How many of you own/USE more then one laptop?

I've got to thinking, who here uses more then one laptop ? I just bought a new X301 for my "on the road/take anywhere" laptop, and I'm using my T61 as my permanent/desktop replacement computer at home. This got me to thinking, how many of you are doing the same? (Ie- one laptop for home/primary use, and another one/smaller ultra portable for work/school/travel, etc.) ? I've never owned more then one laptop/computer at a time, and now owning two seems like such a pleasure not having to constantly pack/unpack my primary laptop when I travel/go out. Then again, the X301 is my first ultra portable laptop period, all my other laptops have been at least 15" screens +, weighing at least 6+ pounds. So, caring around a 3 pound laptop is quite a treat as well.
So, how is your computer system setup ? I would assume that most of you probably have a regualer desktop as your primary computer, and a Thinkpad for travel ??

 

I use alot of laptops but my main ones for home and business are:

X301, UL80VT, CF-18, CF-19, CF30, AW M17+, MBP 15", MBP 17"

and yes I have a desktop rig at home too

and I assume you love your 301 as well?

 

Toshiba M400 and Fujitsu 4010D tablets for portable, Asus N80vn for main machine. Used to be a Sager 9262, a Dell D630, Gateway FX and Asus N80vn before I downsized. Looking to switch out my Asus for a larger more powerful machine, possibly Y550, hence why I saw this.

 

I have 2 currently, one being a server and the other being my normal use rig. What I would love to have is a 17in again and a real server, but Ill deal with what I have now.

 

Only one laptop here, an X61T FWIW. Then again, I have five desktops (two with 24" IPS monitors) and a dedicated server. Why would I not use one of those?

 

I have a T500 as a desktop replacement and an X61 tablet that I bring to school. I got tired of carrying my T500 around school everyday, so that's why I ended up getting the tablet.

 

I have no desktop—no need and takes up too much space—and have almost a dozen laptops. Most of them are older and I use them for various purposes—piloting, development, firewall, virtualization and whatnot—and most are running open source operating systems.

 

I thought about getting a second notebook like the U150 for when I take it out, but that's not often enough to justify spending that kind of money for a second notebook.

 

You guys are so lucky, have so many toys to play with lol

 

Yes, I'm absolutely LOVING my new X301. Owning a laptop this small is truly a cool experience. I guess I really didn't know what I was missing out on all these years with bigger notebook computers
Thanks for the replies ! (Wow, a lot of replies very quick as well ) It's interesting to hear about the other setups you guys have

 

See I lugged a 17in around campus plus books and it didnt bother me. But if money was no object an x200s for travel/tight spaces, a w700ds for my main rig, and the t400 would become my home file/print/mysql server. I dont think I could ever get rid of my t400 due to the dock setup and the general awesomeness of it.

edit: I would carry both the 17in and 12in when traveling like I did with my old vostro.

 

Needs do differ, and no, I'm not trying to argue for desktops.

However, my real-time data acquisition and control computer uses a PCI card to do IEEE-488 (GPIB). One can't do that on a laptop (though there are USB adapters for many of the newer devices). In the wet lab I have a monitor mounted on the wall, and the keyboard and mouse in a sliding drawer. It takes up less room that a laptop, and it will always be there (since it can't move). The server has a RAID array of SCSI drives (yeah, it is old) and I have not had particularly good luck with laptop drives over the years. My solids modeling/AutoCAD/Finite Element Modeling box has 8 cores/16 threads and 24GB memory. A laptop?

I understand the attractiveness of laptops, but why not use the best tool for the job? Sometimes there is little difference, but often the sacrifices are too great to use a laptop.

 

I have nothing against desktops, in fact I love building and designing them. But at this time I do not have the space or need for a desktop. One day I may, but at this point I need to be 100% mobile (I commonly bring 2 laptops with me on trips for development and such). Granted I could spend ~100 and have a very nice SFF server, but I couldn't take it with me. So I will agree with you in that it is purely situational and somewhat opinion based as well.

 

I have the X300, and I've really enjoyed its size and weight. I also have an X200 tablet and like it for certain things, but the X300 is my main system.

 

Understood. There also are times when lack of mobility is good. I *want* my data to stay put and not walk easily out the door! In fact, I don't have any writable CDs or DVDs on the computers my employees use.

