"Docking" a PowerBook for a desktop replacement: good idea?
I currently have a dual 800 in my office, and I'm considering replacing it with a PowerBook + Apple Display. This is work money, so money isn't really an issue, and this way I could basically get a home computer with work money, because I'd bring it home in the evenings. I'd leave a display, mouse, keyboard, and power cable at work, and then plug in when I come in to work. I'd probably use the laptop at work in closed-lid mode, because screen real estate isn't really an issue for me and desk space kind of is. I'm looking at the 15" 1.5 Ghz PowerBook + DVI-ADC adaptor.
I know the machine can do this, but I'm interested in thoughts, opinions, suggestions, pros, cons, etc. Is this a good idea? What are the downsides that I haven't thought of?
One concern may be the plugging and pulling of cables twice a day. If the USB hub on the monitor would still work, that would mean less cable pulling and plugging, but I don't know if the DVI port on the PowerBook carries USB too - I kind of doubt it.
I also wonder if the Bluetooth mouse/keyboard would be a good solution in this situation. I'd have to attach/remove less cables that way, but I'm not sure if Bluetooth works when the laptop is in clamshell mode.
I also could get a G5, but noise and space are an issue, and I don't particularly need that speed. I do mostly word-processing and that type of stuff at work, with only the occasional need-for-speed work. I'd be interested in a G5 iMac however, and my spidey sense is tingling that those are coming soon.
I know the machine can do this, but I'm interested in thoughts, opinions, suggestions, pros, cons, etc. Is this a good idea? What are the downsides that I haven't thought of?
One concern may be the plugging and pulling of cables twice a day. If the USB hub on the monitor would still work, that would mean less cable pulling and plugging, but I don't know if the DVI port on the PowerBook carries USB too - I kind of doubt it.
I also wonder if the Bluetooth mouse/keyboard would be a good solution in this situation. I'd have to attach/remove less cables that way, but I'm not sure if Bluetooth works when the laptop is in clamshell mode.
I also could get a G5, but noise and space are an issue, and I don't particularly need that speed. I do mostly word-processing and that type of stuff at work, with only the occasional need-for-speed work. I'd be interested in a G5 iMac however, and my spidey sense is tingling that those are coming soon.
Comments
Originally posted by BRussell
I also could get a G5, but noise and space are an issue
have you seen a G5 in person??? there's virtually no noise.
Why not buy applecare (work's money, right?) and not worry about it. I imagine if this is a work machine, you'll be replacing it in about 3 or 4 years. Applecare would cover most of this time and if something does happen w/ the ports, apple would repair it.
Now I have a powerbook 15" 1.25 and all I plug in is the power and speakers and my firewire HDD and iSight once in while (most of the time its just power and speakers). I have the bluetooth keyboard and mouse and I love 'em! The battery life is great! I'd like to have the 23" or even the 20" hook up to this while in clam shell mode. It would make a complete desktop replacement.
I'd say go for it.
Why not?
As long as the company is paying for it, why not upgrade to 128MB graphics and the 5400rpm drive? I would. Make it as kick-butt as possible.
And the 15" is really nice, straddling that "not too big, not too little" line perfectly: all the goodies the 12" lacks (lighted keyboard, PC card slot, FireWire 800, audio-in, 128MB graphics BTO) but in a slightly tighter, more luggable package than the 17". Besides, as you say, you're going to have the external display anyway.
You'll TOTALLY dig the lighted keyboard, while writing/e-mailing on the couch in a darkened room. I know I do.
Originally posted by pscates
Yep, in fact Apple should STOP making desktops period. [ducks and hides from all the tower geeks]
IIRC, isn't that what Jobs envisioned way back in the 80's when he was pushing for a "Mac-in-a-Book by 1986"?
At work I have a PC laptop with dock hooked up to an LCD. Very efficeint way to work.
When I have to leave on mission or make a presentation somewhere *pop* it out in 5 seconds and off I go.
DO NOT compromise with the idea that you can plug/unplug every day... you will want to throw your 'book out the damn window.
will your work know you are taking it home each night??
if yes, no problems
if no, if it gets stolen from home or your car, or if you get in a car accident with it and it is damaged...you are maybe in trouble...
g
Originally posted by MajorMatt
Ah, this conjures memories of duo docks long past.
