Ask HN: Powerful laptop and external screen/keyboard or powerful desktop and netbook?

5 points·poiuz··8 comments

I prefer a powerful laptop + monitor + keyboard for work. Sometimes I like to take my laptop somewhere else and work, like when there's a meeting in a conference room or I want to work from a coffee shop for a little while, etc.

It's a pain to keep to computers in sync with one another, set up exactly how you want, etc.

Some software licenses are still bought by the machine vs by the user as well.

I go with the powerful laptop with externals. I want the power with me, on the go, so this is the best of all possible worlds.

I have two laptops, as well.

2016 MBP w/Touch Bar (full specs)

Dell XPS 9560 (full specs), runs Windows 10

At home I have a Dell UP3216Q (32" 4K display)

and a pair of external keyboards and mice (a separate pair for each laptop)

Damn, that's like $10k

Yes, it is. Since it's for my business, I don't screw around. I've never ever regretted buying a full-spec machine. I've always regretted skimping and buying something that didn't have the juice when I needed it.

It's interesting to read this. I wonder if you would change your mind if $5,000 would make or break your business. The odds of that happening are small, but still possible.

These odds of needing a full spec'd machine are also small but still possible.

Either way I guess I'm saying that an opportunity cost of ~$5,000 is significant.

dont even have a netbook. dont work on the move. dont work at home. work only when you're...at work... haha

Depends on your job, I guess!

I don't use a laptop a LOT, but it's super nice for when I need it. So I use a laptop as my main PC.

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