Jul 27, 2017 · 1 min read
A few refinements and comments:
- Get a high speed hub for the desktop setup, like a USB-C hub. They extend the ports, and when you’re remote, you don’t need as many.
- If you’re going to do AI or deep learning work, get a discrete graphics processor with as much GRAM as possible. Also, CUDA support in your graphics choice is critical for AI and the Adobe suite. Other apps use alternatives, so CUDA is not as critical.
- For users who want to operate with the lid closed at their desks, separate keyboards should not be full keyboards. They aren’t like your laptop keyboards, and so you’ll develop separate muscle patterns if you use them. For Apple users, get a touchpad. You will want to maintain the muscle memory for pinching, swiping, etc. Get a separate monitor that matches your resolution internally. That way, app positioning on the desktop will not vary when switching between the arrangements.
- HDMI ports are good for running presentations now, as many businesses have changed their supported interface from VGA to HDMI on projectors.
- RAM, RAM, RAM. Get the max. Period. Never anything less.
- IMHO CPU is not as critical. i7 Quad cores are not required, but they don’t hurt.
- Coolers can help laptops some, but not considerably. YMMV.
