Why I Ignore My Shiny New Mac (Why Web Workers Should Use Their Own Computers in the Office)

By Joshua on August 28 2008

As most of you know, in addition to freelancing, I also work part-time in an office environment. And on my desk sits a shiny new Intel-based Mac, complete with dual monitors, Adobe CS3 and every other application I could possibly want. Yet I rarely use it, preferring to carry my laptop around with me everywhere. Why?

It isn't configured for me to work efficiently.

Now, part of this problem is simply due to the fact that it is a Mac, and I've not been able to overcome my dislike for the way the OSX works. But there is also the larger factor that my laptop is mine, meaning I can:

• Install any software I own without having to worry about uninstalling it later
• Use reference material from past freelance projects to help speed up my office work
• Configure the machine in ways that would confuse others (for instance, Enso repurposes the caps-lock key)
• Avoid wasting time doing the above on a second computer

Privacy

Admittedly, this isn't too big of an issue for me, but if you ever do any banking or visit other sites with sensitive data on your work computer, you'd want to be especially careful to clear that data before moving to a new job, or even before going home in the evening.

Your thoughts

Do you use an office computer? Or do you use your own? What advantages and disadvantages do you see?