Shiveen Pandita

Four Computers

I currently have 4 different tiers of computing devices, listed in no particular preference order:

On the outset, it seems like too many devices. And in all fairness, it probably is. But I get enough use out of all of them that I find them worth it.

Here's how I think about each one.

iPhone #

This is my main device and is almost always on or near me. I use it for the basics: calling and texting people (duh), quick media consumption, some social media (I'm not big on socials anymore), and taking photos.

I don't play games on it, and I don't do any intensive reading either. I realized a few years back that too much time on the small screen just makes me grumpy. Maybe it's the text size, or maybe it's how I hunch like a gremlin when I use it. Either way, if something takes more than 10 minutes to consume, this isn't the device for it. That honour belongs to my beloved iPad Mini.

iPad Mini #

I can't overstate how much I love this device. I was hesitant to get it at first—wasn't sure I needed another i(something) Apple thingamajig—but boy was I wrong. This device has surpassed all my expectations.

This is my main "put the phone down" device, other than my e-reader. I use it for basically everything. Reading news? Tick. Booking flights? Tick. Consuming newsletters? Tick. Watching YouTube? Tick. Watching TV shows while the family uses the bigger screen? Tick. I could go on.

It's the perfect device for casual consumption and surprisingly great for research too. I come home, put my phone away, and use the Mini for everything. I even got the cellular version, so sometimes I'll leave my phone at home if I just want to read and chill somewhere without it burning a hole in my pocket. This is also my go-to travel device.

I just really wish it had a better screen with a higher refresh rate, but that's a minor gripe.

iPad Pro #

This is the oldest device in the lineup. I bought it in 2021—it still has the M1 chip and works flawlessly for my needs. It stutters a bit more than it used to, but nothing that's enticed me to upgrade. Speaks volumes about how game-changing the M series hardware from Apple is.

I use this sometimes as a consumption device, but truly this is my "get my life in order and sometimes write" device. I'm writing this post right now, with a cup of espresso on the side, lounging on my deck with this iPad. I use it with the standard Apple keyboard, and it's a joy to write in this form factor. I love that the small screen keeps me focused.

I also do any technical or long-form reading on this device—research papers, lengthy articles, that sort of thing. Calendar scheduling and todo management happen here too. The multitasking shines with split screen working perfectly for these workflows.

MacBook Pro #

The workhorse of the family. I have the (almost) latest M4 Pro version, and it does everything I need. If there's one device here I would keep, it would be this. It handles basically any task thrown at it: photo editing in Lightroom, building apps, sending tax documents—all on this beast of a machine.

I remember the Intel MacBooks getting so hot on my lap when doing anything intensive. The current MacBooks, though? Truly meant for lap use. I can do hours of intensive work without it ever feeling uncomfortable.

For me, the MacBook is for anything the rest can't do—usually programming or graphics-intensive tasks. I also find some websites work better on the MacBook than the other devices, where the screen real estate gives me a better sense of what I need to do.

So yes, four computers might seem excessive. But each one has carved out its own niche in my daily life, and together they make up a system that just works for how I live and work. Could I pare it down? Probably. Will I? Probably not.

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