Author Topic: elservo spends lots of money: part deux (Read 9035 times)

elservo · « **on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:05:57 »

Hola, Mech fans!

Being snowed in on the East Coast has caused me to spend money on something, but this time it's not a keyboard, it's a Macbook!

Have never had a Mac laptop, so I'm pretty excited. I was going to get a Macbook Pro when the new processors came out, but then I remembered that I'm not into video editing or anything that really pushes the processor, so I really don't need to pay a premium just to get a chance to use OSX again.

I also bought a bunch of parts for my old Dell XPS M140 laptop, so when those babies come in I'm going to swap out all the broken bits and hook my wife up with it, since she's ready to get rid of her old Compaq machine. It's funny how cheap replacement parts are for that laptop. I think everybody has a broken Dell XPS M140 laying around their house somewhere, as that can be the only explanation for the incredibly low prices on ebay. A brand new 9 cell battery for 32 bucks? Sure, why not! A new screen bezel for 6 bucks to replace the one you tried to spray-paint blue? GO AHEAD! How about a brand new glossy LCD screen for 82? I SEE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT AT ALL!!

But anyway, I'm looking forward to the new Macbook. I got Apple Care on it because with my luck it will break repeatedly. I use the hell out of laptops.

itlnstln · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:09:18 »

Congrats. That's one way to pass the time during the crappy weather you guys are having. Enjoy.

elservo · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:10:23 »

What kind of computer do you run?

ch_123 · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:10:42 »

I've heard (and this is from friends of mine who like Macs) that the Pro models are much better built than the regular ones, and that this is enough to justify the price gap. Again, YMMV.

itlnstln · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:13:45 »

I have all Windows 7 machines. My home PC is an old POS (Athlon x64 3200+, single core). I usually use my work laptop at home (Dell Latitude D620). My work PC, where I post from usually, is a hoss (Dell Precision T5400 - Intel Xeon E5405, 4GB RAM, 3 19" Dell Monitors, etc.).

elservo · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:55:01 »

I haven't heard anyone refer to something as "a hoss" in a while! I don't think I've ever had anything that I could refer to as a "hoss." My Filco is kinda Hossy, I suppose, and my DLP TV has a bit of a hoss quality to it, and I have a Honda Ruckus scooter that hosses out from time to time, but I just haven't had something that is clearly as hoss as your work PC. This upsets me.

itlnstln · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 15:59:15 »

My home theater setup is pretty hoss, and the Edge can be hoss at times.

The GF thinks I'm a hoss, too. A Stallion to be exact.

itlnstln · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 16:27:33 »

You're just a Bonanza of funny pics, ripster.

kriminal · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 16:57:38 »

a hoss? hmmm.....

kishy · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 17:04:48 »

XPS M140 = Inspiron 630m = what I have. Aging gracefully, except for a hinge problem (not the hinge but the metal sheet in the screen assembly that the hinge screws onto).

The 9 cell is worth it. Mine (bought used ~2-3 years ago, $280+shipping) included a (used) 9 cell and was getting 5 hours of battery life at the time, now down to 3ish, but that's still pretty respectable. Assuming it's a real Dell battery and is new expect a few good service years from it before performance declines.

If you want the longest possible life out of the system as a unit, DO NOT OPEN/CLOSE THE LID WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED OR FORCE. The metal sheet behind the LCD will fatigue and crack right above one or both hinges, resulting in nothing supporting the screen assembly. I conjured up a kludge to fix it (involves super glue, a drill and a bolt) since, at the time, the replacement part I needed was not available at any sort of sane price (would have had to buy entire screen half of laptop at immense cost).

elservo · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 17:18:06 »

My hinge was pretty loose now on it. I worked on it today though and now the hinge is in great shape again. It's still a fine little laptop, and it has put up with my revolving OS'es for all these years. One of the best things about it is how common its hardware is. Linux takes to the Inspiron line very nicely.

kishy · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 17:40:38 »

I imagine it wasn't the hinge that was loose but the screws that hold the hinge into the lower half of the laptop? This is a common problem with this case style of Dell. The worst thing you can do is leave it...tightening the screws is important or they'll strip out the holes over time.

The hinges themselves are great...some of the best. The problem is how they attach into the screen assembly...they screw into a <1mm thick metal sheet which fatigues easily (though it seems you had it apart enough to know what I'm talking about).

ricercar · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 18:48:03 »

Extended warranties are scams on anything without a motor. Hard drives have motors.

Applecare is a solid idea for any Apple Laptop. I've had maybe 4 new-bought powerbooks and one MacBook, and invariably there was a series of repairs in year 2-3 that would have cost more than the $300 of AppleCare.

This is not an anti-Apple sentiment. My ThinkPads and Toshibas and Hitachis and Fujitsius and all the other Laptops I've ever had all seem to need serious repairs in years 2-3. However, not all of the other companies offer a 2nd and 3rd year coverage.

