I use multiple computers on a daily basis. One for work and several for my personal use. Paul started an email thread on the topic of why or if he really needs personal laptop. I thought it might be interesting to explain why I decided I needed one and how I integrate it with all the other computers in my life. Note, in this discussion I'm not really talking about any machines I have at home for dedicated purposes like home theater / server etc. I'm just talking about computers I log into and use as computers.
Continue reading "Integrating Multiple Computers Into Your Life"...
What if you were not allowed to connect your personal laptop to the corporate network? Would that affect your set up?
I'm at the exact opposite end of the spectrum from you: I want as few computers as possible. All I have now is 24" iMac and a work issued ThinkPad. I could probably include my iPhone in that list as well, given its great email and web abilities.
One computer (and a back up solution) is plenty for me: I hardly use the ThinkPad at all when I'm home or work. It's primary use is for web access during my 1.5 hour shuttle commute.
So buying a MacBook Pro (and returning the ThinkPad) seems like a lot of money to spend for 1.5 hours of web access.
Yeah I forgot about those restrictions. At MS I did connect corporate 'domain' and there was 'pain' and a software security tool (RAS) associated with that. But after that hassle I could remote from the laptop to work with a usb card key. If I couldn't connect it to the corpnet at all that would change some of my scenarios for sure, but I think that even un-connected I might still bring it in for access to some files / apps and of course Evernote. Hard to say.
I understand the 'simplify' strategy. But understanding it and actually adopting it are two different beasts. You are correct about opposite ends. At one end lie the people that want to simplify and reduce technology so they have more time for other things in life, end then there is the other end where people simplify other things in their life so they can have more technology. Guess which end I'm on.
It's not so much about simplicity as it is about what the heck I need more than one machine for.
I assume you mean one 'personal' machine since you are already lugging around a work laptop. But you are right;
IF you cannot imagine a use for more than one machine. THEN
Do nothing.
ELSE
Buy a groovy new laptop.
ENDIF
You forgot the line numbers.