using a laptop as my main PC for a few months now. Works just fine.

I did before, but I'm back on my pc now as my main computer. Laptop is a little slow and small (1.2 Ghz amd duron and 14.1" screen) other then that it was ok.

I use my laptop for everything... I travel alot so its very convienient

I've been using my notebook exclusively for about a year now, and wouldn't go back. I love the mobility. Be sure to get a desktop replacement, and you'll have all the power you need. :thumbsup

I've used my laptop exclusively for 3 years now and never had any problems. Got rid of all the wires, etc. and can work anywhere. I might upgrade to a new laptop soon as I only have a 2.0 GHZ P4 but I do have 1 GB of RAM.

I've used one for almost a year now, here's couple of things I've noticed.

A regular notebook HD (4800/5200 rpm) is slow compared to a desktop HD. There are 2.5" 7200 rpm drives. Get one and problem is solved.

Some notebooks have loud fans. They might not be loud when you check out the nootebook the first time, but after listening to it for 10 hours a day it becomes annoying. Fans make more and more noice over time, so make sure you get a silent one from the beginning.

Other than that, I'm very happy with it :)

Ive been using my IBM T40p as my main computer for about 2 years now. No complaints at all except that IBM doesnt have firewire. I have it hooked to a dock w/ monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, ipod, camera, usb drive, etc ... no complaints at all.
It's a pentium M so it runs a lot less hot than a P4.

laptop is handy but i prefer a dual screened desktop pc :)

I have a 17 inch Powerbook G4. Been using it as my main computer since May 2003. The screen is huge and the speed is good for everything I do. I could use a faster hard drive, as mentioned above... but I may wait until I upgrade. I'd rather get a top of the line desktop and then step down to a 15 inch laptop. Sometimes this screen is too big, like when trying to watch a movie on a plane...:)

2.4ghz and 512mb of ram... trust me, it's plenty. I'm not doing video encoding, I'm not doing any gaming... BUT.. anything beyond that and my laptop is more than enough raw power to do anything I need.

If you use a docking station, then it's basically the same as using a desktop. The real advanatge is that you can take it to any room (or even outside if the weather is nice) and continue doing work.

I loved using 1 laptop for my main and 1 for video, until my main got stolen and I lost most of my programs :( Now I'm back to the desktop. If you are going to use a lappy, leave it at home and get a cheap one for travel.

I used my laptop as my main computer for almost a year. I had to send it in for repairs, otherwise I'd still be using it. I loved it :)

i cant help it. :) i try not to but its too damn convenient.. watch tv .. latop .. drive car .. laptop etc etc beach - laptop , dentist-laptop time :)

Plus you can always find a wireless access or just cell phone slowly hhokup

I am on the laptop as well. But I will say, having an external hard drive that is hooked to your desk top, and lap top is the best way to go. That way, you store everything on the other dirve, and if one pc or the other goes down, you keep working as normal.

I haven't tried it yet.

I hate to work on it, maybe its because I am using a dualscreen (19) for quite some time now. I can't stand to stare at the small 15 inch screen and work on those keys ;)))

just my h.o

Get an external keyboard and mouse. I think that's what most people have that has the laptop as their main computer :)

yeah probably, I have an external mouse on it though. Guess it also depends on the type of work wich is needed to be done on it.

How is the speed rate when it comes to external USB drives?

Do you actually have to wait like you do loading things onto an A disk or something?

i dont think a laptop is practical for your everyday webmaster tasks but for checking stats, surfing around, checking email.. it would suffice

I used my laptop as a main PC for a while... but aftering upgrading the desktop it's tough to go back to working on it.

i've had my laptop for a little bit over a year. no problems whatsoever.

pentium 4 3.2, gig of ram...so it's pretty beefy in terms of performance.

I love it, I take it with me where I go. Only complaint is that it's a bit bulky...but that's the price I pay for wanting a powerful laptop.

I use a Dell laptop I got from ARS rewards a while back as my main pc. The Keyboard just blinked out recently. I am slowly moving to a buff desktop with redundant backups.

No problem. I even have no big computer. Graphic design, surfing, playing games, wathing video - all.

P.S. LG LS50

I mostly use a laptop as my main computer for e-mail and reading GFY. It also works as my second workstation for video editing when I put it in the docking station on my desk. It's pretty powerful- a Dell Inspiron 8600 Pentium M chip 1.7Ghz. I recommend it.

i do it for the most part and don't have any problems. Get a fast enough machine and don't go cheap.

my laptop is my main, holding up fine.....for now

My laptop is my main computer, it's coming with me everywhere i go. It has a wireless internet connection so i can login at any time.

I got two Extern 160 GB Harddisk and 1 'Normall' backup computer if needed. I love working on my laptop, i always have my flatscreen connected for a double screen 'working comfort'

If asked this to me two years agow i would say are you nuts? But at the moment there are endless possibilities.

Reak.