Laptop with Screen and Code

Do you need a laptop still?

I question some times after having an iPad with the keyboard and using it for almost all of my fieldwork doing IT support and Network Management. The systems we used ether had useful apps or were almost fully web-based. It was also effortless to pack the iPad with a cellular data connection no matter where I was going.

But it the question gets more challenging when you need to do work on older technologies and systems that still don’t get that most people live in a web browser and apps. Phone systems, old routers, servers, or things that need more coding. That’s where you need a laptop when in the field.

I could argue that if you have a desktop system, you could get away with just the iPad if you worked with modern equipment. But if you need a desktop for work, why not only have the laptop with a dock and nice monitors. It gets complicated, right.

I will have to say my setup as a small IT support and Managed Network technician I need it all. My home desktop is what I use to provide support for my clients, configure systems and servers, develop code for websites and software, and use for entertainment such as videos and games when not working. Now my laptop is useful for on-site doing work on the older equipment, network scanning, and things I need a good keyboard for. The tablet seems to tie everything together, now more than when I was working with others. The there systems make it so I can do work in any setting.

While my laptop is aging because it hasn’t been used much, I have kept it update and upgrade. It leaves me saying, “wow, it still works great” and not having a justification for a replacement. When I got it for school 7 years ago, I made sure I was getting something good, but never thought it would have worked out this long.

So my advice would be to get a reliable laptop you can do everything your work or entertainment needs can afford. If you do need a desktop, you may still need a laptop to meet your mobile needs. Finally, an iPad or tablet can be much more useful for work than just entertainment.

Another note about laptops is that many workplaces no longer get desktops, just USB 3.0 docks with monitors and a laptop. It makes even more sense to do this so your workers can be remote at any time with all of their systems and files. Also, don’t cheap out on computers. They are tools for your employees you are paying a lot of money to, which makes it possible for them to do the job you ask of them.

Anyway, this was some thoughts on laptops. I hope to keep doing these types of posts on this site. If you need help with your network or IT systems or even new laptops, check out my IT business at Grand Junction Computers.

Lenovo Thinkvision LT1421

Watching Live.Twit.TV and they are at CES early Sunday January 8th 2012 and they are looked the lenovo early booth and they have a second display for your laptop that is USB powered, 14″ and around 2.5LB. It looked cool and useful if you travel and need more desktop space on your laptop.

It’s already available online list $199.99 but Amazon.com had it already for 189.38.
Amazon.com: Thinkvision LT1421 Wide 1452DS6

New Monitor: Samsung EX2220X 21.5-Inch

Samsung EX2220X

Well I got my new monitor I ordered the other day in. I have been using it for a few weeks now and its so nice to have such a big screen. I have wanted a bigger screen, but it’s hard for me to spend money on new computer stuff when I know I need to keep my bills and other things paid. But I knew we had the money and it was somewhat hard for me to read the text for my online college classes because they made it so you can resize the window and increase the font size. I first started looking at LG screens, but I couldn’t find one that I liked and was the size I was looking for. I also wasn’t looking at what Amazon.com had at first just trying to see what there was. I order stuff though Amazon Prime since I paid for that so I get free shipping on almost everything I want to buy online. I was ordering quite a few things that we needed and I wanted so it was cheaper to get the Prime account then pay for shipping, plus it’s 2-day. So I finely looked at the Samsung screens, I thought they would be good partly because most stores use Samsung for their displays and they are on and running almost 24/7. This screen had good specs and didn’t have the large ugly bezel (think that’s right) so if I got a second one it would match up nice and be easy to look at. Here is a rundown of the features:

  • 21.5″ 16:9 Widescreen
  • 5ms Response Time
  • 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD
  • LED Back-light
  • Connector 15pin D-SUB + DVI-D
  • Not too pricey!

This is a relay nice screen, and it’s nice to have the extra desktop space, and have two windows side by side doing with in one reading on the other. The color is also good and the picture is sharp and clean. It looks way better than even the screen on my laptop that I was liking so much that it was where my keyboard was, now its been put to the side more. If I had the extra money to burn and didn’t want to upgrade my computer more than have a second screen I would love to run two of these side by side and have lots of room to spread out. Someday I’ll get that setup going, but for now this is a great improvement.