Dec
12
Friday Open Thread: About My Box…
BySo y’all know that my nifty MacBook was ganked from my Civic in Montford about a month ago. Well the homeowner’s insurance has come through, and I’m ready to get another computer.
I don’t do anything terribly intensive on the web. Blogging, email, and watching video is pretty much the extent of my use. Whatever I buy needs to travel well and have a good battery.
What should I get?
44 Comments
December 12th, 2008 at 12:19 am
A life!
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December 12th, 2008 at 12:21 am
But seriously, get another MacBook. From everything I’ve read they are nifty little instruments and it sounds like you never had a problem with it.
Not to mention that the MacBook will leave you a Prius away from being a stereotypical nuevo-West Asheville yuppie, which earns you credibility in some circles.
I kid. It’s out of love. Let’s go drink bourbon and egg a Stomper’s home.
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:15 am
….sigh…
MacBook, MoFo! You so silly!
Don’t want to drop the dimes? Look into these new things called netbooks. Lightweight in terms of cash and performance. Just internet and editing machines. Sub 700. DO NOT GO TO FRICKIN Best Buy.
I can also recommend a brand called Systemax, based on my experience. These are full scale machines. Very nice. 10 key pad, which I like.
Or, better get a recycled laptop from blue ridge computer recycling. Local biz etc. They got a 30 day guarantee on stuff 2. Support local biz!
Mainly one has video considerations. That informs everything. Don’t care? Choose on OS.
Done Vista yet? I don’t know if you can even buy XP anymore. Me – I love Vista. Most folks hate it. There are some specialized software compatibility issues, but I right click on the installer executable and say “Run in compatibility mode” and it has blown my mind. Mind you, I am not a specialized graphics or sound gal.
But —- no replacement for OSX. That’s your decision. OSX or not. You decided when you read that. You know if that matters. You can sub a grand on eBay as well w/ a MacBook.
So, go …..(clapping, brushing off hands….)
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:20 am
now, about MY box. Any advice?
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:22 am
For traveling nothing beats my MacBook…I’m a long time PC user and still getting used to some of the drawbacks I find, but over all I’m sold on my nice little lightweight MacBook…and if it’s what you were used to, well then I’d definitely stick with it.
you never got back to me on that referral I was trying to send your way…I’m assuming it wasn’t a match on the person you were going to talk to??
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:30 am
If it is for travel mainly I suggest at least looking into the ASUS Eee PC. They way 2-3lbs, run linux or XP, and are great if you aren’t using any heavy RAM intense programs (Adobe Photoshop or sound/video editing software). Plus they are dang affordable.
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December 12th, 2008 at 6:31 am
It’s all about budget. What’s the max you wanna spend?
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December 12th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Get a MacBook, used, on eBay, from a reputable seller. My MacBook Pro is the best computer I’ve ever owned, and I bought it used. I’ve worked with some of the latest Windoze laptops a bit and they are still plagued by a fundamental awkwardness as if they were designed to be used by computer geeks.
Oh, right. They are designed to be used by computer geeks.
The real bottom line, long term, is reliability. If you get a netbook, make it an Apple. The company’s record speaks for itself. Like the Maytag repair man in the old ads, Apple repair folks spend a lot of time fishing.
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December 12th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Jenny and xty’s suggestions are good ones, but if you’re leaning toward a netbook I’d suggest trying one out before you plunk down $ on one.
I almost bought one when they first came out – the idea was especially enticing after lugging a bulky laptop bag with me on our little cross-country adventure in February – but decided to curb my impulse and wait until I had a chance to try one out. Good thing, too. It’s hard enough for me to type on a laptop as it is, but make the keyboard 90-95% smaller and I’m helpless. Your mileage may vary.
As a brand, you can do worse than Asus. I’ve been using one of their laptops for a few years, and it’s been pretty reliable (the only problems I’ve had with it were software-related). If you do get an Eee PC, opt for one with an Intel Atom processor instead of a Celeron. The Eee PC 1000 is a good choice – it comes with a 40gb solid state drive (no moving parts, less power consumption), and you can grab one from Newegg.com for $400 (with a promo code that I can give you if you’re interested).
