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1. I salvage the parts that still work in my desktop computer and try and fix it.
2. Order completely new parts and essentially build a new, faster, and better PC.
3. Let my desktop live out the rest of its life, and get a new laptop.
First of all, I need to spell out that I am the kind of person that needs a laptop and a desktop. No getting around it, that is simply how it has to be. So the reason why this debate has come about in the first place goes something like this:
About three weeks ago I started to get random blue screens and crashes on my desktop PC. I built the desktop about 2 summers ago, but almost all of the parts are no longer compatible with the stuff available now. With this in mind, I reformatted the drive and hoped for the best. While some of the crashing has been alleviated, the speed and graphic performance are not what they used to be. The parts are probably just getting outdated for today’s programs, but I partially blame my hardware.
I am almost 100% positive my mainboard is the issue, and this wouldn’t be the first time I have had an issue with it. In any case, I can’t simply replace the mobo and be done with it, because my cpu wont work with the new motherboards out (and they don’t sell the old 939 socket anymore). Plus I would need a new power supply, memory, and likely a video card as well. So with that, I might as well have bought a whole new computer.
In addition to these desktop troubles, I recently reformatted my four year old Acer laptop to hopefully get a little more preformance out of it. Dissapointingly, the battery life simply sucks, and it is just too slow. In laptop years, it is probably 80+ years old, I think it is just setting up for a stroke.
So I am essentially dealing with an ER patient and an old man in hospice care.
I only have money for one computer, and the laptop is definitely going to be the more expensive, but more useful choice. I can either shell out around $800 for parts, or get this. I have been wanting a Mac for awhile, and while I will never want to use one exclusively, I think it makes a lot of sense to have a mac laptop because they are easier to use, and more reliable.
I do somewhat regret jumping on the “students with macs” bandwagon mainly because so many mac users are really smug jerks, and I’d rather not be lumped in that category. (The South Park episode about hybrid cars comes to mind)
I also really resent how much money they are charging for their computers. I suppose you do pay for reliability, but the rest of your money pays for a backlit fruit.
I am waiting for them to announce the new Macbooks in October, because they are rumored to be a little cheaper, have alumnium cases, and include the fancy new two finger touchpads currently in Macbook Pros.
We’ll see what happens in October, I just hope my current setup will last until then.
I like it. I’ll say it. I think it is far more streamlined, efficient and cleaner than the old Facebook. The new update has also diverted from its collision course to clutterland by forcing those horrible applications to the backseat.
In the past, FB existed primarily as a directory. Find your friends, and be found by that creepy guy who sits across from you in Intro To Math You Should Have Learned In Junior High.
Now the new Facebook is the hub for all other social media. Post an RSS feed of your blog, your Digg activity, your listening habits on Pandora, Yelp reviews, etc.
And best of all, I’ll never know if you are a level 20 Vampire, or feel obligated to poke you in more ways than one.
I was once pretty uninterested in social networks, but I have wised up to the importance of these networks in marketing, especially when targeting a younger population that has nontraditional media habits. It is amazing how much time some people will spend on sites like Facebook, but perhaps more remarkable is how little time they now spend watching TV (at least the kind of TV with ads in it).
How do you harness that kind of attention? I think some businesses have it figured out, others are still scrambling. There certainly isn’t a true king of social media, and I doubt it will ever be Facebook, so what is next? I know this man has some ambitious ideas.
Okay,
Over the past couple weeks, Microsoft has been releasing these Seinfeld ads, and I keep seeing posts online about how they are worthless, they don’t work, and always the general “vista sucks” blather.
These ads DO accomplish their purpose, which is to establish awareness. I think what is confusing a lot of people is that they think an ad needs to convey a product difference, benefit, or a reason to buy. There are so many campaigns in broadcast, print, or otherwise that don’t specifically promote a product, its called corporate advertising. While the first two ads that have been shown thus far don’t specifically discuss a microsoft product or service, they are part of a series of shorts, and they are creating a huge amount of buzz.
They are also a fantastic example of viral marketing. When the first ad launched, I was sent the link by at least 10 people. Microsoft has the spotlight on them right now, and even if the audience isn’t sold yet, they are at least curious enough to tell all their friends.
For the record, I am not a microsoft hater, but at the same time, I haven’t been sold on Vista yet. I was prompted to voice my thoughts after seeing Penny Arcade’s most recent post. I typically find these guys to be quite insightful, but this time I think they are just being malicious for the sake of humor. Its fine to be skeptical, but to be so absolute, before even seeing the full campaign, is rather imprudent.
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