Laptop or desktop? What do you write on?

Almost always a laptop. Often with a separate USB keyboard. I can set it up as a desktop, and then unplug it and haul it to writer's meetings, critique groups, or to the park.

For the last 6 years it's been
this Gateway laptop, for both work and writing. It's been a great workhorse. Great video, full size keyboard.

The next one is going to be smaller, either an ASUS or the HP Mini. I've test driven both, and been equally impressed with their performance. Both accept the separate USB full size keyboard. (The small screen is fine by me, but the keyboards are too small for speed writing.)

The change is a desire for 1) longer battery life, and 2) more portability. (The 675 isn't portable, it's luggable.)

A note: Both are available with Linux or Windows operating systems. If you aren't used to tinkering with the hows and whys of computer operating systems, and you don't have a personal geek to count on, I'd recommend sticking with the Windows OS.

I would probably use a laptop more if I had a better one. My Mac notebook is, er, aged- and actually just ate the detailed character descriptions I'd done...

Otherwise it's a combination of the three. Laptop, desktop, pen and paper. It just depends on what I have in front of me at any given time.

Since I don't own a laptop, I guess I'm desktop. One day when my rich uncle gets out of the poor house, I'm going to buy me one of those new fangled laptops!

I have a desktop, but I really, really, really want to have a laptop. My parents are forever complaining that I don't spend enough time outside (due to smog and humidity, thank you Detroit) and with a laptop I might actually spend some time outside, so I can work on my WIP and such without having to be cooped up all day, every day. I kind of hate my desktop. It's old (2003) and it takes up a HUGE amount of space on my desk. I don't have any room for anything else.

I use a laptop - which I love since I can take it anywhere. I replaced my desktop about 7 years ago, and haven't looked back. I'm on my second laptop (a Toshiba) and my only complaint about it has to do with the OS (Windows Vista - blech) instead of the machine itself.

Laptop. Strangely enough my split keyboard on my desktop bothers my hands more than the laptop does. Also, the mouse doesn't do my wrists any favors these days. With the laptop I can switch back and forth with my hands to point and click or move the cursor. Much better for me.

I picked up an AlphaSmart 2000 on ebay recently so am doing a bit of writing on that too. Love the no heat and batteries, but still getting used to the keyboard and small screen. Not really a laptop but good for zero distractions.

I use a laptop but I used to use a desktop.

Mel said:

I picked up an AlphaSmart 2000 on ebay recently so am doing a bit of writing on that too. Love the no heat and batteries, but still getting used to the keyboard and small screen. Not really a laptop but good for zero distractions.

Click to expand...

I love you! The majority of the pen and paper writing I do is at work, where laptops are forbidden - casino, sigh. After you posted this I went scouting, and picked one up for $20 on eBay. Even if it's junk, it's just $20, and if it works well... I'm in love!

I use a desktop and when I need to go out I have an Alphasmart Neo. I don't have a need to use the internet or other functions that a laptop would provide, so my Neo helps make sure that I spend my time writing instead of playing solitaire.

But I also have a really, really bad track record with laptops. I had one that lived to the ripe old age of seven, but since then every one that comes into my posession up and dies on me.

Laptop, because I'm usually hanging out on the couch with my husband, or writing somewhere other than my office. I love my laptop. I've written in restaurants, at the library, on a plane, etc.

Laptop, but I really want a desktop because the close screen is killer on my eyeballs (I have a 17 inch) and the keypad is killer on my back (cause I tend to get lazy and hunch over). I'm only 22 too. Sigh. XD This thing is annoying to port around too, it's heavy, bulky and big. But it's served me well these past few years.

I have a desktop. If I bought I new computer, it would also be a desktop. I compared the prices, and I'd get less features on a laptop than if I bought a desktop. I also don't see the point of spending more for something that's pretty much going to stay in one place.

I use both desktop and laptop. I have an older desktop at my desk at home that I am using right now, but I also have a laptop that I use when I travel or to get away from the desk (the kitchen table, couch, deck, or on the floor). I use a USB drive to keep my latest work available to use on either one.

Depends. My first (and sometimes second) drafts are handwritten. After that, though, I type them up on my laptop. I prefer the portability. I can write from my office, the couch, a comfy chair upstairs, the local coffee shop or a hotel when I'm on the road.

Desktop and AlphaSmart. I often use my office laptop for online research if on the road or at the office, but deliberately try to avoid actual writing on company resources.

I'm sitting here on my couch with my MacBook on my lap! I adore the Mac. It's so much faster than any PC I've ever used, and I like Pages (the Mac word processor) better than Word, too. I can convert a Pages document to Word if I need to send it to someone on a PC.

Plus if I ever have a problem with it I can just take it to the Apple store at the mall, and there are people right there who can help me.

ETA: I never have had a problem with it, FWIW. My daughter had a question about hers, and we took it in and got answers right away. (She couldn't figure out how to save MP3 files, and they showed her how to do it with Garage Band.)

Laptop primarily but it used to be desktop. I bought a new laptop (HP) for my birthday so I want to keep all writing in one place instead of scattered between the desktop/laptop/thumb drive. My other laptop has a 17" screen and it was just too bulky so I have the more delicate 15.4" screen now and love it.

Linda Adams said:

I have a desktop. If I bought I new computer, it would also be a desktop. I compared the prices, and I'd get less features on a laptop than if I bought a desktop. I also don't see the point of spending more for something that's pretty much going to stay in one place.

Click to expand...

I agree: you get more bang for your buck with a desktop. I buy the components and put mine together myself. I'd hate to spend the money on a laptop to get equivalent power.

I do own a cheap laptop that I never use, but which is perfectly good for writing... except that I hate the keyboard, and my lap is the last place I'd want to put it. I find it uncomfortable to use except on a tabletop, and then I still want an accessory keyboard, mouse, and monitor. So what's the point?

I guess the whole coffee shop computer thing could be appealing at times just to get out of the house, but I'd as soon make notes with pen and paper. However, in spite of this tirade, I am a bit curious about the really tiny notebooks like the Asus eee. These are cheap, minimal, light, available with a solid state drive and Linux, and I might consider one of these one day for taking to work.

I use a laptop, myself. I got it as a gift from my dad, a few years ago, and I've kept it running since. Before I got it, I was writing with pen and paper, which on the plus side made it real easy to check on my progress. On the negative side, it took up a lot more room, even with the wireless keyboard plugged into it.

*shrugs* Anyway, thanks dad!

I always used my desktop and the desktop was in the basement, so I always felt isolated from what was going on. Like I was being punished. Then we got a laptop and I felt so liberated. I could use it in the living room while the family watched TV. I could take it outside and use it on the lawn swing while enjoying the outside. I could take it on trips and still get writing done.

Now we have two laptops. I'd never go back to a restrictive desktop.

Laptop. I'm on my third--the first two were basic, inexpensive Compaq Presarios, but now with the second one dying on me I've bought myself a Macbook. The keyboard's nice, it's light, and it has much better specs, but on the other hand, Windows was working just fine for me and this screen is probably sharper but it's not shiny, so it's somewhat harder on the eyes.

I can barely bring myself to write on a desktop computer. Don't know what it is, but something about that 19 inch screen and separate keyboard and uncomfortable chair...daunts me. Anything I write on paper tends to be crap a degree or two below my typical writing, so I save that for planning, notes, whatever.

Laptop. I do a lot of writing in bed.