17" MBP + 30" ACD + Garden + Alcohol = My New Office !

[Neutral Gamer]

Yeah, so I've had my MBP for a month now and I'm about to:

1. Buy a 30" ACD.
2. Buy Apple keyboard and wireless mouse.
2. Get outside into the garden.
3. Put a frosted glass table into the middle of the grass.
4. Get a long power extension cable.
5. Put ice bucket next to bottle of Bulmers (cider) and glass on desk.
6. Start work (trade Futures).
7. Pray it doesn't rain (I'm in England).
8. Enjoy life.

Thank you in advance for your comments on this ludicrous / genius idea.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Sounds like a sweet setup my friend. You are in England so you can expect rain just about everyday, if not, then fog will there for your enjoyment.

How is the 17" MBP working for you? I have read all of the posts and thread on this site about that topic and I won't stop asking it until I get either my 15" or 17" MBP. The biggest concern for me is finding places in everyday life to use it. Do you have any issues with just walking into a coffee shop or sandwich shop and pulling out your $3000 17" MBP and putting it on the table? Can you use it in the passenger seat of a car? The usual stuff, things you may not have been prepared for, where you have to pull out your technology sword (laptop) at any given moment and use if for a few (30) minutes.

How does the book hold up to that. My 15" does this just fine, and with plenty of room to spare on my lap and in my girlfriend's car. More than enough room for the extra few inches for a 17" MBP. The only thing I always seem to need is more screen space when I am cutting video or using Aperture. Mainly when cutting video on the go or at a desk, I would love to have more screen real-estate which is the only reason I am considering the 17".

What is your take?

p.s. Congrats on the 30", I use it at work and I cannot believe how big, bright, beautiful, and beastly that thing is. An amazing piece of work, and I can't wait for the update to it.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I think you should add a 3rd #2: Set up canopy

Why not just use your MBP.. did I miss something?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Being able to work from wherever you want is truly the best part of the laptop. Being able to telecommute here and there I simply love knowing I can sit anywhere that has wifi and work. No one is the wiser, I could be in a coffee shop all day and still be working.

Your setup sounds great but I don't get the purchase of the 30" ACD if you're going outside.

 

[Neutral Gamer]

I think you should add a 3rd #2: Set up canopy

Why not just use your MBP.. did I miss something?

Your setup sounds great but I don't get the purchase of the 30" ACD if you're going outside.

I've been using the MBP in the summer house - it's great looking out into the garden while working away and getting up for strolls every now and then to stretch the old legs. BUT, I need more space. I have so many charts up on the screen at once that they just end up looking too small.

The original idea was to have the 30" ACD upstairs in the office and move around the house with the MBP during lunch and breaks etc. I always joked with my friends I'd put the ACD in the garden, but I think I'm ACTUALLY gonna do it.

But you're right - a canopy or sheet of some kind will be a must have in this country!

How is the 17" MBP working for you? I have read all of the posts and thread on this site about that topic and I won't stop asking it until I get either my 15" or 17" MBP. The biggest concern for me is finding places in everyday life to use it...

Mate, I scoured the forums on this site as well before taking the plunge (spending well over $3000 on a laptop ain't to be taken lightly!). Most people on the site recommended getting the 15" MBP with 30" ACD. But I was greedy! I couldn't resist the idea of the high resolution display on the 17".

You can fit the laptop on your, erm, laptop. But quickly putting it on your lap while laying in bed or watching TV really isn't practical - I keep thinking I'm gonna drop it! My sister's got an old non-widescreen 15" laptop and my laptop is pretty much the same size. So it's not as big as people think. It even fits perfectly in the laptop case she bought for her laptop!

However it's definitely noticeable when compared to the Macbook or 15" MBP - it's not exactly light either! Basically if you need the higher resolution go for it. I was in the train last week, not sure about standard class, but in first class the desk was more than big enough to fit the laptop on. Passenger seat of the car should be no problem, unless you're talking about a mini or something.

However, if you're gonna be whipping it out a lot (the laptop that is) you'd be better off with the 15". But with a program such as Aperture I think you'd benefit a lot from the higher resolution. Try Aperture on the 15 and 17 inch models in store and if you can get by on the 15" go for it!

If you have any more questions don't hesistate to ask mate!
Cheers.