I usually buy AppleCare on day 364 after PowerBook purchase, unless a large repair is required under the 1-year warranty. Apple service techs have been known to fix AppleCare warranted products faster and with better parts than simple 1-year warranty repair products.

elservo · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 09 February 2010, 22:21:45 »

Yeah, I'm going to purchase Apple Care at some point this year. Best Buy was offering a bunch of warranty crap on their website but I'd rather just mail my laptop to Apple if it needs to be fixed. I know too many morons that are Geek Squad employees.

itlnstln · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 12 February 2010, 14:00:25 »

Hey, how are you liking the new rig?

elservo · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 12 February 2010, 17:09:09 »

UPS is enjoying my new rig so much that they decided to keep it a few extra days! Maybe they'll deliver it to me on Monday. Bad snowstorm obviously caused a huge backup at my local depot, so it's still on the truck that brought it to my region, not on a delivery truck yet. I fumed over it for a couple hours, but I'll live. I've gone 31 years without an Apple laptop, I suppose I can go a couple more days.

hyperlinked · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 12 February 2010, 17:27:43 »

One of the things you'll like the most about your new MacBook is the battery life. It used to be that Apple would advertise the battery life on their laptops based on you having the thing on and doing virtually nothing. It was impossible to get anywhere near the number of hours they claimed you could get, but in their latest line of laptops, you really can get 7 hours out of it unless you're running the screen at 100% brightness and you're compiling software.

That 7+ hours of battery life is one of the things I love the most about my MBP. It is simply awesome to not have to keep your eye on the battery level constantly to make sure you've got enough juice to finish what you're doing.

I know a lot of folks here don't think the Apple laptops are worth the premium you pay for it and on most of the older models I'd find it hard to argue, but on the ones that use the unibody shell, it's a different story. There's something about the way that they're built that makes them feel like an entirely different class of laptop.

I've never been one to be overly protective about my devices or any of my stuff for that matter, but there's something about my MBP that makes me want to be careful about scratching it or putting a ding in it. You'll probably understand what I mean after you get a chance to use it for a while.

elservo · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 12 February 2010, 19:48:01 »

Yeah I'm really excited to use it, and thanks to that glowing post I'm officially impatient again.

Does UPS deliver express packages on Saturdays?

ak_nala · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 13 February 2010, 02:19:50 »

IIRC, only if extra fees paid at time of shipping. Worse, Monday is a holiday and they may not deliver then either

hyperlinked · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 13 February 2010, 02:24:21 »

BTW elservo, be aware of Apple's 14 day price drop policy. If the price drops on your model within 14 days of your purchase, you can ask to get the difference back. If you ordered from a reseller, contact your reseller about it.

Quote

Should Apple reduce its price on any shipped product within 14 calendar days of shipment, you may contact Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or credit of the difference between the price you were charged and the current selling price. To receive the refund or credit you must contact Apple within 14 calendar days of the price change.

Link

elservo · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 13 February 2010, 07:00:56 »

That would have to be an official price change, though, I'm guessing. I don't see Apple dropping the price from 999. It would be nice if they did, though!

elservo · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 15 February 2010, 22:15:42 »

Finally got it today. This thing is beautiful. Having so much fun setting it up that I think I just peed a little. The keyboard is really nice and responsive. Quite surprised that I love it so much.

itlnstln · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 06:51:35 »

Congrats, enjoy!

(I hope you didn't pee on your gumballs.)

hyperlinked · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 07:49:24 »

Quote from: elservo;158537

The keyboard is really nice and responsive. Quite surprised that I love it so much.

Ok ok now don't get too carried away there son...

j/k... I was also surprised that I got used to the chiclet keys rather quickly. They're still not my favorite and my typing speed and accuracy suffers about a 10% drop when I'm using it, but it's not a big deal.

Make sure you set-up the two finger scrolling tricks.

ricercar · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 12:07:45 »

Quote from: ripster;158591

wanted a Mac for high school. I talked him into a Dell 12"

You are TRULY evil.

Kudos for evil. Negative extra credit for the Dell recommendation, tho. HP or Toshiba. Michael Dell is an ass.

kishy · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 12:35:35 »

Pretty sure just about all current HP models have extreme reliability issues relating to heat dissipation (and their inability to do it properly).

As I understand it they're even doing out of warranty complete replacements on failed units just to keep the masses unaware it's happening...if nobody complains publicly, the rest don't find out.

Source: local laptop repair shop which has made a fortune replacing failed HPs and their parts.

elservo · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 12:39:14 »

Chiclet keys aren't horrible is all I was sayin'.

Digging the multitouch gestures, and I've customized my hot corners to run expose' and desktop, so the "problem" of having multiple apps running isn't a problem in the least.

And good idea with the friend buying his daughter the inexpensive PC for high school. That's a really nice laptop, and if she wants a Mac she can go get a job like the rest of us! He taught her an important lesson thanks to you.

elservo · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 12:58:38 »

A Macbook seems like a good idea when they're leaving for college. You might even be able to get a couple extra years out of the Dell laptop if she goes to Community College!

elservo · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 16 February 2010, 20:59:53 »

Would love to have a white/gray HHKB Pro 2 now. Finger porn.

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Author Topic: elservo spends lots of money: part deux (Read 9035 times)