The Laptop Saga
Aug. 27th, 2006 10:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
browncoat2x2Yes, I've a new fiasco to empart to you all. I'm disturbed by the alarming frequency with which I am able to make these updates, really.
So.
After the decision was made to get me a laptop so that I can do my writing at work and not use the company's resources, I stayed up late last night and looked all over for the best deals I could find on laptops. I found a good looking deal at Future Shop - I know, I should know better, and normally I do, I blame it on the late hour and my excitement - anyway, so I decided that I am going to order this web special that says I can pick it up at the store close to my work. Great. So I place the order online. At 9:45 am I received a confirmation email that my order had been received and that I would receive an email for pickup within 3 hours.
One hour goes by. Then two. Then three. Then *four*. Then *Five*. Then *SIX* and I'm now more than impatient, so I call up the store to see what the deal is. Well. According to the rude, snotty, attitude filled punkass who answered, their network was done, and thus, they couldn't get to any of their online orders. When I told him I'd received an email stating that my order had been received, he said it was automated, their system was down, and he hung. up.!! The little fucker.
So, I promptly cancelled my order. I don't like to buy anything other than DVDs and the like from Futureshop, and this has just reinforced that attitude. Anyway, I searched more and found a good looking deal at MDG computers. This was a bit different. With this chain, you just go to the store and they have all their machines in stock, you just pick up what you want. Except when I walked in there, it was like I was in some loan shark's den, it was small, cramped, with desks at which sat guys explaining the systems to customers, and then a desk at the back behind which stood the rest of the employees, ignoring those of us standing there waiting for assistance (namely me). It just gave me a very uncomfortable feeling, not one of 'trust'. So I left.
To hell with it, I decided, and went to a little local store called Best Byte, the store I'v bought my desktop machines at for the last 10 years and more. Why I didn't just go there in the first place, I don't know. So, I went in, looked at the 6 or so laptops they had left (school sales are cleaning them out), found a guy, and ten minutes later walked out the store with my brand new laptop, usb mouse, and backpack, at last!
Really, I have to ask, am I cursed? At least I've learned my lesson and will just stay with the reliable service I've come to trust from Best Byte, even if the system was more than the other two.
SO, it's pretty swanky! It's an Asus, which is a brand I've always trusted and had good results with in my desktop systems. For those who care, here are the specs:
Duo T2300 E intel processor, 15.4" wxga display (1200x800) 100gb 5400 rpm hard drive, 1 gig of Ram, lan card, modem, DVD +/- RW burner, a bunch of crap software, XP Home, a built in web cam, GMA 950 gfx video chipset, wireless, 4 usb ports, etc. etc. etc.
It should certainly do well for me for a good long time, that's for sure.
Now I'm installing all my preferred software and setting everything up the way I want, which is always more work than you think it should be, and are probably right *G*
It's got a pretty nice keyboard, too.. easy action, feels pretty natural. I'm very happy :o)
And my hubby is the sweetest for letting me get this. *good lovin' to the hubby* ;o>
So.
After the decision was made to get me a laptop so that I can do my writing at work and not use the company's resources, I stayed up late last night and looked all over for the best deals I could find on laptops. I found a good looking deal at Future Shop - I know, I should know better, and normally I do, I blame it on the late hour and my excitement - anyway, so I decided that I am going to order this web special that says I can pick it up at the store close to my work. Great. So I place the order online. At 9:45 am I received a confirmation email that my order had been received and that I would receive an email for pickup within 3 hours.
One hour goes by. Then two. Then three. Then *four*. Then *Five*. Then *SIX* and I'm now more than impatient, so I call up the store to see what the deal is. Well. According to the rude, snotty, attitude filled punkass who answered, their network was done, and thus, they couldn't get to any of their online orders. When I told him I'd received an email stating that my order had been received, he said it was automated, their system was down, and he hung. up.!! The little fucker.