Another thing to keep in mind is this weird marketing/manufacturing quirk – if XP is your choice, you end up paying more for less. Netbooks preloaded with XP usually have skimpier specs like smaller hard drives and less RAM.
Or you can just stick with a MacBook. I would.
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December 12th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Get another Mac – 60-70% of Vista users have pitched the faulty OS and retro-installed the previous Windows OS, which is slightly less aggravating than Vista. You don’t want that kind of pain.
Stick with Mac. It’s simple, elegant and it works.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I’ve had my MacBook Pro for three years, and it’s been consistently rode hard and put away wet. I tend to abuse my toys, and I’ve never had a problem with it. Aside from the dozen or so dogs I’ve adopted over the years, it’s been the single best investment I’ve ever made.
That said, I’d agree with Arratik. Given what you do (or, more to the point, what you don’t do) stick with a MacBook. With the new aluminum ones out (they’re sweet but pricey) you can get great deals on the white ones (kinda like your stolen one — but with a beefier processor and graphics engine). Save some money on the box (don’t go Air or Pro or Aluminum) — and with the extra scratch you’ll save, you can max out your RAM to 4 Gigs and maybe get an external drive or an iPhone (and an iPhone in many ways obviates the need for a laptop, especially when you ain’t got a connection).
The downside to the MacBook (versus the MacBook Pro) for most users is the brightness and viewing angle of its screen.
I’d disagree with Cecil on buying a used computer. You’re asking for trouble down the road (who knows what’s been spilled in the keyboard — coffee, cigarette ashes, DNA) and you won’t be getting a warranty. Closest I’ve ever come is to by a refurbed box from Apple or a reseller like Small Dog Electronics. Refurbed products are “like new,” meaning that they’ve either just been returned or repaired by Apple certified folks and they carry the same warranties as a new machine.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
G-
I just got a refurbed laptop (actually my first laptop ever), and even though it is loaded with Vista, I’m just overjoyed at how much power I got for so cheap. A pretty fast dual-core chip, 3 gigs of ram, 17″ WS display, DL DVD burner, and non-integrated video (which means I can upgrade my video card). All of that for 450 bucks, delivered (AND with a 3 mo. warranty).
I know how you were using your stolen Mac, and how happy you were with it. Therefore, I say stick with a mac.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Get the new MacBook. Best Buy out there. CDW.com/myOffice has them for $999.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:44 am
ack… Freeborn, you said the words-that-must-not-be-spoken!!!
Best Buy is the Devil. Avoid at all costs!
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Y’all are great. Thanks for all that input.
I decided to peruse teh ebays. It’s been years since I even went to the site. What’s the latest scuttlebutt on that place? Can “Power Sellers” truly be trusted? How much spam will I get if I register there? What if a seller does me wrong – what’s my recourse?
I ask these things because of this,
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Can’t give you any advice on the eBay, but you can get the same machine from directly from Apple for 5 bucks less when it’s all said and done (you’re paying shipping to the eBay seller, Apple ships for free). Or, better yet, toddle on over to Charlotte Street Computer’s new Lexington Avenue store and pick it up today.
All things being equal, I’d avoid mail order resellers. If for whatever reason you have a problem with it, I’d rather deal with a real person I can speak with face-to-face down the street or with Apple directly.
Another consideration I forgot to mention…the newest Macs all have glossy screens, which takes some getting used to. Great for watching movies in a dark room, but blogging in the sunlight…not so much.
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I’ve never bought anything as “big-ticket” as a computer through eBay, but I’ve had good experiences both as a buyer and a seller. There are many protections and recourses in place.
But I’m with MM here – if you have the money now, check out CSC. At the very least, you’ll save on shipping and you won’t have to pay the “Apple Tax”
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
buy a mans PC:
link
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Yeah Shad, Alienware makes me wish I were a gamer.
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December 12th, 2008 at 10:29 am
First gen MacBook Air for $1100. That’s my wish. Or get the new mac book aluminum enclosed beauty.
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Oh Gordon… you’re not fooling anyone with that “makes me wish I were a gamer” talk.
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
For your budget (?) look into a Blu-ray drive, with perhaps Windows-7 at the helm. Vista is passe.
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:59 am
eesh.. nevermind. 7 isn’t coming out of beta until 2010
But a Blu-ray drive would still be cool.
