Advice for secondary machine needed

my boss asked me if need new computer office... don't know do.

background:
main working machine own 15'' mbp (2011 model). spend 2 days week @ office, other days @ offices elsewhere. typical daily routines include word processing (latex, keynote), writing & running c/c++ code (often cpu intensive), , lots of online research , reading. have access few remote servers more demanding calculations.

i've considered of following:
1. external (thunderbolt) display
2. mbp 15/17 don't have use own machine
3. 13'' mba (+ external screen?)
4. imac
5. windows/linux desktop

things would, in 1 or other way, me:
- large screen, or second screen
- data backup, or full mirror of working machine
- less weight carry around

5. useless. 2. great if mbp old, right wouldn't benefit much. mba lacks ram everyday use.

how easy keep 2 osx lion machines synchronized? leave mbp @ home, work on imac, , come home , continue work on mbp next day, without excessive copying? i'm using dropbox, , of files relatively small.

guess question whether benefit more imac or external display. i'm open other suggestions useful setup, , synchronizing.

 

you mention burden of carrying around mbp, big consideration? if it's no-brainer: imac.

keeping them in sync of challenge, not if have dropbox. in fact that's i'm working on after getting new mbp, keeping , white macbook in sync. i'm upping dropbox account, should cover since of work i'd doing on macbook otherwise on remote servers.

said, considering using mbp everything. keeping multiple computers up, right i'm @ 3 laptops (mbp, macbook, , hp elitebook 8440p that's on it's way out) plus servers plus desktop gets annoying. i'd have 1 laptop, , hosted servers , done it. i'm on go, having in 1 spot instead of realizing needed edit video , left mbp @ home.. idea.

hope helps. personal opinon, though, have them thunderbolt display, external kb & mouse, , backup drive.

 

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