As I mentioned in the GQ thread where I wondered how accurate UPS’s delivery dates were, I bought a Mac PowerBook.
My original laptop computer is a screaming 133mHz. Not bad, for the time. I took it to Arizona with me when I visited my mom for Thanksgiving so that I could check my e-mail, read SDMB, etc. I could not check my e-mail. It’s still loaded with Win95, and its older version of Explorer will not support the encryption in my web mail service. It’s basically useless at the moment. (I can load a new OS. It will still have a slow processor, of course; but it would at least be usable.)
When I went to L.A. a couple of weeks ago, we really could have used a computer so that we could check for hotels, get directions, and so on. I’ve been meaning to get a new laptop, and this gave me some incentive.
I decided on a PowerBook. Why not a PC? The business I’m getting into uses Final Cut Pro to edit videos. FCP is for Macs. I want an iPod. May as well get a computer from the same company. The PowerBook will give me Internet access when I’m on the road, and it will also allow me some ability to edit. Today I bought a 200gb external drive, on which I can store the projects I’m working on.
The computer has Bluetooth, and so does my Motorola phone. Groovy. I can dial in (yes, I still have a dial-up – I don’t want to lose my webpage) from anywhere, or my friend can connect when we’re driving. But…
I haven’t been able to connect over the mobile phone. I linked both Bluetooth devices successfully, but could not connect. The local Mac gurus (where I bought the external drive) were unsure how to do it. We re-linked the computer and phone, and I entered the correct dial-in number. When we tried to connect, there was an error of some sort.
I was hoping to get the AirPort Extreme at the store, but they were out of stock.
I took the free iMac my friend gave me to see if they could get the modem to talk to the ISP. They said I’d have to check it into the shop. (Hey, I just bought a pricey piece of equipment; they could have at least given it a quick look. If it needed more time, I could have left it – but I just wanted a once-over.)
So the good thing is that I have the Mac, and I got the external drive. The bad news is that I cannot connect with Bluetooth using my mobile phone, they did not have an AirPort, and I still can’t connect with the iMac.
Re: Prosletising: There was a white-haired man there who lived on Whidbey Island. Gave the impression of someone who has a lot of money. Liked to talk. A lot. He did show me some neat stuff, but he just wanted to go on and on and on to the Mac Newbie. He actually did say at one point, ‘This is acting like a PC!’
I may have committed a faux pas. Someone told me to have fun with the new drive, and I pointed to my friend and said that he was going to make me work! Turns out that the guy has his own videography business. My friend offered him a 50% share in his own company at no cost (same as he did with me). Just bring his equipment (same as with me). Aparrently he’s not doing all that well, since he has to have a ‘real job’. Meanwhile, my friend has had to buy more equipment (including lots of stuff from this store) to keep up with business, the guy who does the DVD cover art has had to come in and get equipment from them, and here I come along and quip about being put to work! My friend said the guy was probably kicking himself for not jumping in when he had the chance.
And now, to load Final Cut Pro…