Laptop vs. desktop computer??

I use my PC for the most part, but have a laptop too, that I use in bed on cold nights, or at times when I'm not by my PC.
I have large hands, so most laptop keyboards are uncomfortable if I type for prolonged periods. That said, I find myself more productive when on my laptop, as it won't run many of my computer games.

I hate laptops. If they were a little wider and had a standard-size keyboard that felt like my regular keyboard, maybe I'd use one. But my feeling is that writing (for me) should be done at a desk.

Laptop, with a full-size USB keyboard plugged in when it's on the table, which is most of the time. But I can use the laptop's own keyboard in a pinch, if I'm taking it anywhere.

-Derek

Since 2006 all my writing has been done on a laptop or a netbook. I now find it hard to type for a long time on a desktop PC. The keyboard is too big! Also, I like having my desk space back.

My full size laptop stays at home on the desk. My netbook roams around the house and out of it.

A laptop mostly, or a netbook when I want to get out of the house (yes, it does happen)!

Umgowa said:

Do you use a lap top (sometimes called notebook) computer for your writing or do use a desk top computer? I'll need to buy a new computer soon and I'd love to know what style most writers prefer. Thanks.

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I am on my third consecutive Toshiba laptop. The current one and its predecessor have been sole computer (over eight years now). 4GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive (more would be better, of course), and a nice set of bells and whistles. I usually run Word, Excel, a few iterations of IE, Acrobat Reader, and maybe Photoshop Elements at the same time -- maybe also a web-page-design program and maybe one or two other programs -- but by that point Windows gets peeved and cranky and I have to close all programs and reboot. Oh, Norton 360 running in the background all the time, too. I write a weekly column (www.senior-spectrum.com/umbach) on the laptop, prepare a bimonthly newsletter, and have set up several books on it as well. But I have to use my previous laptop (which has an old version of Acrobat on it) to crop PDF pages for books. Nuisance, but saves the cost of a new version.

--Ken

Laptop for me. I actually like the keyboard

I use both, but I prefer the laptop because I can sit anywhere I want, and slouch as much, too. The differences in keyboards doesn't bother me much because I tend to type in furious bouts of industry, punctuated by long moments of thumb-twiddling.

At "the desk" I use a desktop with an IBM Model M keyboard and two 21" CRT monitors (hey, they work fine and I'm keeping them out of landfills).

Right now I'm in the parking lot of a Barnes & Noble, with my netbook (defined as a "small" laptop, it has a 10" screen and a longer battery life than most "real" larger laptops), with an IBM Model M "Space Saver" keyboard (it's full size except there's no numeric keypad so it's not as wide as a regular desktop keyboard), and a Logitech trackball thingie with the trackball at the thumb and three switches for the first three fingers. The two are connected to the netbook with a $9 PS/2 to USB connector.

For Power Surfing Work I much prefer the desktop system with both screens going, but for writing, either one is fine. The 10 inch netbook screen is plenty big enough for writing. Netbooks are really cheap, starting around $200, as opposed to full-size laptops that go way up in price, can have a much larger screen, and run faster.

But you don't need a fast computer to write on, as the Apple ][ demonstrated.

I use a Thinkpad laptop. I went for several years without a computer, getting by on only school and library computers, so consequentially I can't stand being tied to one place for my computing. All the same, I dislike how tiny netbooks are (I was considering getting one, then one day while I was walking down the street I saw someone using one and finally realized just how small they are), so a full-sized laptop is a nice compromise.

I always work on a netbook or laptop. I like to write at cafes and stuff, outside, etc.

I have a back problem, too, and a laptop is the only thing I can get the ergonomics to work with. It's easy to make higher or lower, tilt the screen different ways, and all of that sort of thing.

I still write long hand on a legal pad!

When it's time to go into the computer I prefer the laptop when it doesn't crash.

I have both, but I prefer the laptop, so I can take it anywhere in the house, or even outside the house.

I haven't used a desktop in years. I prefer laptop keyboards, and I like that I can take the laptop around the house and don't have to worry about power outages. I mostly leave it at home, though, and have a netbook for extra portability and the great battery life.

Age-old discussion or "argument" this. Alot depends on what your needs are. A desktop certainly can not compete w/ a laptop (or netbook) for mobility.Keyboard size is a big consideration when it comes to choice of laptops; in this same regard, in relation to netbooks, there seems even less choice (=big hands can't work with a netbook!)