 

I have my all-purpose T500, and my old Averatec, which is doing torrenting duty. I would also love to have a home server desktop, but that's shelved until I have enough money and time to throw around.

 

Look around. I recently picked up a dual CPU, dual core 2.6GHz Opteron system with 6GB ECC RAM and a 74GB 'Raptor for $200. It doesn't have hot swap capabilities, but most don't need that.

Your time is a different matter.

 

Only one laptop (x200 Tablet). I also have a desktop (quad core, 2TB+ storage, 8GB RAM, multiple monitors) that takes care of my heavy processing, multi-tasking, and file server/storage duties.

Quite honestly, I think having much more than that would be a bit of an administrative nightmare (although I have considered building a low power home server that I can leave running 24/7).

 

I use the X61s and the X200 for the road. My old but still very capable T43 with 1400x1050 resolution is usually used as my desktop tool. I have docking stations for all three laptops, but with the t43 resolution I never feel the need for hooking up to the desktop monitor.

In addition I have the IdeaPad S10e which is in the car at all times along with a WWAN USB modem - to always be online if needed.

 

Quite true. I leave no unique files on my laptop. They are all stored on my server (which is always on) but you can use a desktop (or other computer) too. WinSCP is my friend, since my everyday desktop and server both run FreeBSD.

 

I still do all my heavy-duty work, which mostly consists of photo processing, Photoshop work, and the very rare video encoding or production job, on my desktop. Apart from the hard drives, it's currently way behind my T500 spec-wise, but I have everything else set up the way I like it and I'll be upgrading it soon. Ideally, I'd run a NAS unit for storage, but since I'm only working between two computers anyway, I just keep all my files on my desktop which is usually on when I am home.

I realize I could dock my laptop and hook most of the other items up through the dock, but between my interest in building desktops as well as the ability to get faster parts for less money, I don't know that it would make as much sense for me to use a laptop as a desktop replacement. I do have an Advanced Mini Dock, but it's on my TV stand in my home theater. There are still a few things that would be somewhat cumbersome or unsightly even with the dock, such as hooking up a hi-fi PCI sound card and PCI-E video card. I know solutions exist, but they also mean more desk clutter.

Having flown for the first time with my T500, I can certainly see a purpose to having a smaller, more portable laptop since this thing did not come close to fitting on the seatback tray table, but for better or worse, I want a laptop to have the ability to do 90% of what a fully loaded desktop can do, whether I need it or not. Apparently, that means playing an FPS in an airport terminal and attracting mild attention whenever I get fragged by the AI.

 

i use my t400s as my only computer

 

It's a laptop forum. The chances that any one of us have more than one laptop is like going to a gun forum and asking "how many of ya'll own more than one gun?"

 

I used to think that way too. I used to have 10+ PCs back in the day. Gradually I sold them off. Eventually I was down to one machine, my T42 notebook with the docking station. It was my only computer for a year plus. I started to wonder whether I should have another box, just in case something happened to my ThinkPad. I bought a junky Sempron box, just for surfing and what not. About a week later the hard drive on my T42 failed.

 

thats why you shouldn't buy another computer! once it knows it can fail, it'll fail

actually i've been using one laptop as my only computer for 6 years now...since i'm an overseas student, it's impossible for me to bring a desktop everytime i fly

 

The revenge of the fallen lol

 

That's a good point. But then again if I had a desktop vs the HP as a server it wouldn't be that much harder to walk out the door. Plus I don't think anyone is looking to steal my family's data and some side projects I'm working on.

 

I fully agree with this - I think if I had another computer for "portability," I would probably have a hard time managing all my data and settings and such. With a home server and Opera Link, though, that could be made easier.

 

Some very good points have been made here. I am now realizing why I woudln't want a portable rig and main rig and it has everything to do with the administration of things. I'm all for servers and such, but one main rig for my everything makes sense.

 

Most women have to have more than one purse.

 

I don't think I would want to live with only one computer. If you screw that one up, then you are in real trouble. With more than one, you can break one or the other with little consequence.

And a server is a logical place to collect one's "stuff," including documents, media, backups, email and the like. I also host my reference database and my electronic lab notebooks there, so they can be accessed by everyone.

