I'm not exactly a trendsetter. I don't buy up all the new gadgets as soon as they're released, and I don't salivate over the idea of vastly improved technologies (how much more convenient can life become, really?). In fact my behavior is quite the opposite. I wait for reviews, find out what's working and what people are liking, research, research, research, test-drive (if possible) and only when absolutely necessary take the leap to purchase.
As some of you know, I've been having major problems with my computer. It's a Mac Powerbook laptop I've had for about 5 years and I love it. Compact, streamlined, and packed with more power and storage space than I thought I'd ever need. Unfortunately, I have occasionally been less than careful with it and as a result it has developed some debilitating screen problems. Basically the screen cuts in and out at random. I had it checked out and it can be fixed, but for much more than it seemed reasonable to spend to make a 5 year-old computer workable again.
So I tentatively ventured into the high-tech world to purchase a new computer. In the spirit of total disclosure this process began earlier this summer. I looked at all kinds of computers, decided fairly quickly that I wanted to settled on another Mac, and begun the research process of what was available. And much like my car buying experience from earlier this year, I discovered that computers have changed alot in the last 5 years.
Finally, after much wailing and gnashing of teeth (and probably over an hour of simply standing in the store staring at the computers - FYI, they start to stare back after 10 minutes) I decided to change back over to a desktop. The decision was easy when I realized that in 5 years I could count on one hand the number of times the computer had left my house. I'd get a better screen and more powerful computer for less money. Score! So I focused on the iMacs. They were very cool with the computer all built into the screen, but I couldn't decide which size was right, the 20'' or the 24''. It was maddening trying to picture the darn thing on my desk at home.
So, as is my standard M.O., I put the decision off. And as luck would have it that was exactly the correct thing to do. Miraculously, the next week Apple released the new line of iMacs. Bigger, more powerful, and even more streamlined. I was able to get twice as powerful a computer for hundreds of dollars less, plus the new machines come with a wireless keyboard and mouse. I got the computer last weekend and have been loving it ever since. Until I had something new, I hadn't realized how much my old machine had slowed down. It's so much less stressful to have a reliable machine. Here's a picture of the new beauty. If you're in the market for a computer I highly recommend you check these puppies out.