I have a desktop which, at present, I use for everything. If I can actually get around to implementing my goal of switching to video work, then I will use the desktop for video editing.

I have plans to get a laptop for mobility and editing and which approximates the configuration of my desktop.

I'll admit it takes some getting used to, switching between my laptop and netbook, purely because of keyboard size. However, one advantage of the netbook's keyboard being 75% of normal size is when my eczema plays up, it's less painful to type on that machine. My skin cracks and bleeds, and a smaller keyboard means my fingers don't have to stretch so far to hit the keys.

As ATP said, it will depend on your needs.

I have a desk top my son built for me and we upgrade as needed. Large 24" HP monitor that helps when I am editing so I don't have to scroll side to side. As a matter of fact, I can get two pages on the screen side by side and make editing so much easier. I also have two external back up hard drives. One for my writing and one for pictures and other documents.

I also have a Dell laptop for when I travel or just want to work in the living room while watching TV, or take with me to the library or other places. It has all the same programs as the desk top. I have used my laptop to watch movies on DVDs, but have not used it to download and watch movies from any websites. I just don't trust them not to download a lot of tracking or other stuff along with the movie or music.

When switching from one computer to another, I don't have to use a memory stick as I use dropbox. No matter which computer I use, as soon as I fire up the other, it automatically syncs with dropbox and updates the files. What a time saver...

For connection to the net, I have a wireless modem from cricket and its more secure than trusting wifi. I use it on both computers and never had a download or connection issue. Of course, if I travel outside the Cricket area, I would have to find wifi, or use dial up, which is why I keep AOL around, though I don't use it all that often.

No matter which way you go, I suggest you invest in an external hard drive to keep all your back up writing and other important documents, programs on. Even using dropbox, their computers could crash, or they could go out of business, so I do back up to my external hard drives once a week.

Currently, I am toying with the idea of getting a nook color, or ipad as I have heard you can write on them, but I still have lots of questions about this and what type of programs they use. I don't like doing a a lot of conversion as files can get missed up in the conversion process.

Adam said:

I use my PC for the most part, but have a laptop too, that I use in bed on cold nights, or at times when I'm not by my PC.
I have large hands, so most laptop keyboards are uncomfortable if I type for prolonged periods. That said, I find myself more productive when on my laptop, as it won't run many of my computer games.

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This is the exact reason I bought a laptop.

scarletpeaches said:

I'll admit it takes some getting used to, switching between my laptop and netbook, purely because of keyboard size. However, one advantage of the netbook's keyboard being 75% of normal size is when my eczema plays up, it's less painful to type on that machine. My skin cracks and bleeds, and a smaller keyboard means my fingers don't have to stretch so far to hit the keys.

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I bet that's why I like netbook keyboards, too. My back acts up with much arm, even hand, movement. Big keyboards just require too much moving for my needs. I like the trackpad so much better than a mouse, I can't even express it.

A typewriter first, then a scanner which connects to an IPAD with decoding technology: useful for editing...

I use my [ETA: desktop] PC for everything -- games, internet, writing, writing and mixing music, writing and editing film projects, listening to music. Don't know if I'd ever use a laptop for writing...

thothguard51 said:

Currently, I am toying with the idea of getting a nook color, or ipad as I have heard you can write on them, but I still have lots of questions about this and what type of programs they use. I don't like doing a a lot of conversion as files can get missed up in the conversion process.

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I have the iPad, and I love it, but it is not good for typing, IMHO. I do a little work on it, it's great for reviewing and editing your work while relaxing on the couch.

For pounding away, I greatly prefer the desktop keyboard, but when away from home base, I prefer the netbook. It is smaller (and much more portable) than a full-size laptop, but the keyboard is still big enough. I've stopped using my regular laptop. But I did get the 9-hour battery for the netbook, so the little thing is just as heavy...

backslashbaby: Different strokes 4 different folks, but I hate the trackpad - I disabled mine. ;-)

I don't know the difference between a netbook, notebook, or laptop.

Actually, I don't know which this thing is. Its not mine.

I have a PC. I like carrying this around, but I like to write at my desk

I prefer to use my laptop because it gets me out of the house. There are too many distractions to be had sitting at home - the xbox, books, reorganising my DVDs/bookcases/CDs, listening to music, my guitars etc. If I take the laptop and go to a coffee shop that doesn't have wifi, there are no distractions (I'm pretty god at tuning out other people). So, that's my $0.02.