2002.08.25
Notebook shopping
Ahh, the joys of shopping for a new computer.
My current laptop (Dell Inspiron 3800) has been falling apart for a long time. Half of the keys on the keyboard spontaneously disable themselves for hours at a time. The case has cracked along one of the seams and I now have to be careful about how I carry the thing, lest it undergo sudden and catastrophic mitosis. The newest insult is that it doesn’t always want to turn on; it’s now been powered up for the last 120 hours straight because I’m too afraid to shut it down.
I need to send it in but I don’t really want to deal with life without a computer for the next six weeks. The kicker is that this machine was a warranty replacement for my previous Dell, which was even more of a mess than this one.
Thankfully it’s bonus time and I can do something about this. I’ve been spending most of the day researching notebook computers with the aim of getting something sturdy and fast; a real desktop replacement. Truth be told, that was my goal when I purchased my last computer two years ago, but at the time I was approaching things from a more conservative viewpoint. Having my last computer, a super-fancy top-of-the-line laptop (the first “premium” machine I ever stuck my neck out to buy), stolen in Vancouver within three weeks of purchase was somewhat traumatic for me.
I won’t splurge extravagantly this time, but I’ll definitely aim a little higher than the “buy low to prevent future heartbreak” approach of the year 2000. Currently looking very promising is the Fujitsu Lifebook E7110. I’ll tell you one thing: It won’t be a Dell. Not for a couple years, at least.
Will be sure to update as things proceed.
Picked up a Canon Powershot S200 for B. at buy.com last night. Toys for everyone!