Laptop computers are quickly overtaking desktops as the tool of choice for home office workers, according to a new survey. Merle Sandler, a senior research analyst for IDC, said her company’s survey took a look at the spending habits of the 33.1 million U.S. households that have home offices. According to IDC’s findings, most home workers who are buying laptops–56 percent–are choosing the “thin and light” category, which usually consist of screens that are about 15 inches and come with a CD read-write drive and perhaps a DVD player. The second-most-popular category, according to IDC, is the desktop replacement group–notebooks that tend to be more fully loaded. With 33 percent of home office notebook sales, Sandler said, these computers are chosen for their multimedia capabilities and larger screens.