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Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse setup? [closed]
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New boss asked if I prefer laptop or desktop. On the one hand, I would say laptop for sure if I knew he'd buy a dock, monitor, mouse, etc. to make it ergonomically like a desktop in the office. I don't want to fork up that money myself and uncomfortable asking him to do it.
Assuming laptop-only (no add-ons) will be too hard for a full day at the desk, is it better to try to explain this to him or to go with desktop?
new-job
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
closed as primarily opinion-based by gnat, The Wandering Dev Manager, Chris E, IDrinkandIKnowThings, keshlam Feb 25 '16 at 23:02
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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show 12 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
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New boss asked if I prefer laptop or desktop. On the one hand, I would say laptop for sure if I knew he'd buy a dock, monitor, mouse, etc. to make it ergonomically like a desktop in the office. I don't want to fork up that money myself and uncomfortable asking him to do it.
Assuming laptop-only (no add-ons) will be too hard for a full day at the desk, is it better to try to explain this to him or to go with desktop?
new-job
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
closed as primarily opinion-based by gnat, The Wandering Dev Manager, Chris E, IDrinkandIKnowThings, keshlam Feb 25 '16 at 23:02
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
5
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
2
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
1
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17
 |Â
show 12 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
New boss asked if I prefer laptop or desktop. On the one hand, I would say laptop for sure if I knew he'd buy a dock, monitor, mouse, etc. to make it ergonomically like a desktop in the office. I don't want to fork up that money myself and uncomfortable asking him to do it.
Assuming laptop-only (no add-ons) will be too hard for a full day at the desk, is it better to try to explain this to him or to go with desktop?
new-job
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
New boss asked if I prefer laptop or desktop. On the one hand, I would say laptop for sure if I knew he'd buy a dock, monitor, mouse, etc. to make it ergonomically like a desktop in the office. I don't want to fork up that money myself and uncomfortable asking him to do it.
Assuming laptop-only (no add-ons) will be too hard for a full day at the desk, is it better to try to explain this to him or to go with desktop?
new-job
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
edited Feb 25 '16 at 13:14
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
asked Feb 25 '16 at 12:52
A. N.
184
184
closed as primarily opinion-based by gnat, The Wandering Dev Manager, Chris E, IDrinkandIKnowThings, keshlam Feb 25 '16 at 23:02
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as primarily opinion-based by gnat, The Wandering Dev Manager, Chris E, IDrinkandIKnowThings, keshlam Feb 25 '16 at 23:02
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
5
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
2
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
1
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17
 |Â
show 12 more comments
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
5
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
2
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
1
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
5
5
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
2
2
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
1
1
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17
 |Â
show 12 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse
setup?
Not for me.
I tend to carry the laptop to many meetings. I used to have a docking station but don't bother any more. It seems just fine to me.
But ergonomics aren't one-size-fits-all. Some folks like the portability of laptops, but hate the keyboard, for example. They may be willing to tolerate the limitations of the screen size for short durations, but prefer a large screen for extended viewing. Etc, etc.
If the thought of a laptop appeals to you, request it over a desktop. Then, after using it for a few months, ask for additional accessories only if needed.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If you're talking an either-or situation, there are other factors to be considered. For me, I'd be looking at how often I'll need the added functionality of the laptop (the ability to take it to meetings/site visits, etc.) over the issues of fixed keyboard, trackpad, and screen.
For me, being able to move my keyboard around my desk without throwing issues with the screen, and the ability to raise and lower the screen would do it for me. Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Yes a laptop is compromised in so many ways in terms of RSI and performance unless you are spending 70-80% of the time on the road out visiting clients a desk top is a much better choice (its also cheaper than the equivalent lap top set up).
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
suggest improvements |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse
setup?
Not for me.
I tend to carry the laptop to many meetings. I used to have a docking station but don't bother any more. It seems just fine to me.
But ergonomics aren't one-size-fits-all. Some folks like the portability of laptops, but hate the keyboard, for example. They may be willing to tolerate the limitations of the screen size for short durations, but prefer a large screen for extended viewing. Etc, etc.
