Laptop or Desktop??

[StopAdmin]

well, i'm finally going to bite the bullet and get a computer to do SOME of my work on. i'm struggling in deciding to get a laptop or a desktop. has any of you gone through this same decision? or what do you use? would you purchase differently if given the chance? why do you like using what you have? do you see any advaneforum.xxxes vs. disadvaneforum.xxxes besides the obvious? (obvious being that i can take the laptop wherever i need/like to)

a little info...i have my own practice with no employees. i'm thinking of venturing out into that sooner or later (sometime in the next 3 months - 2 years). i'd like to still use my weekly planner and my pencil to book appointments but would also like to plug them into the computer for backup. main use of the computer will be for purchasing some massage office software to use on the it. will be running reports, tracking clients, soap notes etc.

thankyou!

 

[Bloke501]

You cannot go wrong with a Dell. Most of the laptops nowadays are truly desktop replacements.
I got my laptop after graduation and I love it.
I will though get desktops for the new office. A laptop can too easily be taken away.

Robyn

 

[koala4poly]

I have a Mac desktop and love it. True, I can't carry it around with me, but that also means that no one is going to walk off with it easily. The other thing with Mac is that you get more computer for less money with a desktop than with a laptop.

The disadvaneforum.xxxe is that Mac and PC software are not compatable, so that may be something to bear in mind.

 

[Kenji]

I love my Dell laptop!!

I only use Dell products, and have owned several desktops and I now have a laptop, which I use for work and personal use. I find it easy to imput client info on the laptop, or store on a floppy. You can purchase antt-theft locks for laptops to increase safety. Hope this helps!!

Johnny

 

[lame]

i would love to get rid of my desktop and buy a laptop with wireless capability.

i just can't decide whether i want to stick with a PC or get a Mac.

anyway, it's not in the cards for a pretty long while.

 

[Questionarre]

thank you all so much! this input really helps me. i'll keep looking for replies and i'll let you know what i decide!

 

[Jamie]

i would love to get rid of my desktop and buy a laptop with wireless capability.

i just can't decide whether i want to stick with a PC or get a Mac.

anyway, it's not in the cards for a pretty long while.

Well you can now buy a Mac laptop mush and use the wonderful OS X on it, or you can now install Windows XP too and switch between the two operating systems!

As for desktop or Laptop, my preference is for a desktop. I do most of my work at home at my desk, and a PC is easier for that - bigger screen, nice keyboard and i just feel more at home with it. Also a desktop is cheaper, but quite a considerable amount and they are easier to upgrade if you need to in the future.

If you do decide to get a Laptop i would strongly advise looking at taking out Accidental Damage cover, also if you carry it around don't use a Targus or Dell or whoever you buy it off branded bag. They just scream "Look i'm carrying around my expensive laptop!" and are often a target for thieves.

Mat xxx

 

[Jayrverlohr]

if i could do it all over again... i would've gotten a dell DESKTOP. the laptop is great but i wish i hadn't spent so much. i have a toshiba and at first, it seemed inexpensive, but by the time you pay to load spyware & all of the other security things and then the laptop bag and such, it got kind of pricey.

i do LOVE my laptop, but now i'm wishing i hadn't spent as much.

good luck!

 

[ral]

If you do decide to get a Laptop i would strongly advise looking at taking out Accidental Damage cover, also if you carry it around don't use a Targus or Dell or whoever you buy it off branded bag. They just scream "Look i'm carrying around my expensive laptop!" and are often a target for thieves.

Mat xxx

good point

 

[sriteja]

I have always used laptops, and you'll laugh but they live happily in their docking stations and very rarely travel. I like them better because I can flip the lid down and shut them away in the keyboard drawer. When closed, the desk looks clean and uncluttered, no computer stuff visible. But yeah, you do pay for that convenience.

I got a great tip from a computer geek that he uses his PC for running programs ONLY and his Mac for surfing online ONLY. So he has the best of both worlds protection and usage-wise. And gosh, those lovely, sleek silver Mac laptops are truly works of art...

 

[Poka D]

I vote MAC

I changed to MAC and got rid of all my PCs, when I sold off my computer consulting biz I had 9 PCs. I got sick and tired of having to clean malware off those puppies. We have 1 PC in my wifes office for her phsyc testing that isn't available on Mac, but almost eveything else is available on Mac these days.

I use a 12" laptop and have an external montitor & keyboard for desktop use at home, allows me to have both tools in 1.

 

[Camona]

I guess it depends as to traveling or not. It's nice to have a laptop to write up soap notes on the go if you do house calls. I have a DELL Laptop and bought an inverter that slips into my car's cigarette lighter. I've only just passed the NCE so, while I am waiting for the license, I have some people that are interested and have their details on file. Now, I do NOT go online with that computer at all.

I do, however, use an external FLASH drive (ALWAYS BACK EVERYTHING UP!) which has the client information in case my Laptop crashes, I can plug it into the desk top.

A good suggestion, if doing the laptop thing is to back up your client info every time you update it and keep the Flash drive somewhere safe like a safe.

I work full time for another company (non massage related) and that's what I do with our client list. Keep it safe in a flash card and never go online when I have to access it.

As for PC vs Mac. I am a PC user till the day I die, however, with the way the internet is now, the only safe way to opperate it is with a Mac. PC's have become too vulnerable to just about everything - Virus protection or not. Also, if you're into making websites and editing, Mac features are awesome, much easier than PCs.

 

[Sad Eyed Jokerman]

thanks for all the useful tips! i'm still trying to get a handle on the best option for me. i think i'm going to be moving my office sometime in the next 2 months so i may wait a few more weeks to know for sure what my plan is and decide the best set up for my new office.

thanks to all!!