17" MacBook Pro - So I finally use a laptop...

[Chris G]

Never been a laptop user. Always had a nice desktop. G5 tower was getting old, and I was about to get a new Mac Pro tower, but for client reasons I suddenly needed a laptop.

Picked up the new 17" MacBook Pro. I've spent the weekend installing software, getting everything set up to my liking. Still prefer working on a desktop, but this new machine is the first out that can run my 30" monitor, so I can use it as a desktop when I'm at home.

[Switch]

same here, good to be able to move around and be able to work on various things .

[Chris G]

New thing here is New York, when agencies bring in freelance help, they request you have your on hardware.

The arrangement had always been-
Offsite, your own hardware.
Onsite, they provide hardware.

Been that way since I've been in the industry.

Over the last 6 months I've had clients asking me if I can bring my own machine when I come onsite.

Overnight it's becoming the new norm in the business. They set up a desk with a second monitor and an ethernet cable for the network, and you're expected to bring a laptop. I've been doing a lot of offsite work from home over the past year so it snuck up on me.

Everywhere companies are looking to cut costs. On any given day, most agencies have at least 1/3 of their staff as freelancers. Bring in the specific skills they need on a per-project basis. Now they don't have to provide hardware, software or support for any of that personnel.

[RichieGoodtimes]

You have a laptop! Wow!

[Switch]

"Now they don't have to provide hardware, software or support for any of that personnel"

Plus they dont foot the bill I guess for when a computer goes down or a new programme needs to be installed.

[Chris G]

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Hi Richie.

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Yep. Off loaded all the cost back to the contract help.

Oh well. Means I'll have everything set-up how I want it on the machine I use. Everything will have all the same preferences and such, no matter where I'm working. There's a tradeoff in everything.

On a completely unrelated note, our puppy is completely wigging-out right now.


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[Holly]

Chris, does it bother you that the battery is not removable in the new Mac Pro? I've heard mention that is a factor for previous laptop owners who liked the replaceable battery feature in case one goes bad...

[andydiesel]

the battery isn't removable?

that is the dumbest fucking thing i have ever heard.

[wally]

yeah..that's kinda retarded

[Mark McCormick]

it's also suppose to last for 8+ hours/charge, over 1000 charges, and up to five years.