Who here uses theirs as a desktop?

I just got to thinking how much I use my new machine as a desktop... I have a 23" external monitor hooked up, external mouse and keyboard, external drive, and keep the lid closed 99% of the time.

Anyone else do this? or are you using yours as an actual laptop?

 

Mines a dust collector until I need it as a laptop or if my desktop is down for RMA's and such ( which is more often than I'd like. ) I suppose If I wasnt accustomed to having a steady 120fps in every game I play then I'd use the laptop more.

 

Yep, I'm pretty much desktoppin' it. You can see from my signature that I run tied to the desk for the most part. I use it in its sporty laptop mode about once a month, if that.

 

yup same here i got my laptop connected to a 32 inch sony led tv on my desk, i usually extend the display if im working on some video editing,ps etc.

when it comes to playing games i just play it on the tv using the hdmi output

 

When I'm in my dorm, I hook it up to a 22" 1080p monitor and use both the external monitor and the laptop's screen at the same time. However I use it on a daily basis out of my dorm elsewhere around campus. . . . so I do and I don't use it as a desktop - I'd say 50-50.

It is a desktop replacement afterall.

 

What bag do you use to carry yours? Do you find it a hassle in lecture halls? That's the thing I'm most concerned with, cuz of squishy seating/desks.

 

hasnt left my desk in months.

 

Currently yes, But I hope to turn it into just a mobile gaming machine once my desktop comes in.

My R2 is mostly used for gaming at places other than my house. Me and some buddies will get together sometimes and play together.

 

I just use my backpack. It's a big backpack, but still just a backpack. Its made by Jansport.

As for lecture halls, I don't use it much in lecture halls, but when I do, it's not a hassle at all. We have auditorium seating in our lecture halls so when I do have it out, I have it on my lap, which doesn't pose any problems.

 

External mouse, keyboard, audio, plugged in via ethernet, external hard drive, etc.

Only reason I don't use another display is because my display has too much input lag.

 

I have not owned a "desktop" for years. I require portability, being anchored to some huge heavy box under the desk is a waste for me.

 

I use it as a portable when i travel, and as a desktop replacement at home. Since i stay home only 2 weeks every 3 month or so, i can't see the point on getting a desktop (just to leave it there taking dust..).

so yes, it is a replacement for me.

 

Which Jansport fits the m17x?? Please advise thx!

 

when you plug in another monitor to it, does it work the GPU any harder?

also what settings do you use to keep the lid closed and not have it go into hibernation/sleep mode?

 

The 460M defaults to the GPU when plugged into an external monitor via HDMI. Whether this works it harder is probably negligible.

I have my system configured so that hard disks never shut off, and hibernate never turns on. The sleep timer is also disabled. The lid is also set up to not trigger sleep mode. The only timer I have set is a 30 minute one for the monitor.

I keep this thing as close to a desktop configuration as possible.

 

I don't believe it works any harder just from being used on an external. Be aware of native resolution differences though between your panel and your external.

 

JanSport - Product Detail for BIG STUDENT

It's one of those. Mine's black, not blue lol. It fits it, but there is no padding at all for the computer - so you still have to be pretty careful with it. It's not ideal, but it works for me.

As for the external monitor thing, I have it so when I plug in an external monitor, video settings switch so the master GPU is controlling the external while the Slave GPU is controlling the laptop's display.

Whichever monitor you have running off of your Slave gpu, that monitor will not receive the same performance while gaming as the monitor running off of the Master. And I've also noticed, regardless of what monitor you're running using, that monitor will gain a few fps in games if you disable the other monitor regardless of the gpu configuration.

Sorry about the incomprehensible sentences - haven't slept in 38 hours.

 

I had two gaming desktops, both Intel quads, one with an HD5850 and one with xFire HD6870s. I gave one each to my two sons after my m17x arrived.

I don't even have a personal desktop anymore and don't miss it. The only thing I plug into my laptop is a usb mouse, I use the built in keyboard and screen for everything.

 

Used 95% of time as a desktop (External 25" monitor, USB keyboard & mouse, Ethernet at office, wireless at the house). Very limited use on battery as a laptop (which is one of the reasons that the plugged in not charging problem on my R2 is not bothering me more that it does already)

 

I got an Averki (the one for the 18" laptops) and LOVE it! It holds my 3 laptops, phone, tablet and multiple power bricks and mice. Very comfortable to wear and very well built.

highly recommend it!

 

Desktop for me. Decided it was too heavy to lug around so I bought a EP121 from ASUS for portability. Just got a G19 keyboard so I don't have to give up the colored keyboard

 

have mine connected to a 23" monitor as an extended display. using external keyboard and mouse too.

 

I need my information and apps to be mobile as I often need them on the road. When I've tried desktop/laptop mobility solutions, I'm always missing something that I didn't sync. Just getting a good laptop that can be used as a desktop replacement makes things so much easier. It stays at work mostly with 2x24" external displays attached, external keyboard, and external mouse. As I do a lot of backing up of data, there are several externals attached as well.

 

That's a good backpack. They don't make 'em like they used to though---now they're all really thin and crappy.

RE: the 2 GPUs. Are there 2 HDMI slots or just 1 slot? What I'm trying to get at is, can you output two HDMI signals to like for example, two HDTVs?

That's a good backpack. I tried it at Frys. If Dell had offered that, I would've asked for that one instead of the Orion.

 

I have mine connected to an external monitor, keyboard/mouse (in sig), ethernet cable and headphones, but I will disconnect all of these in a second to take it with me to places like school or a friends house.

 

Def use it as both but more like a laptop.

 

When I get mine, I'm going to hook up my 32" monitor to it.

 

My M17x has become a desktop because I got sick of having to flip it over and take the battery out to get it to charge every time I tried to use it as a portable. Thanks Alienware.

 

You got tired of taking the battery out to get it to charge...?

Sounds like a failing battery lol....

 

Yeah my wording was not so good there. I have the charging problem where it wont charge the battery when you plug the laptop back into AC power.

 

So what's the solution???

 

My R3 sits on my desk unless i need to do a presentation at school or play some games with my friends

 

Well I don't know...sure wish ALIENWARE could tell me. The BIOS updates did nothing.