Summary
Personal distributive computing is having multiple devices and computers for various tasks. This page describes some benefits of personal distributive computing compared to relying only on a single computer.
Problems with Reliance on a Single Computer
There’s a convenience to having a single computer for all of your personal and business tasks. All your files are in one place. There’s only one computer to manage. However, if that one computer gets hacked or crashes, you’ll lose access to your only working computer and all your files for a period of time.
Distributive Computing
With distributive computing, you might have one computer on the kitchen dining table that you use for a short while in the morning to check emails and read the news.
Perhaps in your office you would have two computers — one for financial and business tasks that need greater security, and another for personal tasks such as travel plans, social media, or emails with friends and family.
You might also have a computer in the living room dedicated to streaming news, movies, and other entertainment.
If one computer gets infected, hacked, or crashes, the other remains secure.
Extending Device Useful Life
Rather than going to the store and purchasing several computers, a better approach to distributive computing is to keep your older computers running as your secondary systems. Each upgrade to a new computer results in a retired computer that can continue to serve for basic tasks.
Reducing Wear
By using several devices, the wear is distributed. If a drink is spilled on your kitchen computer and damages it, that computer doesn’t have all your important files and it’s seven years old. So, it’s less of a loss or disruption.
Tech Support
When your tech support person comes to visit, they can update and work on several computers at one time. Since your newer computer will likely be faster and more minimalist, used primarily for critical tasks, it will be more reliable. If the kitchen computer stops working, another used one can replace it. You’ll have plenty of alternatives if one of your computers stops working, so there’s less urgency to have tech support right away.
Other Devices
You may need a desktop computer for your business computer or other advanced tasks. However, the kitchen device or living room device could be a tablet device. Tablet devices cost less and are not as likely to have problems requiring tech support.
