Friday, January 18, 2013

Input Data, Output AAAAUGH!

After two long days of extensive online research and opinion soliciting into new laptops, I have announcement.

I’m exhausted and intensely confused.

SSD. HHD. Hybrid. Hybrid? These things run on unleaded now?

Lightweight. Ultrabook. Convertible. What the … I’m not buying a car. Which would be far easier. My requirements for a vehicle are simple: start, go, turn and stop on command; don’t explode or fall apart in between.

“Why so stressed?” asked My Love, brushing off another fallen strand of my hair from her shoes. “You should be excited. This should be fun research. new computer! Oooo, shiny shiny!”

Spoken like the indiscriminate, sporadic consumer she is. You remember her bulk shopping sprees at farmers’ market that lead to the Summer of Freshly Rotted Vegetables. Here’s a more recent example:

I opened the kitchen cabinet where we keep our vitamins and Li’l Diva’s daily meds a few months ago to discover, in a rare unsupervised trip to CostCo, My Love had purchased half a dozen boxes of low-dose aspirin. In all, 216 tablets.

“I heard a daily aspirin is good for your heart,” she said.

True enough .. if you have a heart condition. She doesn’t and I’m constantly reminded I only imagine I do. Otherwise, they are good for aches and ulcers. Creating ulcers, that is. I’m ahead of the curve on that one.

Back to the research.

i3. i5. i7. Hut-hut-hike! Punt!

SATA. mSATA … Aaaaugh – my head feels like it is going to explode.

Oh.

Dang that woman of mine.

24 comments:

  1. And then once you decide on one, you have to search the Internet for the best price. I miss the days of less variety and competition.

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    Replies
    1. I think that's part of Apple's appeal. Aside from slick designs and performance. I've considered Apple off and on (my Lord, I used to use a MacIntosh at one of my college internships) and I just don't like being pigeonholed into using only their stuff and buying it from them. That and I'm an old dog.

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    2. What stuff do you have to buy from them? I bought my computer(and AppleCare coverage), and that's the end of it.

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    3. Software, peripherals, social status ... ;-)

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  2. I went to Fry's and told the nice lady in the computer department what I wanted it to do...then she peppered me with phrases and initials and words that I though might be English but couldn't be sure, named features that I didn't need, until I pointed to one and said "pretty" and that was that.

    I shop like a girl.

    But...I am one...

    Shade and Sweetwater,
    K

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  3. I need more coffee - I read that as you shopping for computers at the farmer's market.

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  4. Okay .... I have to completely agree with "Kyddryn" on this one. Think "pretty." But then I buy wine using the "Ooooh, neat label" method. But then, I am a girl too.

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    Replies
    1. As a dedicated beer drinker, that is exactly how I shop for wine. That and it must be less than $20.

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  5. Just buy a Macbook and call it a day!

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  6. "Lightweight. Ultrabook. Convertible. What the … I’m not buying a car. Which would be far easier."

    That's funny, because it's true.

    Good luck finding the right computer and do NOT over dose on that aspirin!

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    Replies
    1. I am a loyal Honda guy. I know their stuff works and works well, so it's just a matter of how big a vehicle I need and what color.

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  7. Let her shop for the computer. Then, when she gets home, you'll have a selection to choose from

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    1. Sadly, that may be the best solution. Costly but best.

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  8. We've been somewhat content with Dell. I went with an i5 and regret not spending the extra 200 bucks for the i7.

    Dell builds a lousy input for the battery cable. The prongs are so damn cheesy that any torsion on the cable causes them to bend slightly and over time they WILL break. The parts & labor aren't expensive but having to leave your business laptop at the shop for weeks is.

    I would have gone with another type of Windows-based computer after the first Dell's input broke, but just talking to the local computer guru had my head spinning ala Linda Blair.

    Good luck out there.

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    Replies
    1. Simmer down, boyo. If you're not doing any heavy-duty processing, an i5 is fine fine fine!

      In the Mac vs. Windows debate, I can add something to the conversation. I use an older MacBook for work and it's not hard to get used to - it's far easier to switch from Windows to Mac than Mac to Windows. Most of my friends who use Macs simply cannot function on a Windows-based machine. So many peripherals and software are being designed to work with both Windows and Macs rather than one or the other, it might be worth a look when you find yourself completely overwhelmed by the Windows world.

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    2. I'm having a harder enough time dealing with my iPod, let alone a full blown Apple computer.

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  9. MacBookPro, either 13 or 15 inch screen will work. There. Your search is over.

    Bruce

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    Replies
    1. I waiting for a revival of the Banana PC.

      http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/26/bloom-countys-banana-jr-6000-lives-on-as-a-fantastic-casemod/

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  10. I agree with Bruce. I like my simple MBP 13''. Portable and reliable.

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  11. Someone took my "You're at your sexiest when you comment" note to heart.

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