Thank goodness people live longer than computers. I mean, even the
Ocompa live longer than your average computer.
Two of my computers are living on borrowed time. The one I use the most, my trusty e Machine, is 7 years old. It has been a good friend, but is no longer reliable. It freezes up, it has EATEN several of my manuscripts (which results in wailing, gnashing of teeth, and the air around me turning blue), as well as my mailing lists (several times). Thank goodness for
Drop Box, where I keep my backup files.
My Acer laptop and I have been wary friends for nearly 6 years. There's something wrong with it. The cursor jumps all around if I try to use its keyboard, so I've had to lug around an auxiliary keyboard for years. (Finally got one that fits in my computer case.) And ... it's Vista. (I hate that you can't see thumbnails of your pictures.)
After this latest manuscript meal, I've decided it's time to bite the bullet and buy a new computer. But I'm not sure what to get. Do I really need
a new laptop right now or should I just get another
PC tower and hold off until the Acer starts coughing up blood? I don't know. But no matter what I do, I've got to
upgrade my ancient software. (Yup, I'm still running Word and Excel 2000.)
I'm really depressed about the whole situation. I'm comfortable with both these computers. I know how they work. I know where all my files are. I hate starting fresh and the whole learning curve and all that tommyrot.
I guess bottom line: I HATE CHANGE.
Any helpful pieces of computer advice?
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6 comments:
As an aside, you may want to reconsider using Dropbox. Take a look at this article from The eBook Reader Blog. I already closed my account. I am using both SkyDrive from Windows Live and Google Drive.
Use drop box or any other cloud storage, invest in good virus protection, and use an external hard drive (they run bet $60-$100. The latter is a GREAT investment that has saved me a lot of heartache. I personally have not had good luck with Acers; they tend to overheat and therefore "fry" their little brains to ashes. I currently have a Toshiba that I LOVE from Best Buy.
Go for the laptop (The Sony is a good choice) for now. Cost will be comparable between a laptop and a desktop, but the laptop affords mobility. If you desire a desktop in addition, either learn, or find someone who can build a custom desktop for you. I have a laptop for work and writing but am building a desktop for gaming.
Also, if you can, price your laptop for the most RAM for the buck. The one you linked has 4GB, which is good, but 8 would be better. For a laptop, which isn't as expandable as a desktop, the further out you plan, the longer you can use it.
I got an absolutely great deal with my newest computer -- HP Pavilion w/8GB RAM & a 1 TB drive. (Hey, my last HP computer lasted 7 years & the main reason for a newbie was the upgrade in RAM.) This little critter has been great and I also have an external hard drive for backups as well as DropBox. I love it and ... it only cost me $399 (which came out to about $450 after taxes were added on). If you can find something it that range, you could also get a new laptop, too. Something to think about. Good luck!
my advice, sooner rather then later. Stores are clearanceing out last years models to bring in the new ones for the start of the school year. I just got an amazing deal.
I think you should get a laptop and take advantage of its portable features. That is a relatively helpful attribute, whether you’re working home-based or anywhere else. Do not be afraid about the change. Embrace this opportunity of a new kind of learning instead. Besides, there’s not much variety when it comes to controls and functions.
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