Discussion What Computer Do You Use For Working Online?

I'm keen to know what type of computer everyone uses to work online.

Back in Scotland I used a combination of a 27" i5 iMac (all in one) and a 15" Asus G1S (gaming laptop) running Windows Vista.

(note the pics below are not mine, they're just to help illustrate what I'm using )

I bought my mac near the start of 2010. It's a fantastic machine that makes working online more fun and practical.



I bought my Asus G1S in the Summer of 2007. I got this 6 months before I bought a Playstation 3. I was playing Counter Strike Source a lot at the time so I wanted a machine that I could work on and play games online too. After getting a PS3 though, I rarely used it for gaming.



I also used an 11" Sony VGB-TZ31MN when I was being lazy and working from bed or when I was travelling. As I am now living in Colombia, this is the only computer I am using.

When it was released in the UK in 2008 it cost a whopping £1,361, not much cheaper than my 27 inch iMac. I didn't buy it brand new. I purchased it in April 2011 from a seller in ebay for around £450. Although it's 3 years old, it still runs ok. It's got a low power processor so it can sometimes slow down but all in all it does everything I need.



Unfortunately, there's a slight issue with the screen due to flex between the casing and the screen itself. It isn't worthwhile replacing the screen as for the same price I could get a brand new netbook with a better processor. I'm happy to keep it at the moment as it has a fantastic keyboard and is incredibly light (only 1.19kg).

My next laptop

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a new laptop. I'm a huge fan of smaller laptops and netbooks, particularly because I travel so much. I bought the Asus Eee 701 when it first came out, which I then replaced that with HP's first netbook as it had a great keyboard. After that I purchasing one of the first atom powered netbooks that it it's own dedicated graphics chip (another Asus machine but it didn't have the Eee brand). Earlier this year I got a cool 11.6" Acer laptop that I unfortunately had to replace.

At the moment I am swaying between:

• The Sony Vaio 11.6" laptop - It's a little heavier than my current Sony laptop but other than that it's very similar in terms of the size and keyboard. It's got a more powerful processor, larger hard drive and more RAM too. It's a cheap laptop but it's more like a replacement than an upgrade - I'd probably replace it sooner rather than later due to this.
• The Sony Vaio 13" SB laptop - It's got a larger 13" screen and is 1.67kg in weight but the specs are fantastic - 6GB RAM, large HD, fast processor and beautiful backlit keyboard.
• The Sony Vaio 11.6 2nd Gen Z Series Laptop - In the UK it's very expensive but it's actually much cheaper here in Colombia. This laptop has the best of both worlds. It's only 1.14kg in weight but has a i7 processor, 6gb of ram and a fast SSD hard drive. It only has integrated graphics but it comes with a power dock unit - a separate unit that has a DVD writer and a dedicated graphics card. It also has usb 3.0, hdmi and a backlit keyboard.
• The Macbook Air 2011 - 11" or 13" - Not very powerful and very little connectivity for the money you pay but they're fantastic looking, lightweight and a great choice for working and travelling.
• A 13" Ultra Portable - A new range of light (under 1.5kg) laptops that are small yet pretty powerful. A good compromise between a lightweight 11.6 laptop and a 13" laptop that's too heavy.

Obviously, android tablets and the iPad just fine for browsing etc but just aren't practical for working online - uploading files, cropping images, coding etc.
What computer do you use for working online?
What laptop/desktop do you currently use for working online. Are you happy with what you are using just now or are you saving up for something else?
Please feel free to add images to your posts to make it easier for everyone to see what you are using (either upload a pic of your own computer or setup or link to a generic image of your laptop online).
Kevin

haha no worries mate.

I was seriously considering the macbook air though. It looks amazing and is more than capable for what I need but I've read a lot of people complaining about having wifi problems with it.

I saw the Sony SB laptop yesterday in the shops. It's heavier than a netbook but to be honest not by much. The idea of a fast processor and 6gb of ram is appealing as it drives me crazy when things slow down. If I can get the cash, the sony TZ would be amazing as it's super light, powerful and has a SSD for storage so will load in under 20 seconds.

The ultraportable laptops are also something to consider.

I'll get Christmas out the way and see how much cash I have to spare. I'm travelling for 6 weeks after christmas. It's probably best if I get something after that as there's always the risk my laptop will get stolen...or more likely, I'll drop it or stand on it after coming home from the pub drunk haha

I just read the review of the N200. It has the same processor as my old asus machine - and that still runs surprisingly quickly.

I'm looking to get a new laptop very soon. The thing is that the laptops I want to buy are either (1) going to be replaced soon by a better model or (2) not released for another few months.

Basically I want an 11"-13" laptop with a good graphics card, at least 4GB of ram and preferably an SSD drive (though an SSD hybrid would be a good compromise as it would give be quick booting times and lots of storage).

On the one hand, I'm happy to wait a few more months so that I get a laptop that lasts me at least 2 years. On the other hand, my current laptop just isn't powerful and has stalled/crashed a lot over the last month or so due to me having too many tabs open and photoshop etc.

Have you got any laptops in mind - what size are you looking for i.e. sticking with a 15"?

Back in the UK I used an iMac for most things but had a windows laptop for other things.

I'm keen on getting the macbook pro. A new edition is out in a few months plus I'm not too keen on the 2kg weight. I'd prefer something a little lighter because I travel so much. The Sony 13" SA is cheaper than the macbook pro and offers a much improved spec (better graphics, more ram etc). Another version is coming out for that soon too.

I don't mind picking up an older laptop if the price is right though the prices in Colombia don't tend to drop much. It's uncommon to see large price drops for laptops etc. Though if you could get the top of the range 13" MBA here I'd be tempted

I'm using a sony 11.6". I had a similar sized machine a few years ago that I used when travelling. I've been pretty lucky and not had any major problems with them as yet. The one I have just now is second hand and has a problem with the screen though the problem was appearing when I got it (plus it's quite an old laptop now).

I do love the look of the macbook pro. Have you used it for gaming or anything that uses the in built graphics such as photoshop etc

I have a 27" imac back in the uk. Spec wise, it was too expensive. But it's a great machine and I'd happily get one again - it really makes working a pleasure (cheesy but true).

I used to build my own pcs though I just got annoyed with having to update it all the time and components.

Do you not find it difficult to work on the web with that computer. My last laptop only had 2gb of ram and had a slow processor and at times it bottlenecked due to my having too many applications open.