Today’s article is a guest post from Jennifer Williams. Jennifer is a writer, turned traveler, turned blogger, who is slowly slinking her way into the social media and blogging landscape. You can follow her (extremely) new Twitter account: @JKWilliams82.

For most people, technology is a huge part of their lives. Whether they’re going to college or in the business world, knowing what works for you is important to your daily routine. Having the “right” technology and techniques can often be a deciding factor in how well we complete our tasks and project- or, on the flip side, how frustrated we get and how quickly we give up. So tell me, what’s your preference?

Laptop or Desktop?

Laptops provide the freedom of mobility, providing access to important work files from anywhere they can log into the Internet. Thanks to mobile web cards and data plans, most locations now provide that access. It’s also easier to give presentations for any clients you meet with in-person or bring your laptop if you need to research alone or with a group. The only thing is, most laptops cost more but are less powerful.

Desktops, on the other hand, can cost about half as much and provide better specs. A consistent workstation can be valuable for anybody who wants to feel that their home office is really a home office. However, these bulky little behemoths can’t be lugged around, limiting your workspace and travel options.

What do you prefer? Laptops? Desktops? Or both? Personally, I have two laptops, a netbook and an iPad. Yes, call me obsessive.

Webmail or a Desktop Client?

Webmail is taking over the world of freelancing. With good email hosting, you can store all your files and messages in a server that you can access from practically anywhere on the globe. Collaboration, filters, integrated calendars, and more all make webmail a very attractive option.

But desktop clients often provide a more thorough organization alternative with fewer distractions. Additionally, it’s easier for most groups to setup a professional email address (@domainname.com) with a desktop client.

Do you go for the less professional but more accessible webmail? Do you use a highly organized desktop client? Or have you invested in professional email hosting that allows you to do both?

Virtual Contact or In-Person?

The modern era allows us to work extensively with clients and collaborators without ever having to meet or see them. Many never even see a picture of the person who writes their checks. Other tools, like Skype, allow for video conferencing that still negates the need to be physically present. Certainly, this saves some time, money, and effort.

But meeting clients or group members in person allows us to make effective presentations, establish a more thorough relationship, and often results in an excuse to eat out for lunch. Some loyalists insist that, despite the savings of virtual contact, a personal touch is vital to real business success, and long lasting personal relationships as well.

Are you clueless as to what your clients even look like? Can you actually tell us how firm a handshake they really have? Or do you do some combination?

These varied questions are the sort that only us, as users, can answer ourselves. While each method will have its advantages, there really isn’t a “correct solution” that should accommodate everyone’s needs. Rather, we must all pick our own path and deal with the consequences (good and bad) that it brings.

Quiz- So what do you think?
Laptop or Desktop?
Webmail or Desktop Client?
Virtual Contact or In-Person?

So what are your preferences?

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