Computer in the workshop?

[juststartingout]

Hi all,

do you all have your computer in the workshop or do you keep it in an office?  Also would be interested in wondering what kind of set up you have.  I'm likely going to set up a mac mini with a monitor hooked up in the shop with a wireless keyboard and mouse. 

Thoughts?

Oscar

 

[wow]

I have a (gasp) Dell PC in the shop because I use to run Auto Diagnostic software. Since it's out there I use it to surf the 'net when I take a break.

If I know that I will be doing something computer related, I take my MacBook out there.

 

[Woodchippie]

I haven't got space for a desk top computer, and also I haven't got a dust free area.
So I use a Ethernet plug from the house with a Apple airport express to create wifi access, and use my iPad. It works a treat and for my Android phone also.

 

[grbmds]

Unless you have some sort of a sheltering cabinet I wouldn't keep a computer or a monitor in the workshop. The possibility of dust, sawdust, and other dirt making its way into the computer or monitor is probably quite high. Even with a dust collector, a CT48, a ceiling mounted air cleaner, and the absence of any significant dust on exposed surfaces, I don't delude myself into thinking the workshop is dust free.

 

[John H]

I use a Chrome Box (ASUS).  It attaches to the back of my monitor so you don't even see it.  It has wifi, but I like to hardwire my stuff.  Great for surfing the web, checking email, watching youtube videos, monitoring security cameras,  etc.  Keep in mind it runs on the Chrome OS - but does everything I need in the garage, is not a power hog and I don't have to worry about dust

Here is the one I have but they also have a cheaper version that does not come with keyboard and mouse and has less ram and cpu

http://www.amazon.com/CHROMEBOX-M075U-Desktop-Bundle-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B00JY4Q52U

 

[SittingElf]

I have my now discontinued 17" Macbook Pro on a folding desk in the shop. Nice to have right there, and great for viewing sketchup plans and HOW TO videos on YouTube. Also hooked up to external speakers for iTunes and online music streaming.  I have router extenders throughout the house, so I get full-speed wi-fi in the shop as well.

My wife looks at my computer in the shop with suspicion. She thinks I sneakily watch porn on it!  Nahhh.. just tool porn! [big grin]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Sparktrician]

I keep my oldest (7 years) HP laptop in the shop.  It is rarely used there, and gets blown out regularly.  It is certainly not a fast machine, but it's adequate for the job. 

 

[Maddie]

Ipad with Zagg keyboard in the shop. Monitor and speaker are small, when motors operating I have to wear a headset.

 

[mazmes]

In the past the shop was the last stop for aging tech hardware. Old desktops then a laptop followed by a netbook. These days I just use my Nexus 10 tablet with a chrome cast attached to a monitor. Using a Slingbox in the house I can stream cable programing into shop. Years ago I pulled coax and cat6 into the shop, nice to have but not used anymore.

 

[Carl Prentiss]

I've had an old laptop in the shop for about three years and it's still chugging along despite getting dusty a few times. I've become very fond of OneNote. I have loads of notes, tips, factoids, photos, photos of drawings, tool manuals, etc that I can usually find quite easily. I also have a set of old computer speakers sound really OK. If I shut the heat down for a while, it comes in.

 

[nclemmons]

Mac mini connected to a flat screen TV works great for me.

Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad.