Computer Question for those of you who work from home

[SarahKate]

I have had my own business for almost 2 years. I bought my computer setup from Dell at that time and have been pretty happy w/ the system overall! Well, it's out of warranty now and it's really acting up. I'm going to have DH take a closer look at it but am thinking ahead to the possibility of having to get something new.

I like being portable and being able to work on the go - currently I take our "family laptop" and I'm able to do some things, but I can't truly do ALL of what I sometimes need to do.

Am thinking about getting a laptop as my MAIN computer. I would want the ability of hooking the laptop to my monitor and using my wireless mouse/keyboard with it. I guess I would need to hook/unhook the monitor cable, USB devices for the mouse/keyboard anytime I am on the go or return to my home office.

Does anyone have a setup similar to this? Are you satisfied w/ having the laptop be your main computer?

 

[javaj]

To make it easier, look for a laptop that you can "dock". As long as you can have a permanent monitor, keyboard, and mouse that you can attach to the docking station, this will allow you to use a docking station where you can dock and undock your laptop as needed.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[bonoriffic]

My wife works from home twice a week and we have a toggle to switch between her laptop and the home desktop with a push of a button. Video, mouse, and keyboard are the same for both computers. Search on KVM switch.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

To make it easier, look for a laptop that you can "dock". As long as you can have a permanent monitor, keyboard, and mouse that you can attach to the docking station, this will allow you to use a docking station where you can dock and undock your laptop as needed.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Agreed. The "docking station" is made for this kind of setup, and only takes 20-30 seconds to connect/disconnect. A little more of a investment when you purchase the notebook, but worth it's weight in gold IMO.

 

[fac]

another vote for dock station

 

[LadySiren]

I'm a telecommuter and I use only a laptop, no docking station. It's my primary computer, now that my personal PC gave up the ghost. It works fine for me as my sole machine; my boss doesn't mind if we use our systems for a few personal items, but would likely frown if I started gaming on it.

 

[fab5friend99]

I have a lenova laptop at work in a docking station so I can use the big monitor and regular keyboard. Then I undock it and bring it home when I need to work in the evenings. Works great!

 

[mcraige]

If you want to use an external monitor and full-size keyboard, then you definitely need one that supports a docking station. If you are going to carry it with you, you need a good warranty. I recently purchased DW and DD Lenovo laptops, and they have 3yr warranties that even cover accidential damage (i.e. if you drop it).

 

[It's A Small World]

Yep. I have an HP Pavillion laptop DH bought me for Christmas. He's the gadget guy. I have it hooked to a large monitor and I also have an external HD. The external HD serves like a server. All of the projects I complete get stored on the HD JUST in case my laptop dies. You never know. Personally, it took some getting used to, but I like the set-up know. I like having the flexibility to unplug the laptop and head out the door to a meeting.