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How do YOU manage a laptop as a 2nd computer?

As can be seen from all the different suggestions, there are many ways to do this.

I manage an iMac, MBA and MBP my iPhone and iPad the IOS devices pretty much look after themselves and are synced to the iMac.

The iMac, MBP and MBA are all backed up to a three TB Time Capsule.

Additional backup for mission critical data is provided via a USB hdd in a caddy and connected to the iMac.

Many ways all correct!
 
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Other options

Although now graduated, I still need a solution. Until this year, I could depend on iDisk but now forced to find alternate options. SugarSync was problematic with orphaned photo files of sensitive PDF docs. Drop box was OK, not perfect. Both require an account in order to share a file with someone which is VERY problematic with group projects where you need to collaborate.

I soon learned to steer away from an All-In-One company. I opted to split up file types and management is much cleaner for me now.

First off I create or scan and PDF everything possible. I use the inexpensive Mac software, PDF PEN PRO to build indexed files. with PDFs, you can collaborate with classmates on various platforms and versions without hiccups. It syncs with Evernote.

EVERNOTE is indispensable for capturing and organizing information in a multitude of audio-visual formats across my 5 devices. It does not require the person you want to share a file or notebook with to get an Evernote account. Its PC and Mac compatible and the Pro version offers syncing & collaboration among individuals in group environments.

For my images and video I trust SmugMug. It has unlimited archiving. Photos are never degraded, no lost resolution over time and it offers unlimited security and privacy settings. Best news is that sharing albums (galleries) does not require the person to get an account and you can allow others to upload via an email-set password for group projects.

MUSIC. I have not found a problem using iTunes to sync my music. It's not the greatest but it gets the job done. I keep my 7 iTunes Libraries on just my iMac have the sharing feature enabled. I have an external hard drive that backs up my music files with GOOD SYNC. I use iTunes to sync whichever library or combination of audio files to one of my iPods/iTouches. I toyed around with getting a few used shuffles to color code and sync with each Library but I'm not in the situation where I must have that kind of access anymore. I like the software QUICKVOICE to capture and email audio files. When I commuted 45 mi each way, I would often replay my lectures driving (when not in city traffic!).
HTH
 
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syncing across devices

I posted earlier on software and sites that assist you in a student environment to create, organize and share files with others.
Your other problem is syncing personal files across platforms and devices. I came over from PCs in late 2008 and hubby still lives in a PC world (he honestly did try Macs for a year but loves gaming) so these are invaluable.

ROBOFORM- I have been with them since 2004 and I much prefer to 1Password. I can keep all my 300+ accounts in sync on a USB and put into MAC or PC to gain access where I want anytime. Roboform just works. Always. Super secure and in 8 years I have never lost data, been unable to get into an account or had personal information compromised in anyway.

GOODSYNC- Have been with since 2005. It seamlessly and QUICKLY syncs any and all (or just selective) data files across Win and Mac platforms and and devices. Have also used it to sync server files. I loved syncing entire class projects (papers, research, presentations, notes, EVERYTHING) to a portable USB 500GB drive. Small enough to carry and attach to my MBA while on campus (or work) with everything at my fingertips, then sync when back at home to my NAS and computers. GoodSync (GS) does not limit the type of files that can be synced (unlike some of the cloud companies). I recently re-formatted my iMac when I downgraded from Lion to Snow Leopard and reinstalled 300GB of data files over my home network in just minutes with GS!
 
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I just skimmed, so I'm not sure I saw it mentioned and some view Microsoft as the devil, but their SkyDrive option offers 25 GB of cloud storage for free. While they seem to have a mobile phone app to access files, they don't really have a Dropbox like program for your computer. It has to be accessed on their website. I think they have a beta version of Dropbox's functionality though.

And for the actual computer advice, I'd recommend the MBA. Never had one, but my boss got one and I fooled around with it. The 13" MBP is also a pretty crummy value in my opinion, so spice it up with the ultra-portable MBA.
 
I went through this a few years ago. I had a Windows desktop originally and got a Macbook for school. I'd intended to use them both, but I really just ended up using my Macbook for everything but gaming. That was more due to the OS, though. I found (and still find) OS X much more efficient to use than Windows.

That said, this is what I did:

- I used Home Sharing in iTunes to keep my music synced between the two.
- I kept all my current school files on the Macbook, because that's what I was doing all the work on anyway, and all my older files on the desktop (though I eventually upgraded the HDD and just kept everything on both).
- I keep my videos on a big external HDD anyway, so that wasn't a big deal. All it takes is a bit of foresight to copy over anything you might want to watch on the laptop.
- Once Dropbox came around, I started using that to sync my current school files. This didn't always work, as I was occasionally working with some massive files. But, your mileage may vary. And you can always pay for more storage. I did this more so I'd have access to my files on the school computers, which I did have to use a fair bit due to specialized, expensive, server based, Windows only software.

