As the price gap between notebooks and desktops closes, two computer setup have emerged. Clearly mobility is required these days and therefore a laptop (or mobile gadget) is integral to all computer setups, but the real question is: is the user’s notebook the one and only main computer or is the notebook auxiliary to something more static, such as a desktop or server (a “base station”)? Because computers are still outside most consumers’ impulse buying ranges, here are some pros and cons to consider regarding each setup:
Single Notebook Setup
Pros
- Single virtual work environment follows the user everywhere (window layout etc.) so only one desktop environment needs to be maintained.
- All critical data is centralized so
scp-ing projects around isn’t necessary.
Cons
- External hard drive must be used for bulk storage like movies and music. I’ve yet to meet someone who had a big enough notebook hard drive to store all their data. This is quickly changing though.
- Risk of carrying around sensitive data is increased because notebooks are easily stolen. Most mobile users are used to this and never let their notebooks out of their sight.
- More expensive resources (memory, hard drive, etc.) and upgrading can be harder.
Multiple PC Setup
Pros
- Data is “always on” so even if the user doesn’t have their notebook, torrents can still be running and files can be accessed (ssh) from some other public computer.
- Desktop state can be securely maintained by leaving the computer running.
Cons
- Extra cost for a notebook and desktop is incurred.
- Data is distributed and must be synced. Every project must be moved to the notebook for mobile use and then synced back.
Trend Analysis
The single notebook setup seems to be gaining popularity over the past five years as wireless connectivity has spread. Desktop sales have been plummeting and Apple has made it super easy to use the obligatory external hard drive for mobile backups.
The multiple computer setup seems to be making a comeback though. Apple released some pretty awesome new iMacs and the new MacBook Air. I would argue that the stripped down Air plus the iMac release is Apple’s attempt to facilitate the vintage multi-computer setup. The Air has caused quite a backlash in the blogging community and taking a deeper look reveals that the backlash seems to be coming from current MacBook users. The same users who use their MacBook or PowerBook as their main and only computer.
Notebook-as-main-PC users apparent downsides to the Air:
- No USB port
- No ethernet port
- No optical drive
- No Audio In
- No FireWire
A “base station” user, such as myself, would see these “downsides” in a completely different light. When having a base station, I use my notebook for one thing: access the internet. Using my notebook as a thin client doesn’t reduce my usability while mobile because I’m able to use web apps and ssh to easily stay synced with my desktop. Having to keep synced at all does at some layer of indirection but it’s minimal compared to even a few years ago, before the explosion of web apps. The popularity of web apps definitely reduces the severity of the “synchronization problem.”
So what would cause a notebook-as-main-PC user to switch to the vintage base station setup?:
I love the permanent feel of a desktop computer, the way it’s never moved, the ability to leave peripherals like hard drives plugged in, move the keyboard without moving the screen, the lack of a crude drive noise when waking from sleep, the durable feel, there’s a lot to like. As well as just getting more computer for your money.
— Jim Whimpey
What setup do you use and why? What keeps you from using another setup?
- None Found
