This study investigated PhD students' computer activities in their daily research practice. Software that tracks computer usage (Manic Time) was installed on the computers of nine PhD students, who were at their early, mid and final stage in doing their doctoral research in four different discipline areas (Commerce, Humanities, Health Sciences and Sciences) at the University of Otago in 2013. These students self-reported as being skilled computer users. Analysis of the data revealed no significant difference in computer use within this cohort of students despite the stage of their PhD and discipline backgrounds. The findings suggest that these PhD students seemed to regard their doctoral research as a full time job but they generally only engaged with basic built-in software applications in their daily research practice.