But, I ultimately realized that I'm a one computer kind of guy. I prefer to have things consolidated. The cloud will eventually become that "point of consolidation", and I'll have an easier time having more than one computer. But, that isn't sufficiently developed for my liking yet. I ended up selling the desktop a month ago or so, and now my Macbook is my only computer.
 
While I am not a student I do depend on my Macs for my work. I am in the process of upgrading my Core2Duo Macs so I have been considering my options too.

My 24" iMac won't be replaced with an iMac due to the lack of an anti-glare display and the lack of ergonomic adjustments. A MacPro is simply too much computer for me; I don't need its power, size and price tag. So it's either a MacMini or a portable Mac.

The past few months I have been using a base model 13" MacBook Pro and a 24" CCFL-backlit display. So far it's been working great: I have a desktop and portable Mac in one package, so syncing files isn't an issue. The NEC display is superior to anything Apple has to offer. (I got it for $549 at B&H Photo; with an MSRP of $899 I got a great deal.)

Unless you need a high-quality LCD for color-critical work like me you can snag a 20"-24" display for less than $500.

I really wanted to like the new MacBook Airs but the displays stopped me cold in my tracks. Between the LED backlight and high-resolution I developed severe eyestrain within the first 15 minutes. This is a problem for many people; there is a long thread on this issue at the official Apple forums. People also report having problems with the high-resolution displays on the 15" MBP. So be certain that you can live with whatever display you select. if you cannot check out a display in person be sure to purchase your mac from a retailer with a good return policy such as Apple or Amazon.

Since cost is an issue for you I suggest looking at the previous-generation 2.3GHz 13" MBP. The recent update is nominal (100MB faster processor and a 500GB drive vs. a 320GB). The previous model can be found at the online Apple Store for $929 refurbed and around $1000 new with some patient shopping. Budget $200-$300 for a display, keyboard and mouse and you will be good to go. Don't forget to add an external drive for backups. A free Dropbox account is a No Brainer; many apps such as 1Password are designed to sync files via Dropbox as an option.

As a researcher I rely on databases to keep my data in one place and easily accessible. I suggest checking out the excellent DEVONthink products. For less money than PDF Pen Pro you get a database that can ingest any kind of file and it has the option to create searchable PDFs. DEVONthink has built-in Artificial Intelligence that leaves Evernote in the dust when it comes to easily adding data, finding what you are looking for and seeing relationships among your data. I have close to 2000 research papers and articles in DEVONthink and I cannot imagine dealing with that much information in a useful way with any other application. DT has a generous free demo period so you can play with it and see for yourself how good it really is.

BTW, it's "Synk Pro" not "Sync Pro." ;)
 
I use a mix of DropBox and iCloud.

iCloud for the obvious documents and pictures sync, but i use Dropbox for any applications I want to copy or any thing like that. Then I bought myself an External Hard Drive, which I would suggest doing as it is easy to swap between the iMac and Macbook Pro/Air which ever you should choose...
 
I use dropbox for my files, and iCloud for my settings, like my safari favorites and email settings
 
DevonThinkPro

I am keenly interested in this but the $150 price tag has me stuttering. I downloaded Elyse yesterday only to discover that it eats up whatever my current files size is- my 40 GB of docs will mean Elyse needs 40 GB to bring them all into nodal tagging. The current doc paths aren't altered. From then on I can create docs inside of it. I'll take a hard look at DevinThink as I need to get a handle on scanned docs.
I started at only $50 for PDF Pen 3 years ago and can't rave enough about how often I used it to fill out non fillable forms and quickly merge small files. It's not meant for a term paper though.

Does DevonThink sync between devices or offer online syncing? I went to website and am not clear if it moves the current files or preserves the paths. Are docs created from within the application findable and readable over my home network by PCs and Macs?

Not much in these forums about organization software yet but I suspect we will see more in the near future.
 
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I personally don't really need to listen to music very often on my laptops but I just share it all across my network. If I need the files on a laptop I copy them over with a USB or use my web host... I keep it pretty simple haha.
 
DEVONthink can move the data into its database or index the data located in folders on your Mac. While I usually prefer keeping my data separate from libraries (I use referenced masters with Aperture) in the case of DT I don't see the point in doing so. It would make keeping track of all the different file types much more difficult.

I don't know if data stored in DT's database is searchable via Spotlight. Again, I cannot imagine why someone would prefer Spotlight over DT for searching, since DT's search capabilities blow Spotlight out of the water. It's not only that DT does a much better job of finding things, it can display the results in a number of ways as well as show relationships between the search results. That can come in very handy when writing and you and you want to quickly find multiple references.

As far as syncing goes, DevonSync is an $11 shareware app that allows syncing of DT databases between Macs. Devon Technologies is also working on adding database syncing to DT. I expect it to be introduced any day now; the developers have mentioned it several times in recent blog postings.

