My friend Laura, who is also unemployed at the moment, called me a few days ago, and asked me to help her shop for a new laptop. She has no other computer, and the internet is where jobs are to be found these days. (To be sure, you can still hunt in newspapers and drive around looking for 'Help Wanted' signs, but the internet is where you can do all that without having to change out of your bathrobe.)
Now, I've been looking for a cheap laptop myself the last month or so. In fact, shortly before losing my own job, I had several discussions with co-workers about what I should get. The debate basically boils down to notebook or netbook. Netbooks, for those who may not be up on these things, are a new breed of ultra-portable computers. They are smaller— generally having a 7- or 8-inch screen— and much lighter. Often times, they are entirely solid state, with flash memory functioning as a hard drive. Base prices are about $200 to $300 below comparable low-end notebooks. In the negative column, they have compressed keyboards and are not significantly upgradeable. Full notebooks, as I said, are more expensive. They are also heavier and less easy to transport due to their size.
After several weeks of indecision, I am firmly in the notebook camp. I suspect I will be in the netbook camp after a few more generations.
Laura's request allowed me to follow through on my own desire to purchase a refurbished notebook from the Dell online store. (There's a full one-year warranty.) We looked at several other online sources, but the Dells seemed to have the most bang for Laura's buck. After adding an optional external mouse, shipping fees, and taxes, Laura paid about $534. I know she's excited to play with it— and I am too!
After buying the laptop, we capped off our afternoon with a pie run to Polly's Pies. Mmmmm... Banberry...
Spending the afternoon with Laura in Orange County also gave me an opportunity to ride the Metrolink again. I am not a huge fan of the Metrolink trains, and just to prove that they are equally ill at ease with me, there was another accident last night on the Metrolink line from San Bernardino to L.A. (It was a side swipe and only light injuries were reported.) My train in was at 11:30 AM, and I had to share the top half the car with exactly one other person. Ahhhh. Going home, however, I was stuck in the commuter crowds. Ugh. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to catch up with a few old friends. It also briefly occured to me that I should head forward a few cars to where my former manager was sitting. I would have loved to see his face as I stood in the distance and waved slowly at him. I guess I'll save that cold dish for another day.
I look forward to your comments!
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