I do not often write about technology, however this week will be devoted to a series on computers. We will return to our regular diet of economics, business, world events, and general silliness next week. Over the last few years, I have become increasingly frustrated with not only my computer, but computing and computer performance in general. This is a huge topic. There are multiple journals on computers and computer industry news that publish weekly, and there is no way to cover the state of All Things Computer in one column. As for my own limited musings, I will break things down as follows: My Computer Sucks; Software Sucks; Browsers Suck Even Worse; and Buying a New Computer Sucks.
My Computer Sucks.
I am writing this post on an Apple Titanium PowerBook with an 800 MHz G4 processor, 40 Gig hard drive, and 512 meg of ram. It doubled the speed of the 400 MHz TiBook that I used previously (and which still sits 15 feet away). I am using Mac OS X (pronounced “ten”) version 10.4.1, which was released within the last few months. At this moment, currently launched applications are Finder, Dashboard, iChat, Mail.app, Drop Drawers, Firefox, and Omniweb. Yes, that’s two web browsers, more on that later this week. Applications I have used within the last week or three include Safari, MS Internet Explorer (yes, a third and fourth browser, I said I’d get to that later), Word, Excel (both from Office 2004), Terminal, Quicken 2005, iTunes, iCal, Address Book, Preview, Quicktime, Garage Band, X-Chat Aqua, and a few relatively low tech games (Bejeweled, Mike’s Cards, Snood, BableBlox, Age of Empires II).
As you can see, I do not have the latest greatest computer, I should probably consider a new one, but it’s not like I am trying to calculate the size of the universe or find a cure for cancer or anything of the sort. Truth be told, my computing needs are not all that different from Joe and Jane Average’s needs. I use the internet for pretty standard web browsing, email, instant messaging, and hanging out on a computer oriented IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel (we call them channels, not chatrooms). Like most people I need to write the occasional document, calculate some figures, balance my checkbook, look at documents (like tax forms) in PDF format. Like most people I like to listen to music, watch film clips, and play games. Oh, and I write music and the posts on this site. Nothing big here.
One serious frustration with my computer is the display. My current resolution is set at maximum, 1280 x 854. I live with many things going on at once — as you can tell from the list of currently running applications — and the extra pixels are darn nice to have. However, sometimes it can be quite difficult to read the screen. A peek at a friend’s Sony Vaio leads me to believe the problem is not a need for new glasses, but rather my screen. It is hollow reassurance that “the reviewers” raved about how much better this monitor was than its predecessor. Current model PowerBooks do not necessarily improve this situation.
As if the readability problem were not bad enough, there is also a really awful glare problem. It is not practical to use this TiBook in bright light. Between that and the somewhat less than optimal WiFi reception, taking it outside to work on a nice day is only theoretically possible.
Another problem is the battery life. I can get maybe 2 hours on battery, if I am careful to clamp down java right away. Theoretically, I can tweak the System Preferences to give me greater battery life, but only at the expense of usability. Foolishly, I thought the idea of a portable computer was that I could leave my desk and still, you know, get things done.
I am aware that some of the problems I experience with my TiBook stem from the fact that Apple made a conscious decision to emphasize style. There is no question about the fact that Apple notebook computers look fantastic. I know multiple people who decided they had to have a TiBook within moments of first seeing one. However, sometimes style trumps utility. For example, because they use a fabulous looking metal (Titanium or Aluminum) case, wireless reception suffers. Greatly. So not only is this not a machine to take wardriving, this is not even a machine to take any meaningful distance away from the wireless base station.
Style trumps utility when it comes to the optical media drive as well. Because the CD/DVD drive is a slot loading unit, it is a pain in the butt to use. If the computer is on a desk, it is hard to get the disk in. If the computer is on a stand, the feet which keep the computer from sliding off get in the way. Non-standard disks are non-usable; there is no way to load a minidisk or an unusually shaped disk. Such disks are often used for promotional materials. Good thing I have access to a PC.
A problem which has actually been fixed in the newer models relates to travel. If you are planning on toting a TiBook, it is important to use a screen and keyboard protector. This will keep the keys from rubbing on the screen during transit. The scuff marks the keys can leave behind are mostly annoying, but as I noted above the screen is hard enough to read in the first place.
Another style over substance issue which has only sort-of been fixed is the power supply. The original TiBook came with a power supply that, well, looked like a UFO. It had a slot around it, horizontally, for cable that went to the computer. The cable that went to the wall socket was wrapped around the saucer vertically for travel. Not only was this inconvenient, but made airport screeners nervous. Furthermore, it was difficult to find an appropriate place to put it because of its unusual size and shape. Since then, Apple has moved to a small power supply, about 3.5″ square by 1″ high. Little tabs fold out to hold the wire that goes to the computer, but the one that goes to the wall still has to be haphazardly wrapped around the unit, poised to come apart in the least convenient possible way when you open your laptop bag. Another unfortunate detail is that it is almost exactly the same shape, size, and color as an iPod power supply or an AirPort Express. It could be a little confusing to sort out which white block is which. At least it has flat edges.
Be sure to come back in a day or two to read Part Two, Software Sucks.