I've been down the laptop road twice before and after a few days out of the office it was always such a pain to sync up the data in the laptop with my desktop. So recently I ordered a mobile desktop so that I could have the convenience of my desktop right at meetings I need to attend out of office.

I was curious to know how many (if any) web hosts that make direct office visits use mobile desktops as opposed to laptops? If you use a mobile desktop, how did you like it or what didn't you like about it? If you use a laptop, what software do you use to sync with your desktop?

I use a laptop as my primary machine. It serves very well as both a desktop replacement and a mobile workstation with a port replicator/docking station.

I never had a laptop that could run all the applications I run, or be easy to backup and maintain. That is where these new Mobile Desktops come in.

The one I just ordered has a 3.06 Processor 800 MHz FSB with 2MB and SCSI Drives in RAID. Not to mention huge graphics cards and pretty much everything else you can get in a laptop. The concern I have is the heat from this thing. It's no question it can run anything.

I'm sure there is a huge advantage in going to a meeting with your entire desktop. I know with a laptop there was always the occasional item that was on the desktop and not in the laptop.

I've always wanted my laptop to be portable, so I've never really been into the mobile desktops. I keep my desktops for that.

Use a USB drive for synching data. IMAP your e-mail. I've never had a huge problem.

I only store essential apps (Office, DW, FTP) on the laptop in case I'm not near an Inet connection, mostly I just RDC into my main machine. No syncing, no hassles. Only a problem if I'm stuck with a REALLY slow internet connection, like when I was in China, uggh. It was still faster to use the RDC than to do the work from my laptop and upload it.

I use my laptop as a desktop

We've got a Win 2003 server set up. All my documents sit on the server and I then have them "made available offline". Everytime I reconnect to the network everything is synced automatically. I can then logon to any machine and everything looks the same (roaming profile as well).

I work on 3 different computers, I use CVS or subversion to store all my data on a server. This works well so long as you always have an internet connection around.

I've been using my personal Dell XPS2 Laptop 9lb monster for trips to the datacenter to check on equipment and access the 'net while the console is tied up.

The problem with desktop replacement laptops is size/weight. If you can deal with the short battery life, a 9lb laptop and the huge bag necessary to carry it you'll be fine.

Laptop's now are relatively very cheap these days for typical use so as soon as I take a break from buying servers I'll just be picking up a smaller Dell 700m to take or leave at the datacenter.

If you do decide and are shopping for a laptop like the XPS2, I'd definately recommend making sure you go with one using a Centrino 2Ghz+. Performance is as good as the P4's used in competing systems if not better, and significantly better battery life.

Originally posted by Vortex-Steve
We've got a Win 2003 server set up. All my documents sit on the server and I then have them "made available offline". Everytime I reconnect to the network everything is synced automatically. I can then logon to any machine and everything looks the same (roaming profile as well).

What about the email that you happen to download while on the road? Or previous email correspondence that you would like to have at a meeting? Hpw do you overcome that bit? That is always one of my biggest pains...

Originally posted by sshephard
If you do decide and are shopping for a laptop like the XPS2, I'd definately recommend making sure you go with one using a Centrino 2Ghz+. Performance is as good as the P4's used in competing systems if not better, and significantly better battery life.

I already ordered this one and I went back and forth with that Centrino. I get a 3.6 with HT and an 800 MHz FSB and I didn't see any of the mobile chips come close to that.

The weight I knew was going to be bothersome, it was the heat from the thing over the long term that I'm just a little concerned about. It is an Alienware though and they seem to have a pretty decent reputation for high performance hardware.

What about the email that you happen to download while on the road? Or previous email correspondence that you would like to have at a meeting? Hpw do you overcome that bit? That is always one of my biggest pains...

I've been playing with Exchange Server recently which would be the best solution. We've already got a static IP so it would be easy enough to get mail sent over to it. That way I can sync mail before leaving.

As things are right now I use .pst files which I update regularly and then take a copy of before leaving. Any mail I get while out of the office is left on the server (just tick the box in Outlook to leave it there), then downloaded when I get back.

I've never really experimented with Exchange server, in fact we don't have any Windows servers and I'm doubtful we ever will.

I can see how that could be a pretty decent system to use though. Although I'm sure I'd forget to check that box in Outlook at the most inopportune time...

I use IMAP, and have Thunderbird installed on my Desktop in the office, the machine at my house, on my laptop, and on my desktop on campus in the maintenance shop.

Each one is on all the time (except the laptop) and connected to IMAP.

Webmail (squirrelmail) is IMAP as well.

Too bad my inbox is ~800mb though (20,000+ messages)

Originally posted by Utaria-Aaron
I use IMAP, and have Thunderbird installed on my Desktop in the office, the machine at my house, on my laptop, and on my desktop on campus in the maintenance shop.

Each one is on all the time (except the laptop) and connected to IMAP.

Webmail (squirrelmail) is IMAP as well.

Too bad my inbox is ~800mb though (20,000+ messages)

Yeah, that's the reason I switched to IMAP as well. Then go with an installation of portable thunderbird on a USB stick to take to any computer you can get on that you haven't setup a local install on, so you have an installation with all your settings with you.

Synching data ?

What a concept! :eek2:

For the road I use a 2 laptops. 1 deep cell battery for 14 hours power, Sprint PCS card for Internet access. Verizon PCS card as a backup. We get strange stares wheeling a 70 pound battery into the hotel but haven't been detained by homeland security yet. :)
I did create a big sticker that says "BATTERY" and it makes it look more legit.
http://www.page-zone.com/battery

The next road trip will be with a satellite phone/modem. But the airtime prices are rediculous for the speeds you get. Windows Remote desktop is a lifesaver as well as having almost 8GB of customer emails mail dating back to 2001 on the laptops.

I use IMAP for mail access, and then sync other data onto my laptop's HD.

Originally posted by page-zone
For the road I use a 2 laptops. 1 deep cell battery for 14 hours power, Sprint PCS card for Internet access. Verizon PCS card as a backup. We get strange stares wheeling a 70 pound battery into the hotel but haven't been detained by homeland security yet. :)
I did create a big sticker that says "BATTERY" and it makes it look more legit.
http://www.page-zone.com/battery

The next road trip will be with a satellite phone/modem. But the airtime prices are rediculous for the speeds you get. Windows Remote desktop is a lifesaver as well as having almost 8GB of customer emails mail dating back to 2001 on the laptops.

LOL

that's funny as heck. Sorry for diverting the thread, but it is probably good you put that on the case.

Yeah. They look at and and figure it must be ok because it says "battery". Human nature is odd.