1. Tomaz

    Tomaz New Member

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    The Difference a Laptop Makes...

    Discussion in 'Writing Software and Hardware' started by Tomaz, Sep 15, 2009.

    I got myself a laptop a couple of weeks ago in preparation for University, and it seems to have confirmed to me what I’ve always suspected. The mobility of a laptop really seems to help with writing!

    As mine is very compact and has a very decent battery life, I’ve just started taking it all over the place with me. I’ve found writing so much easier than it has been in the past. A change of scenery really seems to help with the flow of things. I know it’s awful to never really want to actually write with a pen and paper, but I’ve been like that for years - so getting a laptop has been a very liberating experience in terms of how I write.

    I’m now in America for a week or so, and here especially I’ve got so much done!

    Does anyone else agree that the mobility of laptop can make a huge difference to the flow of writing? I don’t think I’ll ever go back to working at my desktop! :rolleyes:
     
  2. DragonGrim

    DragonGrim New Member

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    I’ve had my new laptop for a week and don’t know how I ever got by without it.
     
  3. Dcoin

    Dcoin New Member

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    I like writing on location, so for me its a MUST.
     
  4. architectus

    architectus Banned

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    No, because I'm a hermit, but I do love the way my laptop keys feel.
     
  5. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Also consider a digital voice recorder. Smaller than many MP3 players, you can use it for quick notes on ideas you have wherever you are, or even to dictate a few pages worth of story. If it has a USB interface, you can even read it into your laptop with a speech to text program.
     
  6. ChimmyBear

    ChimmyBear Writing for the love of it. Contributor

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    I love my laptop for writing, but I still enjoy writing with pen and paper. I must have at least 30+ legal pads stored in boxes. When I write on paper, I type it all out later and keep the handwritten work. I should probably throw them away, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of them.

    As for a desktop computer, I gave mine to my son. I just don't use it.
     
  7. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    I love having a laptop. I can write pretty much anywhere and anytime. Before a laptop, I was jotting stuff down in random notebooks. With a laptop, all my writing is in one place. Plus, if I really want, I can write during class.
     
  8. CDRW

    CDRW Contributor Contributor

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    How much would that kind of thing cost, with the speech program and all?
     
  9. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    The recorders range from $25 to over $200. I saw a really good one for about $150 at the store last weekend. It had an extra USB slot for extra space and seemed pretty reliable.
     
  10. It can be distracting but a laptop is awesome for writing
     
  11. Pallas

    Pallas Contributor Contributor

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    I've been wanting a laptop for a while now, as my pc is quite old and having the mobility of a laptop would greatly encourage my writing, rewriting, and just general organization of all my scrap notes. Plus I wouldn't have to sit, as I have a back injury that inhibits long periods of sitting. Until then I got my pad and pen.
     
  12. marina

    marina Contributor Contributor

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    I don't bring my laptop w/me to school -- too heavy w/my other stuff. I really want to get a netbook soon, though. That size & weight I could manage.
     
  13. Pallas

    Pallas Contributor Contributor

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    Yes I have bee eying the Dell netbooks, as I would only use it to write. I best be saving my scant pennies.
     
  14. p.sawyer

    p.sawyer New Member

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    i'm completely the opposite. i have to write using a notebook and pen, and i usually re-draft everything at least once before i even think about typing it up. i'm not a techno-phobe, i don't have a fear of computers and am very competent on them, but i'm quite old-fashioned in my ways despite only being 22.

    i don't have a laptop, i use the desktop computer we all share. eventually i would like to invest in my own laptop, possibly in the near future so i can have everything of mine together ready for when i move out, but even then i will still always write with my good old pen and paper.

    i love buying notebooks with pretty covers, and i love hand-writing. i write so much better that way, and i think it completes my experience of writing. writing using my computer is very official and objective to me. i do it for essays for university, so it reminds me of the conformity of education. whereas with a pen and paper i feel as though i have a lot more freedom.​
     
  15. MacGuffin

    MacGuffin New Member

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    I stood on my laptop and cracked the screen :(

    But I'm looking to get a netbook thingy... they're almost as small as a Game Gear now. And with better batter life.

    Great for my fat hands. Hope it will come with a dialling wand.
     
  16. Syne

    Syne Member

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    Why did you stand on your laptop exactly? :p

    I have a laptop, but I can't write outside, or anywhere with people around. Makes me far too nervous. The only way I can write is barricade myself inside my room and just sink into another world.

    But laptops are useful in general. I don't know why I'd do without mine.
     
  17. tonten

    tonten Active Member

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    bleh I'm unique. The only scenary I can write in is at home or at work - in both cases, I don't need a laptop.

    If I go out for coffee with friends or such, on vacation, I would want to enjoy it. If an idea comes along, I jot it down on paper or make a mental note.
     
  18. Fiel

    Fiel New Member

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    Writing, the main reason (excuse?) I bought my laptop. It's convenient and encouraging to have one. I usually turn on the music & open some pictures to instill/encourage inspiration while writing. I don't put much game in it as to reduce the possible distraction.

    Laptop, don't know what to do without one. :D
     
  19. mistressoftheflies

    mistressoftheflies New Member

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    Oh god, you guys are killing me! -doesn't have a laptop but will soon-
    I hope I experience the same wonderful liberation that has happened to you. ;]

    Writing with pen and paper for the last two months has nearly depleted my sanity reserves.
     
  20. afinemess

    afinemess Active Member

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    I totally agree that laptop and a change of scenery is a great thing! I got stuck in the middle of writing one day, and I pulled out the old dusty Compaq and sat in a different room, and the words flowed...that is until I got the message of doom and a blank screen. haha
     
  21. seta

    seta New Member

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    I got my Mac mini almost 3 years ago now but I don't think I'll ever by another desktop. Laptops only for simple fact that it's an "all-in-one" computer. Big bulky dinosaurs are a thing of the past for me.
     

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