Certainly it makes little sense to use a server for one user. In the house we don't use a server -- there is my wife's box (from which she runs her business) and her (old!) laptop that she uses when our granddaughter monopolizes that computer. No server there!

 

And many also say, "Shoot! I left my cell in my other purse!"

 

I have a single server for my wife and I and some minor things my family needs backed up. 1 server for even 1 person is not a terrible idea, as it can back and host all sorts of things for the mobile user in you. I use my laptop primarily on my lap at home so if I need to print without a server I have to walk up to my office and plug in and setup a printer. But with a server all I have to do is print to the shared printer and Im set.

Now if I could have a 2 rig system for myself alone it would be cool and all, as well as a backup when the main rig goes down. But the maintenance and administration of 2 rigs to keep them identical is a pain in my opinion.

 

In the house we print through the router; the printer has an Ethernet port. All you have to do is add it to the hosts file.

They needn't be identical -- just two different boxes, and ones that can retrieve backups if necessary (remember -- a server is not backup, nor is RAID!). Earlier in the thread (ZaZ?) mentioned losing a hard drive just after getting a second computer. It is for that sort of thing, or if you screw up the software. It does happen.

 

That's actually happened to me as well. The moment I bought a new toy, the old one that was previously without fault decided to die. Has happened with cellphones and computers.

Simiarly, I'm also working and studying overseas, and since I may travel about, the desktop option is less than suitable. I have found that using more than one machine on a regular basis can be somewhat a pain to ensure that all work is synced, especially when I have different versions of the same file backed up on the work computer, my main laptop, as well as a portable. I usually leave it backed up on a thumb drive, unfortunately, I also have multiple drives, leading to a similar problem. Thank God for MS Word's document meshing function, that has saved me a lot of time.

 

This cracks me up.

:laugh:

 

how many laptop you own depend on your need. Just like TV, mobile, mp3 players, if you can afford it, get least 2 laptops so that you have a backup to use, if one of the machine fails. There are now a lot of people who own more than one laptop, though they may not be of the same generation.

 

There's no doubt the more the better (if you can afford), but the only thing that bothers me is the need to transfer/update files between different machines. So to those of you who use 2 or more, do you find it inconvenient in this aspect, and how do you manage to make it a non-issue?

 

I use Window's Offline files. It's the cheapest, most automatic solution available.

I have one machine that acts as a repository. Network share the folders I want. Turn on Offline files on the client machines, and presto. Automatic syncing.

I only get problems when I update the same file on two client machines. Offline files doesn't know how to merge changes, so it asks you which version do you want as the most recent one.

 

My server stores files and does an actual normal backup every day. I tried using a sync program when I had 2 rigs and a server but it was a pain. I guess Ill test out the offline files setup for my client server now.

Like I said above Im going to try this setup with my current server. Kinda reminds me of the briefcase system I used way back when.

 

I use the three machines listed in my sig, all of them for various uses:

The XPS M1730 is for my main file storage(1TB HDD space) and for all my heavy gaming/entertainment. It's got high enough specs that it'll be pretty relevant for a long time to come, and portable enough that I can take it to LAN parties without having to cart around a desktop. I haven't even used a desktop for daily use since I bought my first laptop; a T21 about five years ago. The M1730 hasn't really moved off my desk for a few months, so I see it mostly as a 'mobile desktop' than a true notebook.

The T60p was supposed to be my 'go everywhere, do everything' machine, especially at college. I have extra batteries and can get some serious runtime out of it, and with its specs I can even game on it decently. However, for some situations, especially at school, I needed something smaller. I use the T60p primarily around the house, at work, and when going over to friends' houses. However, the UXGA Flexview display is one of the nicest screens I have ever used, and this will be the machine I will use the most if I have to go on a trip.

I bought the X61s to address a lot of the issues the OP has mentioned. Going from mainly 14/15" machines that were extremely powerful yet heavy to an ultraportable is a night/day difference. The X-series has the power to get the job done, the extended battery gives me insane runtime, and the size/weight is barely above netbook territory without having one of those cheesy Atom processors and crappy keyboards/screens I always hated. It is small and light enough I can take it along as a backup to the T60p, as I store all of my critical files on a few redundant flash drives I clone over every few days or so(I'm pretty anal about that; all my critical stuff stays on flash memory and I keep several copies floating around). Just in case one goes down I have the other, and the fact I can use the same power adapter means I can pack a little less.

