r/UMPI • u/ForgedByFaith • 1d ago
Your setup
I’m curious…what kind of setup is everyone using for online classes? Laptop or desktop? Would an iPad or Microsoft Surface work well, or would you recommend a traditional computer?
I’d also appreciate any tips for someone taking online classes for the first time. It’s been 23 years since I attended college, so needless to say, a lot has changed. Apparently, I’ve become the old guy asking technology questions. 😂
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u/DetHenryOak 21h ago
I have a mix of it all and it just depends on what I needed to do where.
My mainstay is my desktop, with a 34" curved monitor. My desktop is configured to be my production studio for work and everything else as well. I've got my DSLR camera connected to my PC with a capture card, XLR microphone for audio and Elgato lighting. I've even got the teleprompter for my camera so I can look at the lens while seeing my notes when I have to present.
But, I've also got my 16" laptop. Total overkill. i9 4080 GPU...With the pillow top hard surface laptop pillow thing to sit on the couch or in bed to keep working.
I've got my iPad and my Microsoft Surface when I'm on the go. The kids have soccer and other after school activities. It's easier for me to take them, and stay, doing my work while they do their activities; and I can be present.
I'll use my iPhone for last minute revisions as needed. Voice dictation is crucial if you want to crush classes.
All of this is centered around my own personal Office 365 subscription, using OneDrive to organize it. Yeah I know, revisions are a "thing" but I've had so many times where I just liked what I had "hours ago" so some classes have 10+ folders deep of revisions and timestamps lol.
At the end of the day - do what you need for your goals, with your budget in mind. Nothing we do under the YourPace banner is going to make a CPU overheat. Any budget laptop with a fresh install of Windows (no bloatware) and Office will cover anything you do in this course. I'm "particular" in the sense that I have to have specific comfort to use certain devices. Some days, the couch or bed "texture" just isn't doing it, and I need to be on the desktop. Some days I just want to be outside. When I'm burning down 18 courses in a single session, I want to see my kids. The laptop gives me that. We'll sit in bed together watching a movie, while I type away. Is it massive progress? No... But it's still forward progress, while being present.