And lo On Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:13:16 -0000, Invisible <voi### [at] devnull> did  
spake thusly:

>>>> Shiny things sell!
>>>
>>> Indeed, I keep thinking about buying myself a laptop. Which is clearly  
>>> absurd, given that I never go outside. Why the hell would I need a  
>>> portable PC if I never go anywhere?! And yet, I keep wanting to buy  
>>> one.
>>  Space saving. Instead of going to the computer because that's where  
>> it's hooked up to the router, printer, scanner etc. you just use it  
>> where you want and put it away afterwards. If you do need to use one of  
>> those items... well the router is wireless, printers can be wireless  
>> too or plug into the router and if push comes to shove you just take  
>> the laptop to them and plug them in how many times do you use the  
>> peripherals anyway?
>
> The problem is, after 4 months the battery in a laptop stops working, so  
> it must be permanently connected to the mains anyway.

Wow that's a long-life battery mine's only got a couple of hours charge in  
it. Being serious where did you get those figures from? I know plenty of  
people with year-old+ laptops.

> It is virtually impossible to use a computer without a mouse, so you  
> must have a mouse connected too.

The magic of Bluetooth, even has its own little pouch. Still got the  
touchpad for little things if I don't want to dig it out.

> If you want Internet access... well, personally, I would never, ever use  
> a wireless system. I don't trust them. Too easy to steal my data and my  
> connection.

Calculated risk. Yes it's easier to access then a wired system, but with  
WPA and a non-broadcasting SSID you have to weigh up the potential that  
someone will want to sit outside your house and try and hack it vs. the  
ease-of-use you gain.

> (Plus the problems of it not working half the time.)

Other then the initial setup (damn Vista) I've this very laptop connecting  
to both the office and my home without any trouble.

> Then there's my gaming microphone, my stereo system, my keyboards  
> (plural)... I don't need those connected *all* the time, but it's a faf  
> to plug stuff in each time I need it...

Again though, it's a weighing up of how often you use or need them and  
whether you can acquire a dock.

> In short, a laptop makes no sense for me at all. And yet, I keep wanting  
> to buy one.

Sucuumb to the urge.

-- 
Phil Cook

--
I once tried to be apathetic, but I just couldn't be bothered
http://flipc.blogspot.com

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