43 Folders

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Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.

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”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Laptops: A blessing or a curse?

When I got my first laptop, I loved the exhilarating freedom of whipping it out anytime I "needed" it. No matter where I am, I could work on a project, balance a budget, or play a video game. Years later, despite its "convenience", I'm dangerously married to my laptop.

It's with me virtually everywhere. On the bus, at work, at home, in bed. And yes, it even goes with me to the toilet--the perfect time for multi-tasking, right? According to my estimate, I spend twice as much time looking at an LCD screen than high-definition reality.

My laptop, supposedly handy, is now just an easy excuse to work (or procrastinate) at any time, all the time. I need help, and it's time for an intervention.

Do you have an unhealthy marriage with your laptop? Have you switched back to desktops? How have you coped? Please share.

abosio's picture

Unhealthy indeed

I have an unhealthy marriage with my desktop! I am looking for a younger model with one of those hot new Intel chips to go out on the town with, or at least to another room in the house. I found being able to check email and Bloglines and do a little browsing with the iPhone from downstairs was liberating. I have a work laptop that I occasionally bring home, but I want a Macbook Pro so I can have all the comforts of Mac and do some dabbling in Ubuntu and Windows.
 
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