I have always been an advocate of having a desktop computer (be it mac or pc), rather than working on laptops.  Having multiple locations (mayfair, stanmore, and home), with desktops at each location, all syncing documents between each other (using Windows Livesync[1] – if you havent seen/used this, go check it out, its great!).

Outlook configured at each location, all syncing to Exchange with logmein.com also running for remote access/working, all of this is key.  Multiple monitors is also an essential requirement, 6 at the office in Mayfair, 3 at the office in Stanmore, and 2 at home.

6 screen setup in Mayfair

Oh how things have changed! Over the last few months, I have begun working purely on my Macbook, the fact that its an Apple isnt the thing to note here, it could be any form of laptop hardware (although I do love my macbook).

I now have one screen at each location (other than at home where there are two), and I simply hook it up and work with dual screens.  The change did require a little forced acceptance on my part, as I was so conditioned to using all 6 screens.  This way of working does make a lot of sense, especially if you are in IT, you carry your “tool of the trade” with you everywhere.

At home there are 2 screens, as there is a desktop in my room, to be fair, its also hooked up to the projector, and is only/mainly used for watching movies while in bed.

Visiting my sister at Microsoft the other day (she works at TVP in Reading for MS), reassured me that there was logic in this line of thinking.  They too (for the most part) work on laptops with additional monitors.  That said, at the Google HQ on Buckingham Palace Street, they all have deployed desktops (spent the weekend there a while ago for BarCamp).  So who is “doing it right”?  As always, its a case of each to their own.  I am preferring this way of working (although on one occasion, I left my laptop at the womans, only realising when I got home, and had to drive 45mins back to her place to pick it up).

Anyway, the advantages of working like this, for me;

• No worrying about configuration changes – its the same machine.
• The same point above applies for applications/data (although I sync my docs between my server and the macbook using livesync constantly).
• Less cost – only need one machine and a few screens – the 6 way rig is going up for sale.

The major disadvantage is felt now that the weather is getting better, as I am back out on my motorbike, and having to carry a backpack on the bike is highly irritating!  Although this is a problem “challenge” that can be overcome with a little engineering.  Oh that and I need to buy 2 or 3 more power packs for my macbook; connecting and disconnecting the power adapter at each location is getting tiresome – yes, I am lazy “efficient” like that!

[1] – yep Livesync also works on my macbook

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