So, I promptly cancelled my order. I don't like to buy anything other than DVDs and the like from Futureshop, and this has just reinforced that attitude. Anyway, I searched more and found a good looking deal at MDG computers. This was a bit different. With this chain, you just go to the store and they have all their machines in stock, you just pick up what you want. Except when I walked in there, it was like I was in some loan shark's den, it was small, cramped, with desks at which sat guys explaining the systems to customers, and then a desk at the back behind which stood the rest of the employees, ignoring those of us standing there waiting for assistance (namely me). It just gave me a very uncomfortable feeling, not one of 'trust'. So I left.
To hell with it, I decided, and went to a little local store called Best Byte, the store I'v bought my desktop machines at for the last 10 years and more. Why I didn't just go there in the first place, I don't know. So, I went in, looked at the 6 or so laptops they had left (school sales are cleaning them out), found a guy, and ten minutes later walked out the store with my brand new laptop, usb mouse, and backpack, at last!
Really, I have to ask, am I cursed? At least I've learned my lesson and will just stay with the reliable service I've come to trust from Best Byte, even if the system was more than the other two.
SO, it's pretty swanky! It's an Asus, which is a brand I've always trusted and had good results with in my desktop systems. For those who care, here are the specs:
Duo T2300 E intel processor, 15.4" wxga display (1200x800) 100gb 5400 rpm hard drive, 1 gig of Ram, lan card, modem, DVD +/- RW burner, a bunch of crap software, XP Home, a built in web cam, GMA 950 gfx video chipset, wireless, 4 usb ports, etc. etc. etc.
It should certainly do well for me for a good long time, that's for sure.
Now I'm installing all my preferred software and setting everything up the way I want, which is always more work than you think it should be, and are probably right *G*
It's got a pretty nice keyboard, too.. easy action, feels pretty natural. I'm very happy :o)
And my hubby is the sweetest for letting me get this. *good lovin' to the hubby* ;o>
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 05:14 am (UTC)By the way thanks for adding me and for letting me add you.
Hey i was wondering, well i have some stuff stuck in my head and i am having a hell of a time doing anything with my challenge... could you maybe help me out? PLEASE?!... I mean it wont have to be now just, when ever you can. I just have so many fics on my brain it is all one bit scary mess sometimes.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 05:23 am (UTC)What kind of help are you looking for??
no subject
Date: 2006-08-29 11:45 pm (UTC)If you are still interested, I guess the kind of help would include me showing you some stuff i wrote and you sort of hitting me over the head every time it sound out of character... you know so that i can stop the nasty habbit of writing Inara as the 'verse's version of wonder woman, way too powerful and stuff... though I have never writen about her and a laso.
also if i ever get blocked if you and me can sort of talk over some ideas and what i could change in my story to make it so i don't write myself into a corner.
And I guess that would be how you could help, though if you were to help me I would grant you creative license on what tactics you would use to help me out.
What do you think?
no subject
Date: 2006-08-30 02:10 pm (UTC)*facepalms*
I'm sick... so.. you have to excuse me.
Anyway, yes! I'd be happy to help you out... send me an email at browncoat.2x2@gmail.com anytime.. and if you use any chat programs, maybe we could talk that way...
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 07:30 am (UTC)Hooray for new laptops! *dances*
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 03:47 pm (UTC)*shakes head*
I don't know what it is I put out into the universe... but I swear..
Anyway, yes, it was good to get it from a place I trust, or at least know what they're gonna screw me over *G*
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 03:44 pm (UTC)I guess there were just too many things that had gone wrong for me to remember... what a sad statement that is...
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 02:21 pm (UTC)My roommate got a Future Shop laptop and it took them longer to deliver it than they'd promised. I don't like them :S
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 03:48 pm (UTC)*bashed head into desk*
Kill me now....
no subject
Date: 2006-08-28 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-28 12:11 pm (UTC)Computers.... meh...
no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-27 03:58 pm (UTC)And how am I supposed to set up my network with it now?
ARRGGGG....
*pant pant pant*
I appreciate your comment... and even your point of view *G
And you've staved off my homicidal rage for at least another day... ;o)
You *do* do a world of service...