I need a new laptop soon. I've been putting it off, but it's time. Are you using a laptop in field and desktop at office? Wonder if I should get a ok/ decent laptop for field and a decent desktop with two or three monitors in office. I don't game, etc.? Just for work, internet, etc. My issue would be syncing certain data. I'm terrible at backing up too! So some kind of syncing system/ or back up program would be great. I've heard Google Docs and Dropbox mentioned here. Would one of these fit my needs? Also wondering if most of you are using XP or 7 or both?

If you haven't found a great need for 2 systems, don't start now. Get a decent laptop, docking station (for external monitors, mouse, KB, charging, etc.) and be done.

If you do go desktop & laptop route, get Dropbox. Move your document folder into dropbox folder and never worry about manual sync'ing. Just make sure your dropbox is sync'ed before you shutdown your machine, or the other unit will be accessing outdated files.

Thinkpad with SSD and docking station. Windows 7. I have one from over a year ago and it is robust (build wise) and runs perfectly.

+1 on this, also be sure to get as much RAM as you can into the new 'top.

I do prefer to use both a desktop at the office and laptop int he field though, I cannot recommend a desktop manufacture because I build my own, even this one at work.

I've been using this company for years. Just ordered a new system from them. Everything is built to order. They also build laptops. The best service I've ever experienced.

William is my favorite system designer/salesperson.

http://www.pugetsystems.com/

27" iMac (running windows 7) at home and a lenovo thinkpad laptop with win7 and SSD. I removed my optical drive and replaced it with 1TB HD for data storage.

I prefer having 1 machine and i did this for about 2 years with the lenovo+dock. Data was always in one place and it made life much easier.

But...

The iMac is 2560 X 1440 pixels. My lenovo is 1920X1200. This extra space comes in very handy for working on projects because i have have two windows open side by side and they are "big" enough to work without constantly scrolling the browser or application window.

I just have to remember to sync everything when i travel. Roboform/evernote and a few others have syncing built in. Applications like filezilla have to be synced manually by exporting an xml file and then importing it on another machine. Its a little bit of a pita but worth it to have higher resolution whenever possible.

My thinkpad is pushing 4 years old. I had to replace the keyboard about a year ago because the space bar was worn out on one side and didnt respond well. Support asked me if i wanted to schedule a tech visit or if i wanted the part shipped. I opted to have it shipped. Had it a few days later and installation went smooth. I maxed out the ram, added the new SSD drive and upgraded to windows 7 last year also. It performs very well with graphic software, visio, auto cad and industry software (crestron amx etc). Lenovo builds solid machines.

THANKS so much for all the input so far. I'm leaning towards a good laptop with a docking station but will look into one of each. My real need for a laptop is for programming in the field. All my proposals, word, and business related would be on the desktop. I would need "see" some file from the desktop or even Log Mein to use BidMagic remotely or my dream would be to e-mail an invoice at the end of a service call with my i-pad. I don't have any experiance with Log Mein yet so I don't know the limitations, etc.

The best Windows machine I've ever had has been my Apple.

I just traded in a 5 year old White Macbook for $480 at Best Buy this weekend. No sh!t. 5 years old. Do a trade in value of ANY windows PC just 1 year after purchase. Let me save you the trouble. It's a big fat zero. The ONLY pc with any sort of residual value is a mac. I enjoy owning my tech for a few years then upgrading for a lot less out of pocket. Just my 2 cents.

I picked up a think pad w520 a couple months ago andnjustnfinallyngot an Noel SSD and dock station. I need to get the adapter so that Ican move the 500gb had into the DVD slot and use as a second hdd.

I haven't used it much yet but what I have as been impressive. I got the unit with the newer quad core Mobile intel processors form intel with a turbo boost close to 3ghz

i prefer desk top and a lap top..call me old and out of fashion i guess....

ed,
I'm totally with you. I also the laptop mainly for programming, and have to remember to synchronize things before I take off.

MacBook Pro with VMWare Fusion for the Windows side of things. Beats every Windows laptop I've ever owned or used.

I ran across this today and thought it was cool....something to think about vs. iMac if you want something you can upgrade easily down the road:

[Link: shopping1.hp.com]

Pretty damn slick IMHO. I have not been a big fan of HP laptops, but their business desktops and workstations are solid. I normally build my own PC desktops though. I get better tech. support that way. :)

Anyone who purchases that over an iMac (at that listed cost) should be shot in the face. Like they do to injured racehorses. Just put that person out of their misery.

Laptop + Dock with DisplayPort outputs connected to (2) 30" monitors is about the best you can do at the moment. Apple's downfall is lack of proper docking station. I use Dell Latitude; I'd really like to see an UltraBook-type refresh of that lineup. The market is really missing a high resolution 1080p 13" laptop that is touchscreen and has a docking station. Hopefully Windows 8 brings us better hardware options too.