R.I.P. Lappy the Laptop (2006? - 2011)
Lappy apparently did not like going without use while I was away, because when I had it on yesterday and I left the room for a minute to get something, it went dark and never woke up again. The efforts to resuscitate it by both me and the local computer guy were unsuccessful. Granted, a laptop that's five (maybe six? It was a floor model) years old and took nightly poundings for two and a half years of grad school is bound to go sometime, I guess. I just wish I'd had more of a warning.
And maybe some less sucky timing.
I've got faculty back-to-school info e-mail to read, side jobs to investigate, vet insurance claims to check. At least my parents kindly loaned me their laptop (they have a desktop but it's surprisingly difficult to have one computer in a house with two semi-retired people) so I can research my options to replace Lappy.
The other thing that sucks about the timing is that I've already paid for vet bills (ka-ching!), car A/C repairs twice (ka-ching! ka-ching!), and bridal/baby shower gifts (ka- well, we got good deals on those, so no real complaints there).
This is the Summer of Extreme Expenses.
That said, Lappy was a good little workhorse and we had a lot of good years together.
So, how's your week going?
Comments
(WVW: wardant. Like mordant, only more war-like!)
Rick recommends a Dell if you're going for another laptop.
As for this week... today's Rick's birthday. :)
Bingley--oh yeah, ouch! But let's hear it for safety and improved mileage! Woooo!
Rob--I keep trying to meet someone like that. . . but my timing's always too sucky. Hee. And thank you for the condolences.
CCR--yeah, I guess I'm riding the wave. . . BTW lemme know if you'd recommend your new laptop. :)
Sara--happy b-day to Rick!!! And as a matter a fact, I am typing on a Dell. I'm curious to know why he prefers Dell! (Although I'm guessing he doesn't have Vista. HATE.)
Dave, I'm seeing that you agree along similar lines!
Staples has been having reasonably good deals. I just replaced the old desktop with an entry-level lappy a couple of weeks ago. It's an HP, not a lot of bells and whistles since I don't exactly edit HD movies or do a lot of gaming. More than enough to watch cats on YouTube and do my blogging and typing.
Depending on what you need it for, you can get a reasonable laptop for less than $500.
Another spot to consider is Costco. They tend to be more pricey but the machines come with more software on them; mine only had Windows 7, a starter version of Word and Excel, and a Norton trial subscription.
You can save more if you decide to ditch Norton or McAfee and go with one of the excellent free anti-virus and firewall suites, and if you don't need something like a blu-ray drive. Just make sure that you have enough USB ports for everything you need to run.
My family has had lousy luck with the free antivirus software! Norton's been O.K.(and darnit I still had three months left on the subscription on Lappy!). Kinda hoping I can get an educator's discount on Office somewhere.
A friend accompanied me on a little test-drive at Best Buy today. Not sure I'd buy from there, but the prices were good, and I got a good feel for the one I think I want. We shall see.