As recent as a few years ago, traditional computer hardware consisted of either a large desktop personal computer, including the actual tower, monitor, computer mouse and keyboard – or a laptop, which was often big and quite heavy to carry back and forth from the office to home. Either way, most of us would certainly never dream of pulling out our laptops at the dinner table, or packing our desktops for a family vacation. These days, most people would never dream of even stepping foot out of their homes without every file, address and gigabyte in tow. It’s easier now, because the new computer hardware looks more like a traditional tiny mobile phone than a laptop!

With the advent of iphones, Androids, BlackBerrys and the entire group known as “smart phones”, carrying your entire hard drive around with you has never been easier. The days of rushing home to check your e-mail or social networks are long behind you, and you can happily work during your train commutes, down time at meetings, or while your families are in bed. As long as you have your smart phones, jam-packed with applications to make life easier, accessibility and ease of “plugging in” can enable you to get work done anywhere!

At first glance, this new 24 hour news and work cycle, thanks to smart phones and culture of round-the-clock workaholics, seems ideal. People no longer need to be stuck at the office working on an intranet or in-office system. Employees and managers can be in constant contact via smart phone, despite the time of day. In essence, it’s great because now people can have more time with their families at home. But if that time at home should be quality time and not spent glued to your phone, maybe it’s not the best situation after all. Sure, it’s wonderful not to stay late at the office, but with the new computer hardware, it’s understandably difficult to resist temptation to e-mail at the dinner table, digital message at your son’s soccer game, and be otherwise totally disconnected. Use the technology carefully, and you’ll make the most out of it!