This way to the stars

Brand new laptop!

This is my first journal entry in my brand new laptop! Whohooooo!

It feels great finally having a laptop. I actually was initially disappointed when I discovered that Dad didn't buy me the smaller and more portable ebox laptop (whose screen size is 12''), but when I discovered the features that this laptop has, I became more and more convinced that Dad made the right choice.

For starters, even though the screen is bigger at 15'' (and thus the laptop is heavier and more difficult to bring to school), watching DVDs turns into a very cool experience with the big LCD screen (I think that this laptop's screen is at least as big as our PC's monitor!). I guess that this is the time to savor widescreen computing. Haha, finally I can watch the Interview With the Vampire DVD that I bought in the States, because for some reason it won't play on our DVD player. Also, this laptop has a more reputable brand; its Compaq (by HP) brand is much more trustworthy and has greater quality than the ebox laptop I initially chose (I don't even know the brand; I don’t think it's global). Therefore, I can safely presume that this laptop is of better quality than the ebox, and therefore has less chance of conking out after years of use.

Also, this laptop comes packed with many features that the ebox doesn't have (at least, its spec sheet didn't list them). For starters, it actually has a Memory Card Slot, which means that I can transfer information such as music files and pictures from my phone to the laptop and vice-versa without using Bluetooth. Also, it comes installed with Advanced Norton Anti-Virus which, together with the Opera Browser I intend to install, will effectively keep nasty viruses away from my beloved system. To my surprise and delight, I also found that a muvee Movie Editor is installed in the laptop, which means I won't have to download a demo version of it - perfect for our Zoology documentary project!! Most importantly though, the laptop comes with built-in Wi-Fi (though I think I still have to subscribe to a service, or get a router), Bluetooth, and LAN connection, which the ebox doesn't have and which will come in handy for on-the-go internet surfing. Yahoo!

The only thought that nags me is that this Compaq laptop costs about 70,000, which is 10,000 pesos more than the ebox I originally chose. This is because this laptop costs the same as an Apple iBook, which is my dream laptop. But maybe if I had the Apple iBook I would have had some sync issues. And let's not forget: the Apple iBook does NOT have the Microsoft Office suite of applications, which are the programs that I most need in a laptop since they are utilized for schoolwork. Also, there are much much fewer downloadables available for Macs than for Windows operating systems. I suppose the iBook just looks sleek but it just lacks the necessary things that I need in a laptop. Also, its white chassis gets dirty so easily (the ebox also has a white casing), and a laptop that would be brought to school should get ready for some travel wear-and-tear (thus I am happy with the Compaq's plastic exterior but sleek silvery metal interior).

In conclusion, because of the great features it comes installed with, its wider screen that is more conducive to a cinematic DVD experience (not to mention a bigger screen means not having to squint to see the smaller letters that would be seen from a smaller 12-inch screen when typing long papers for long hours), and its overall usability compared to the Apple iBook and the ebox laptop, I think I'm gonna have some great times with this baby (its heavier weight notwithstanding; it would probably be a more enjoyable experience to use a laptop with a wider screen anyway). That is, if RAJ doesn't mess with it.

posted by steph @ 2:04 PM