I use each of my notebooks enough that I would find myself missing one if I had to get rid of it, but at least I have some redundancy. I even managed the M1730 in class for a couple days while upgrading/re-OSing the T60p so I can definitely lug along the Beast if I had to. However, having three size/power categories of notebook makes my mobile computing options extremely versatile, and I can choose the right one for the situation.

 

But Offline files is even better!

The best part I like is the automatic sync. As soon as I walk within range of my wireless network, it starts to automatically sync the changes. They need to expand on this. And you can do this with a Windows Mobile phone also.

 

LegendaryKA8 - does your t60 get hot? I was reading a post about how all t60s were insanely hot. I didn't think thinkpads were known to have major heat issues, the t61 is a wonderful laptop and the newer ones are even cooler.

as for me, I use my x200 mainly but I've been thinking of getting a T series to replace my desktop, just can't decide to get a t400 now for cheap or wait for the new cpu. I do game, just not intense stuff. c&c3, cs source, simple things.

 

In a word? Yes, especially when gaming. I will get temps of up into the 90-93C range while gaming... definitely a little disconcerting, but apparently normal for these systems. I haven't ever heard about failed ATi GPUs on the T60/p models, but unfortunately the Nvidia cards on the T61/p ones are the G84s that horror stories have developed about. That said, I haven't even heard of many GPU failures on the T61s, either... my wild guess is that the internal rollcage keeps even minute board flexing down to a minimum, thus preventing any flex problems from affecting the GPU itself.

That said, I trust my T60p's stability and reliability under load more than I do my M1730's. I'm hearing many M1730 owners raise some hell over GPU failures. Considering the fact the T60p is a business-class notebook made for some pretty daunting CAD work(at least for a few years ago) and many corporations still use them... any widespread failures would have been well-known by now.

Edit: To comment about gaming on your X200, I'm running a few not so intense games on my X61s, which has the X3100 IGP. I know the X4500 isn't that much better, but if you're not looking for enthusiast-level gaming it will still do the trick. A T400 would be much better for gaming performance, but if you're just wanting to blow off some steam every now and then I'd poke around and see what your X200 is capable of. I was pretty surprised when I found out I could get Oblivion to play somewhat nicely on my X... albeit at low graphics settings.

 

i use same hdd between different machines of the same generation.

 

the T60p with the T7xxx CPU does get quite hot, but there are modifications available to help with lowering the GPU/CPU temperature.

 

To expand on this, several T60/p owners have tried modifying the heatsinks on these machines as the GPU is cooled by just a thermal pad and not by direct contact with the copper in the heatsink. To be honest, I haven't seen a drastic decrease in temps by doing this, but the V5200/V5250 just plain runs hot... I'm getting between 65-68C idle/minor load temps out of mine.

However, I don't think the addition of a T7200-T7600 really makes much of a difference in either idle or load temps. A friend with a T2500/X1400 T60 sees similar load/idle temps.

However, back on topic. I'm starting to lug the T60p around a little more to get more of a feel between it and my X61s. To be honest with all the schoolbooks and related junk I carry I don't see a huge increase in weight/bulk between the two with everything else taken into account. I still do like the smaller footprint of the X61s, but the UXGA resolution and better GPU horsepower are also major plusses with the T60p.

 

I've not really found this to be that much of an issue, and I thought a bit about why it is. I'll grant that my case is a bit different from most here.

Each of my computers has a different function. The server stores all of the files that are publicly available (at least within my company) either as a samba share or as a database/front-end. I'm the only one who has write access to those.

The other boxes collect their own specialized files, whether they are image or other experimental data, references, proposals, in-house software or whatever. Those files are transferred around as needed, but the source always remains on the host machine, and any derived work is returned to the original. The laptop contains nothing that is original, and is always synced to my main box after use.

It actually works pretty well, though you do have to know what is where.

 

Like I said I will try them. I am interested in really testing the sync center and this seems to be the best way thats free.

 

Interesting, my machine runs pretty cool.