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Having 2 Macs - Your Thoughts?

C

Caitlyn

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Just curious.

How many of you believe in the one machine way of life and how many of you believe in a portable and a desktop?
 
I have a portable and a desktop. I was portable only for many years, but now that I have both, I'm not planning on going back. Hardest part is keeping everything in sync. Dotmac does an okay job, but I wish there was a more direct way of handling it. I may move email entirely to GMail. That would solve a lot of problems.
 
I believe in the Mac Pro on my desktop..
I believe in the Dell XPS M170 that goes everywhere with me...
I believe in the AMD 64x24400/dual 7800gtx sitting on another table next to the mac pro.
i believe in the 2.4ghz celeron system runing my TS server/fileserver on top of the AMD system...
I believe in the Apple //e I use to play Wizardry and Ultima 1-5 on 🙂

I would go on, but then you would all realize I am a total geek and have no life when not plugged in..... I'm trying to purchase a Mac Mini as I type 🙂
 
I have a MBP, but recently I bought a iMac G4 for the cuteness. Still, I actually like having two macs, lets me work on both...
 
i actualy have 3 macs, iMac g5 for home desktop, macbook for on the go and at work, mbp for on the go and lazy sit around the house laptop.. Im pretty set right now even though im looking to buy another for a fileserver but i think ill just buy another external like 500 gig or 1 TB and just call it a day.
 
I have a portable (iBook, which my wife thinks is hers) and a very much non-portable (eMac). I keep them in sync with each other using Chrono-Sync.

I prefer the portability of the iBook over the desktop, but having two machines isn't much of a pain to keep in sync.
 
i Have a desktop and a Laptop, both of which i use regularly. I have thought about getting a laptop and using it on my ACD, but i could get a cheaper desktop. Also my Laptop specs don't need to be all that good.. my G4 will last a while.. my desktop on the other hand i like to be faster..even if its just the intel Mini, its still fast
 
I have a Power Mac G5 and a MacBook Pro. I consider the Power Mac to be my 'main' machine, or central hub where I keep all my files etc. The MacBook Pro is used as a day-to-day machine, but in the end, all files created will eventually be transferred over to the Power Mac. It's mainly to do with storage - The Power Mac has much more storage and I can afford to have everything located on it, with only the essentials on the MacBook Pro.

I could probably get by with just a desktop, but the Laptop gives me a lot of freedom
 
Caitlyn said:
Just curious.

How many of you believe in the one machine way of life and how many of you believe in a portable and a desktop?
Click to expand...

i would say it depends on how one lives and what they do.

for example, i don't need/want a laptop. i work at home, therefore i have 2 powermacs to keep me going. i would only have 1 if they weren't for work, but they are constantly running projects..

if it was a student, i would have a laptop in a heartbeat. never a desktop.

if i was really rich and didn't care about spending, i would probably have a laptop and a desktop for pure convenience.
 
Well, I technically have both a desktop and a laptop. The desktop (mini) is the main machine - I do most everything on it. The laptop (Wallstreet G3) is a "backup". I use it upstairs in the bar/recroom (office is downstairs) as an internet terminal, and it's handy to take with me on trips to check email, etc. It's also great for when my wifes Dell goes on the fritz so I don't have to drop everything and fix it right away. 🙂
 
Having a desktop and a portable is the ultimate convenience.

It also helps to insure that you always have back-ups of everything.

If you have a powerful main workstation desktop, you can usually spend less on your notebook for essential portable needs.

You can also save buying refurbs of either machine or both.
 
I believe in both - I have an iMac G5 (well two actually, though one is broken) and a PowerBook G4. I could probably live without the desktop but couldn't live without the notebook. I don't take the PowerBook outside the house very often but I use it in different rooms and that's my main computer. I hate sitting at a desk at home. The iMac is mostly just used as a DVR - I have an Elgato EyeTV hooked up to it. It's certainly nice to have a 'spare' Mac around in case anything goes wrong with one. I think an iMac or Mac Mini plus a notebook is an ideal setup for a home/non-pro Mac user.
 
CyberPrey said:
Mac Pro - 2x2.66ghz, 2gb RAM, 3x250gb 1x300gb HD's, 7300GT, Acer AL2032 Monitor (X1900XT on order)
Click to expand...

Don't you mean 4x2.66ghz 🙂

I'm all for a desktop and portable. It's a pain to have to connect the laptop up all the time (although if there was a docking station like latitudes have then i'd say different).

It's also good to have two machines in case a family member needs to use one or in case of emergency when one goes poof!

I'm waiting for the new iMac's to come out but it's taking too long and for the price i'd get a nice build it yourself pc. Hurry up merom!
 
As much as I'd love a mac pro to perform my computing needs, I could never ever sit down in one spot and do what I have to. I have a powerbook and it goes everywhere with me. As a college student, it's constantly going from class to class, in my dorm room, and such. I tried to have an external monitor last semester to go with my 12 inch powerbook, but it was just uncomfortable for me to sit there for long periods of time. I sold the screen and upgraded from a 12 inch powerbook to a 15 inch. I couldn't be any happier now as I don't even have a desk. I sit on the couch and do everything I have to.
 
2 is the way to go. I have a 12" PB G4 and soon a Mac Pro.

I don't believe in paying tons of cash for a portable though if it isnt your main machine.
 
ONE is the way to go for me. I don't like trying to keep things updated on two systems. I want all my photos, music, files, and latest programs in one place.
 
My setup works perfectly. Sure, I'd like a little more speed on the road, but my PB does fine. 🙂

Can't imagine just having a desktop with what I do - but that's me. Your mileage may vary.
 
I have a portable and several desktops (two Mac minis and two Sony PCs). I don't believe in using a laptop as my sole PC if for no other reason than laptops sacrifice all sorts of functionality (bigger HDs, bigger screens, etc.) for portability.
 
I've had a desktop, but back then, i just used it for games. I though I could live with a desktop today, but found out I couldn't. I need portability, but have no need for a desktop.

I believe in a rev. b 15" MacBook Pro with X1800XT and 2 GB RAM...😀

Every time I get a new computer, I either have to pass it on to parents/little brother, or sell it.😉
 
I have a mini, which while being more portable than a regular desktop, is still kind of a hassle to move around. I believe that if i got a laptop i would use it. So i have been looking into getting an ibook G3 (except for the problems with the logic boards), an ibook G4 (wait for prices to fall more), or a powerbook G3/G4.
 
2 Macs > 1 Mac. Yeah I bet many would enjoy a desktop to come home to after a long trip using their notebook. You won't wear out one or another as much.
 
I say, the more the merrier. I would love to have a notebook and a desktop. I would probably never use the notebook but why not.
 
I would rather spend the total dollars on one great system. I have a PBG4 15" 1.67ghz w/2 gigs of RAM and a 19" LCD and keyboard are on the way. I've spent maybe $2k on everything and its both a desktop and a laptop. I'll keep the setup for another two years or so and then sell and upgrade.

So I think two macs is kind of wasteful because you can only use one at a time. Just my opinion of course, no offense to you lucky bastards who have two macs. 🙂 I may break down and join you one day - I used to be one of those dudes who had like three computers and two video game systems but became more frugal as I got older.
 
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