Since there is a 150 hour free demo of DT, I suggest giving it a thorough test-spin. The DT user forum is very active and the developers tend to chime-in on a regular basis, so it is a good place to look for answers or post a question. There is also a Take Control book on DEVONthink 2, which I recommend for getting up-and-running quickly with the software.

I have been using DEVONthink for over five years and it has never let me down. When I have had a question I have received speedy responses from the developers and users via e-mail and the forum.
 
Devonthink

im not as good with computers as most of the people on these forums so forgive me when i say i still am not quite sure what devonthink does and i looked at the website so if that could be simplified for me i would greatly appreciate it.:confused:

Second that 150$ is a 1 time fee right? not like 150 a year right?

sorry to hijack the thread :rolleyes:
 
William7 said:
im not as good with computers as most of the people on these forums so forgive me when i say i still am not quite sure what devonthink does and i looked at the website so if that could be simplified for me i would greatly appreciate it.:confused:

Second that 150$ is a 1 time fee right? not like 150 a year right?

sorry to hijack the thread :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

In a nutshell, DEVONthink is a data manager that is capable of ingesting just about any type of file that you can think of: text, image, video and audio. It can also display almost every file type, so you don't have to open myriad apps in order to view a file. You can import your data directly into its database or leave the data elsewhere on your Mac.

The main advantage that DT has over similar software such as Evernote, Yojimbo and Bento is its Artificial Intelligence, which significantly enhances its search and other features, including finding relationships between files and even filing your data automatically. (BTW, DEVONthink does work with Spotlight.)

That's a one-time license fee until the next major upgrade, just like most software programs. However, $150 is for DEVONthink Pro Office, the top of-the-line version. DEVONthink Personal is only $50 while DEVONthink Pro is $80.

For many people DT Personal is all they need, particularly in the beginning. I used it for several years until I upgraded to DT Pro. The main reason I upgraded was the ability to create multiple databases and have more than one database open simultaneously.

DT Pro Office's main feature is the ability scan documents directly into DT using built-in OCR software. But if you are using a scanner that has bundled OCR software or you purchased OCR software, then all you gain is the direct-scan function.

There are a variety of easy ways to get data into DEVONthink, so I have never felt a need for Pro Office. My Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner came with the same OCR software that DT uses, so I just scan a document and the OCR software automatically creates a searchable PDF. Then I put the file into DT by dragging it directly into DT, placing it in a pop-up "Sorter" that is always available via a tab on the Desktop or via a Contextual Menu accessed by control-clicking the file.

Here is the DT webpage that summarizes the different editions. Click on the Comparison link near the top of the page to see how the features of each edition.

http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/devonthink/comparison.html

BTW, there is a companion app called DEVONagent, which is Google On Steroids. What DEVONthink is to the Finder, DEVONagent is to Google web searches. There are discounted bundles of DT and DA.

Here are some articles about DEVONthink:

GigaOm Comparison of DT and Evernote (Keep in mind that this is two years old and the reviewed software was the 2.0 Beta version)

http://gigaom.com/apple/faceoff-devonthink-pro-office-vs-evernote-premium/

How Author Steven Berlin Used DT To Write A Book http://www.stevenberlinjohnson.com/movabletype/archives/000230.html

Personal Information and Knowledgement Management with DevonThink and DevonAgent http://langriley.com/2010/07/05/per...anagement-with-devonthink-and-devonagent.html

Macworld DT Pro Office Review http://www.macworld.com/article/161..._pro_office_2_2_1_helps_manage_your_data.html

Ryan Irelan On How He Uses DT http://cognition.happycog.com/article/my-paperless-trail

If you search for DEVONthink there are other reviews and blog posts about the software. The best way to go is to download the demo and use it. If you are serious about it "Take Control of Getting Started with DEVONthink 2.0" is well-worth its nominal cost of $10:

http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/devonthink-2

Trust me: DEVONthink looks complicated but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. You can dump a bunch of data into DT, using it as a data "bucket." Or you can carefully configure a filing system, which IMO is the way to go because while you do so the software learns how you like to categorize data. After a short period of time you can then allow DT to do the categorizing and filing for you.
 
Keep Separate

gnortenjones said:
I've decided to get a Macbook pro/air (haven't decided), to use...For those of you who have a laptop as a second computer, how do YOU manage things like music libraries, videos, docs, etc? Do you try to copy the iTunes libraries over to the macbook, and keep them synched somehow? Or not even bother, and just keep them separate
Click to expand...

Keep libraries separate. Use iPod/touch to sync music/photo libraries. Use portable disk/stick or online service to sync docs. I have a MBA and use a 500GB port drive that I sync with my desktop. You can decide what sync option works best for you. You will greatly value the lightweight MBA over the heavier MBP. If your desktop gives you the peripheral device connections you need then MBA is best. If you need ports for peripherals then go with MBP.
 
Spotify

I recommend using spottily. You download it on the iMac and It will absorb all of your music into you account there and the you download it on the macbook and login. All of your music from both computers will be there when you login.
 
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