Wasnt quite sure where to put this... Recently i've come up with a question: do people really NEED more than one rig? After having dealt with multi-rig setups (mainly many laptops + desktop on one desk) i came to the point where i find myself using my macbook only and doin the same stuff as i used to do with 3+ computers and my question is - is it the same for you? do you find yourself using one computer more than other? for example i dont turn my PC on that often, just when i need to get some data off it, or sth like that, i dont game that much anymore - dont have the time and patience to do so being hi-school student :/ (wierd, isnt it) and now i think, that i could get away with my mbp only do you all laptop+ desktop users think that laptop is enough?
My desktop has a 7800GT and a 19" screen, my laptop weighs <2KG... Basically, I need to travel with a PC and I need one that's powerful, if it was to be the same machine it'd be a compromise on both accounts.
I used to have A desent desk top, and a small 14inch laptop with rubbish graphics. Got soooo fed up of switching, I bought a 17inch Sony Vaio laptop. And havent looked back, The battery lasts around an hour and a bit, and its a bit bigger than my old laptop, but I love useing it, for me anyway its the ideal compromise. And It goes with me on trains, into uni, and generaly around and about, theres only been a few ocasions were the battery has been a real pain. But dual core, 2 gig of ram, 7600, 160 gig hd, and a 17inch screen, its just sexy.
Using synergy to control both my laptop and desktop with the same keyboard/mouse combo I have an almost effective workspace of 3800px+ I too use my portable for being portable (12", 1.8kg, 4h+ battery) and just use both together in harmony when in my room (one screen irc, im, music, email; one screen webbrowser; one screen vim). It's productivity++
My father's room has 3 desktops and a laptop in it at the moment. Each is the result of a full upgrade. So why throw any away? They have their uses. I used to have a desktop, but it is now my dad's 2nd system. I'm just using a crappy notebook because it was a lot more convenient to transport. I'd much rather have my full desktop. If I were at home and had my way I'd have at least 2 computers around. they always have a use. You might also ask why people need multi-monitor setups.
For the most part my regular computing is pretty much confined to my desktop with dual monitors. My laptop I only really use in conjunction with my desktop if I'm playing a game on my desktop and I will throw up AIM, mIRC, etc on my lappy. I also use it when in game to look stuff up or check something I need to check so I don't have to minimize/exit my game. I also have my second desktop which I use to run...erm *cough* torrents *cough*. As for my multi-monitor setup it comes in handy when I'm programming because I have Eclipse on my main screen and have like the Java API on the other. Or during regular computing I have foobar2000 and Trillian on my secondary and my main task on the primary. In short, everything has it's use/place.
I also use Laptop and Desktop at the same time. Surfing while gaming or chatting while watching a movie. But i bought my Lappy for when i have a Gig and my Desktop for gaming.
I use a dual screen desktop. I find that with having two displays and a dual core chip with a fair amount of ram you can multi task pretty much all you want so you don't really need another machine.
I've got my desktop for Music, Surfing, movies and the odd bit of gaming. However, i need a laptop for all of my school work. If i had the choice, i'd allways have a nice Desktop, and a £500 Dell lappy.
Wish we could have it so you keep a powerfull desktop at home, and via the net you securely connect to it from wherever you are (provided you have net) and you are able to use your desktop remotely, all your laptop is basicaly is a screen, battery, wifi, keyboard, and mouse. No CPU, HD, mobo,... Remote access point
well, in the early days i also made each computer do one thing, but soon i got fed up with switching keyboards, etc - and synergy just emulates using one pc, so why dont just use one? Now my desktop is just download/gaming box
One big heavy thing to game on upstairs and a small cheap laptop to browse the net and download stuff in front of the telly, or do stuff while gaming.
I used to use multiple computers but now I just use VMWare and emulate systems that I need to test. Admitedly it's not as quick to be running an XP pro genuine OS, W2K3 server and an Linux server at the same time but It's much easier to just switch screens on my laptop. I could go back to a desktop etc. but I could never go back to a lower than 1920x1200 res.
My desktop stays at home and does the heavy work (gaming, dev work), my laptop comes with me to school every day to surf the web and take notes. I don't see the point of using multiple PCs in the same place on a regular basis, but having a notebook is very convenient.
My laptop is when I am going around places ... I have a powerful computer to hand and 4.5+ hrs of battery life is great for watching videos on the train. The desktop at home because I cant be bothered with connecting thirty different things to the laptop so that I can use my speakers and large monitor, the USB keyboard and mouse etc.
I have my laptop as my main pc, and it goes every where with me (currently im at work using it ) the desktop i have at home is for watching movies and storing files.
I have a tablet for work: very portable, good for all the usual office tasks, internet and e-mail access as and when I need it. Since most computers in my workplace are either crap, poorly equipped with software or unavailable, I have my perfect little setup always with me; I can also take it to conferences and use it as a photo store and processing unit when I go far afield with my camera. I keep an extensive collection of journal articles in .PDF on there (Google Scholar is your friend), and I can use my tablet as an e-book to read these. I can even make notes in the margin. At home I have a much more powerful desktop with 20" TFT where I do all the tasks that do not need to be done at a particular location, and/or require more processing power and/or larger screen estate. I keep my main music collection on there, my image library, and my PC games. The two complement each other well. Each is designed and set up for its specific purpose.
I have 5 PCs at home and am just putting together my 6th tonight. It's great that you're able to stick with just the one PC, but I couldn't revert back to any less than 3: Red19 - AM2, 7800gt, 2GB, Vista Ultimate 64 - Gaming Pinky - Celeron D, 1GB, FX5200, XP - Fiancee's R50e - IBM Laptop, 768MB, XP - Work Fileserver - Athlon 2000, 1GB, 2TB - Serving Files Dinky - EPIA 5000, 512MB, Ubuntu Server - Test server Ubuntu - Duron 950, 1GB, Ti4200, Ubuntu - Linux EDIT: Ubuntu and Red19 are KVM'd to an Acer F-19; Dinky = 17" LCD; FS/Dinky = Headless; Red19 will be dual screen soon.
