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How many personal computers do you actively use?

I have four I use regularly. One for gaming, one with multple monitors for working, a laptop when working on site, a media PC for storing files.

I don't have much need for keeping them in sync. I get passwords and email on all three. I keep a couple of unemportant documents on onedrive.
 
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decafjava said:
My iMAc at home, and two Windows 8/10 laptops at work. When I occasionally work from home I use my office's MS Office 365 account and access to the Onedrive account to get to my work files. Ironically when I got my iMac in January I bought an individual MS license (I was still with my former employer). I know this is not popular here but I can see why MS still dominate enterprise - the products and services are very complete as is support.

I sync my iPhone 7 plus with my iMac through iTunes - of course only for backups/updating smart music playlists/photos now not apps since last week.
Click to expand...

I actually use MS Office over Pages, Numbers, etc. too and always have despite being fully Mac (except for when I use one of the shared PCs at work).
 
wineandcarbs said:
And what is your method of syncing things between them? Do you sync everything or just select things? Just curious as I've only really used one personal computer at a time but the temptation to get a second one is strong and I know others use multiple.
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not sure why no one in this thread is using (or mentioning?) macOS Desktop & Document syncing.

it's so sweet if you're someone who works the way i do.. that being, current project files are on the desktop.. like, the desktop of the computer is my active space and that's where the newly created documents are going or any relevant content (say, PDF from client.. images.. etc)..

i generally have about 10-20 files on the desktop (well, sometimes there are folders which contain more.. just that i don't always have all the stuff on the top level of desktop)

with desktop syncing, what happens on one desktop is happening on the other (fwiw, i use an iMac & MBP)..
the desktops on the two are identical.

once a project is complete or no longer relevant in my day-to-day, i'll move it to an iCloud folder (which also syncs with the other computer).
 
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flat five said:
not sure why no one in this thread is using (or mentioning?) macOS Desktop & Document syncing.
Click to expand...

Perhaps because iCloud Desktop and file syncing is a relatively new development for users? I've been using Dropbox for almost 7 years now and its so deeply engrained and fundamental to the way I work, live and share that I wouldn't even think of switching to another cloud service. The way I have Dropbox setup and how my business and home life syncs is not something I could do with iCloud. Dropbox is not perfect but none of them are, to each their own. I'm sure there are others who are deeply engrained in Google Drive, iCloud Desktop, etc.

Plus, this is a thread about how many computers you use ;)

For me, I personally own and have my name on the invoices for these:
  1. MacBook Pro 15" (2014: 2.5Ghz, 16Gb RAM, 512Gb SSD, 10.13)
  2. Mac Pro 5,1 (2010: 2x 3.33Ghz, 64Gb RAM, 480Gb Predator PCIe, 500Gb Samsung EVO 850, RX 560 2Gb, USB-C 3.1 Gen II, Dell UP2716D with hood, 10.12.6)
  3. MacBook 13" (Black, 2008: 2.4Ghz, 4Gb RAM, 120Gb SSD, 10.6.8)
I then administer and use these at varying times of the day either in the office or at home:

4. MacBook Pro 15" (2017: 3.1Ghz, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb SSD, 10.12.6)
5. MacBook Pro 17" (2011: 2.2Ghz, 16Gb RAM, 512Gb SSD, 10.12.6)
 
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pixelatedscraps said:
Perhaps because iCloud Desktop and file syncing is a relatively new development for users?
Click to expand...

true. good point.

I've been using Dropbox for almost 7 years now and its so deeply engrained and fundamental to the way I work, live and share that I wouldn't even think of switching to another cloud service. The way I have Dropbox setup and how my business and home life syncs is not something I could do with iCloud. Dropbox is not perfect but none of them are, to each their own. I'm sure there are others who are deeply engrained in Google Drive, iCloud Desktop, etc.
Click to expand...

fwiw, i used Dropbox prior to macOS gaining desktop sync and iCloud syncing (remember before, you could only use iCloud to sync certain files.. like, those made with iWork and what not.)

like you, Dropbox was fundamental to my workflow (and my work).. I still use it fwiw but now only for file sharing and backup.

when i first started desktop syncing, i still used my Dropbox flow as well.. if anything, out of sheer habit.. but after a month or two, after i got used to having identical desktops (which is a little weird at first iirc), i found it unnecessary and it just faded out..

(not meant as a "this service is better than that service" type of post... only meaning to share my own personal experience for those looking for that type of info)


Plus, this is a thread about how many computers you use ;)
Click to expand...

ok.. 2.

and the phone is in the mix as well.
 
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flat five said:
not sure why no one in this thread is using (or mentioning?) macOS Desktop & Document syncing.

it's so sweet if you're someone who works the way i do.. that being, current project files are on the desktop.. like, the desktop of the computer is my active space and that's where the newly created documents are going or any relevant content (say, PDF from client.. images.. etc)..

i generally have about 10-20 files on the desktop (well, sometimes there are folders which contain more.. just that i don't always have all the stuff on the top level of desktop)

with desktop syncing, what happens on one desktop is happening on the other (fwiw, i use an iMac & MBP)..
the desktops on the two are identical.

once a project is complete or no longer relevant in my day-to-day, i'll move it to an iCloud folder (which also syncs with the other computer).
Click to expand...

TBH...I had no idea about desktop syncing. I'll have to look into this. I just got a second laptop and am doing the Dropbox thing, which has always worked well for me. I'm always open to other ideas though.
 
Work:
Two work PCs in the office that I both use and they serve different purposes.

Home:
iMac that I use the majority of time
MBP for when I travel
SurfaceBook for when I travel

Depending on my travel needs, and duration, I'll take either the MBP or the SurfaceBook. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
 
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I use a Newton 2100 for everything. Well, no, but I do still have it sitting around. I use 1 mac mini with 2 Drobos and a few other connected drives (around 50TB total) and a 13-inch MBA. I have an old PowerMac G5 2.3 dual core that I keep connected, but not booted for decoration (as well as for some older files/apps that I never got around to moving into my current mess of storage). 9.7" iPad pro for browsing and light work, iPad mini retina (i'm not calling it a mini 2) for logitech harmony and tv listings. iCloud for pretty much everything, but in my daily carry I have a 64gb sd card, a 64gb USB 3 flash drive, and a 256 usb 2 flash drive.
 
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iamdmann said:
I use a Newton 2100 for everything. Well, no, but I do still have it sitting around. I use 1 mac mini with 2 Drobos and a few other connected drives (around 50TB total) and a 13-inch MBA. I have an old PowerMac G5 2.3 dual core that I keep connected, but not booted for decoration (as well as for some older files/apps that I never got around to moving into my current mess of storage). 9.7" iPad pro for browsing and light work, iPad mini retina (i'm not calling it a mini 2) for logitech harmony and tv listings. iCloud for pretty much everything, but in my daily carry I have a 64gb sd card, a 64gb USB 3 flash drive, and a 256 usb 2 flash drive.
Click to expand...

i used to use my Newton 2100 a lot and would like to restart this. Is there any way of sharing info with the latest Mac OS?
 
I have 3 on my desk and don't really use any of them, mostly just play around with them to pass the time.
Don't need any at work, haven't gone there for more then 20 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"
mostly when being used by people to fill out their carry permits.:D
 
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Home: 3 Macs, but I'm currently using only 1.

Work: 3 Macs, but I'm currently using only 1. iCloud syncs my calendar and contacts. Dropbox syncs other files.

Work: 2 PCs, both used. I don't sync the PCs, but all of my work computers share a file server.
 
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