If only Apple would bring back the Duo Dock, even just as a port replicator, but with the VCR-style slot design. Would certainly be easier than trying to build my own. A new Duo Dock would go particularly well with the 12-inch PowerBook!
Escher
Originally posted by tacojohn
I had an iBook dual USB for about 2.5 years and everyday I would come home from class/work and plug in an external USB keyboard, mouse, power adapter, & speakers. Yes- almost everyday for 2.5 years and I've never had any problems...
Now I have a powerbook 15" 1.25 and all I plug in is the power and speakers and my firewire HDD and iSight once in while (most of the time its just power and speakers). I have the bluetooth keyboard and mouse and I love 'em! The battery life is great! I'd like to have the 23" or even the 20" hook up to this while in clam shell mode. It would make a complete desktop replacement.
I'd say go for it.
So the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard work with the lid closed? I suppose it would, because the computer is all on except the monitor, right? Just making sure.
ZO and Crusader - that's a good idea about the Bookendz, but I've heard mixed reviews about them. The duo dock type that Escher mentions would be great, but unfortunately doesn't exist. That's why I'm considering the Bluetooth mouse/keyboard, because that would just leave me power, ethernet, and ADC to plug/unplug. Still a pain, but not too bad. Current apple displays have a USB hub built in, but I doubt the DVI port on the PowerBook carries USB. Also Crusader, the hard drive is a great idea to back up. I'd hate to have that PowerBook get hosed and lose everything. Wouldn't it be cool to have work money pay for a 40 Gb iPod for "back up." Actually I probably wouldn't do that because 1. I'd want a dedicated drive and 2. 40 G might not be enough.
Originally posted by BRussell
That's why I'm considering the Bluetooth mouse/keyboard, because that would just leave me power, ethernet, and ADC to plug/unplug. Still a pain, but not too bad. Current apple displays have a USB hub built in, but I doubt the DVI port on the PowerBook carries USB. .
Actually, the ADC-DVI adaptor has a USB you can plug into your PowerBook when you plug into your DVI, and presto, your Apple Display has USB. Not 2.0, though, only 1.1 - more or less obsoleted by Bluetooth.
Originally posted by pscates
I'd say do it, BRussell...especially since you freely admit you're not really requiring G5-level horsepower. You say it at the start of your post perfectly: a machine you can bring home at the end of the day.
Why not?
As long as the company is paying for it, why not upgrade to 128MB graphics and the 5400rpm drive? I would. Make it as kick-butt as possible.
And the 15" is really nice, straddling that "not too big, not too little" line perfectly: all the goodies the 12" lacks (lighted keyboard, PC card slot, FireWire 800, audio-in, 128MB graphics BTO) but in a slightly tighter, more luggable package than the 17". Besides, as you say, you're going to have the external display anyway.
You'll TOTALLY dig the lighted keyboard, while writing/e-mailing on the couch in a darkened room. I know I do.
Yeah I was thinking about upgrading to the 128 so I can play Doom or whatever big new game comes out. I've still also considered the 12" though because I'm afraid it might get annoying to lug this thing back and forth every day. I ride my bike a lot, and every little bit smaller might make that more tolerable.
And sometimes I think I'm crazy and I should just get a G5. I already have a 800 Mhz TiBook at home that works fine. But this money runs out in August so I gotta decide.
Originally posted by FormerLurker
Apple Display has USB. Not 2.0, though, only 1.1 - more or less obsoleted by Bluetooth.
One caveat: Can you wake your PowerBook with a Bluetooth keyboard? (I don't think you can.) If not, that would favor a wired USB connection.
Escher
Originally posted by Escher
One caveat: Can you wake your PowerBook with a Bluetooth keyboard? (I don't think you can.) If not, that would favor a wired USB connection.
Escher
Hmm, that is an interesting problem. If you're right, then a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse clearly wouldn't be the way to go in this situation.
i do it every day, just make sure to buy two power adaptors. then you're just unplugging your laptop, don't have to wrap and unwrap everything all the time.