I'm here after all

[scarlettina]

Thanks to oldmangrumpus, I'm online and able to work while the computer situation gets resolved. He's loaned me a PowerBook that will do nicely, bless him. And yes, the decision is to get a new machine. Made the decision after I made my last post but before I got all the horrified responses urging me to run screaming for the cash register. :-)

This evening after dinner, I received a call from the Apple Store saying that my old machine is now backed up and ready to be picked up tomorrow morning. I need to do a little financial juggling and a little research, but I hope to have a new machine by Wednesday latest.

And now that I'm over the irritation and anger about this unexpected development, I'm looking forward to making the new investment. I'm inclined to go with the low-end MacBook Pro 15" because a) I want the new functionality that's available, b) I don't want a smaller screen than I already have, and c) I don't want to spend more than I absolutely have to. oldmangrumpus made an argument for the 13" MacBook based on image quality on the smaller screen and financial considerations, and though I see his point, I'm still edging toward the larger screen and the functionality issues. Anyone who has informed opinions on these issues, opinions would be appreciated.

Comments

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

I use both a 13 inch (Sony Vaio; home use; writing) and a 15 inch (IBM ThinkPad; day job). If you are going to use it as your workhorse, I'd go with the 15 inch AS LONG as you find it comfortable to carry around when you want to travel. You may want to bring your laptop carrier (I just use my backpack) and see if they'll let you try it out.

I'm relatively little, and I found carrying around my old Dell 8 pound workhorse *incredibly* cumbersome, driving me to buy additional portable writing electronics and keeping the workhorse at home on my desk. M being a full sized average male even found it a bit bulky. My ThinkPad is about 6 pounds, and I have to carry it to and from work, and it's not too bad. Still, it seems like a monster sometimes compared to the 4 pound Vaio and the 2 pound AlphaSmart :D

You may also want to see if there are differences in battery life. My Vaio can last 5 hours (in practice, not marketing) and my ThinkPad about an hour and a half.

So, ultimately, think about how you will be most using it and what is comfortable. If the 15 inch is comfortable for travel and battery life considerations aren't an issue then go for the bigger screen! I LOVE my Vaio, but I often consider an external monitor, which tells you the small screen sometimes bothers me. But not too often. Mostly when editing on-screen or gaming :D

Whichever way you go, enjoy the new computer! Five years boggles me. I start getting the itch for a new machine after a year (but usually wait 2-3 before actually upgrading).

(Note I'm mentioning brands so you know my feedback is not speaking specifically of Apples, not because I'm pushing PC :D)

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

If you are going to use it as your workhorse, I'd go with the 15 inch AS LONG as you find it comfortable to carry around when you want to travel.

Well, I've carried around a 15-incher for the last five years, so the size and weight aren't issues for me.You may also want to see if there are differences in battery life.

You may also want to see if there are differences in battery life.

This is a huge consideration, as the battery on my old machine was great at the beginning (four hours plus), but somewhere around year three took a nosedive to about 38 minutes.

Five years boggles me. Five years boggles me.

Well, I honestly think it's criminal that computer companies expect consumers to shell out between $1000-$2000 every two years. What other product requires such a major reinvestment on such a regular basis? Products should be built to last, and given the cost, I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation. I did feel the itch for a new machine at year three; I did feel an itch for the new features that updated systems offered, but the money involved continues to boggle me. When I think about it, it makes me appreciate how the rest of the world might see America as a nation of profligates, given the poverty prevalent in other parts of the world.

At the same time, there are justifications for the investment given how I use my machine. I suspect I'll never get used to the cost, however.

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the cost of machines, but considered the use I get out of them (work and play), I generally consider it a worthy investment.

That said, I'm hard on my machines, and I don't usually upgrade until I'm having headache issues with my previous machines and they are out of warranty, even if I get the itch beforehand. (My Dell overheated all the time and sometimes "forgot" where the hard drive was, in addition to not liking the machine at all since the day I opened the box. I'll never buy a laptop without seeing it in person first again.) My rule of thumb is "out of warranty, out the door." So I guess I should clarify that I upgrade every 2-3 years, because I break a computer about every 2-3 years and they go out of warranty :D It'd be nice if I could keep one for 5 years, but I just don't seem capable of it, although I have high hopes for my Vaio. I did upgrade from the Dell slightly before the warranty was up, because I was in a place to afford something more suitable (the Dell was my "oh crap, my other laptop is DEAD and I'm in college" laptop).

(Also there's the consideration that I'm into gaming and media and the problems with upgrading laptop hardware to keep up with new games that progressively require more... I try to balance this by buying slightly more laptop than I need at the time on the initial investment.)

My Vaio was really pricey (but completely worth it) and I splurged on a 4 year warranty because of that. Thus, I will not be doing a hardcore upgrade until that is over with. But I'm not above getting a docking station and external monitor as time goes by. :D

... Geez, I love to talk about laptops :P