Multiple devices in hand while working or studying: Is this advantageous or disadvantageous?
By Sanna_S
@psanasangma (7398)
India
April 23, 2025 1:00am CST
Apparently, I have been observing myself being seated in the chair with one laptop on the table, open books, notebooks, and a smartphone. As usual, I would say I am always punctual for my routine and dedicated; however, after having a glass of water, I realize my hand autopiloted by tapping my smartphone for no reason, spending time with mindless scrolling, and at the same time keeping my current working documents open on my laptop. Now, it makes the realization: is it good to have multiple devices while working? Why does it look like a distraction, and why does this look like it could be the main cause of delaying my work, so as procrastination?…
So, should I keep my other devices away and prioritize keeping all the materials only; What is the most important to be completed? Besides all, I find I have a tendency to open many links to be read later and engage myself with no productivity. Am I finding it complex or having management issues with devices? Wonder how people are doing it.
11 people like this
12 responses
@pitsipeahie (5170)
•
23 Apr
Right now I have my PC open, my laptop and Ipad beside me. I use them simultaneously for work and some recreation on the side too.
3 people like this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
23 Apr
I can imagine how all are important just like opening all the notebooks, registers, and so on 
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5170)
•
23 Apr
@psanasangma I just noticed now lol, correction, that's smartphone not laptop. What was I thinking when I typed that haha 
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11576)
• Legaspi, Philippines
23 Apr
That's very me, too 
. Good thing, I am not watching TV. Others do. I just wonder how can we finish our job with this setup.
. Good thing, I am not watching TV. Others do. I just wonder how can we finish our job with this setup.3 people like this
@Mshafeeq (1510)
• Bangalore, India
24 Apr
@psanasangma women's are good in management ??
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (173502)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Apr
Oh, yes. In this day and age, we must have at least two devices on and ready to go. I was taught many years ago now to always have a pencil palmed and ready in my customer service training back in the 70s. So now I have to have something going at all times when in work mode.
I was taught many years ago now to always have a pencil palmed and ready in my customer service training back in the 70s. So now I have to have something going at all times when in work mode.1 person likes this
@celticeagle (173502)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Apr
@psanasangma .......I know that I am. I enjoy all they have to offer.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
24 Apr
I can imagine you being always busy
Sometimes I wonder am I making myself too much dependent on these devices 
Sometimes I wonder am I making myself too much dependent on these devices 1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (94027)
• Arvada, Colorado
23 Apr
For me it is not..because I will drop them all at once.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
24 Apr
Oh my !!
No matter how much I try to balance in using these devices it does not go accordingly it always fluctuate..
Can you imagine earlier days, technologies are on their place so as our work. Now when we start incorporating it becomes juggling life for me
What I am seeing with present generation is ... for working/ studying, smartphone, laptops, ipads along with books are required and when you are relaxing, you also need phone in your hands... what the 
but I want to laugh at myself now
No matter how much I try to balance in using these devices it does not go accordingly it always fluctuate..
Can you imagine earlier days, technologies are on their place so as our work. Now when we start incorporating it becomes juggling life for me
What I am seeing with present generation is ... for working/ studying, smartphone, laptops, ipads along with books are required and when you are relaxing, you also need phone in your hands... what the but I want to laugh at myself now 1 person likes this
@arunima25 (89923)
• Bangalore, India
23 Apr
People boast of multitasking, but I belong to the old school that would go slow and focused on one. I tried this module of current times and found that most of my time was gone in distractions than the actual work done. I keep my distractions away when doing my work.
2 people like this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
23 Apr
I can understand you !! Few days ago , I planned to listen some audio at the background and starts browsing the mylot's discussions.. and guess what!, 
nothing works anymore. I can't focus ... at the end I have to pause the audio and start reading the discussions first... Looks like this is how productivity is defining with me
Anyway, for other works when both smartphone, laptops are required to be engage with regards, it still okay however the social media scrolling, and listening some audios doesn't work anymore 
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
24 Apr
@arunima25 You are absolutely right! Social media scrolling is addictive; the feeds and recommendation of similar videos have high tendency to keep you engaging.
I am in the situation avoid social media , even whatsapp while I start working unless somebody calls me.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (89923)
• Bangalore, India
23 Apr
@psanasangma Well, I am a bit different there. Playing a light music in the background makes me more productive. There is always music playing in my house. But then not with some audio that needs my attention.
Social media scrolling is addictive. That's why I don't pick it up unless I feel that I have been productive enough to take such break. Even for breaks, I would like to do something else more than social media scrolling.
1 person likes this
@cabuyogty (3537)
• Philippines
23 Apr
For me, i prefer to learn with a notebook , books and laptop. If I need a smartphone , then I will use a smartphone, books and a notebook only. It depends on what the student needs to use for studying.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
24 Apr
I like your simple steps... I think we can also learn and work without engaging ourself with phones
I believe it is all about how you make it productive with available resources and if addition is required then we can incorporate smartphone with internet
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (188239)
• United States
23 Apr
It sounds like it could get confusing.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
24 Apr
It is actually confusing state for me perhaps dilemma not being able to handle multiple devices at one time
1 person likes this
@allknowing (144358)
• India
24 Apr
I would not know as I ony have one device at a time with just the TV on for company sometimes.
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
23 Apr
I agree with you. Learning and understanding the purpose of device is also important for the sake of my progress with proper self management
@Kosgey (1761)
•
23 Apr
It sounds like you've hit a common challenge in our hyper-connected world! You're definitely not alone in experiencing this pull between focused work and the allure of other devices. Let's break down your observations:
Is it good to have multiple devices while working?
It can be good, but it heavily depends on your workflow and how you manage them
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
23 Apr
Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone !! I am relieved now
Multidevice are also needed can't be avoided again in our daily life. I believe understanding the purpose of using such devices is required from my side to avoid distraction and delays
I think, if I have priority work such as documentation/ reading ... or if I have timeline to be fulfilled, then smartphone can be avoided unless there are important works in the storage
Last but not the least, I believe social media scrolling can be / should be avoided for the shake of my progress
Multidevice are also needed can't be avoided again in our daily life. I believe understanding the purpose of using such devices is required from my side to avoid distraction and delays
I think, if I have priority work such as documentation/ reading ... or if I have timeline to be fulfilled, then smartphone can be avoided unless there are important works in the storage
Last but not the least, I believe social media scrolling can be / should be avoided for the shake of my progress @Mshafeeq (1510)
• Bangalore, India
24 Apr
Nothing new people are addicted to it sometimes they need all at there place of work o hands are addicted for scrolling the screen or just opening the links whether we read it or not. I believe it will distract our work with perfection but certainly it depends on what type of work you do so that you need all those devices around you.
1 person likes this
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
9h
Yes agree with you !! Engagement of devices could be depend on the nature of work you are doing. I think using such devices also need right environment... for example ...for using phone and scrolling social media, it can be done anywhere but again laptops/PC need different space ...
Again I think it depends on person to person how they manage them..
@psanasangma (7398)
• India
9h
I think TV running or playing audios from the smartphone at the background were some kind of company. These technologies are sometimes to make yourself that "you are not alone" but when one devices/ work demand dedication.. as you said we can't equally give attentions..