sundries

[rm]

What my mother had for me did turn out to be money from my grandfather's estate. Not a huge amount, but enough that I can buy a new computer, which I've needed to do for at least a year, and definitely go to Britain with Patty (Cardiff!) in April and then put the rest responsibly into savings.

All of which means I need to make some computer decisions. I have no idea what I want, but I'd like to do this before Dragon*Con. There are pros and cons to both Macs and PCs for me (I'm only looking at laptops btw). Uses are Intnernet and word processing mainly. Needs to not get cranky about things like PowerPoint and Photoshop, and if it's a PC has to run Access (don't ask) well. If it wouldn't kick the price too much higher, video editing capabilities are of potential interest. Ideally wanting to spend around $1300 or less, but willing to go higher for some random convincing reason.

My father's self-publishing "empire" continues apace. But, he's decided to do a book of all these vintage pinup photos he's collected from 1910, and I told him, yes, I can help promote that! So maybe my father finally has a good plan. He's also doing a book of his photography -- it's 50 years of New York City stuff, and he's got a good eye, so that might be something I'm willing to help him out with too.

We talked about Mad Men a bit. My father's first job was at BBD&O in 1955 and he worked at J. Walter Thompson during the era of Ehrlichman and has some pretty chilling stories about all of that. He was shocked by how much I remember of Madison Avenue from my childhood. It was pretty interesting, and he should be racing to write this stuff down, not all this other stuff he works on.

I finished the essay -- an hour and a half late, but hopefully the editor will be forgiving.

Comments

[cozzene.livejournal.com]

I will give you my opinion on laptops. I just helped a friend purchase a nice model Toshiba...

IMO:
*AMD processor over anything Intel
*Dual Core not single or Centrino
*IF you can find one with an independent video card you are better off.
*Get something with XP or downgradable to XP from Vista. Vista is a ram hog and useless is nearly everything it does if/when it decides to be compatible with software. Windows 7 is around the corner and most Sony and Toshiba models are coming with a free upgrade to 7 when it comes out in a couple months.
*Do not get 64 bit...lots of bugs and most software is not compatible with it.

I built a PC version of the above a few months back and it's the damned best computer I've ever owned; pretty much NASA capable.

I don't like MACS because I feel you can build a PC much cheaper/buy a laptop that's repairable/upgradable much more readily that anything MAC equivalent.

[cozzene.livejournal.com]

and I have free Photoshop for you and CS if you get a laptop.