I am moving across the country pretty soon and thinking of getting rid of my desktop computer. It’s not terribly old or bad (about 3 years old), but it’s pretty sluggish.
My mom and boyfriend suggested getting a laptop to replace it, so that it could be transported more easily. At first thought, this sounded nice (hey, new computer! Yay!) However, I don’t know if I should. Here are my thoughts:
My employer will be supplying me with a laptop (of unknown specifications) that I should be able to use once we get to our new place. Maybe I should get rid of my computer and use the work computer exclusively (including for personal files), backing up my personal files to a USB drive or something.
Alternatively, maybe I could just keep my desktop, bring it with me, and buy a new monitor once we get to where we’re going.
The final possibility is that I could revive my old laptop for file transfer purposes and/or as an emergency machine (in case I get there and realize I really, really need a computer for X, Y, or Z). It’s really old, though, probably about 7 years old now, and the battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore, so I’d have to keep it plugged in to use it at all.
I’ve never not had a personal computer and it kind of freaks me out not to have one of my very own.
I have concerns with bringing expensive electronics in the car with us across the country in the middle of summer. What if someone breaks into the car? What if it’s too hot and it fries our equipment? Also, laptops are expensive. I can afford to pay $1000 for the laptop, but it kind of galls me that I paid hundreds of dollars for my desktop and now it seems pretty much worthless.