If the thought of a laptop appeals to you, request it over a desktop. Then, after using it for a few months, ask for additional accessories only if needed.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse
setup?
Not for me.
I tend to carry the laptop to many meetings. I used to have a docking station but don't bother any more. It seems just fine to me.
But ergonomics aren't one-size-fits-all. Some folks like the portability of laptops, but hate the keyboard, for example. They may be willing to tolerate the limitations of the screen size for short durations, but prefer a large screen for extended viewing. Etc, etc.
If the thought of a laptop appeals to you, request it over a desktop. Then, after using it for a few months, ask for additional accessories only if needed.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
up vote
6
down vote
accepted
Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse
setup?
Not for me.
I tend to carry the laptop to many meetings. I used to have a docking station but don't bother any more. It seems just fine to me.
But ergonomics aren't one-size-fits-all. Some folks like the portability of laptops, but hate the keyboard, for example. They may be willing to tolerate the limitations of the screen size for short durations, but prefer a large screen for extended viewing. Etc, etc.
If the thought of a laptop appeals to you, request it over a desktop. Then, after using it for a few months, ask for additional accessories only if needed.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
Are laptops too un-ergonomic for desk job without a dock-screen-mouse
setup?
Not for me.
I tend to carry the laptop to many meetings. I used to have a docking station but don't bother any more. It seems just fine to me.
But ergonomics aren't one-size-fits-all. Some folks like the portability of laptops, but hate the keyboard, for example. They may be willing to tolerate the limitations of the screen size for short durations, but prefer a large screen for extended viewing. Etc, etc.
If the thought of a laptop appeals to you, request it over a desktop. Then, after using it for a few months, ask for additional accessories only if needed.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:13
Joe Strazzere
222k103649915
222k103649915
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
suggest improvements |Â
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
I agree, I prefer a laptop, there is one thing I have noticed though. I find a laptop sufficient on it's own only if it has a decent screen size and a numeric keypad. But that might just be me.
– Kilisi
Feb 25 '16 at 13:29
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
Being older and having worked with computers for the last 35 years, ergonomics are a concern for me. The youngsters, perhaps not as much.
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 14:34
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
@JoeStrazzere Yes, it does vary from person to person. My mother needed surgery for her wrists by the time she was in her 40s
– Richard U
Feb 25 '16 at 15:44
1
1
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
@Kilisi: Make that a properly-placed CURSOR keypad :-) I've used a laptop for all my day-to-day work for a decade (serious number-crunching gets offloaded to other machines), with docking station, standard keyboard, and large high-res display. It only gets used as a stand-alone laptop a few percent of the time, but it's awfully handy to have that capability.
– jamesqf
Feb 25 '16 at 23:07
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If you're talking an either-or situation, there are other factors to be considered. For me, I'd be looking at how often I'll need the added functionality of the laptop (the ability to take it to meetings/site visits, etc.) over the issues of fixed keyboard, trackpad, and screen.
For me, being able to move my keyboard around my desk without throwing issues with the screen, and the ability to raise and lower the screen would do it for me. Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
If you're talking an either-or situation, there are other factors to be considered. For me, I'd be looking at how often I'll need the added functionality of the laptop (the ability to take it to meetings/site visits, etc.) over the issues of fixed keyboard, trackpad, and screen.
For me, being able to move my keyboard around my desk without throwing issues with the screen, and the ability to raise and lower the screen would do it for me. Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
If you're talking an either-or situation, there are other factors to be considered. For me, I'd be looking at how often I'll need the added functionality of the laptop (the ability to take it to meetings/site visits, etc.) over the issues of fixed keyboard, trackpad, and screen.
For me, being able to move my keyboard around my desk without throwing issues with the screen, and the ability to raise and lower the screen would do it for me. Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
If you're talking an either-or situation, there are other factors to be considered. For me, I'd be looking at how often I'll need the added functionality of the laptop (the ability to take it to meetings/site visits, etc.) over the issues of fixed keyboard, trackpad, and screen.
