I go through laptops faster than I should, usually because the laptop either commits suicide (just ask me about my experience with Dell laptops) or I do something bone-headed (when a new peripheral says "be careful which outlet you plug this cable into", be careful).
Since I travel a lot and jones for a net connection 24/7, I signed up for T-Mobile's Total Internet package, which provides wireless net access over T-Mobile's cellular network, around the world. I bought the required PC card that includes both EDGE and wi-fi reception. OK, all's well. Kind of cool, actually, since I can now get my email wherever I have a cellular signal.
Fast-forward a couple of months. I fry my laptop, 24 hours before I'm heading out of town on another speaking gig. I go into CompUSA (guaranteed worst sales staff in the known universe) and buy an HP Pavilion. I like it; it works with every AV set-up I've tried and otherwise runs well. Sucky battery life, but that's why the airplane gods invented in-seat power plugs. Anyway, I discovered that it doesn't have a PC slot; it has an ExpressCard slot which doesn't support PC cards. No adapter possible from one to the other. I spent three weeks finding what I hope is an acceptable USB adapter. And no, T-Mobile does not have an ExpressCard for their not-so-Total Internet service.
Some day, our grandchildren will roll their eyes when we describe the challenges of changing and incompatible hardware/software changes, kind of like how people roll their eyes when I say how butch I felt when I could configure Trumpet Winsock for an Internet connection.
Thank you. I feel much better having gotten that off my chest.
I'm sure there's a reason you're sticking with PCs...but I'm at a loss to understand it! Sounds like you need a really slick, reliable laptop -- why not a MacBook Pro? I use PCs all day at work, but on my own time, and for heavy-duty online teaching, I only use Apple products.
Posted by: Kit Keller | February 12, 2007 at 09:46 AM