Charlotte is presenting this morning but using a laptop on the right hand seat of the desk. The original desk in 2014 (and I assume subsequent shrinking) had under the desk monitors for all four position, but would the TVC set not have been fitted with one as (in normal situations) it is rarely used by a main presenter? Has Susanna also used a laptop when sitting there?
No Susanna hasn't been using a laptop, this morning was the first time. Must either be a technical issue or Charlotte trying to look hip and trendy like Victoria Derbyshire on BBC News who needlessly uses a laptop in Studio E of Broadcasting House.
Why is accessing a newsroom computer when you are a news presenter needless? News presenters usually want to keep across wires, pre-read and approve/rewrite scripts if required etc., particularly on long shows where you can't read, check and rewrite everything before you go on-air. Charlotte's used to being a newsreader - where bulletins will often be being rewritten whilst she's on-set. It's basic professionalism to pre-read a script in advance of reading it on Autocue, if it's possible to do so, to check the sense of the stories, work out where the tone needs to change, and also to check any surprise names that may require pronunciation advice.
iPads are great for checking basic running order stuff, but if you want to rewrite, top line message a producer etc. then a keyboard is a much more sensible option.
Different people have different display screen equipment requirements - and some may just chose to use a laptop out of preference. It's hardly an odd thing for a news presenter to have with them on-screen. It's a major tool for actually doing their job.
Sure integrated monitors can be preferable - but if you are a more intensive user (the integrated screens are not suitable for heavy use), or have vision issues that mean those screens cause you eyestrain (they are usually very dim) then providing a laptop would seem to me to be a non-issue?