Selling Out For A Laptop

I have made a deal to get a new computer. It started out small. Borrow a little to get a netbook or a cheap laptop. Something portable to get by with. Nothing fancy, fairly low on features, maybe even used. It only had to last a year or so until I could get something a little more upgraded. It just had to work. Not even well. Just well enough. Then… I’m not sure what happened. I highly suspect the Toolman gene kicked in. I walked out of the store with something substantially more expensive than any of the concerned parties had considered.

Oh the debt I owe to my saviors now! But oh, the joy-gasm of having my very first laptop! It still isn’t the one I want, but I guess I really don’t need 8 GB of RAM. Nope. I couldn’t even type it with a straight face. Thank Heaven, this one is upgradable. : )

Toshiba Satellite L505

It’s got an awesome name, nifty features, and an infuriating OS that I’m still figuring out. Not that Windows 7 is difficult. It’s just that coming off of Linux and Windows XP you get a little lost in this latest attempt to mimic certain Apple features. I never made the switch to Windows Vista after seeing it in action, so I knew this latest incarnation would be interesting to say the least. Certain options I have taken for granted for years are now hidden in the most bizarre places. (I just want a thumbnail!). Using the help menu is rarely helpful. (There is a call your friend option!) And Heaven help you if you are trying to fix wireless issues while being sleep deprived and under caffeinated.(Find the answer on the internet? But I can’t connect you @**$^!%) Having said that, I do like a lot of what Microsoft has improved. The desktop gadgets are possibly the cutest waste of space ever. The search menus in the startup/folders is both awesome and horrible. The optional eco setting is pretty cool. And a big bonus is that so far I haven’t had to search for mysteriously moved files. Now, if only I could get Norton to go away completely…

Yup, this is so worth the payback I owe to my wonderful friends. Speaking of which, time to finish that to-do list I got handed.

Woosh!

Swash

I’m not sure about you guys, but I don’t think I’d spend my money on this instant bidet. I mean, I understand the need for sanitation. I just don’t want to leave wet butt prints everywhere when the water jets miss. Read the full story about the item pictured over on apartmenttherapy.com. I’d type more, but I have to pee. : )

MP3 Wars: Part Deux

So, Bestbuy is being sketchy (and that’s me putting it nicely) about whether or not the Sony Walkman 16GB will even be in this month. They cannot or will not tell me if the price will match what it has listed on their own website as “things fluctuate based on what our company decides is best.” O.K. I’ve worked in retail before. I can accept this.

What I cannot accept is that they must look at the box and read it to me to answer what kind of media it supports. I can read! Been doing it for years!. They have what, like six players that are not iPods! They can’t learn six items! I have been in charge of entire store sections and could tell you the developmental history of 80% of the items in my departments!

I also have a difficult time swallowing that they aren’t sure if they have any in stock and are unable to go to the back to check because “well, our trucks come in on Tuesday and Thursday, so try back then.” I am seriously starting to question the merits of even asking their employess about anything.  : /

And what’s this nonsense about them no longer selling Office Space?! Huh! Has the company gone off the deep end?!

Maybe I’m just asking too much? I don’t think so. But then, I do make it a point to at least attempt to show curtesy to someone about to buy a product I’m selling.

Luckily, as I fumed and came close to calling a manager, in what I suspect would have been a futile attempt, to gain insight into why a giant blue sign had the audacity to proclaim “our knowledgable associates,”  someone came to my rescue! It was an associate no less! Here was the promised one! He knew the file formats, what was and was not in stock, and what would be a comparable model! He even knew what firmware upgrades there were! This man single-handedly restored my faith in Bestbuy! Hooray!

So what did he suggest? This little puppy!

Sansa Fuze 8GB

The version I have is 8GB. It also comes in 4GB and other colors. At the time of purchase, Bestbuy only carried four colors total and were sold out of three. So I have a silver one. Which matches my phone. Not that it will stay silver long. I have stickers begging for a surface to cling to!

It has expandable memory, built in FM tuner, intuitive interface, easy to navigate menu, a scroll wheel to navigate with, and works amazingly well. The screen has very nice resolution for viewing pictures and video. A firmware upgrade (took me about three minutes to complete) gives you added file format versatility and include FLAC and WAV. The armband case will make using the power and hold button a little awkward for those with larger fingers, but works well to protect and carry the Sansa on your jogs. My only complaint so far is that the earbuds are too big for my ears. Which means, basically, I have zero complaints!

Needless to say, some people I know will be getting one of these on gift giving occasions. What? It works great and it’s fairly inexpensive ($99.99). Why branch out when I have found a diamond in the rough? That’s right! There is no reason! I have saved several birthdays and Christmas in June! Hazaa! Let the happy butt dance ensue!

Mental note: get name of that guy who was so awesome and help get him a raise. : )

MP3 Wars

I need an mp3 player. I think about this a lot. Since my last one died, I just haven’t been able to decide on what I want to get. As of right now though, I know. I want this one.

Sony Walkman 16 GB

Product Height: 3.6″

Product Width: 1.75″

Product Depth: 0.3″

Storage Type: Flash memory

Built-In Storage Capacity: 16GB (actual formatted capacity may vary)

Included Removable Memory: None

Digital Audio Format Upgradable: No

Computer Compatibility: PC

Music-Management Software: Windows Media Player

Music Service Compatibility: Napster|Rhapsody

Digital Audio Formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC-LC, Linear PCM

PlaysForSure Compatibility; Yes

Remote Control: No

Battery Size: Rechargeable lithium-ion

Battery Quantity:1

Battery Life: Up to 40 hours

Connection Transfer Rate: USB 2.0

Tuner Type: FM

Headphone Type: Ear buds

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 or later)

It also has a very easy to navigate menu. It lacks the iPod scroll that I love so much, but I think I can live with it. It’s Sony and their S-line has always had impressive sound quality. The only down side I can find is that it lacks upgradable storage. I would have enjoyed that feature a lot. I’m certain there are bigger and better, but I think that this one will match my needs. Don’t get me wrong though, if I could, I’d have an iPod classic too. I heart me some Apple! : )

The bad news is that it’s on backorder with no release date. Bestbuy. com is the only place I see to get it online. Anyone know where I can find this thing?

And Thus, History Is Made!

For yea verily and yea heartily shall I have memory installed! Yes, you heard it here first! My office will be getting a memory upgrade! (Pity they can’t do that for my mind as well.) I shall go from 256 MB to 512 MB! Truly this is a glorious day! I shall sing my joy from the mountain tops while wearing a frock that Roger and Hammerstien can be proud of! “The room is alive with the sound of typing!“

Now, I shall be able to open an email without needing to wander aimlessly around the building killing the endless minutes it takes to load! Now, I shall be able to edit files without needing to call co-workers and ask why highlighting text requires additional memory to perform the function! Now, I will have the ability to listen to motivational music at work! Now, I shall be able to run two, count ‘em, TWO programs at once! Now, I can actually do the job I was hired to do!

…

Wait. You mean… I have to work now. Like, actual work?

Blink.