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December 12th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’m not too terribly into gaming anymore (he types as his Wii is paused)… on my computer, I pretty much stick to MAME.
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December 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Ah come on, Adam. You well know that playing some video games every now and again is hardly being a true gamer.
You are a gamer. I’m a tourist when it comes to all that.
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Adam…I meant that the MacBook was the best buy out there. I would not shop at “BestBuy”.
Randallt…I have a first gen MacAir and would stay away from it. While good for me due to that it ways next to nothing and ride my bike 95% of the time 9 months out of the year, there is little to no scalability with it. If you are on the go, but a bus rider or car driver, MacBook with a few upgrades is going to last you in the long-haul.
But what ever you do….do not get a PC.
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Definitely get a Vista machine. It will give you the same tingly sensation of dousing yourself in gasoline and setting yourself on fire – but without the lingering smell.
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Dude, I will kick your ass on Super Smash Bros. My son brutalizes me on Mario Kart.
Got a PS3 by any chance?
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December 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Gordon, I’d check out that Alenware deal if your going to drop some money on a Mac. Alienware makes some killer towers. And you can always revert to Windows XP, which I’ve never had a problem with.
And I love Best Buy.
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December 12th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I don’t doubt it – I suck at Super Smash Bros. We’re talking “Second Season of Twin Peaks” suck here. I’m much better at Mario Kart, but I’m betting your son will probably pwn me at that as well. However, I will defeat all comers at Wii Sports Tennis, though. ALL comers.
Nah, the Wii is the first console system I’ve owned since the original 8-bit NES.
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December 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Thanks for the info Bryan. Scalability is certainly lacking. But what a joy the thing is to use and handle.
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December 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I am anxious to destroy you. I’m the tennis fucking champion. You can humiliate me at Mario Kart. We should work this out sometime.
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December 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’d vote for the new aluminum MacBook: It looks and feels sturdier than the older plastic MacBooks. It’s very similar to the MacBook Pro, but more portable (and without the tradeoffs associated with the MacBook Air). Plus the new glass multi-touch trackpad is WAY cool.
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December 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
You know, Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Ave. downtown has a Wii hooked up to one of their widescreens now…
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December 12th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Gordon, I was once a power seller on eBay, and 99.8% of transactions – buying and selling – went without hitches. The main problem is support. Sure, you always have the manufacturer’s warranty, but if anything goes wrong, you’ll probably be without your machine for a long time.
I also ran the Geek Squad at Best Buy for awhile. The good thing about buying local, even franchised, is you get to get into somebody’s face if smoke pours out of the little speakers. My recommendation: Buy new, buy local, and spend the extra bucks for whatever “extended” warranties they offer. That way, you can take in your crippled baby and they’ll exchange it on the spot! Also get an external usb drive and back up your shit fanatically, ’cause even Geeks and Firedogs can’t take apart a hard disk platter (not allowed).
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December 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Grat, the new MacBook uses Time Machine to backup all your stuff…
Thanks to everybody for your ideas and insights.
I’m absolutely up for a WiiFest at ABC sometime soon. I crushed last night at baseball, and I’m confident I could whoop Arratik’s monkey ass in tennis.
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December 12th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I’m down for the Wiifest. Be prepared, for I am skilled in the ways of the wiimote mydamnself.
Too bad they dont have Rock Band hooked up in there.
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December 12th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Look on the Apple website for refurbished Macs. They have a full warranty and you can save some bucks.
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December 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Not to end the thread on a downer, but if you’re wanting to write a letter to the NC Pesticide Board about this, you’ll need to go here and send your e-mail by Monday.
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December 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Sorry, Doug. I just couldn’t resist.
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December 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Gary, that’s how I got my current workhorse, a rock solid iBook G4. And as my warranty was fading, along with my screen, I got a new screen and motherboard. What a company.
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December 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Back stage at the jam!
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
How’d you do that, Randall?
The big entertainment around here was watching our cat get into a wrestling match with a throw pillow. He lost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ganpLSmoZt0
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December 13th, 2008 at 4:11 am
Just got home, what a treat! Arratic..friend of the stars. Some have personal trainers, others have personal clowns.
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