MBA for business use

I finally broke down and used the MBA for a business trip. I had to go to Tucson, AZ and I did not want to lug the IBM T60 with me, especially since I was bringing everything I needed in one back pack carry-on. However, before I left, I needed to do some configuration. So I downloaded Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) beta 2.0 from Mactopia. This allowed me to RDC into either of the machines I had logged in at work. Second, since I might be connecting while not at an office site, I downloaded the VPN software for Mac from Apani (formerly Contivity). It is the Mac version of the Nortel Network client. I also had to get a ethernet dongle from the Apple store since I knew the AZ office would not have wireles.

Everything checked out at the home office as well as offsite when checking the VPN software. So off I went last Wednesday evening. Arriving in Tucson at 9:15pm, I checked into the hotel and luckily had free wireless. I was able to RDC into my laptop at work and check some email and make some calendar appointments.

The next day, I LAN'd into the network and everything was a breeze. When I checked email, I could use Outlook Web. If I needed a file or had to use the laptop at work, I just RDC'd into the laptop. Furthermore, I didn't have to carry a paper notebook as the MBA worked just fine as a notetaker. The only thing I dare not do is leave it out of my site. There is no way to lock this thing down.

Using the Air during the trip was a breeze. It was so light to carry and being connected was so nice. However, I really still want to use this just for fun!