text: user1075: I have a Mac Book Pro and I am about to start a sequencing run on the MinION. MinKNOW is going to be running for 2 days. 
  Can I use my computer during sequencing? Can I browse the web and use Excel, etc? I am not speaking about running a parallelised genome assembly on all my cores using my entire RAM but more mundane activities, like checking my emails or taking notes. Furthermore, can I lock my screen using Control + Shift + OFF without negatively affecting the sequencing? 
  
  user2436: Since biological samples and reagents cost time and money, I wouldn't push it too much.  Checking your email would be fine, but I wouldn't be browsing the web (besides gmail/calendar) in case a plug-in (e.g. flash), bad javascript, etc. causes any trouble.  
  I'd disable any auto-updates too.
  Locking the screen would be fine.
  Personally, I'd buy a cheap chromebook and let the Mac work.
  
  user73: Yes, that should be fine, especially if basecalling is disabled. Locking a screen should be fine as well.
  I prefer to do basecalling after a run anyway, because there's a chance that it could chew up too much processor time and result in lots of skipped reads.
  
original_text: 1075: <p>I have a Mac Book Pro and I am about to start a sequencing run on the MinION. MinKNOW is going to be running for 2 days. 
  Can I use my computer during sequencing? Can I browse the web and use Excel, etc? I am not speaking about running a parallelised genome assembly on all my cores using my entire RAM but more mundane activities, like checking my emails or taking notes. Furthermore, can I lock my screen using Control + Shift + OFF without negatively affecting the sequencing? </p>
   2436: <p>Since biological samples and reagents cost time and money, I wouldn't push it too much.  Checking your email would be fine, but I wouldn't be browsing the web (besides gmail/calendar) in case a plug-in (e.g. flash), bad javascript, etc. causes any trouble.  </p>
  
  <p>I'd disable any auto-updates too.</p>
  
  <p>Locking the screen would be fine.</p>
  
  <p>Personally, I'd buy a cheap chromebook and let the Mac work.</p>
   73: <p>Yes, that should be fine, especially if basecalling is disabled. Locking a screen should be fine as well.</p>
  
  <p>I prefer to do basecalling after a run anyway, because there's a chance that it could chew up too much processor time and result in lots of skipped reads.</p>
  