Just Curious to Find Out if you edit on your laptop or desktop?

When I started reporting, reporters were taking down their jobs on a laptop and transferring the job to their desktop computer and then editing the job.  I would like to know how many reporters only use one computer to take down and produce the final product.

For eight years I only used my laptop on the job and always transferred the file when I got home.  However, a year or so ago I decided to just work on my laptop.  That way I always have the file with me that's most current.  No more worrying if I've got the latest version and transferring back and forth.  I still back up to a flash drive immediately after the job.  And after the job is finalized, I have the final on the laptop as well as backed up to an external drive and a DVD for the month.  

Seems I'm always waiting for something lately, and it's nice having the laptop with me so I can get work done.  For instance, the other day my car broke down on the way home from a job.  I had to have AAA tow me to the Toyota dealer, and they had the best little work area in the back of the customer lounge (away from the TV and crying kids), so I just unpacked my bag and set up shop.  I got so much done in those two hours.

And just this week I sat in the Beverly Hills library for 3 hours (a great library, by the way) and edited all kinds of stuff in-between doctor depos.  And parking was only $1.00.  Woo hoo!

All those years I had two computers I was always worried about wearing my laptop out, but I figure since I replace my laptop every 3 years or so, I'm not going to worry about it anymore.  I do edit at home with an external keyboard and mouse, though. 

I like the board idea across the Lazy Boy because I hate the heat of the laptop sitting on my lap, so may have to give that a try.  I had tried one of those laptop desks, but it wasn't big enough and my shoulders just ached (something we all do't need).

Yes, I do.  Always have. 

Laptop all the way for me.  I just like to sit in my "comfy" chair with my legs propped up. :)

Laptop for me.  I love my freedom.  I have edited all summer on my patio with my feet up.  I'm sure the neighbors think I'm a lazy sack who plays on her computer all day.

I edit on my laptop on the job and transfer it to my laptop at home.   The final is stored on a thumb drive.

Actually, I use a netbook now for jobs and a laptop for home. 

When I have two jobs a day, I edit previous jobs on my netbook if I have an hour or two between jobs.

I follow the Noah's Ark principle: Two of everything.  I have two writers and two computers.  This way, if one fails, I have a backup.

I use my laptop for everything; HOWEVER, I have a laptop stand from Xbrand that I use at home.  It's the Laptop Cooling & Comfort Station with USB ports in the back and a fan that can be switched on and off as needed.  It effectively works like a USB hub - you just need to plug it into one of the ports on your laptop.

By doing this, I get the benefit of having my files in one spot, but my laptop becomes just the "screen" (well, and hard drive) of my setup at home.  I then have peripherals plugged into the back of the stand via USB - full-size ergo wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers, printer, external hard drive for archiving.  

I switched to this because the laptop keyboard and the "headphone" thing for audio was not working for me ergonomically at all.  In the future, I might go with a netbook and a docking station with a separate flat screen (like a 17" or more versus my 14.3" laptop) - still have to gather money and check out some CNET reviews to see if this is the way I'll go.  In the meantime, I feel I have a pretty good system.

I say do what's comfortable for you.  That's the most important thing.  For me,   I have a laptop and a desktop.  I do 99% editing on my desktop.  I have to have a full size monitor and full size keyboard.  I have the keyboard placed at the correct height for my hands and my monitor placed where I'm not having to bend my neck to see the screen.  Plus I keep the desktop off the internet so I don't have to worry about viruses shutting me down.  I have my software, though, on both, so if the desktop hard drive dies -- and it will one day -- I'll have the laptop to immediately go to.   I say, with all the viruses that come up daily on the internet, if you only use one computer for internet and your editing, you better be vigilant with keeping your virus protection software up to date.

Gotta love the technology today.  When I first started reporting, I had my big desktop computer and my big transcriber at my big desk to play my tapes.  Audiosync is so amazing.  Now I edit from the comfort of my recliner.

Laptop only - docking station at home office with full-sized monitor, full-sized keyboard, full-sized mouse attached (less use of the most vulnerable laptop parts) - and 3-year warranty with next-business-day onsite service ... and my last-generation laptop as a backup (and as a realtime hookup) so that I don't have to wait for something to get repaired if I'm on a job.  Always a couple other backups (external hard drive and online).  Guess you can call it my own insurance plan, after a few "hard knocks" experiences.