Quote: billwill @ August 8 2012, 2:28 AM BSThowever if you were to go for the convenience of a small netbook, for carrying around, you might want to consider getting a bigger monitor (£65-£120) and keyboard (approx £10-20) to use with the little computer while you are at home. All laptops & netbooks have sockets for connecting external monitors & keyboards.
That's what I do.
Haven't had a big tower PC thing for years.
Hi Zooo
My desk space is limited for laptop, additional screen and additional keyboard.
Perhaps, I'll rethink my options. Thank you.
How can you attach a stand alone screen to a laptop? I know Bill mentioned sockets etc but when the lid is closed on my laptop it hibernates or something like that.
I can't comprehend how I could utilise the laptop as just a cpu unless the lid is detached - I am obviously missing something here or dim as Tim.
Annie 
There's a button on your laptops keyboard you ca press to switch between the laptops screen and an external screen.
On mine it's CRT/LCD but mines an old laptop so your might not say the same.
Oh Lee
Thank you so much. I can't see an LCD button. My function 4 key is displaying images of a TV screen or perhaps external screen. I will check out the manual on my Packard Bell Easynote TR87
Thank you all so much - together you have saved me pounds! I owe you all a drink!
Much appreciated
Annie 
Quote: Raspberry Fool @ August 8 2012, 9:59 PM BSTMy function 4 key is displaying images of a TV screen or perhaps external screen.
That's the bugger!
Hi Lee
Brillo pads!
Quote: Raspberry Fool @ August 8 2012, 9:12 PM BSTwhen the lid is closed on my laptop it hibernates
That's a simple Windows setting that can be changed in a matter of seconds. Or you could hook up an external monitor and have BOTH screens working at once, showing different things.
Hi Aaron
Now that is clever - windows partitions...
The easiest option is you just leave the laptop open, if desk room is small, you can put it to one side at right-angles and/or partly behind the big screen.
What Aaron says about both screens is best, but not all small computers can display different things on both screens. If not, the button mentioned above lets you blank the laptop screen if you find it distracting.
Quote: Raspberry Fool @ August 8 2012, 9:59 PM BSTOh Lee
Thank you so much. I can't see an LCD button. My function 4 key is displaying images of a TV screen or perhaps external screen. I will check out the manual on my Packard Bell Easynote TR87
Thank you all so much - together you have saved me pounds! I owe you all a drink!
Much appreciated
Annie
The key marking is probably coloured grey, which indicates that it performs that option only when used in conjunction with the grey F key in the bottom left corner of the kbd. The key action usually sequences through Internal Only, External Only, Both screens and sometimes No screens. (not sure about the order though)
On some Netbooks it is described as the PROJECTOR select key, because it the video socket can also be used to connect to a video projector for doing Presentations.
Quote: zooo @ August 8 2012, 7:15 PM BSTHaven't had a big tower thing for years.
Tell me about it !
Thank you Bill - much appreciated.
Old Rocker - tehehehehe