Does anyone use their notebook as a portable desktop?

What I mean is, does anyone have a monitor, that they plug into their laptop and use and external keyboard and mouse when they are at "home". Then when they go away, just unplug all and take the laptop.

If you do, do you have any recommendations, like, should I use a cooler?

 

Yes, i do. I do not use a cooler though.

 

Sure, plenty of people do that.

As to the cooler, I would recommend using one when you are docked. I use mine all the time at home (usually just passively). When I am not at home, I don't worry about it.

 

sure do , got my en489 docking station at work and my em537 dock at home with 2 monitors mouce keyboard an a bunch o crap plugged into dock , replaced 3 computers with 1

 

i do that,i have lenovo x series laptop with it`s docking station connected to 24" samsung display and logitech keyboard and mouse,and i have to say it is very very comfortable!

 

Thats exactly what I do. I use a cooler, USB keyboards, mouse notmonitor though, I like my screen

And yeah, when I move I just un plug everything.

 

I have a 24" LCD monitor, logitech G7 mouse, and a logitech G11 keyboard hooked up to my HP laptop.

My Eee PC has a 21" CRT, Saitek Eclipse keyboard, and an ol' HP USB wired mouse.

But I mainly use my HP as my permanent desktop and my Eee PC has my portable (movable) desktop.

 

For me, my desktop machine has some serious hatred towards my laptop.
Since I picked it up, it I've been using it a lot more often than the desktop. Mostly because its quieter and uses less power, and unless I'm doing some serious gaming it'll do the trick.

I just use a cooler and usb mouse, and for some movies and or larger viewing, I just throw a connection to my projector.

Occasionally I'll use a usb keyboard but not too often as it's usually sits in front of me on my coffee table.

Although when I travel I do take the mouse and folding cooler with me.

 

I used my Dell notebook as a desktop for going close to 3 years. I did not use an external kb or monitor, but I did use an external mouse. I'm preparing to wipe and sell my old desktop. I'm also preparing to wipe and put Linux on my old Dell as my primary machine is now a Macbook. The Macbook screen is much better than my old Dell was.

I remember when I purchased the Dell, the biggest factor was size. I wanted a laptop I could put on standby and close the cover on my rolltop desk. While PC notebooks continue to get bigger and bigger, 6 out of 7 current Macbooks fit this criteria. I have the mid-level Macbook, but all 3 Macbooks will fit. 2 of the Macbook Pro's (15.4 inch models) would fit and of course the Macbook Air would fit. The only Macbook that won't fit is the 17 inch Macbook Pro.

For this reason, I doubt I will ever bother with an external keyboard and monitor. The Dell D430 keyboard was ok. It wasn't great but it worked well enough. The Macbook keyboards are a dream. The feel is incredible. I wish I'd done this year ago. The Dell touchpad was a POS. The trackpad on the Macbook is better but since I always had an external mouse and I'm used to it, I kept it along. For now.

I do have a "docking" set-up. From the bad old days where my Dell would overheat ever since I crammed 750 Meg of memory into it, I have a "chill hub". I'm still using it, but the only items plugged in right now are my mouse and usb sd card reader. I can use it when I decide to use a USB drive to run a backup and that's about it. The hub is a holdover from the days when I couldn't read optical media because the Dell didn't have an internal optical drive. But to the question of whether I use a notebook as a desktop, the answer is definitely yes!

 

Laptop Cooler, Ext keyboard & Mouse, Ext HDD, speakers, all plugged into my Quickdock. All this turns into 1 cable straight into my laptop when i get home

It sucks quickdock came with every port except HDMI out, i have to plug this in seperately :/

 

i do it with movies, plug my lappie to the hdtv then use bluetooth for wireless mouse and keyboard, then we got wifi in the house i can browse around. ^^

 

My laptop has completely replaced my desktop that is now a server. The reason being that my laptop is simply way more powerful than the desktop, and being a college student being about to move it around is very convenient. Even though, I don't have any additional accessories for my laptop, besides a usb mouse and a cooler.

 

My laptop has replaced my desktop in it's role of games and general use. Sooo much more confortable sitting behind a desk than a Logitech G25.