For me, being able to move my keyboard around my desk without throwing issues with the screen, and the ability to raise and lower the screen would do it for me. Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop.
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
answered Feb 25 '16 at 13:37
Jozef Woods
40322
40322
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
suggest improvements |Â
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
"Plus the fact that a relatively small 17" monitor would be difficult to get on a laptop." Difficult? Not at all, at least in the U.S. More expensive? Probably
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 15:43
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
That was kind of my point. 17" is about the minimum acceptable for desktop screen, but on the upper end of laptop specs. And we're talking about business cases here, more expensive = more difficult.
– Jozef Woods
Feb 25 '16 at 15:53
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
If that was your point, it wasn't very clear. In this circumstance, the cost difference shouldn't be a lot of money and shouldn't be a deciding factor; if it is, it's probably time to look for a new job because either the business is in trouble, or the boss is an extreme penny pincher.
– GreenMatt
Feb 25 '16 at 16:04
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Yes a laptop is compromised in so many ways in terms of RSI and performance unless you are spending 70-80% of the time on the road out visiting clients a desk top is a much better choice (its also cheaper than the equivalent lap top set up).
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
Yes a laptop is compromised in so many ways in terms of RSI and performance unless you are spending 70-80% of the time on the road out visiting clients a desk top is a much better choice (its also cheaper than the equivalent lap top set up).
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
Yes a laptop is compromised in so many ways in terms of RSI and performance unless you are spending 70-80% of the time on the road out visiting clients a desk top is a much better choice (its also cheaper than the equivalent lap top set up).
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
Yes a laptop is compromised in so many ways in terms of RSI and performance unless you are spending 70-80% of the time on the road out visiting clients a desk top is a much better choice (its also cheaper than the equivalent lap top set up).
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
answered Feb 25 '16 at 21:17
Pepone
1,508815
1,508815
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
suggest improvements |Â
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
All machines wait for user input at the same speed. Not everyone needs the highest possible performance. Some of the gaming laptops are also as fast as most desktops, though the tradeiff is short battery life when used in thag mode. Tools for tasks. Which is why I VTC -- this is either Opinion or Too Broad.
– keshlam
Feb 25 '16 at 23:14
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
@keshlam there s no such thing as to much IPC , RAM and DASD aside from he the RSI issue that laptops have.
– Pepone
Feb 26 '16 at 0:04
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
There is no such thing as toomuch, agreed. That dkesn't mean anything less than the ultimate is not enough., however. And the option of mobility also has nontrivial value. There is not only one correct answer here.
– keshlam
Feb 26 '16 at 1:54
suggest improvements |Â
I edited this to make it more of a focus on ergonomics, which is on topic here. Questions like, "what should I choose/do" are not really on topic but ergonomics questions are. It seems the main thing you are asking is about the ergonomics, but feel free to edit if I changed your intent too much!
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 25 '16 at 12:58
Voting to close, depends on what the poster is doing on the computer, how they work (do they need to go anywhere with it, take it into work each day etc), far too broad to answer
– The Wandering Dev Manager
Feb 25 '16 at 13:05
5
For all practical purposes, if you take a laptop, and plug in a monitor, mouse and keyboard, then you've got a desktop. Whether or not you need a docking station really depends on what else you need to connect.
– Simon B
Feb 25 '16 at 13:07
2
It's not that you are not being understood, you seem to be needlessly complicating things. It is irrelevant that you feel uncomfortable asking him to do. Your boss asks you what you want. You answer the same you say in your question. He will either say yes or no. And you have several people here saying or implying that the docking station is unnecessary.
– Jan Doggen
Feb 25 '16 at 13:26
1
Why do you feel uncomfortable asking about docking station etc. ? All you have to say is "is that a laptop with a monitor, mouse and docking station, or without?" No need to ask your boss to buy them. His answer will be "yes", "no", or "I haven't thought about it. Do you think monitor etc. would be better?" and you go from there.
– gnasher729
Feb 25 '16 at 15:17