My new computer and work area set-up has been a short-term success. I like the streamlined look of things, and I am delighted with the ultrawide monitor. It contains the same screen real estate as the two monitors I had before. I like the options for moving between multiple screens (sometimes 4) within the ultrawide space and that is done more easily and cleanly with the LG onscreen control app.
I have also been able to get my foot pedal hooked up and have been using it more both when I sit and when I stand, which has eased some of the stress on my hands.
The new Macbook air with the M2 chip is super zippy and the battery does live up to all the hype. It works beautiful in the clam-shell mode and securely “standing” alongside the monitor. I like that I don’t have to put everything in the cloud and can easily back-up with my external hard drive.
Moreso, I’ve been kind of proud of myself in how well I have embraced the change. Old dogs can learn new tricks and I truly have been more satisfied with this set-up than I hae been in a long, long time. The ease of moving from desktop to laptop mode has been a big boon for my work flow. I can stand up much of the day and do things from admin to chair things to actually writing words to then sitting with my laptop to do tasks that I prefer while on the couch or what have you. For example, I often go to a local, outside drinking establishment to get through my afternoon emails. Being able to bring the laptop that has all my setting just right and a great battery life has been great. My old laptop had lost its battery capabilities in lots of ways so to have a true laptop experience has been wonderful.
The use of the desktop mode, so to speak, has meant I have my big keyboard and the big monitor and I’ve actually written more in the last few weeks than I had in the last few months.
So short term I call this whole shift a success. I’m hopeful to keeping my momentum going into and through the Fall academic term.
If you’re thinking about making a tech or workflow change, or both, then I want to encourage you to give it a go.
Wishing you health, peace, and joy.