As a full-time writer/blogger, I spend most of my day working on a computer. Although I frequently hear reasons why I should work primarily on my desktop computer, I have to confess that I’m more likely to spend time on my laptop than at my desktop. This isn’t to say that I don’t use my desktop computer since it definitely has its benefits. It’s just to say that I think it’s worth it for full-time writers to invest in high-quality laptops since they can be so important to the work that we do.
Benefits of Laptops for Full-Time Writer
Some of the core reasons that I’m on my laptop more than my desktop are:
- Portability. Obviously a main benefit of the laptop is that you can take it anywhere. Since I work from home, I get stuck in the apartment a lot if I’m limited to my desktop. Conversely, I can throw the laptop into a laptop sleeve and head to the park or the coffee shop if I need to be around some life to work. And, of course, with a few of the right laptop accessories, I can easily work from anywhere in the world with my laptop which is definitely ideal.
- Comfort. I find it a lot more comfortable to work on my laptop than at my desktop. I do have a good desktop chair and the right setup for my keyboard and all that but frankly I don’t feel comfy sitting at a desk all day. I like to be able to curl up, move closer to a window, get under the blanket on my bed, etc. A desktop doesn’t provide that comfort.
Benefits of the Desktop Computer
There are undeniable benefits to using a desktop computer. Some of those for me are:
- Better posture. It may not be as comfy but I do tend to sit more upright when working from my desktop computer.
- Multiple screens. It’s easier to have research on one side of the screen and the document I’m writing on the other when I’ve got the big desktop screen to work off of.
Those are the core differences for me between working on a laptop and working on a desktop. I do typically use both in any given day but definitely think that if I was forced to give up one for the other I’d have to give up the desktop. What about you?
June 28th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I have a laptop as my primary computer, but I use it like a desktop. I have a separate keyboard and mouse, and I use a laptop cooling stand that props it up so the display is closer to eye level (I used to use an external LCD too). If you want multiple displays, you can do that on the laptop too. Depending on the notebook and the accessories you buy, you could just as easily have two or more separate LCD panels running.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
[...] is a work-at-home professional. In one of her more recent blog posts, she compares and contrasts laptops and desktops when it comes to computer choice. Laptops afford greater portability, but desktops typically offer [...]
August 24th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
In May I finally made the switch from desktop to laptop and was about to recount my experiences, but realized Michael Kwan pretty much wrote everything I was about to write. It’s really the best of both worlds for me. I still use my big keyboard and multiple monitors while it’s plugged in, but can easily dismount it for travel. I haven’t regretted it at all.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
[...] laptop stand is one of the best laptop accessories for people who use their laptops on a frequent basis. The following ten tips will help you out with [...]