Anyone use a laptop as their main computer?

[Kaervak]

I've been using my Inspiron 8200 as my primary system since around March. I use an external keyboard, mouse, monitor and speakers. No different from a desktop, well a lot less noisy and takes up much less space.

 

[thomsbrain]

i'm planning on dumping my desktop soon. i need a super fast computer in two locations and it makes more sense to just have one uber-notebook and gain the ability to take it other places, too.

 

[iamme]

nice desktop + used, older laptop (+ wifi card) = awesome 🙂

 

[kami]

Laptop is too tiny to use as a main computer. Typo galore.

 

[sciencewhiz]

I've been using a laptop for my main computer for 2+ years. Just replaced my refurbished IBM A21M with a new IBM T40.

I don't play games, but do everything else with it. I can touch type just as fast on the IBM keyboard as I can on a desktop.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: iamme
nice desktop + used, older laptop (+ wifi card) = awesome 🙂

This is what I have. At home, the laptop stays in its bag unless I am installing software or content.

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: TwinkleToes77
i do. And now i hate sitting infront of a desktop computer. I much more comfortable with the laptop.

yup. too used to the convenience of the laptop to go back.

 

[ViperXX]

I'm using my Inspiron 8500 with external monitor and USB keyboard and mouse. It's the fastest machine in the house and a damn good gaming rig.

 

[Ernieb]

yes, hp ze1250

 

[Danman]

No, I have my main desktop at home but when I'm at work or school that's all I use....so I guess more hour usage is put on the laptop during the weekdays. On weekends, it's the desktop.

 

[PanzerIV]

I really don't like laptops very much. I wouldn't give up my desktops for one that's for certain. They have their place but not as a replacement for me.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: venk
A $1,00 Desktop + $1,000 Laptop is more useful than a $2,000 Laptop

I totally agree, these days you can get nicely loaded laptops for $699 - $1000

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: jinduy
like having your laptop essentially be your desktop? i'm considering about getting an expensive laptop so that I can use it as my main computer....

I do


I would recomend against it. Basicly you will never do anything with the laptop that will require it to be both a laptop and be high end. It will be obsolete in 1-2 years (it took a year and a half before my laptop wasn't enough machine for the games coming out) and you will pay at least 2x what you could buy a desktop.

Just find a laptop that can run anything you want portability for and then have the desktop for the high end stuff you won't be doing all over campus.

 

[ATLien247]

I do at home...

I would be lost without the portability, thanks to WiFi. The only thing I use my desktop for is gaming, and nowadays I game very little (if at all).

 

[olds]

Not yet but I plan too.
My next machine will be a gaming laptop with docking station, monitor stand, lcd monitor, 4.1 speakers, full sized keyboard and mouse.

 

[RossMAN]

I would love to be able to use a regular keyboard with my laptop, how can I do this without buying a docking station/port replicator?

My laptop doesn't have a PS2 plug but it does have two USB 2.0 ports, one of them I use for a mouse.

Are there any cheap $20 Logitech keyboards which use USB?

 

[FuZoR]

Almost, if it wasnt for pc games i would just use my powerbook.

WiFi is awesome.. nothing like kicking back in the living room couch and surfing 🙂


*edit* I'm at my schools libary relaxing on a 'reading" couch 🙂

 

[Mucman]

I use a Dell 600m as my primary machine. My desktop was a PIII 933 and it was ample for my needs, so I don't see this laptop
becoming obsolete for my needs anytime soon. I find the keyboard is good, and the screen is good too. Took some adjusting to
go from a 19" Viewsonic to the 14" LCD, but I'm happy with it. I don't really play games anymore, so that could be why.

I take my laptop to school, to work, and everywhere else 🙂. I do a lot of programming, so it's nice to be able to execute ideas
while you are not at home...

 

[RossMAN]

Mucman - That's good to hear that you like your Dell 600m because I just ordered one and it's already shipped.

What are your specs?

 

[AmigaMan]

I do. I have a Dell C840 loaded. I have it connected to a docking station at work and run dual screens. The 15" UXGA is just awesome (1600x1280!!!). Since it's connected to a docking station, I use a regular keyboard and mouse. I doubt I would go back to a regular desktop unless the speed just becomes unbearable.

I also don't game much, mainly just use it for programming and occasional surfing at home. But I can play some games on it, although it's beginning to show it's age. (P4-1.8 Ghz).

 

[Kaervak]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I would love to be able to use a regular keyboard with my laptop, how can I do this without buying a docking station/port replicator?

My laptop doesn't have a PS2 plug but it does have two USB 2.0 ports, one of them I use for a mouse.

Are there any cheap $20 Logitech keyboards which use USB?

What you can do is buy a USB hub and connect a keyboard/mouse combo that way. Or if you get a keyboard with a built in USB hub you can plug your keyboard into the laptop's USB port and then plug the mouse into the keyboard's USB hub. The latter is how mine is setup. Microsoft natural pro keyboard with two USB ports and plugged into one of the ports is my Intellimouse Explorer. The other USB port on my laptop has my printer hooked up to it.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Kaervak

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I would love to be able to use a regular keyboard with my laptop, how can I do this without buying a docking station/port replicator?

My laptop doesn't have a PS2 plug but it does have two USB 2.0 ports, one of them I use for a mouse.

Are there any cheap $20 Logitech keyboards which use USB?

What you can do is buy a USB hub and connect a keyboard/mouse combo that way. Or if you get a keyboard with a built in USB hub you can plug your keyboard into the laptop's USB port and then plug the mouse into the keyboard's USB hub. The latter is how mine is setup. Microsoft natural pro keyboard with two USB ports and plugged into one of the ports is my Intellimouse Explorer. The other USB port on my laptop has my printer hooked up to it.

Hmmn that's an idea, now to find a GOOD reliable small cheap USB hub.

Should I stay away from bus powered or is that ok? I might plug a Canon i560 into it from time to time.

 

[Kaervak]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Kaervak

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I would love to be able to use a regular keyboard with my laptop, how can I do this without buying a docking station/port replicator?

My laptop doesn't have a PS2 plug but it does have two USB 2.0 ports, one of them I use for a mouse.

Are there any cheap $20 Logitech keyboards which use USB?

What you can do is buy a USB hub and connect a keyboard/mouse combo that way. Or if you get a keyboard with a built in USB hub you can plug your keyboard into the laptop's USB port and then plug the mouse into the keyboard's USB hub. The latter is how mine is setup. Microsoft natural pro keyboard with two USB ports and plugged into one of the ports is my Intellimouse Explorer. The other USB port on my laptop has my printer hooked up to it.

Hmmn that's an idea, now to find a GOOD reliable small cheap USB hub.

Should I stay away from bus powered or is that ok? I might plug a Canon i560 into it from time to time.

I'd go with a self powered one if you're going to be plugging a digicam into it. Usually with something that big it's gonna suck up quite a bit of juice by itself. It would naturally work by itself if it were the only one on the channel, but with the KB/M combo that would probably put too much drain on it. As for hubs, my uncle has been using a Belkin powered one for a while now and he hasn't had any problems with it.

 

[RossMAN]

Intel Dothan-based Notebooks Ready Early 2004?