How to Choose the Right Computer That Suits Your Freelance Work

For someone whose bread and butter relies on one machine, choosing the right computer for your online work shouldn’t be left to the sales guy to decide. You need to know what specification suits your freelance work. While this may be a daunting task for someone who’s just starting out with freelancing or not really into computers, there are a couple of things that you can consider so you can make a better choice in purchasing your computer without wasting and money.

What’s your line of expertise?

The best way to determine your computer configuration is to be able to identify the line of work you perform or plan to engage in. For someone who’s doing data entry and VA jobs, I would highly recommend getting dual monitors.

There’s been studies that the use of dual monitors has increased productivity to about 40% and I can attest to that as I’ve been loving the dual monitor setup (and have no plan on going back to single monitor) when I’m at home.

To give you an idea of what I’m using, here’s the full specs and accessories on my main desktop.

Specs: 2 Samsung 21′ LED monitors
Processor: Intel Core i5-4670 CPU @3.4GHz
Storage: 1TB HDD and 1TB external drive
RAM: 16GB
UPS: APC
Video Card: Palit Daytona
Motherboard: I use Asus
Webcam: Logitech’s HD Webcam C525
Headset: Audio Technica ATH XS5
Microphone: ATR2100
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitech’s Unifying Receiver for Wireless Mouse and Keyboard
Wifi: I have both on board wifi and USB dongle

So with that information listed above, here’s the kind of work I’m using it for:

Data Entry
Video editing using Camtasia Studio and Adobe Premiere Pro
Audio Editing using Adobe Audition CC 2014
Transcription using Express Scribe and Infinity Foot Pedal

If you don’t know or not very familiar on how to access this information, all you need to do is (aside from checking your purchase receipt On your computer you can go to:

For Windows 8 users:
Click on Start –> PC Settings –> PC & Devices –> PC Info or you can also follow this:
Open Windows Explorer –> This PC –> System Properties

Working on PC environment can be very versatile and cost effective. I also love the flexibility of being able to upgrade and have more options in terms of component prices, so if you’re cash conscious and just want to get started, investing in a PC is a good option.

On the other hand, if you have plenty of cash to splurge and invest in a computer, a Mac is definitely something you can’t go wrong with either. Just remember, it’s not the brand that will make your freelance work successful, but if you invest in the right equipment, you’ll have less issues to think and you can focus on what really matters, that is, taking care of your client’s projects.

Laptop vs Desktop

Once you have decided on the specs of your computer the next thing you’ll need to decide is whether to get a laptop or a desktop computer. If you travel a lot and would like to be a digital nomad, working in cafe’s and airport lounges or hotel rooms, definitely your best option is to get a laptop. You wouldn’t want to bring your desktop with you while travelling or you’ll get some eyeballs staring at you with raised eyebrows.
Here are some other benefits to choosing laptops over desktops:

Portable – great for travelers and digital nomads
Lightweight – with the latest laptop models, you can get laptops that are lightweight and not bulky
A good option if you get a lot of power interruptions in your area
Takes minimal space

That’s all from me on this topic. I hope this will help you make a better decision when making a choice on what computer to purchase for your freelance work. Questions and tips are welcome in the comments.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Laptop Computers

When weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of laptop computers, it's important to bear in mind what you're comparing them to and how you plan to use them for your business. Laptop computers are more portable than their desktop equivalents -- a definite advantage for a mobile workforce -- although not as portable as tablets. Laptops give you the power and flexibility of a desktop computer, where tablets may be limited in these areas.

Portability

Laptops give you the components of a desktop computer packed into a portable unit that you can take anywhere. Working on the move, away from the office or at a different desk is a lot more convenient when using a laptop than a desktop. However, in terms of size and weight, tablets offer even more portability than laptops. If you can live without a physical keyboard or have a Bluetooth keyboard paired and have all the apps you need to work, then a tablet device can be even more convenient than a laptop.

Power

While desktops, laptops and tablets all have the same core components in terms of processor, memory and graphics capabilities, as you move further along the portability scale, these components become increasingly less powerful. Components inside a laptop case typically run more slowly than those in a full desktop machine, and there's no room to install extra graphics cards, sound cards or capture cards. Generally speaking, laptops are still significantly more powerful than tablets and almost up to the level of desktops in capabilities. If you need the most powerful computers possible -- for video editing, game development or larger screens, for example -- then desktops are probably the way to go, but high-end laptops are almost equally capable.

Flexibility

Where laptops have a distinct advantage over tablets is in their flexibility. In terms of external peripherals, from printers to external hard drives, anything that connects to a desktop computer can also connect to a laptop. There's also the keyboard and optional mouse input methods, making it much easier to type for extended periods on a laptop than it is on a tablet. Laptops are typically much faster than tablets, which run only basic operating systems.

Battery Life

Portability for laptops comes at a price -- you can't work forever without finding a power outlet at some point. Laptops can now boast similar battery performance to tablets, with many higher-end laptops offering a 12-hour battery life. Battery life can vary substantially depending on the specification and design of the laptop you're working with, but it's an essential point to consider when comparing laptops with desktops and tablets. An extended battery life is an advantage on a laptop, while a limited battery life is a definite disadvantage.

The Advantages of Desktop Computers

Depending on the work you do and the demands it places on your computer hardware, you may be choosing among desktop, notebook and tablet devices when you select the systems for your business. Each of these types of gear offers its pros and cons, but in some situations, desktop computers hold advantages over their more portable technological relatives that make a compelling case for using them in your business.

Add-On Cards

Depending on your business focus and your workflow, you may need a desktop computer to accommodate the hardware that supports your profession. Although you can attach external devices to a laptop computer, you can't open up its case and plug in proprietary DSP or processing cards for use in high-end audio or video work. You may be able to host your add-on cards through an expansion chassis plugged in to a notebook computer, but you'll have to spend additional dollars to acquire the hosting hardware. A desktop system also enables you to install more than one graphics adapter to support multiple displays.

Display Flexibility

Most laptops can mirror their video output to an external monitor, but a desktop computer gives you the flexibility to choose whichever primary monitor you want or need, including those you can calibrate for print-production color correction and retouching, reference monitors to evaluate video footage for commercials and feature films, or secondary displays in addition to a very large primary monitor. Some desktops -- Apple iMacs, for example -- include a built-in monitor just as a laptop computer does, but these built-in screens dwarf the displays on portable computers.

Drive Bays & RAM

A desktop computer provides you with drive bays in which you can install additional storage. By comparison, adding storage capacity to a laptop limits you to plugging in external devices or installing a replacement for its internal drive, a swap-out that may require a technician service call. Desktop casework accommodates the larger size of a motherboard with multiple slots for RAM expansion through the addition of memory chips beyond the allotment a laptop can hold in its limited interior space. Desktop computers also distance you from the heat these components give off.

Assembly & Customization

Choosing a desktop for your primary computing needs enables you to build your own system from components you select and to choose parts that offer the performance parameters you want as well as the compatibility to work seamlessly with one another. Because of the cramped quarters inside laptop cases and the customized components that these systems require, the do-it-yourself route largely excludes portable computers as an option. A desktop system also makes it easier to open and work inside the computer case if and when you must make repairs or replace components.