should i dump my laptop?

I am using laptop for my college studies from last 4-5 years. Right now I have a toshiba satellite (15 inch) and i don't have any problem with its performance. But recently i have started spending more and more time on net mostly blogging and have noticed some health issues like back and wrist pain due to bad posture. So i was thinking of dumping it and buying a desktop pc with some nice lcd screen because i hardly have the need of carrying my laptop anywhere and its just sitting on my desk.

Am i doing right thing? any suggestion? and finally what do you use and why?

 

i dont really see what difference that would make. If itds becase your wrist sit on the laptop itselft then why not save yourself sum money and just buy a nice keyboard and plug it into your laptop?

 

Back issues can also be a problem with a desktop PC if you don't sit up straight and correct your posture. Save your money. Keep the laptop, correct your posture.

 

yes but look at the posture when you work on laptop- screen to low, keyboad too cramped in. I read somewhere that you should keep screen at your eye level to prevent neck problems, now even if i buy a keyboard it won't solve the problem.

Since money is not an issue i was thinking of buying a real big screen, and nice ergonomic chair.

 

I don't know if using a desktop would help with your wrist pain problems, but i have always personally preferred desktops.

They are much more powerful than laptops and very easily upgradable.

Since, you dont have to carry around your laptop, desktop is good choice.

 

yes, thats the reason i want to shift.
And you see, laptops were never meant to replace desktop. they are very poorly designed when it comes to right body posture

 

save your money and buy some wireless keyboard and lay back on your bed.

 

Right

maybe with that wireless keyboard you can relax while using your laptop

 

now that what i call earning money from your bed

 

Well, If you are in third party web development, laptop comes handy many times.

Since it is 4-5 years old I dont think you will get much money in return if you dump it. So I would recommend that keep laptop, and buy a new desktop as well.

 

its just 3 years old. i sold my last one after 2 years. anyway i was not planning to sell it. just keep it aside to play sometimes and invest some money in nice workstation. So what most of DP members use ? laptops?

 

I use my Workstation and laptop both, cant say what I use much, perhaps Desktop.

 

any special reason for using desktop more?

 

Its Faster and more Powerful than Lappy
It's Pentium D 3.6 GHz, 1 GB Ram(DDR2) and SATA 160 GB with GeForce 6600 GT(256 MB).


While Lappy is just 2GHz Pentium Mobile, 256 MB DDR, 40 GB HDD, ATi Mobility Radeon

 

Thats true, but i normally dont work onsite, so i dont need a laptop. I had one, but i never really used it, so i gave it to my brother.

I bought a server recently for my place, IBM X-Series. Comes with 3.1 Ghz PIV, HT Technology, 2MB L2, 1.5 GB DDR2 PC 4200 RAM, RAID Hard disk 160 GB (10,000 RPM), server motherboard (RAID), DVD RW, 19 inch TFT (Digital), Geforce card, Creative Live 5.1 sound card, wireless keyboard/mouse.

This machine is a real horse, no laptop can even come close to its performance.

But laptop has its own utility, so if you need mobile computing go for a laptop, otherwise a desktop.

 

Considering the amount of time that you spend on it if the display is a problem you might consider a docking station or port replicator to allow you a bigger display, keyboard etc. Consider gel pads in front of the keyboard and mouse for your wrists. Also, what kind of chair do use?

Having said that what how much excercise do you get? The problem with sitting hunched over keyboard/desk all day is that it leads to bad posture due your back and shoulder muscles getting stretched out, and your chest muscles shorten. The same thing happens at the lower back where the lower muscles stretch and the stomach muscles shorten. Regardless of whether they are on the stretch side or short side, being in this position all the time combined with little activity results in them getting weaker.

Here's a quick test you can try:

Stand comfortably in front of a mirror. Now turn sideways. Are your shoulders rounded over? If so then you have the situation described above, as do most people that work at a desk for a living.

Look at your belt line on your pants. Is it pointing down? If so then again same situation as described above, but also your hip flexors may be to tight. You can tell if you have dull ache or pulling sensation running from your hips to the point where your legs bend when you sit down.

You can correct this by getting a program that will allow to work your muscles in the opposite direction. Specifically look for a work out that talks about strengthening your "core" muscles.

Note: Programs that only cover beach muscles like Chest, arms, and abs will actually compliment the problem.

Hope this helps,

JB

P.S. I have a nice wrap around desk, comfortable chair with a desk top pc, 19 inch monitor in my office that I never use since I got my Dell Inspirion laptop with 17" and a half gig of ram. It sits like a lunch tray in my lap but I go to the gym about 4 days a week to correct that.

 

I did try this one..But I end up sleeping in the next 15 minutes.. \
So you better think of doing this one.

 

if your planning on dumping your laptop just give it to me instead! Hehehe

 

I am somewhere in middle with 2.8 GHz p4, 512 MB DDR and 40GB HDD(which i have to upgrade if i don't replace it)

@demonsnakeyes:
I might give it to u if these guys becomes successful in persuading me to dump it in first place.

 

Yay! wireless keyboard and this and you are jamming!