<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>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-01T06:16:59.823Z
2018-03-01T06:16:59.823Z
Edward Kirton
<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>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-21T19:04:16.137Z
2018-02-21T19:04:16.137Z
gringer
<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>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-21T21:51:43.247Z
By locking do you include suspending the machine or not?
llrs
<nanopore><ngs><minion><minknow>
Can I use my computer while MinION is sequencing without negatively affecting the run?
# Can I use my computer while MinION is sequencing without negatively affecting the run?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-21)

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?

**Tags:** nanopore, ngs, minion, minknow
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: By locking do you include suspending the machine or not?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-02-21. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

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.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-03-01. Score: 1

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.


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